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Publication Number
US-9629967-B2
Publication Date
2017-04-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an insufflation system for procedures involving insufflation, including laparoscopic procedures, where an aerosol generator aerosolizes a fluid into an aerosol and delivers the aerosol into a pneumoperitoneum through a trocar. The system includes a trocar having a proximal entry port for insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered, with an aerosol delivery tube extending from the aerosol generator into the trocar housing and the aerosol outlet located distally with respect to the proximal entry port.
The described arrangement uses insufflation gas entering the proximal entry port to entrain the aerosol and enables early bolus delivery at procedure start. The trocar/aerosol-tube layout includes mounting the aerosol generator to the trocar or integrating it into a trocar or trocar insert, with seals supporting the aerosol delivery arrangement within the trocar housing.
The invention further describes control architecture for aerosol generation, including remote and locally mounted controllers, with pulse-rate control to achieve different aerosol delivery percentages or flow rates. Control can respond to insufflation flow, and the document describes calibration and electrical or dry detection based on resonant frequency/current signatures associated with the vibrating element or vibratable member of the aerosol generator. The generator is described as using a vibrating/piezoelectric vibratable member or a vibrating mesh.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines a trocar-mounted aerosol generator apparatus with a distally located aerosol outlet relative to a proximal insufflation gas entry port. The dependent claims refine the apparatus with sealing interfaces, tube/gas-flow geometry, angled-cut gap constraints, and controller placement/architecture, yielding multiple inventive features across the claim set.
Trocar-mounted aerosol generator with distally located aerosol outlet
An apparatus including an aerosol generator for aerosolizing a fluid into an aerosol; a trocar having a proximal entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered, with the aerosol generator mounted in a trocar housing; and an aerosol delivery tube extending from the aerosol generator into the trocar housing such that the aerosol outlet is located distally with respect to the proximal entry port.
Coaxial inner/outer tube defining an insufflation gas flow path
The aerosol delivery tube includes an inner tube radially spaced from an outer tube to define an insufflation gas flow path between them.
Distal seal between the outer tube and the trocar
A distal seal is provided between the outer tube and the trocar.
Angled cut gap less than 20°
An angled cut defining a proximal gap has an angle less than 20°.
Angled cut gap approximately 5°
An angled cut defining a proximal gap has an angle approximately 5°.
Two-controller architecture with one local and one remote controller
A control system includes a first controller local to the trocar and a second controller remote from the trocar.
The claim coverage centers on a trocar-mounted aerosol generator arrangement in which an aerosol delivery tube carries aerosol into a trocar housing with a distally located aerosol outlet relative to a proximal insufflation gas entry port. Dependent claim refinements further specify tube/gas-flow geometry via inner/outer tubes, add proximal/distal sealing interfaces, define angled-cut constraints for a proximal gap, and introduce a local/remote two-controller control-system architecture.
Stated Advantages
Reduced rainout and loss versus long tubing.
Controllable aerosol output independent of insufflator flow.
Improved humidity without heating, reducing patient heat loss.
Reduced fogging/visibility interference.
Improved surgeon accessibility.
Reduced cable clutter via integration and/or battery power.
Documented Applications
Use in procedures involving insufflation, including laparoscopic procedures and delivery into pneumoperitoneum (peritoneum inflation).
Delivery of an aerosolized medicament or therapeutic agent into pneumoperitoneum.
System configurations with integrated aerosol generator arrangements on a trocar for early bolus aerosol delivery at procedure start.
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