Patent Publication Number: US-2023132683-A1

Title: Distributed flow path insufflation

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosure relates generally to medical procedures and more particularly to a method and system for insufflating a patient cavity using a distributed flow path. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Providing an insufflation gas into a body cavity is referred to as insufflation. The purpose of insufflation is to inflate or distend the body cavity to allow a surgeon to explore a surgical site and/or otherwise provide a view of the site to be treated or observed. Insufflation is used in many common procedures including endoscopic surgical procedures, laparoscopic procedures performed on the abdominal cavity and orthoscopic procedures performed on the chest cavity. Additional medical access devices (e.g., trocars) can be used during the same surgical procedure to remove surgical smoke from the patient cavity or to continuously measure pressure within the body cavity. 
     As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,474, 6,068,609, and 7,066,902 (incorporated by reference herein), insufflation gas is typically treated before being delivered to a patient cavity. Briefly, an insufflation gas is heated and hydrated (i.e., conditioned) before being directed, in some cases, by a trocar into a patient cavity. In order to hydrate the insufflation gas a charge of hydration fluid is typically injected into a device where the hydration fluid can humidify the insufflation gas and a heater can bring the insufflation gas to a temperature near body temperature. The conditioned insufflation gas is then delivered to a medical appliance (e.g., a trocar) for injection into a body cavity of a patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment, a system includes a bypass valve, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The bypass valve includes at least a first channel and a second channel, the first channel defining a portion of a first flow path for insufflation fluid and the second channel defining a first portion of a second flow path for the insufflation fluid. The bypass valve is configured to permit the insufflation fluid to flow along the first flow path when the second channel is closed and permit the insufflation fluid to flow along the second flow path when the first channel is closed. The first conduit is coupled to the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from an insufflator to the bypass valve. The second conduit is coupled to the first channel of the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the bypass valve to the patient cavity via a first medical appliance. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for insufflating a body cavity with insufflation fluid includes determining, by an insufflator, a first pressure measurement indicative of a pressure of a patient cavity and supplying, by the insufflator, the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity based on the first pressure measurement, wherein the insufflation fluid is supplied according to a first setting which comprises at least a first volume and a first pressure. Supplying the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity includes directing the insufflation fluid through a first conduit to a bypass valve, the bypass valve including at least a first channel and a second channel defining a portion of a first flow path and first portion of a second flow path, respectively. Supplying the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity further includes directing the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity via the first flow path when the second channel is closed, wherein the first flow path is further defined by a second conduit coupling the first channel of the bypass valve to a first medical appliance, and directing the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity via the second flow path when the first channel is closed, wherein the second flow path is further defined by a second conduit coupling the second channel of the bypass valve to a second medical appliance 
     According to yet another embodiment, a system includes an insufflator, a bypass valve, a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit. The bypass valve includes at least a first channel and a second channel, the first channel defining a portion of a first flow path for the insufflation fluid and the second channel defining a portion of a second flow path for the insufflation fluid, wherein: the bypass valve is configured to permit the insufflation fluid to flow along the first flow path when the second channel is closed; and the bypass valve is configured to permit the insufflation fluid to flow along the second flow path when the first channel is closed. The first conduit is coupled to the bypass valve and configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the insufflator to the bypass valve. The second conduit is coupled to the first channel of the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the bypass valve to the patient cavity via a first medical appliance. The third conduit is coupled to the second channel of the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the bypass valve to the patient cavity via a second medical appliance. 
