A novel method for electronic measurement and recording of surgical drain output.

Surgical drains are used to collect and measure fluids (e.g. serous fluid, lymph, blood, etc.). The volume of fluid in the container is measured using graded markings on the container and then recorded manually on a "drain chart" allowing for manual rate calculations. This method is dependant on regularly checking the volume of the drain and recording the value accurately; unfortunately, this is often not feasible due to staffing levels and time constraints. This results in inaccurate "drain charts" making clinical decisions based on these figures unreliable. Often the lack of confidence in these measurements leads to delayed drain removal with consequent increased infection risks and potential delayed discharge. Accurate digital measurement of drain content would have a significant impact on clinical care. This paper describes a digital technology to measure volume, making use of a positive terminal at the lowest point of the vessel and negative (sensor) terminals placed at accurate intervals along an axis of the vessel. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed using commercially available electronic components to test the feasibility of a technology for electronic measurement and recording of surgical drain content. In a simulated environment, the proposed technology was shown to be effective and accurate. The proposed electronic drain has a number of advantages over currently used devices in saving time and easing pressure on nursing staff, reduce disturbance of patients, and allows for preset alarms.

A novel safety mechanism to reduce the risk of inadvertent electrosurgical injury.

Thousands of laparoscopic procedures requiring the use of electrosurgical devices are performed worldwide on a daily basis. The use of electrosurgery carries with it inherent risks related to the use of an energy source within the abdomen. Inadvertent tissue injury due to the use of electrosurgical devices is rare, but is associated with a high morbidity and mortality if undetected. This paper describes a novel, yet simple method using instrument markers and image processing algorithms to reduce the risk of unsafe activation of electrosurgical instruments during laparoscopy. The method was tested in a simulated environment and measured against the decision of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Results showed that the position of an instrument in a visual field could be accurately determined using an image processing algorithm to ascertain whether it was safe for activation in agreement with the decisions made by manual inspection.