Surgical Access Device Cleaning Cap

Abstract

To provide a cleaning cap for a surgical access device.SOLUTION: A surgical access assembly includes a surgical access device and a cleaning cap. The surgical access device includes an elongated shaft defining an access lumen passing therethrough and having a distal portion terminating at a distal tip. The cleaning cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The cleaning cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen, and wipers disposed within the instrument channel.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to surgical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a cleaning cap for a surgical access device for cleaning a surgical instrument positioned through the surgical access device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some surgical procedures, particularly laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and endoscopy, require the insertion of visualization devices into body cavities. During such procedures, surgeons use visualization devices, such as laparoscopes, arthroscopes, and endoscopes, to view features and structures within the body cavities. The views provided by these visualization devices can facilitate the detection of physiological abnormalities within the human body.

[0003] Visualization devices typically include rigid or flexible rods. These rods generally incorporate light-conducting fibers and lenses. An external light source typically provides illumination and is usually connected to the proximal end of the rod. The fibers transmit light through the rod to the distal end of the visualization device. Once sufficient illumination is provided, the surgeon can inspect the internal structure of the body cavity by looking through an eyepiece, usually located at the proximal end of the rod. Alternatively, visualization devices include cameras located at their distal end. These cameras transmit video signals to a monitor that is electrically coupled to the rod of the visualization device. A visualization device with a camera allows the surgeon to perform a surgical procedure while watching the monitor. However, the surgeon must follow certain procedures before he or she can properly use the visualization device.

[0004] Prior to introducing a visualization device into the body cavity, the body cavity is typically insufflated with gas or liquid. A surgical access device (e.g., a sleeve, sheath, or other access port) is then inserted through the wall of the body cavity. These surgical access devices typically include a seal that prevents leakage of gas or liquid from within the body cavity. After the body cavity is appropriately inflated, a visualization device is inserted through the surgical access device. The surgeon can then view the internal features of the body cavity through the visualization device disposed within the surgical access device.

[0005] A surgical access device is not necessarily operatively coupled to a particular visualization device. Often, one surgical access device is used with multiple visualization devices and / or other surgical instruments. To use a different visualization device, the surgeon may simply retract the visualization device positioned within the surgical access device and insert another visualization device through the same surgical access device. Alternatively, a surgical access device may have multiple ports.

[0006] During the withdrawal and insertion of visualization devices, bodily fluids and debris can enter the interior portion of the surgical access device. These fluids and debris can adhere to the surface of the newly inserted visualization device and foul the lens, thus reducing visibility through the lens. Additionally, other visual obstructions such as stains, dirt, and / or fogging of the lens can occur during use and manipulation of the visualization device within the body cavity, thereby obscuring the surgeon's view.

[0007] The most common approach to dealing with blurred lenses is to completely remove the visualization device from the surgical access device and manually clean it. The need to withdraw the visualization device from the surgical access device, clean it, reinsert it, and relocate the object, while effective, is inefficient and can lead to surgical delays or occur at inopportune times when visualization may affect the outcome of the procedure. Others have proposed incorporating spray irrigation nozzles on the visualization device itself or on the surgical access device to allow cleaning of the lens without removing the visualization device from the patient. However, these devices can be relatively expensive and require the provision of irrigation channels and irrigation fluids. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure generally relates to a cleaning cap for a surgical access device for cleaning a visualization device or other surgical instrument while the surgical instrument remains inserted through the surgical access device. The cleaning cap is configured to clean a distal end portion of a surgical instrument extending through the surgical access device. The cleaning cap is quickly and easily coupled to the distal end portion of the surgical access device to reduce contamination of the surgical instrument inserted through the surgical access device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the irrigation cap is configured to attach to an existing surgical access device, for example, the irrigation cap is universal and can fit standard size trocars, cannulas, and / or sleeves (e.g., 5-15 mm surgical access devices).

[0010] In some embodiments, the cleaning cap is formed from a flexible material, such as soft rubber, and has an interior shape that is utilized to clean the distal end portion of a surgical instrument that passes therethrough. Cleaning is performed by retracting and advancing the surgical instrument through the cleaning cap to remove fouling material from the distal end portion of the surgical instrument that may impair the function of the surgical instrument (e.g., impede visualization through the lens of a visualization device). Compared to the traditional method of removing a surgical instrument from a surgical access device and cleaning it with, for example, a gauze pad, the cleaning cap provides a quick and simplified method of cleaning, which can reduce downtime in the operating room.

[0011] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical access assembly including a surgical access device and a irrigation cap. The surgical access device includes an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough and having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The irrigation cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The irrigation cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen and includes a wiper disposed within the instrument channel.

