Insufflator with filter loading detection device

An insufflator for minimally invasive surgery, comprising

• a) a gas connection with a proportional valve,
• b) one first trocar,
• c) one gas supply line connected to the first trocar to supply a gas flow from the gas connection to the first trocar, the gas supply line including a pressure measurement device,
• d) one evacuation device with adjustable evacuation capacity,
• e) one second trocar with an evacuation hose connected to the evacuation device with adjustable evacuation capacity,
• f) one filter for cleaning evacuated gas, which filter is positioned between the second trocar and the evacuation device,
• g) at least one pressure sensor positioned upstream or downstream of the filter in a direction of the gas flow,
• h) the insufflator includes at least one gas flow sensor, which at least one gas flow sensor is positioned up stream or downstream of the filter in the direction of the gas flow, or the insufflator includes at least two gas flow sensors one of which is positioned upstream and one downstream of the filter,
• i) one electronic control unit,
• j) one display device;
• and
• wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the evacuation device on the basis of measured values from the at least one pressure sensor and/or the at least one or the at least two gas flow sensor(s), to determine a status of a loading of the filter and
• wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to trigger an alarm when a linear increase of a pressure difference measured by the at least one pressure sensor transitions to an exponential increase or when a linearly decreasing gas flow measured by the at least one or the at least two gas flow sensor(s) transitions to an exponentially decreasing gas flow;
• and
• wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to:
• calculate and display a first predicted remaining runtime for a smoke-generating operating mode and a second, different predicted remaining runtime for a non-smoke-generating operating mode;
• and
• upon triggering of the alarm, provide a signal that prompts a user to temporarily pause the smoke-generating operating mode to enable an extension of filter life.