Hydrophilic Wick and Multi-Outlet Valve for Laparoscopic Smoke Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgical systems face issues with clogging of inlet and filter tubes due to surgical waste and insufficient removal of waste vapor, leading to visualization problems and pressure challenges during laparoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A smoke removal apparatus with a hydrophilic wick inserted into the inlet means to prevent clogging and a multi-outlet valve in the outlet means to facilitate quick removal of smoke and water vapor, ensuring efficient evacuation of impurities from the abdominal cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a standard inlet tube and filter are used in the smoke removal apparatus, then the device structure is simple, but the inlet tube and filter become clogged by surgical waste, water and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic wick is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet tube and the filter. The wick absorbs surgical waste, water and humidity through capillary action, preventing these substances from reaching and clogging the filter. This mediator allows the system to maintain both structural simplicity and reliable operation by intercepting harmful substances before they affect critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic wick utilizes porous material properties to absorb and transport fluids through capillary action. The porous structure of the wick allows it to selectively absorb liquids and particulates from the surgical smoke stream while permitting gas flow, thereby protecting the filter from clogging without adding complex mechanical structures.
2Device complexity
If a single outlet is used in the outlet means, then the device structure is simple, but smoke and water vapor are insufficiently removed and become stratified in the abdominal cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet is segmented into multiple outlets distributed across the outlet means. This segmentation allows smoke and water vapor to be removed from multiple locations simultaneously, preventing stratification in the abdominal cavity and significantly improving smoke removal efficiency. The multi-outlet configuration maintains relatively simple device structure while achieving superior smoke evacuation performance.
3Productivity
If the inlet tube is positioned to maximize smoke capture, then smoke removal efficiency is improved, but the inlet tube becomes more susceptible to clogging by surgical waste
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic wick serves as a protective intermediary positioned at the inlet where it directly intercepts surgical waste, water and humidity before these substances can clog the inlet tube. This allows the inlet tube to be positioned optimally for smoke capture while the wick prevents clogging, simultaneously achieving both high smoke capture efficiency and reliable operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces clogging and stratification of smoke and water vapor, maintaining clear visualization and optimal abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgery by using a hydrophilic wick to attract and retain waste and a multi-outlet valve for rapid vapor removal.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic wick inserted into and attached to the locking means of the inlet means
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic wick inserted into and attached to the locking means of the inlet means
Implementation Method 3
a fan for drawing impure gas from the surgical cavity through the inlet means and through the filter means to form the filtered gas and for driving the filtered gas through the outlet means into the surgical cavity
Implementation Method 4
filter means for filtering impurities from impure gas to form filtered gas
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved smoke evacuation device for use in laparoscopic surgeries. One improvement is a hydrophilic wick positioned within the inlet system of the smoke device for absorbing moisture and trapping surgical waste entering the smoke evacuation device. The second improvement is a multi-outlet valve inserted into the outlet system of the smoke evacuation device to enable quick depressurization of the surgical site.