Method and Apparatus to Detect Biocontamination in an Insufflator for use in Endoscopy

• US 20070244424A1
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Gattani, Abhishek, Hameed, Salmaan, Mahadik, Amit, Iyer, Natraj
• Granted Patent: US 8,172,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/003 Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/362 by gas flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

An apparatus to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during a medical procedure comprises an internal flow path through which to convey the pressurized gas, a regulator in the flow path to regulate the pressurized gas, and a biosensor to detect a body substance entering or in proximity to the flow path.

Claims

1. An apparatus to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

an internal flow path through which to convey the pressurized gas;

a regulator in the flow path to regulate the pressurized gas; and

a first biosensor to detect biocontamination in proximity to the flow path.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising control circuitry to control operation of the apparatus, wherein the first biosensor is operable to output a signal to the control circuitry in response to detecting biocontamination.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is operable to output an alarm to a user in response to said signal.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is operable to cause the apparatus to shut down in response to said signal.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first biosensor is located in an external gas conduit connected to the internal flow path.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a gas output port at which to output the regulated pressurized gas to an external output conduit, for transport of the gas to the body of a patient, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas output port from the external output conduit.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a gas input port at which to input the gas from a gas supply via an input conduit, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas input port from the input conduit.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination in an external gas conduit that is connected between the internal flow path and the patient, the apparatus further comprising:

a gas input port at which to receive the gas from a gas supply via an input conduit; and

a second biosensor positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas input port from the input conduit.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the apparatus is an insulator to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during an endoscopic medical procedure.

10. An insufflator to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during an endoscopic medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

an internal flow path through which to convey the pressurized gas;

a regulator in the flow path to regulate the pressurized gas;

a gas output port at which to output the regulated pressurized gas to an external gas output conduit, for transport to the body of a patient during the endoscopic medical procedure; and

a first biosensor to detect the presence of biocontamination during the endoscopic medical procedure.

11. An insulator as recited in claim 10, further comprising control circuitry, wherein the first biosensor is operable to output a signal to the control circuitry in response to detection of the presence of biocontamination.

12. An insulator as recited in claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is operable to output an alarm to a user in response to said signal.

13. An insufflator as recited in claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is operable to cause the insulator to shut down in response to said signal.

14. An insulator as recited in claim 10, wherein the first biosensor is located internal to the insulator.

15. An insulator as recited in claim 10, wherein the first biosensor is located external to the insulator.

16. An insufflator as recited in claim 14, wherein the first biosensor is located in said external gas output conduit.

17. An insulator as recited in claim 10, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas output port from the external output conduit.

18. An insulator as recited in claim 10, further comprising a gas input port at which to input the gas from a gas supply via an input conduit, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas input port from the input conduit.

19. An insulator as recited in claim 10, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas output port from the external output conduit, the insufflator further comprising:

a gas input port at which to input the gas from a gas supply; and

a second biosensor to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the gas input port.

20. An insulator to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during an endoscopic medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

a gas input port at which to receive gas from a gas supply;

an internal flow path through which to convey the pressurized gas;

a regulator in the flow path to regulate the pressurized gas;

a gas output port at which to output the regulated pressurized gas to an external gas output conduit, for transport to the body of a patient during the endoscopic medical procedure;

a first biosensor to detect the presence of biocontamination during the endoscopic medical procedure and to output a first signal in response thereto;

a second biosensor to detect the presence of biocontamination during the endoscopic medical procedure and to output a second signal in response thereto; and

control circuitry to receive the first signal and the second signal and, in response to either of the first signal or the second signal, to output an alarm to a user and to cause the insulator to activate a protection procedure.

21. An insufflator as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the first biosensor and the second biosensor is located internal to the insufflator.

22. An insufflator as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the first biosensor and the second biosensor is located external to the insufflator.

23. An insufflator as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the first biosensor and the second biosensor is located in said external gas output conduit.

24. An insufflator as recited in claim 20, wherein the first biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the insulator at the gas input port and the second biosensor is positioned to detect biocontamination entering or about to enter the insulator at the gas output port.