[0012] A distal portion of the surgical access device may be disposed within an annular pocket of the cleaning cap. The annular pocket may be defined between inner and outer annular walls of the cleaning cap. An instrument channel may be defined by an inner surface of the inner annular wall and may be disposed within the access lumen of the surgical access device. A wiper may extend radially from the inner surface of the inner annular wall into the instrument channel.

[0013] The irrigation cap may mimic the shape of a distal portion of the surgical access device.

[0014] The wiper can be formed from a flexible material, and in some aspects can be formed from rubber. The cleaning cap can be formed from a flexible material in one piece.

[0015] Each of the wipers may include a fully disc-shaped body defining an opening therethrough having a diameter smaller than the instrument channel. The wipers may be disposed in a longitudinally spaced relationship to one another. The wiper openings may vary in size and may be concentric with one another.

[0016] Each of the wipers may include a partial disk-shaped body. A first set of wipers may extend radially into the instrument channel from a first side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall and a second set of wipers may extend radially into the instrument channel from a second side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall. The first and second sets of wipers may be disposed in opposing relationship relative to one another and may be longitudinally offset relative to one another to define a tortuous path through the instrument channel.

[0017] The surgical access assembly may further include a surgical instrument including an elongated tubular body having a distal end portion terminating in a tip portion. The surgical instrument may be positionable through the surgical access device and the irrigation cap. The surgical instrument may be a visualization device including a lens disposed at the tip portion. The distal end portion of the surgical instrument may be movable proximally and distally through the irrigation cap. Movement of the surgical instrument within the irrigation cap may move the wiper from a biased configuration in which the wiper extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the irrigation cap to a bent configuration in which the wiper engages the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and is moved toward the inner annular wall of the irrigation cap.

[0018] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of cleaning a distal end portion of a surgical instrument positioned through a surgical access device, the method including retracting the distal end portion of the surgical instrument into an instrument channel of a cleaning cap positioned over the distal portion of the surgical access device, the cleaning cap including a wiper extending radially into the instrument channel, and retraction of the surgical instrument causes the wiper to scrub an outer surface of the distal end portion of the surgical instrument.

[0019] The method may further include advancing a distal end portion of the surgical instrument into the instrument channel of the cleaning cap such that the advancement causes the wiper to sequentially contact and clean the tip portion of the surgical instrument and frictionally engage and scrub an outer surface of the distal end portion. The present invention provides, for example: (Item 1) 1. A surgical access assembly comprising: a surgical access device including an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough, the elongate shaft having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip; a irrigation cap disposed over the distal portion of the elongate shaft, the irrigation cap including an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen, the instrument channel including a wiper disposed therein. (Item 2) The surgical access assembly of the preceding item, wherein the distal portion of the surgical access device is disposed within an annular pocket of the cleaning cap. (Item 3) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the annular pocket is defined between an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall of the irrigation cap. (Item 4) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the instrument channel is defined by an inner surface of the inner annular wall and is disposed within the access lumen of the surgical access device. (Item 5) 13. The surgical access assembly of claim 12, wherein the wiper extends radially into the instrument channel from the inner surface of the inner annular wall. (Item 6) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cap mimics the shape of the distal portion of the surgical access device. (Item 7) The surgical access assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the wiper is formed from a flexible material. (Item 8) The surgical access assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the wiper is formed from rubber. (Item 9) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cap is unitarily formed from the flexible material. (Item 10) 11. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the wipers includes a completely disc-shaped body defining an opening therethrough having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the instrument channel. (Item 11) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the wipers are disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship relative to one another. (Item 12) 13. The surgical access assembly of any of the preceding items, wherein the openings in the wipers are different sizes and concentric with one another. (Item 13) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the wipers includes a partial disc-shaped body. (Item 14) 11. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein a first set of wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a first side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall and a second set of wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a second side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall. (Item 15) The surgical access assembly of any of the preceding items, wherein the first and second sets of wipers are disposed in opposing relationship relative to one another and are longitudinally offset relative to one another to define a tortuous path through the instrument channel. (Item 16) The surgical access assembly of any of the preceding items, further comprising a surgical instrument including an elongated tubular body having a distal end portion terminating in a tip portion, the surgical instrument being positionable through the surgical access device and the irrigation cap. (Item 17) 2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is a visualization device including a lens disposed at the tip portion. (Item 18) The surgical access assembly of any of the preceding items, wherein the distal end portion of the surgical instrument is movable in proximal and distal directions through the cleaning cap, and movement of the surgical instrument within the cleaning cap moves the wiper from a biased configuration in which the wiper extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning cap to a bent configuration in which the wiper engages the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and is moved toward an inner annular wall of the cleaning cap. (Item 19) 1. A method of cleaning a distal end portion of a surgical instrument positioned through a surgical access device, comprising: 1. A method comprising: retracting a distal end portion of a surgical instrument into an instrument channel of a cleaning cap positioned over a distal portion of a surgical access device, the cleaning cap including a wiper extending radially into the instrument channel, wherein retraction of the surgical instrument causes the wiper to scrub an outer surface of the distal end portion of the surgical instrument. (Item 20) 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising advancing the distal end portion of the surgical instrument into the instrument channel of the cleaning cap, wherein advancing causes the wiper to sequentially contact and clean a tip portion of the surgical instrument and frictionally engage and scrub an outer surface of the distal end portion. (Summary) The surgical access assembly includes a surgical access device and a irrigation cap. The surgical access device includes an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough and having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The irrigation cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The irrigation cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen and a wiper disposed within the instrument channel.