     The teachings of the disclosure provide one or more technical advantages. Embodiments of the disclosure may have none, some, or all of these advantages. For example, in some embodiments, a method allows for the continuous monitoring of pressure associated with a patient cavity during and after insufflation of the patient cavity. Continuous monitoring may result in decreased potential for physician harm resulting from insufflation fluid leakage and thus may also result in an increase in physician confidence while performing surgical procedures. As another example, a method provides for intelligent pressure monitoring wherein pressure sensors are automatically disabled when not in use. Thus, the intelligent pressure monitoring feature is associated with a reduction in power and computing resources. As yet another example, a method provides for the elimination of duplicate insufflation components (e.g., insufflator and conduits connecting to insufflation delivery device such as an insufflation needle or trocar). Other advantages will be apparent to those of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of embodiments of the disclosure and the potential advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following written description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an example of an insufflation system comprising an insufflator, a trocar, an insufflation needle, and a valve, according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates the valve of the system of  FIG.  1   , according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a flow chart illustrating a method of insufflating a patient cavity using the valve of  FIG.  2   , according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example controller operable to control one or more components of system  100 , including the insufflator of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the requirements for delivery of insufflation gas to a patient&#39;s body cavity is to maintain the proper flow of insufflation gas into the body cavity. Normally, gas flows from a high-pressure gas source, which is remote from the patient, through an insufflation device and finally into a trocar where the gas is injected into the patient&#39;s body cavity. Typically, the insufflation gas is stored in high-pressure containers and a pressure regulator reduces the pressure of the gas to a lower pressure. The low pressure gas is typically delivered to the trocar through an insufflation device containing a set of inline end connectors that couple the source of insufflation gas, the pressure regulator, the filter, the heater, the hydrator, and the trocar to each other. Typically, before being delivered to the patient cavity, the insufflation gas is conditioned by filtering, heating and/or hydrating. The insufflation gas may flow through any suitable number of inline end connectors, which are typically connected by flexible tubing (also referred to herein as conduits), before being delivered to the patient cavity. 
     In some cases, physicians or other medical practitioners may prefer to deliver insufflation gas to patient cavity in two phases, first using a first medical appliance (e.g., an insufflation needle) and thereafter using second medical appliance (e.g., a trocar). Delivering insufflation gas via two different medical appliances may be preferred because one medical appliance may have a smaller profile than the other. 
     Conventional two-phase insufflation may be associated with various drawbacks. As one example, one conventional solution requires two sets of insufflation components (e.g., insufflator, conduits); one set to be used with the first medical appliance and the other set to be used with the second medical appliance. 
     Applicant has previously described and patented a solution that addresses and eliminates the need for insufflating using duplicative insufflation components. See U.S. Pat. No. 10,232,132 (“the &#39;132 patent”) (incorporated by reference herein). The &#39;132 patent generally describes a two-stage insufflation method using a trocar-adaptor-needle assembly (i.e., coupling, using an adaptor, a trocar cannula to an insufflation needle). At the first stage of the insufflation method, insufflation fluid is delivered through the trocar-adaptor-needle assembly; at the second stage of the insufflation method, insufflation fluid is delivered directly through the trocar cannula. Transition from the first stage of the insufflation method to the second stage of the insufflation method requires disconnection of the adaptor and needle from the trocar-adaptor-needle assembly. Although such adaptor eliminates the need for duplicative insufflation components, such delivery method is not a perfect solution. Notably, disconnection of the adaptor and needle from trocar-adaptor-needle assembly requires the removal of the trocar-adaptor-needle from the patient cavity. In the period of time that it takes to remove the trocar-adaptor-needle assembly, modify the trocar-adaptor-needle assembly, and thereafter position and insert the trocar in the patient cavity, leakage of the insufflation fluid may occur. Any leakage of the insufflation fluid results in deflation of the patient cavity and therefore diminishes the physician&#39;s view of the site of interest. As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, inserting a trocar into a patient cavity that is not sufficiently inflated is risky as the trocar may pierce or otherwise damage organs surrounding the site of interest. 
     Other conventional two-phase insufflation solutions also experience the same leakage risk due to disconnection and reconnection of components. For example, a popular two-phase insufflation solution involves initially insufflating using a first medical appliance (e.g., an insufflation needle) connected to a conduit, that is in turn connected to the insufflator. Once the patient cavity is sufficiently insufflated using the first medical appliance, the conduit is disconnected from the first medical appliance and connected to a second medical appliance (e.g., a trocar). As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, disconnection and reconnection of the conduit to the first and second medical appliance, respectively, presents an opportunity for insufflation gas leakage and therefore also poses an increased risk of the medical procedure to the patient. 
