Apparatus and method for in vivo cleaning of an optical lens of a surgical visualization device

Abstract

A surgical device including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a spring extending distally from the distal end of the shaft and curving away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a tip extending from a distal end of the spring, said tip including a body and an attachment surface on the body for attaching an absorbent material thereto, wherein the spring and the body of the tip have a first width, the spring has a thickness substantially smaller than the first width to provide preferential bending in a direction of the curvature of the spring, and the body of the tip has a second thickness, and wherein the surgical device is a cleaning device configured to clean a lens of a surgical visualization device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 819,483 filed on Mar. 16, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 853,920, filed on May 29, 2019. The entire contents of each of those applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to endoscopic surgical procedures, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for maintaining visibility of the Surgical field through the endoscope.[0003]During endoscopic surgery a device called a trocar is pierced through the patient's skin. The Trocar commonly contains an internal flap that is initially closed and prevents fluids and gasses from escaping from the patient. A laparoscope or endoscope is inserted through the trocar, and the trocar internal flap will seal around the endoscope to prevent fluids and gasses from escaping the patient. During surgery several trocars ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables effective in vivo cleaning of the endoscope tip without additional tubing or connections, maintaining continuous visualization and reducing operative time, thus enhancing patient safety and simplifying the surgical process.

Problems solved by technology

During endoscopic surgery, the tip of the endoscope often gets fogged or compromised by body fluids or blood, resulting in poor visualization of the surgical field.

This results in prolongation of operative time, while losing visualization throughout the procedure.

Existing in vivo solutions may work, but require additional tubing and connections, and are costly.

However, these solutions each require complex assemblies to hold, manipulate, and deploy a cleaning surface in vivo.

The complexity and cost of these devices diminishes their effectiveness.

However, these cleaning devices require the endoscope to be removed and reinserted into the patient cavity, interrupting visualization of the operative field.

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