[0020] The details of one or more embodiments of this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the embodiments described in this disclosure will become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical access assembly including a surgical access device, an irrigation cap, and a surgical instrument according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a side perspective view of the surgical access assembly of FIG. 1 shown with a surgical instrument separated from the surgical access device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a side perspective view of a surgical access device and irrigation cap of the surgical access assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an end perspective view of the cleaning cap of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the cleaning cap of FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning cap of FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical access assembly of FIG. 1 shown positioned within tissue. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional area of ​​detail of FIG. 8 shown with a tip portion of a surgical instrument disposed in a proximal portion of the cleaning cap. [Figure 10]9 is a cross-sectional area of ​​detail of FIG. 8 shown with a tip portion of a surgical instrument disposed in the distal portion of the cleaning cap. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of a surgical access device and irrigation cap according to another aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical access device and irrigation cap of FIG. 11 shown with a surgical instrument extending therethrough. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary details. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limitations, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the present disclosure in various ways in substantially any suitable detailed structure.

[0023] Like reference numbers refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures. Throughout this description, the term "proximal" refers to a portion of a structure, or component thereof, that is closer to the user, and the term "distal" refers to a portion of a structure, or component thereof, that is further from the user.

[0024] Surgical access assemblies having an obturator, known as a trocar assembly, are used during minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic procedures, to seal and move surgical instruments into and out of a body cavity, such as an inflated abdominal cavity. The surgical access assemblies of the present disclosure include an instrument housing attached to a cannula. An obturator (not shown) is insertable through the instrument housing and cannula. The obturator may have a blunt distal end or a bladed or non-bladed piercing distal end and may be used to incise and / or separate tissue in the abdominal wall so that the surgical access assembly can be introduced into the abdomen. A handle of the obturator may engage or selectively lock to the instrument housing of the surgical access assembly.

[0025] Trocar assemblies are used to tunnel through an anatomical structure, e.g., the abdominal wall, by creating a new passageway through the anatomical structure or by passing through an existing opening through the anatomical structure. Once the surgical access assembly with the obturator has tunneled through the anatomical structure, the obturator is removed, leaving the surgical access assembly in place. The instrument housing of the surgical access assembly includes valves and / or seals that prevent leakage of insufflation fluid from the body cavity, while also allowing for the insertion of surgical instruments into the body cavity.

[0026] In various aspects, a bladeless optical trocar obturator may be provided that allows for the separation of tissue planes in a surgical procedure and visualization of the body tissue fibers being separated, thereby allowing for a controlled traverse across the body wall. In other aspects, the trocar obturator may be non-optical bladeless, e.g., one that does not provide for simultaneous visualization thereof through the distal tip of the trocar obturator. A bladeless trocar obturator may be provided for blunt dissection of the peritoneum during a surgical procedure.

[0027] A variety of trocar obturators suitable for use with the presently disclosed surgical access assemblies are known, including, for example, bladed, bladeless, blunt, optical, and non-optical. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary trocar assembly, including an exemplary trocar obturator and an exemplary cannula, see PCT Publication No. WO2016 / 186905, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] 1-3 show a surgical access assembly 10 including a surgical access device 100, an irrigation cap 140 releasably engaged with the surgical access device 100, and a surgical instrument shown as a visualization device 160 positioned through the surgical access device 100. The surgical access device 100 and the visualization device 160 will be further described to the extent necessary to disclose aspects of the present disclosure. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary surgical access device, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 10,543,018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary visualization device, reference may be made to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0007833, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, it should be understood that a variety of surgical access devices and visualization devices may be utilized in conjunction with the irrigation cap of the present disclosure.