     The present disclosure describes an insufflation system and method that overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional insufflation solutions described above. In particular, the present disclosure describes an insufflation system and method that operates using a single set of insufflation components and reduces or eliminates leakage of insufflation gas during the insufflation process, in one embodiment. The insufflation system and method described herein also contemplates intelligent pressure monitoring which provides various efficiencies with respect to time and computing resources. Example embodiments are best understood by referring to  FIGS.  1  through  4    of the drawings and the description below, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of an insufflation system  100 . In some embodiments, insufflation system  100  includes an insufflator  110 , conduits  160 , a valve  120 , and one or more medical appliances. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , insufflation system  100  includes a first medical appliance (i.e., insufflation needle  130 ) and a second medical appliance (i.e., trocar  140 ). Other embodiments of insufflation system  100  may include other medical appliances. For example, in another embodiment, both the first and second medical appliances are trocars, the first medical appliance being a hasson trocar. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill, system  100  may include one or more additional components. As an example, system  100  may further include a controller that controls the operation of one or more components of  FIG.  1   . This disclosure describes and depicts an example of such controller with respect to  FIG.  4   . 
     Generally,  FIG.  1    shows the distal end of insufflation needle  130  and trocar  140  positioned within the abdominal cavity  150  of a patient. In general, insufflator  110  supplies insufflation gas to patient cavity  150 . The insufflation gas is directed from insufflator to valve  120  via conduit  160   a  and is thereafter directed to patient cavity  150  via at least one flow path.  FIG.  1    illustrates two flow paths: the first flow path, identified in  FIG.  1    as “Flow Path A,” includes conduit  160   b  and insufflation needle  130 ; the second flow path, identified in  FIG.  1    as “Flow Path B,” includes conduit  160   c  and trocar  140 . As will be described in further detail below, valve  120  is configured to direct the insufflation gas to at least one of Flow Path A or Flow Path B. In addition to providing a flow path for insufflation gas, trocar  140  permits the insertion of a surgical instrument (not illustrated) into patient cavity  150 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a physician or other medical practitioner can insert a surgical instrument through an inner tubular lumen  146  of trocar  140  in order to access patient cavity  150  with the surgical instrument. 
     System  100  may further include one or more sensors  142 . Sensors  142  are configured to measure a variable (e.g., pressure, humidity, temperature) and are, in some embodiments, communicatively coupled to other components of system  100  (e.g., controller of system  100 , insufflator  110 ). Sensors  142  may be communicatively coupled to components of system  100  via a wired or wireless connection. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , sensors  142   a  and  142   b  communicate with insufflator  110  via cables  170   a  and  170   b , respectively. Communications between sensors  142  and components of system  100  may include instructing sensor  142  to take a measurement, sensor  142  reporting a measurement, instructing insufflator  110  to supply insufflation gas under specified conditions (e.g., at a particular pressure and/or volume). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , system  100  includes three sensors: sensors  142   a ,  142   b , and  142   c . Sensor  142   a  may be configured to (1) measure a humidity and/or temperature of the insufflation gas as it flows through trocar  140 ; and (2) communicate such measurement(s) to insufflator  110  and/or a controller of insufflation system  100 . Sensors  142   b  and  142   c  may be configured to (1) measure a pressure corresponding to patient cavity  150 ; and (2) communicate such measurement to insufflator  110  and/or a controller of insufflation system  100 . As will be described in further detail below, sensor  142   b  may measure a pressure corresponding to patient cavity  150  through an outer tubular lumen  144  of trocar  140  and sensor  14   b  may measure a pressure corresponding to patient cavity  150  through Flow Path B. Although this disclosure describes and depicts only three sensors  142 , this disclosure contemplates system  100  including any appropriate number of sensors. 
     Sensors  142  may sense pressure or a change in pressure. Sensor  142  may measure absolute pressure or a pressure relative to some other pressure. In some embodiments, sensor  142  is an absolute sensor that can measure pressure in patient cavity  150  (if disposed within patient cavity  150 ) or in the room in which the associated operation is taking place. In particular embodiments, sensor  142  can measure absolute barometric pressures with an accuracy of less than 1 Pascal pressure and therefore have the ability to measure the relative changes in altitude of close to one inch. Such pressure sensors are readily available in the marketplace. Insufflator  110  of system  100  may be any suitable source of insufflation gas at any suitable pressure and may include a pressurized gas source. Insufflator  110  may adjust the supply of insufflation gas to patient cavity  150  by adjusting the pressure and/or the volume of insufflation gas supplied to patient cavity  150 . As described above, insufflator  110  may supply insufflation gas to patient cavity  150  based on one or more pressure measurements (e.g., pressure measurements taken by sensors  142   b  and/or  142   c ). The insufflation gas may be any suitable gas used for insufflation purposes. As one example, insufflation gas may be carbon dioxide. 
