Insufflation apparatus and methods and a gas generating cartridge therefor

An insufflation apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprising a gas outlet for delivering gas to a patient;
• and
• a gas generator arranged to be, at least partially, mounted on or in the housing, the gas generator comprising:
• a gas storage chamber configured for storing gas and delivering gas to a body cavity of a patient via the gas outlet;
• a first cartridge mount on the housing adapted to receive a gas generating cartridge, the gas generating cartridge containing one or more gas generating materials reactive with one another to generate gas, wherein the gas generating cartridge, the first cartridge mount, and the gas storage chamber are arranged so that, in use, when the insufflation apparatus is in an active mode, the gas generating cartridge is in fluid communication with the gas storage chamber when the gas generating cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge mount, and, wherein gas is generated from the one or more gas generating materials in the gas generating cartridge and delivered to the gas storage chamber, wherein the first cartridge mount comprises a manifold that forms a gas flow path between the gas generating cartridge and the gas storage chamber;
• an inlet configured to receive gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient;
• and
• a second cartridge mount adapted to receive a gas harvesting cartridge, the gas harvesting cartridge configured to recycle at least one component of gas received at the inlet to the gas outlet and/or the gas storage chamber;
• and
• a gas control heater assembly positioned and configured to control a pressure of the gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient.