Comprehensive system that minimizes outbreak of operating room fires

Abstract

A system for prevention of fires in operating rooms as frequently arises from electrocautery and laser systems comprising an electrocautery instrument having a shielding gas that is expelled from the distal-most end thereof to thus prevent the cautery tip spark from coming into contact with an oxygen-enriched environment that may otherwise propagate the spark into a full-fledged fire. The systems can further be coupled with oxygen sensors, alarms and mechanisms for limiting the delivery of oxygen. Additional refinements include incorporating heat sensory strips to the distal ends of oxygen delivery systems, which are in turn coupled with a thermocouple device set to turn off oxygen delivery or electrosurgical system at given levels of heat to thereby limit the extent of burn injury. Further refinements also include the use of nonflammable inserts to the tips of the oxygen delivery systems such that in the event of a fire the plastic does not catch on fire and in effect turn into a blowtorch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.