     Insufflator  110  may include any appropriate hardware and/or software for processing signals indicative of insufflation gas measurements and processing such signals to convert them into useful information, such as converting them into pressures, heights, and/or other data that can be used control the flow of insufflation gas to patient cavity  150 , and further for processing such data to determine a desired pressure and/or volume of insufflation gas supplied to patient cavity  150  and for effecting such delivery. Accordingly, insufflator  110  may include at least one processor, a computer-readable medium to store instructions, and at least one communication interface for receiving and sending information. In some embodiments, insufflator  110  includes a controller such as the controller  400  described and depicted in  FIG.  4   . 
     As described above, system  100  includes valve  120 . Valve  120  may be any suitable device configured to direct insufflation gas along two or more flow paths. As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  &amp;  2   , valve  120  is configured to discharge insufflation gas to one of two flow paths: Flow Path A and Flow Path B. Insufflation gas carried via Flow Path A is discharged from valve  120  to conduit  160   b  and is thereafter directed through a first medical appliance (e.g., insufflation needle  130 ) to patient cavity  150 . In contrast, insufflation gas carried via Flow Path B is discharged from valve  120  to conduit  160   c  and is thereafter directed through a second medical appliance (e.g., trocar  140 ) to patient cavity  150 . Valve  120  is further described in reference to  FIG.  2   . 
     As described above, conduits  160  may direct the flow of insufflation gas between components of system  100 . In some embodiments, conduits  160  couple to ports located on such components. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , conduit  160   a  is coupled on one end to a port corresponding to insufflator  110  and is coupled on the opposite end to a port corresponding to valve  120 . As another example, conduit  160   b  is coupled on one end to a port corresponding to valve  120  and is coupled on the opposite end to a port corresponding to insufflation needle  130 . As yet another example, conduit  160   c  is coupled on one end to a port corresponding to valve  120  and is coupled on the opposite end to a port corresponding to trocar  140 . 
     Conduits  160  may comprise any suitable material that facilitates the transport of insufflation gas. As an example, conduits  160  may comprise flexible PVC tubing. In some embodiments, in addition to providing a pathway for transporting insufflation gas, conduits  160  provide a pathway for taking pressure measurements. As an example, sensor  142   c  may take a pressure measurement indicative of a pressure of patient cavity  150  via conduits  160   a  and  160   b . As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, pressure measurements indicative of the pressure of body cavity  150  may be taken via Flow Path A when insufflator  110  is not supplying insufflation gas. Although system  100  is described and depicted as having only three conduits  160 , this disclosure contemplates system  100  including any suitable number of conduits  140 . 
     As described above, system  100  includes trocar  140 . Although system  100  is described and depicted as only having a single trocar (trocar  140 ), this disclosure contemplates system  100  including any suitable number of trocars  140 . Trocar  140  may be any suitable trocar through which insufflation gas may be supplied to a patient cavity. Examples of one or more trocars are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,219 (the &#39;219 patent), U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,112 (the &#39;112 patent), and U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,189 (the &#39;189 patent), which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Trocar  140  may have a single lumen or may be formed with an inner tubular lumen and an outer tubular lumen such that insufflation gas may be supplied through one of the lumens but not the other. Further, any of the lumens may be divided into multiple, separate chambers, such that gas in one chamber does not enter the other chamber. Examples of the above multiple lumens and multiple chambered trocars are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/792,873, entitled “Method and System for Gas Maintenance to a Body Cavity Using a Trocar,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. Trocar may be open or closed at the distal end, as the application of the trocar would allow. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , trocar  140  includes an outer tubular lumen  144  disposed about an inner tubular lumen  146 . Medical instruments (e.g., scope, grasper, scissors) may be inserted through inner tubular lumen  146  of trocar  140  in order to access the site of interest within body cavity  150 . 
