System and method for controlled infusion and pressure monitoring

A system for controlled infusion of fluid into a body cavity, the system comprising:

• a pump having an inlet and an outlet;
• a conduit defining a fluid flow path from the pump outlet;
• a first sensor measuring pressure near the outlet of the pump along said fluid flow path;
• a second sensor measuring pressure within the body cavity;
• and
• a pump controller adapted to control pump output based on both pressure within the body cavity and pressure near the pump.

A method for irrigating a body cavity, said method comprising:

• pumping a fluid to the body cavity using a controllable pump;
• measuring pressure in the body cavity over time;
• measuring pump output over time;
• and
• controlling pressure in the body cavity by
• (a) determining a pump output factor based on the measured body cavity pressure and
• (b) controlling pump output based on the pump output factor and the measured pump output.

A method for irrigating a body cavity comprising:

• flowing fluid through a fluid conduit into the body cavity by using a pump;
• sensing fluid pressure within the body cavity with a sensor located within the body cavity;
• determining a correction factor based on the fluid pressure in the body cavity;
• and
• controlling pump speed based on the correction factor and fluid pressure near the pump.

A system for infusing fluid into a body cavity, said system comprising:

• a pump having an inlet connectable to a fluid source and an outlet;
• a conduit having a proximal end connectable to the pump outlet and a distal end connectable to an infusion instrument;
• a first sensor disposed to measure pump output;
• a second sensor located in the body cavity and adapted to measure body cavity pressure;
• and
• a controller defining 1) a first control loop which controls pump output based on a set point and the measured pump output and 2) a second control loop which generates the pump output set point based on a body cavity pressure set point and the measured body cavity pressure.

A method for irrigating a body cavity comprising:

• flowing fluid through a fluid conduit into the body cavity by using a pump;
• measuring pressure from at least two locations along said fluid conduit;
• determining a correction factor based on a fluid pressure near a target site in the body cavity;
• and
• controlling pump speed based on the correction factor and fluid pressure near the pump.