Gas pressure monitor for pneumatic surgical machine

1. A gas pressure monitor system for a pneumatically-powered surgical machine comprising:

a first transducer located upstream from a filter, the first transducer adapted to read a first pressure of a gas before the gas enters the filter;

a second transducer located downstream from the filter, the second transducer adapted to read a second pressure of a gas after the gas exits the filter;

a controller adapted to compute a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure; and

an isolation valve coupled to a fluid pathway that includes the first transducer, second transducer, and filter;

wherein the controller is adapted to determine a state of the filter from the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;

wherein the controller is adapted to close the isolation valve unless:

a) the first pressure is within a selected range of pressures; and

b) the second pressure is greater than a selected pressure.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to indicate a need for a filter service when the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than the predetermined amount.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the isolation valve is fluidly coupled to the first transducer via a manifold.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller is adapted to indicate a need for a filter service by illuminating a light emitting diode.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further adapted to determine a useful life of the filter using the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure relief valve upstream of the filter.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to open the pressure relief valve if the first pressure is greater than a first amount.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the pressure relief valve is selectable between one of an open condition and a closed condition, the relief valve in the open condition when the first pressure meets or exceeds a selected pressure and the relief valve in the closed position when the first pressure is less than the selected pressure.

9. A gas pressure monitor system for a pneumatically-powered surgical machine comprising:

a filter;

a first transducer located upstream from the filter, the first transducer configured to read a first pressure of a gas before the gas enters the filter;

a second transducer located downstream from the filter, the second transducer configured to read a second pressure of a gas after the gas exits the filter;

an isolation valve coupled to a fluid pathway that includes the first transducer, second transducer, and filter; and

a controller adapted to receive the first pressure from the first transducer and the second pressure from the second transducer and compute a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the controller further adapted to close the isolation valve when the pressure difference is above a selected pressure difference.

10. The gas pressure monitor system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further adapted to indicate a state of the filter from the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.

11. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a pressure relief valve upstream of the filter.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is adapted to open the pressure relief valve if the first pressure is greater than a selected pressure.