     In some embodiments, outer tubular lumen  144  is divided into two or more chambers (e.g., chamber  144   a  and chamber  144   b ). The division of outer tubular lumen  144  into separate chambers may provide benefits which will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. As an example, by dividing outer tubular lumen  144  into two or more chambers, trocar  140  can deliver insufflation gas to patient cavity  150  while also measuring a pressure (e.g., using sensor  142 ) indicative of a pressure of patient cavity  150 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , conduit  160   c  directs insufflation gas to chamber  144   a  of trocar  140  where it is thereafter directed, via apertures  148   a , to patient cavity  150 . As is also shown in  FIG.  1   , apertures  148   b  provide a path into chamber  144   b  of trocar  140  in which sensor  142   b  may take a pressure measurement indicative of a pressure of patient cavity  150 . Although trocar  140  is depicted in  FIG.  1    as having two apertures  148   a  and two aperture  148   b , this disclosure recognizes that trocar  140  may include any suitable number of apertures  148   a  and  148   b.    
     As described above, trocar  140  may include any suitable number of sensors  142 , one or more of which may be capable of taking pressure measurements. Sensors  142  may be located anywhere in, on, or through trocar  140 . In some embodiments, sensors  142  are located on the exterior of trocar  140  such that changes of pressure within trocar  140  (e.g., due to the supply of insufflation gas to patient cavity  150 ) do not affect the pressure measured by sensor  142 . As described above, sensors  142  may be absolute pressure sensors that can measure pressure in patient cavity  150  (if disposed within patient cavity  150 ) or in the room in which the associated operation is taking place. 
     Sensors  142  may be coupled to components of system  100  through any suitable technique, including a wireless or a wired connection (e.g., cables  170   a  and  170   b ). Sensor  142  supplies pressure data to a controller of system  100 , which may be comprised within insufflator  110 . In such an embodiment, insufflator  110  uses this pressure data to control the supply on insufflation gas by insufflator  110 . In particular embodiments, this may include determining the change in height of trocar  140  relative to changes in cavity pressure and thus the resulting change in height of patient cavity  150 , as described in greater detail in co-pending application Ser. No. 15/293,013 entitled Method and System for Controlling Pressurization of a Patient Cavity Using Cavity Distension Measured by a Pressure Sensor of a Trocar incorporated herein by reference. 
     Generally, system  100  is used to insufflate patient cavity  150 . Upon coupling conduits  160  to components of system  100  as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , insufflation may begin. In some embodiments, insufflation needle  130  and trocar  140  are inserted into patient cavity  150  and valve  120  is opened such that insufflation gas can be delivered via Flow Path A. Insufflator  110  may then be turned on such that insufflation gas is delivered to patient cavity  150  via Flow Path A. Before and/or during insufflation, one or more measurements are taken by sensors  142  and relayed to insufflator  110  as described above. As is also described above, insufflator  110  supplies insufflation gas to patient cavity  150  based on measurements taken by sensors  142 . Once patient cavity  150  has been insufflated to desired levels (e.g., 15 mmHg), valve  120  is adjusted to permit the flow of insufflation gas along Flow Path B such that insufflation gas is delivered to patient cavity  150  through trocar  140 . 
     This disclosure recognizes that each component of system  100  does not need to be coupled in order to begin insufflation. As an example, insufflation gas may be delivered along Flow Path A without first coupling conduit  160   c  to trocar  140 . To ensure efficiency benefits, conduit  160   c  is coupled to valve  120  and trocar  140  before valve  120  is adjusted to permit insufflation fluid to flow along Flow Path B. In other words, system  100  may be assembled during or after use of one or more components of system  100 . 
     Furthermore, system  100  may be disassembled during or after use of one or more components of system  100 . For example, upon insufflating patient cavity  150  with insufflation needle  130  and adjusting valve  120  to prevent insufflation gas from flowing along Flow Path A (or otherwise permit the flow of insufflation gas along Flow Path B), conduit  160   b  and insufflation needle  130  may be removed from system  100 . 
