Vessel Insufflation Control via Static Fluid Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
During surgical or investigative procedures, maintaining the pressure of insufflated vessels within a human or animal body is challenging due to leaks and pressure drops in the inflating medium delivery system, making it difficult to achieve and maintain the correct pressure within the vessel.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a primary pressure sensing means located within the vessel to monitor pressure directly, coupled with a control system that adjusts the delivery of the inflating medium to maintain the pressure at a predefined level, using a conduit system that terminates at the insertion element and includes a static fluid conduit to accurately measure pressure, and additional sensors for adjacent and external vessels to prevent over-inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is located externally in the conduit to monitor pressure, then the pressure can be monitored, but pressure drop occurs between the sensor and the vessel making accurate pressure control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A static fluid conduit filled with incompressible fluid (water or saline) is introduced as an intermediary between the pressure sensor and the insufflated vessel. This fluid-filled conduit transmits pressure changes from the vessel to the external sensor without significant pressure drop, as the incompressible fluid maintains pressure equilibrium. The static fluid acts as a pressure transmission medium that eliminates the energy loss associated with gas flow in traditional conduits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gas-filled conduit system with a fluid-based pressure transmission system. By substituting compressible gas with incompressible liquid in the pressure sensing conduit, the system eliminates pressure drop and improves measurement accuracy. This mechanical substitution transforms the pressure transmission mechanism from one subject to pressure loss to one that conserves pressure.
2Ease of operation
If the vessel is insufflated to maintain adequate pressure for the procedure, then the vessel remains inflated for access, but over-inflation may occur causing harm to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback control by monitoring pressure through the static fluid conduit and adjusting the flow of insufflation gas accordingly. The pressure sensor provides real-time pressure data, and the system automatically modulates the insufflation rate to maintain pressure within the safe operating range, preventing both under-inflation (which compromises accessibility) and over-inflation (which causes tissue damage).
Solution Approach 2:
The insufflation system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of insufflation gas based on real-time pressure conditions. Rather than maintaining a constant high flow rate that could cause over-inflation, the system continuously adapts the insufflation parameters to maintain optimal pressure, enabling safe and effective vessel accessibility throughout the procedure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inflating medium is delivered through a long conduit from a remote source, then the system can be set up externally, but pressure drop and flow resistance make accurate pressure control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The static fluid conduit serves as an intermediary pressure transmission line that connects the external monitoring system to the internal vessel environment. This fluid-filled conduit eliminates pressure drop over distance, allowing the pressure sensor to be located externally while maintaining accurate pressure measurement and control, thus reconciling external system setup with precise pressure control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for insufflating a vessel in a human or animal body, such as the rectum comprises a first pressure sensor located adjacent a leading end of an endoscope for monitoring pressure in the rectum. A second pressure sensor located on a carrier element which is urgeable through the endoscope into the colon monitors pressure therein. Insufflating air which may leak into the abdominal cavity is exhausted therefrom by a needle. A third pressure sensor monitors pressure in the abdominal cavity. A microcontroller controls the supply of insufflating air to the rectum for maintaining pressure in the rectum at a first predefined pressure, for preventing pressure in the colon exceeding a second predefined pressure, and for controlling a vacuum pump for drawing insufflating air from the abdominal cavity to prevent pressure therein exceeding a third predefined pressure.