Device and method for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery
AssigneeHackensack University Medical Center
InventorsKenneth Giuffre, Joseph Barbetta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery is provided, wherein the device permits communication among a sensor associated with endotracheal tube and a laser which generates the laser beam. When the sensor and endotracheal tube are impinged by the laser, the sensor senses this impingement, and communicates with a controller which controls power entering the laser beam. Because of such communication, the controller impedes power entering the laser, which extinguishes the laser and prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube.
Claims15
A device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during surgery with a laser beam generated by a laser, said device comprising:
- (a) a sensor which can sense impingement of said laser beam, wherein said sensor is operatively connected to said endotracheal tube;
- and
- (b) a controller which modulates the intensity of said beam, wherein said controller and said sensor are in communication;
- such that upon sensing impingement of said laser beam on said endotracheal tube, said sensor instructs said controller to modulate the intensity of said laser beam impinging said endotracheal tube, and prevent ignition of said endotracheal tube.
A device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during surgery with a laser beam generated by a laser generator, said device comprising:
- (a) a wire operatively connected to said endotracheal tube, wherein said wire is electrically connected to a power source, and electrical resistance of said wire increases upon impingement of said wire by said laser beam;
- (b) a wheatstone bridge electrically connected to said wire;
- (c) a microprocessor electrically connected to said wheatstone bridge, wherein said microprocessor measures electrical resistance of said wire;
- (d) a controller which controls power entering said laser generator, and is electrically connected to said microprocessor;
- such that upon laser beam's impingement of said endotracheal tube and said wire, said microprocessor measures the change in electrical resistance of said wire due to impingement by said laser beam, and instructs said controller to modulate the intensity of said laser beam, preventing ignition of said endotracheal tube.
A method for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube in a patient during laser surgery on the patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a sensor which can sense impingement of a laser beam;
- operatively connecting the sensor with the endotracheal tube, which senses impingement of a laser beam onto the endotracheal tube;
- and
- providing a controller which modulates the intensity of the laser beam, wherein the controller and the sensor are in communication;
- such that when the sensor senses impingement of the laser beam on the endotracheal tube, the sensor instructs the controller to modulate the intensity of the beam, which prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.