     This disclosure describes valve  120  in further detail with respect to  FIG.  2    and describes certain methods of insufflating a patient cavity with respect to  FIG.  3   . Finally, this disclosure describes details of a controller of system  100  with respect to  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates one embodiment of valve  120 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , valve  120  is a ball valve that provides multiple flow paths. Although this disclosure describes and depicts valve  120  as a ball valve, this disclosure recognizes that valve  120  may be any suitable type of valve  120  that provides multiple flow paths for insufflation gas. For the avoidance of doubt, this disclosure recognizes valve  120  being any suitable solenoid or pneumatic valve. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , valve  120  includes handle  210 , inlet  220 , a first outlet  230 , a second outlet  240 , and a ball  260 . Generally, ball  260  is rotated within valve  120  based on movements of handle  210 . One or more channels  250  within valve  120  may be opened as ball  260  rotates within valve  120 . As one example, turning handle  210  90° may open channel  250   a  and close channel  250   b . As a result of turning handle  210  90°, insufflation gas may be permitted to flow into inlet  220  and out of valve  120  via outlet  230 . As another example, turning handle  210  180° may open channel  250   b  and close channel  250   a . As a result of turning handle  210  180°, insufflation gas may be permitted to flow into inlet  220  and out of valve  120  via outlet  240 . As yet another example, turning handle  210  270° may close two or more channels  250  (e.g.,  250   a  and  250   b ) such that insufflation gas cannot flow along Flow Path A or Flow Path B (or insufflation gas is otherwise blocked from flowing into inlet  220  of valve  120 ). In some embodiments, turning handle  210  360° may open two or more channels  250  (e.g.,  250   a  and  250   b ) such that insufflation gas is permitted to flow along Flow Path A and Flow Path B. Although this disclosure describes various settings for valve  120 , this disclosure contemplates valve  120  including any desirable valve setting that permits insufflation gas to flow (or not flow) through one or more components of system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, conduit  160   a  is coupled to inlet  220  to permit the flow of insufflation gas from insufflator  110  to valve  120 . In some embodiments, conduit  160   b  is coupled to outlet  230  to permit the flow of insufflation gas along Flow Path A and conduit  160   c  is coupled to outlet  240  to permit the flow of insufflation gas along Flow Path B. Accordingly, this disclosure recognizes that turning handle  210  may permit insufflation gas to flow along Flow Path A and/or Flow Path B. 
     In some embodiments, valve  120  does not include handle  210  to control actuation of ball  260 . Instead, ball  260  (or other suitable valve mechanism for blocking, or otherwise closing, channels  250 ) may actuate based on receipt of instructions from a controller (e.g., controller  400  of  FIG.  4   ). As described above, controller may be comprised within insufflator  110 . In other embodiments, such controller may be external to insufflator  110 . In some embodiments, controller is programmed to actuate ball  260  (or other suitable valve mechanism for blocking, or otherwise closing, channels  250 ) in a manner that closes one flow path (e.g., Flow Path A) and opens another flow path (e.g., Flow Path B) in response to determining that desired levels of insufflation gas have been attained (e.g., when patient cavity  150  has been insufflated to 15 mmHg). In this manner, insufflation gas may be continuously delivered to patient cavity  150  even though the flow path for the insufflation gas has changed. As will be recognized by one or ordinary skill, continuous flow of insufflation gas may result in certain benefits relative to conventional insufflation system, including reducing or eliminating leakage of insufflation gas. 
       FIG.  3    is a flow chart illustrating a method  300  of insufflating a patient cavity using system  100 . The method may utilize structural items such as those described in  FIGS.  1  through  2    or may use alternative structural items. Computational steps described below may be performed by any suitable computation device, including a controller that may or may not be a subcomponent of insufflator  110 . 
     The method  300  begins at step  305  and continues to step  310 . At step  310 , system  100  measures a pressure indicative of a pressure of patient cavity  150 . In some embodiments, the pressure measurement taken at step  310  is measured by one or more sensors  142 . As described above, sensors  142  may be located in, on, or through trocar  140  and/or insufflator  110 . In some embodiments, sensors  142  may continuously measure a pressure within patient cavity  150  and communicate a signal indicative of the measurement(s) to the controller of system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more pressure measurements are taken by sensor  142   b  and communicated to a controller (e.g., controller  400  of  FIG.  4   . In such embodiment, gas may enter into outer chamber  144   b  of trocar  140  through apertures  148   b  so that the pressure of the gas may be measured by sensor  142   b . In other embodiments, one or more pressure measurements are taken by sensor  142   c  collocated with insufflator  110 . As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill, to ensure the accuracy of the reading, pressure measurements using sensor  142   c  should occur when insufflator  110  is not supplying insufflation gas to patient cavity  150 . Although this disclosure describes and depicts particular positions in system  100  for sensors  142 , this disclosure recognizes that sensors  142  may be located in any suitable position that would permit sensors  142  to measure pressure indicative of a pressure of patient cavity  150 . Once system  100  determines such pressure measurement(s), the method  300  may proceed to step  320 . 
