SURGICAL FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTROL AND DEFICIT MONITORING

• US 20100228224A1
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Thermedx, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Pyles, Kenneth R., Williams, Jeffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,597,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/777 Determination of loss or gain of body fluids due to suction-irrigation, e.g. during surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/127 with provisions for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0202 with electronic control means or interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0245 Containers therefor, e.g. with heating means or with storage means for cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 : with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 : having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/04 : for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/414 : using electronic computing means only

Abstract

Surgical fluid management systems and methods of operating surgical fluid management systems which may provide one or more functions associated with suction, irrigation, distention, deficit monitoring, infusion, fluid warming, and the like. Some example embodiments may include infra-red lamps arranged to heat fluid flowing through a disposable cartridge. Some example embodiments may provide a three-dimensional fluid path through the cartridge and/or multi-stage heating capabilities. Some example fluid management systems may be selectable between pressure control and flow control modes.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a fluid deficit in a surgical fluid management system, the method comprising:

measuring an initial weight held by a fluid supply container support, the fluid supply container support supporting a first fluid supply container;

measuring an initial weight held by a fluid collection container support, the fluid collection container support supporting a first fluid collection container;

calculating an initial reference total weight, the initial reference total weight including a sum of the initial fluid supply container support weight and the initial fluid collection container support weight;

supplying fluid from the first fluid supply container to a surgical site;

collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the first fluid collection container;

measuring a first current weight held by the fluid supply container support;

measuring a first current weight held by the fluid collection container support;

calculating a first current total weight, the first current total weight including a sum of the first current weight held by the fluid supply container support and the first current weight held by the fluid collection container support; and

calculating a first fluid deficit by subtracting the first current total weight from the initial reference total weight.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to measuring the initial weight held by the fluid supply container support and prior to measuring the initial weight held by the fluid collection container support, priming a tubing set.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising

after calculating the first fluid deficit, supplying fluid from the first fluid supply container to the surgical site and collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the first collection container;

measuring a second current weight held by the fluid supply container support;

measuring a second current weight held by the fluid collection container support;

calculating a second current total weight, the second current total weight including a sum of the second current weight held by the fluid supply container support and the second current weight held by the fluid collection container support; and

calculating a second fluid deficit by subtracting the second current total weight from the initial reference total weight.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising

after calculating the second fluid deficit, accounting for replacement of the first fluid supply container with a second fluid supply container by

prior to replacement of the first fluid supply container with the second fluid supply container, measuring a pre-replacement weight held by the fluid supply container support,

after replacement of the first fluid supply container by the second fluid supply container, measuring a post-replacement weight held by the fluid supply container support,

calculating a fluid supply container weight difference by subtracting the pre-replacement weight from the post-replacement weight, and

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and the fluid supply container weight difference.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after calculating the updated total reference weight, supplying fluid from the second fluid supply container to the surgical site and collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the first collection container;

measuring a third current weight held by the fluid supply container support;

measuring a third current weight held by the fluid collection container support;

calculating a third current total weight, the third current total weight including a sum of the third current weight held by the fluid supply container support and the third current weight held by the fluid collection container support; and

calculating a third fluid deficit by subtracting the third current total weight from the updated reference total weight.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising, detecting replacement of the first fluid supply container by the second fluid supply container by ascertaining a substantial weight difference between the pre-replacement weight and the post-replacement weight.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the substantial weight difference corresponds approximately to a predetermined expected fluid supply container replacement weight difference.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein ascertaining the substantial difference includes waiting for a period of time to allow dissipation of transient weight signals present due to inadvertent motion of the surgical fluid management system.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting replacement of the first fluid supply container by the second fluid supply container includes detecting replacement of a partially depleted first fluid supply container by a substantially full second fluid supply container.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising

after calculating the second fluid deficit, accounting for replacement of the first fluid collection container with a second fluid collection container by

prior to replacement of the first fluid collection container with the second fluid collection container, measuring a pre-replacement weight held by the fluid collection container support,

after replacement of the first fluid collection container by the second fluid collection container, measuring a post-replacement weight held by the fluid collection container support,

calculating a fluid collection container weight difference by subtracting the pre-replacement weight from the post-replacement weight, and

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and the fluid collection container weight difference.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, after calculating the updated total reference weight, supplying fluid from the first fluid supply container to the surgical site and collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the second collection container;

measuring a third current weight held by the fluid supply container support;

measuring a third current weight held by the fluid collection container support;

calculating a third current total weight, the third current total weight including a sum of the third current weight held by the fluid supply container support and the third current weight held by the fluid collection container support; and

calculating a third fluid deficit by subtracting the third current total weight from the updated reference total weight.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising, detecting replacement of the first fluid collection container by the second fluid collection container by ascertaining a substantial weight difference between the pre-replacement weight and the post-replacement weight.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantial weight difference corresponds approximately to a predetermined expected fluid collection container replacement weight difference.

