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 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;

a coupling configured to accept gas from a gas source;

an isolation valve located between the first transducer and the filter;

a pressure relief valve located between the coupling and the first transducer;

a first manifold fluidly connecting the first transducer to the isolation valve;

a second manifold fluidly connecting the isolation valve to the filter;

a third manifold fluidly connecting the filter to the second transducer; and

a fourth manifold fluidly connecting the coupling and the pressure relief valve to the first transducer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein when the first pressure reading is greater than a first amount, the pressure release valve is open and the isolation valve is closed.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein an indication of a high pressure condition is provided.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein when the second pressure reading is less than a second amount, the isolation valve is closed.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein an indication of a low pressure condition is provided.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein when the first pressure and second pressure are within a safe pressure range, the isolation valve is open and the pressure release valve is closed.

7. A gas pressure monitor for a pneumatic module comprising:

a first transducer located upstream from a 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;

a coupling configured to accept gas from a gas source;

an isolation valve located between the first transducer and the filter;

a pressure relief valve located between a coupling and the first transducer;

a first manifold fluidly connecting the first transducer to the isolation valve;

a second manifold fluidly connecting isolation valve to the filter;

a third manifold fluidly connecting the filter to the second transducer;

a fourth manifold fluidly connecting the coupling and the pressure relief valve to the first transducer; and

logic configured to compute a difference between the first pressure reading and the second pressure reading;

wherein when the difference between the first pressure reading and the second pressure reading is greater than a second amount, an indication that the filter needs service is provided, when the first pressure reading is greater than a first amount, the pressure release valve is opened and the isolation valve is closed, and when the second pressure reading is less than a third amount, the isolation valve is closed.

8. A method for monitoring the state of a filter in a pneumatic module of a surgical machine comprising:

sensing a first pressure of a gas upstream from a filter;

sensing a second pressure of a gas downstream from the filter;

computing a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;

comparing the difference to a value to determine a state of the filter;

determining if an unacceptable pressure drop exists across the filter; and

keeping an isolation valve in a closed position if an unacceptable pressure drop exists across the filter.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

using the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure to determine if the filter needs service.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing an indication that the filter needs service.

11. A method for monitoring the state of a filter in a pneumatic module of a surgical machine comprising:

sensing a first pressure of a gas upstream from a filter;

sensing a second pressure of a gas downstream from the filter;

computing a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;

comparing the difference to a value to determine a state of the filter;

determining if a pressure drop across the filter is acceptable; and

opening an isolation valve if the pressure drop across the filter is acceptable.