     At step  320 , system  100  supplies insufflation gas to patient cavity  150  based on the pressure measurement taken at step  310 . As an example, if controller receives a pressure measurement at step  310  of 15 mmHg, controller may instruct insufflator  110  to supply 1 L/min of insufflation gas to patient cavity. This disclosure recognizes that variables other than the pressure of insufflation gas may also be monitored and adjusted while delivering insufflation gas using system  100 . As an example, sensor  142   a  may be configured to sense humidity and/or temperature information which is relayed to a controller that thereafter instructs insufflator  110  to adjust the humidity and/or temperature of the supply of insufflation gas. Once insufflation gas has been supplied to patient cavity  150 , the method  300  may proceed to decision step  350 . 
     At decision step  330 , system  100  determines whether first channel  250   a  is open (not blocked) or closed (blocked). If at step  350 , system  100  determines that first channel  250   a  is open, the method  300  proceeds to a step  340   a . If at step  250 , system  100  instead determines that first channel  250   a  is closed, the method  300  proceeds to a step  340   b.    
     At step  340   a , system  100  directs the insufflation gas to a first flow path (e.g., Flow Path A of  FIG.  1   ). At step  340   b , system  100  directs the insufflation gas to a second flow path (e.g., Flow Path B of  FIG.  1   ). As discussed above, it may be preferable to initially deliver insufflation gas via a first flow path and thereafter deliver insufflation gas via a second flow path. As described above, channels  250  of valve  120  may be opened or closed manually (e.g., by turning handle  210 ) and/or based on instructions provided by the controller of system  100  (e.g., controller  400 ). To deliver insufflation gas initially through insufflation needle  130  of system  100 , channel  250   a  should be opened and channel  250   b  should be closed. Once channels are positioned as desired, insufflator  110  may discharge insufflation gas to valve  120  via conduit  160   a  and can thereafter be directed to insufflation needle  130  via conduit  160   b  (Flow Path A). In some embodiments, the method  300  proceeds to an end step  345  once insufflation gas has been directed to either the first or second flow path. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As an example alternative method, the method  300  may continue to a step whereby it is determined that patient cavity  150  is insufflated to a desired level (15 mmHg). Upon determining that the desired level has been reached, channel  250   a  may be closed and channel  250   b  may be opened such that insufflation gas can be delivered along Flow Path B (rather than Flow Path A). In some embodiments, this transition may be performed automatically. For example, upon determining that patient cavity has a pressure of 15 mmHg, controller may instruct ball  260  (or other suitable valve mechanism for blocking, or otherwise closing, channels  250 ) to rotate such that channel  250   a  is closed and channel  250   b  is open. 
     Additionally, system  100  may also be configured to implement certain functionalities in response to determining that one or more channels  250  of valve  120  are closed. As an example, system  100  may automatically adjust the operational settings of insufflator  110  in response to determining that one channel  250  has been opened and another channel  250  has been closed. In such example, insufflator may receive instructions to adjust the volume and/or pressure of the insufflation gas being supplied in order to ensure that the pressure of patient cavity  150  is maintained in response to a controller of system  100  determining that channel  250   a  is closed. As another example, system  100  may automatically disable one or more sensors  142  from taking measurements (e.g., pressure measurements) in response to determining that one channel  250  has been opened and another channel  250  has been closed. As yet another example, in response to determining that two or more channels  250  are closed (e.g., based on pressure measurements indicative of the pressure of patient cavity  150 ), insufflator  110  may display, on insufflator  110 , a message indicating such (e.g., insufflator  110  may display “OCCLUSION” or “ERROR”) In some embodiments, adjusting operational settings of system components (e.g., sensors  142 , insufflator  110 ) may result in efficiency and/or timing benefits. 