14. A method of monitoring a fluid deficit in a surgical fluid management system, the method comprising:

measuring an initial weight held by a fluid supply container support, the fluid supply container support supporting at least one fluid supply container;

measuring an initial weight held by a fluid collection container support, the fluid collection container support supporting at least one fluid collection container;

calculating an initial reference total weight, the initial reference total weight including a sum of the initial fluid supply container support weight and the initial fluid collection container support weight;

supplying fluid from the at least one fluid supply container to a surgical site;

collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the at least one fluid collection container;

monitoring a current weight held by the fluid supply container support;

monitoring a current weight held by the fluid collection container support;

calculating a current total weight, the current total weight including a sum of the current weight held by the fluid supply container support and the current weight held by the fluid collection container support; and

calculating a current fluid deficit by subtracting the current total weight from the initial reference total weight.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising accounting for replacement of the at least one fluid supply container with a new fluid supply container including

sensing a significant difference between a pre-replacement fluid supply container support weight and a post-replacement fluid supply container support weight;

calculating a fluid supply container weight difference by subtracting the pre-replacement fluid supply container support weight from the post-replacement fluid supply container support weight;

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and the fluid supply container weight difference; and

using the updated reference total weight in subsequent deficit calculations.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising accounting for replacement of the at least one fluid collection container with a new fluid collection container including

sensing a significant difference between a pre-replacement fluid collection container support weight and a post-replacement fluid collection container support weight;

calculating a fluid collection container weight difference by subtracting the pre-replacement fluid collection container support weight from the post-replacement fluid collection container support weight;

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and the fluid collection container weight difference; and

using the updated reference total weight in subsequent deficit calculations.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising repeating the monitoring the current weight held by the fluid supply container support, monitoring the current weight held by the fluid collection container support, calculating the current total weight, and calculating the current fluid deficit operations to provide a substantially continuously updated fluid deficit calculation.

18. A method of operating a surgical fluid management device comprising:

calculating an initial reference total weight, the initial reference total weight including a sum of an initial weight of a fluid supply container and an initial weight of a fluid collection container;

supplying fluid from the fluid supply container to a surgical site;

collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the fluid collection container;

calculating a current total weight, the current total weight including a sum of a current weight of the fluid supply container and a current weight of the fluid collection container; and

calculating a deficit by subtracting the current total weight from the initial reference total weight.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising

detecting replacement of the fluid supply container by a replacement fluid supply container by ascertaining a substantial weight difference between a pre-replacement weight of the fluid supply container and a post-replacement weight of the replacement fluid supply container;

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and a difference between the post-replacement weight of the replacement fluid supply container and the pre-replacement weight of the fluid supply container.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising

supplying fluid from the replacement fluid supply container to the surgical site;

collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the fluid collection container;

calculating an updated current total weight, the updated current total weight including a sum of an updated current weight of the replacement fluid supply container and an updated current weight of the fluid collection container; and

calculating an updated deficit by subtracting the updated current total weight from the updated reference total weight.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising

detecting replacement of the fluid collection container by a replacement fluid collection container by ascertaining a substantial weight difference between a pre-replacement weight of the fluid collection container and a post-replacement weight of the replacement fluid collection container;

and

calculating an updated reference total weight, the updated reference total weight including the sum of the initial reference total weight and a difference between the post-replacement weight of the replacement fluid collection container and the pre-replacement weight of the fluid collection container.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising

supplying fluid from the fluid supply container to the surgical site;

collecting at least some of the fluid from the surgical site into the replacement fluid collection container;

calculating an updated current total weight, the updated current total weight including a sum of an updated current weight of the fluid supply container and an updated current weight of the replacement fluid collection container; and

calculating an updated deficit by subtracting the updated current total weight from the updated reference total weight.

23. A method of operating a multi-functional fluid management system, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, at least one of a surgical discipline selection and a surgical procedure selection; and

setting at least one default operating limit based at least in part upon the at least one of the surgical discipline selection and the surgical procedure selection.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

allowing user-directed operation below the default operating limit;

requiring additional affirmative action via the user interface for operation above the default operating limit at less than a maximum limit; and

precluding operation above the maximum limit.

25. A method of operating a surgical fluid management system, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, identification of information to be gathered by a surgical fluid management system during a surgical procedure;

electronically storing the information during the surgical procedure; and

receiving, via the user interface, an instruction pertaining to at least one of printing, storing, and electronically transmitting the information.

26. A method of operating a multi-functional surgical fluid management system, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, identification of at least one of a surgical discipline and a surgical procedure;

setting default operating parameters based upon the at least one of the surgical discipline and the surgical procedure; and

receiving, via a user interface, input to adjust the operating parameters.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising

receiving, via the user interface, input pertaining to desired alarm levels and alarm types;

and

overriding an alarm received during the surgical procedure based on input received via the user interface, if conditions have not exceeded pre-established maximum levels.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the alarm types include at least one of visible and audible.

29. A method of operating a surgical fluid management system, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, preferred operating settings associated with at least one of a surgical discipline and a surgical procedure, the preferred operating settings also being associated with an identity of at least one of a surgeon and an operator; and

setting operating parameters at the preferred operating settings upon receiving an input, via a user interface, associated with at least one of the surgeon and the operator and at least one of the surgical discipline and the surgical procedure.

30. A surgical fluid management system comprising:

a touch screen interface;

wherein the touch screen interface is configured to receive user input pertaining to operating parameters and to display information.

31. A method of controlling a surgical fluid management device, the method comprising

receiving, via a user input, identification of information which must be entered prior to operation of a surgical fluid management device;

requesting entry of the information;

if the information has not been entered, precluding operation of the of the surgical fluid management device; and

if the information has been entered, allowing operation of the surgical fluid management device.