Device for the separation of flue gas particles in laparoscopy
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11439935-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
Subject matter of the present invention is a device for the separation of flue gas particles and liquid droplets in the exhaustion of surgical gases during laparoscopic interventions.
Core Innovation
A substantially tube-shaped device is disclosed for the separation of particles, droplets, and humidity from flowing flue gases having a flow rate of 3 to 20 l/min. The device comprises a tube of length 10 to 50 mm and an inner diameter di of 4 to 20 mm. Within the tube, an axially located flow body K is provided with a web cross-section of 0.5 to 6 mm.
The device further comprises two to six rigid guide vanes L disposed between the axially located flow body K and the inner wall of the tube. The guide vanes L are rigidly connected to the inner wall of the tube and are helically arranged so as to confer a radial movement component to the gas flowing through. In this way, the helical arrangement drives a helical/spiral flow in which centrifugal forces promote particle and droplet adhesion to the wall and promote condensation related to humidity separation.
The guide vanes are defined by a ratio S of a vane entry surface area FE to a vane exit surface area FA of between 2.7 and 3.3. FE defines an effective flow cross-section at an inlet to the guide vanes, and FA defines a flow cross-section at an outlet from the guide vanes. The design is implemented without moving parts and is described as manufacturable by injection molding or 3D printing, including integration as a hose connector or within a filter holder/housing.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. The claim coverage centers on a tube-based separator that uses an axially located flow body and rigid, helically arranged guide vanes that impart a radial movement component, with a specific vane-entry to vane-exit surface-area ratio.
Helically arranged rigid guide vanes in a tube for radial movement component
A device for separation of particles, droplets, and humidity from flowing flue gases (3 to 20 l/min) comprising a tube (10 to 50 mm length, inner diameter di 4 to 20 mm) and an axially located flow body K (web cross-section 0.5 to 6 mm), with two to six rigid guide vanes L helically arranged between the axially located flow body and the inner wall to confer a radial movement component to the gas.
Vane entry/exit surface-area ratio defining effective flow cross-sections
The guide vanes have a ratio S of vane entry surface area FE to vane exit surface area FA of between 2.7 and 3.3, wherein FE defines an effective flow cross-section at an inlet to the guide vanes and FA defines a flow cross-section at an outlet from the guide vanes.
Across the independent claim, the core inventive structure is a tube separator that combines an axially located flow body with rigid helically arranged guide vanes to impart radial movement and helical/spiral flow, while defining the guide-vane geometry by the surface-area ratio S between vane entry and vane exit.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Laparoscopic surgical gas exhaust, using an exhaust hose for separating flue-gas particles, liquid droplets, and humidity during laparoscopic surgery gas exhaustion.
Interested in licensing this patent?