     In some embodiments, controller of system  100  determines that one or more channels  250  are closed based on a rapid pressure rate rise/decline. For example, controller may determine that channel  250   a  and/or  250   b  is closed by determining that the pressure within patient cavity  150  increased or decreased by 5 mmHG within 1 seconds. Although this disclosure identifies particular ways of identifying whether channel  250  is open or closed, this disclosure recognizes that identifying whether channel  250  is open or closed may be determined in any suitable way. 
     Method  300  may also include one or more of the following steps: (1) determine that a first sensor  142  is providing inaccurate or unreliable pressure readings; and (2) to instruct insufflator  110  to supply insufflation gas based on measurements determined by a second sensor  142 . In some embodiments, controller of system  100  is responsible for performing these steps. In some embodiments, controller of system  100  analyzes pressure measurement(s) received from a first sensor  142  for indications of whether the signals are indicative of the measured pressure being inaccurate or otherwise suggesting that first sensor  142  is operating in a less than optimal manner. Any suitable factors may be considered in such analysis; however, certain factors that may indicate first sensor  142  is operating in a less than optimal manner include (1) whether the received signal is not within an expected range for the received signal; (2) whether error data is received, such as whether errors have occurred due to interference from a power signal, the wrong number of bits have been received, data is received in the wrong format, or data is received with improper spacing (3) whether proper acknowledgment bits are not received from the primary pressure sensor, (4) whether the received signal is not within an expected voltage range, (5) whether expected new updated status bits are not received, such as whether a signal has changed enough to indicate a new measurement has occurred as opposed to a signal being so close to a previous signal to indicate no new measurement has occurred; and (6) in the case where system  100  includes two or more pressure sensors  142 , whether measurements by the two or more sensors  142  are not within a certain range of each other. Upon determining that first sensor  142  is providing inaccurate or unreliable pressure readings, controller of system  100  may instruct insufflator  110  to supply insufflation gas based on pressure readings from a second sensor  142 . In some embodiments, first sensor  142  is disabled upon determining that first sensor  142  is providing inaccurate or unreliable pressure readings. In other embodiments, pressure readings from first sensor  142  are ignored upon determining that first sensor  142  is providing inaccurate or unreliable pressure readings. 
     The method  300  may also include one or more disassembly steps wherein components may be removed from system  100  (e.g., insufflation needle  130  and/or conduit  160   b ) although insufflation gas continues to be delivered to patient cavity  150  (e.g., via conduit  160   c  and trocar  140 ). 
     Although this disclosure describes and depicts particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. For example, although sensors  142  have been described above as being located on trocar  140  and/or insufflator  110 , sensor  142  may also be located on, in, or through other medical appliances as well. Such medical appliances may be or include one of: a needle, a stapler, a grasper, a pair of scissors, a scalpel, a cutter, an electrode, an end seal, a probe, a multiple access port, and a single access port. Although this disclosure identifies certain types of medical appliances (including trocars  140 ), this disclosure recognizes that sensor  142  may be located on, in, or through any suitable medical appliance. For example, this disclosure recognizes any medical appliance that can puncture the skin as a medical appliance. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example controller  400  of system  100 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As described above, controller may be internal or external to one or more components of system  100 . In a particular embodiment, controller is comprised within insufflator  110 . Controller  400  may comprise one or more interfaces  410 , memory  420 , and one or more processors  430 . Interface  410  receives input (e.g., sensor data, user input), sends output (e.g., instructions), processes the input and/or output, and/or performs other suitable operation. Interface  410  may comprise hardware and/or software. 
     Processor  430  may include any suitable combination of hardware and software implemented in one or more modules to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions of controller  400 . In some embodiments, processor  430  may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other logic. 
     Memory (or memory unit)  420  stores information. Memory  420  may comprise one or more non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable, and/or computer-executable storage media. Examples of memory  420  include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (for example, a server), and/or other computer-readable medium. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. One skilled in the art will also understand that the system contemplated by this disclosure can include other components that are not illustrated but are typically included with such systems. Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. 
     Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.