[0029] The visualization device 160 includes an elongated tubular body 162 having a proximal end portion 162a coupled to a handle 164 and a distal end portion 162b including a tip portion 163 incorporating a lens 166. The elongated tubular body 162 is adapted to transmit light therethrough to facilitate viewing through an eyepiece 168 coupled to the handle 164. Alternatively, a light source may be disposed at the distal end portion 162b (e.g., at the tip portion 163) of the elongated tubular body 162 and / or the visualization device may include a camera configured to transmit a video signal to an external monitor. It is envisioned that the particular structural features of the visualization device may be varied so long as the device facilitates visual inspection of the internal structures of the human body. The visualization device may be an endoscope, a laparoscope, or any suitable device designed for visual inspection of the internal structures of the body.

[0030] Surgical access device 100 includes a cannula 110 and an instrument housing 120 secured to cannula 110. Cannula 110 includes an elongate shaft 112 extending generally along a central longitudinal axis "X" and defining an access lumen 111 therethrough for receiving and passing a surgical instrument, such as a visualization device 160. A proximal end portion 110a of cannula 110 supports instrument housing 120 therethrough, and a distal end portion 110b of cannula 110 supports an irrigation cap 140.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7 , instrument housing 120 defines a cavity 121 therein that communicates with access lumen 111 of elongate shaft 112 of cannula 110. Instrument housing 120 supports seal assembly 122 and valve assembly 124 therein. Seal assembly 122 is disposed proximally of valve assembly 124. Seal assembly 122 generally includes an instrument seal 122a for sealing around a surgical instrument (e.g., visualization device 160) inserted into cannula 110, and valve assembly 124 generally includes a zero closure seal 124a for sealing access lumen 111 of cannula 110 in the absence of a surgical instrument inserted therethrough. Seal assembly 122 and valve assembly 124 prevent leakage of insufflation fluid therefrom while allowing surgical instruments to be inserted therethrough into a body cavity. Instrument seal 122a may include any known instrument seal used in cannulas and / or trocars, such as a septum seal, etc. Zero closure seal 124a may be any known zero closure seal for closing a passageway to access lumen 111, such as a duckbill seal or a flapper valve.

[0032] 3 in conjunction with FIG. 7, the instrument housing 120 includes an insufflation port 126 defining an opening therethrough (not explicitly shown) that is in fluid communication with a cavity 121 of the instrument housing 120, which in turn is in fluid communication with an access lumen 111 of the cannula 110 for insufflating (e.g., creating a pneumoperitoneum) a body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The opening of the insufflation port 126 is disposed distal to the valve assembly 124 for maintaining an insufflation pressure within the body cavity. The insufflation port 126 is connectable to a source of insufflation fluid (not shown) for delivering the insufflation fluid (e.g., gas) to the body cavity. The insufflation port 126 is configured and dimensioned to receive the valve 128 in a substantially fluid-tight manner. In one embodiment and as shown, the valve 128 is a stopcock valve for controlling the flow of the insufflation fluid. However, valve 128 may be any known valve for directing and, in some embodiments, regulating fluid flow.

[0033] 3-6, cleaning cap 140 is removably positionable over distal end portion 110b of cannula 110 of surgical access device 100. Cleaning cap 140 includes a body 142 extending along a longitudinal axis "Y" that is coincident with a central longitudinal axis "X" of surgical access device 100 when cleaning cap 140 is positioned on surgical access device 100. Body 142 of cleaning cap 140 includes an annular pocket 141 configured to receive distal end portion 110b of surgical access device 100 therein and an instrument channel 143 configured to allow passage therethrough of a surgical instrument and to clean the surgical instrument as it passes therethrough.

[0034] An annular pocket 141 of irrigation cap 140 is defined at its periphery between an inner surface 144a of outer annular wall 144 and an outer surface 146b of inner annular wall 146 of body 142. Annular pocket 141 is sized and shaped to frictionally engage elongate shaft 112 of surgical access device 100 such that distal end portion 110b of cannula 110 is received within annular pocket 141 and access lumen 111 of cannula 110 is aligned with and in open communication with instrument channel 143 of body 142. In the embodiment and as shown, annular pocket 141 is complementary in size and shape to distal end portion 110b of cannula 110 and includes a proximal cutout 141a for receiving rib 112a of elongate shaft 112 and a distal taper 141b for receiving distal tip 110c of cannula 110.

[0035] The annular pocket 141 is open at a proximal end 142a of the body 142 and closed at a distal end 142b of the body 142. It should be understood that the body 142 may have any length and the annular pocket 141 may extend along any portion of the length of the body 142. The outer annular wall 144 includes an outer surface 144b that mimics the shape of the outer surface 113 of the distal end portion 110b of the surgical access device 100. In an embodiment and as shown, the outer surface 144b of the cleaning cap 140 has a smooth, atraumatic finish, such as the smooth, atraumatic finish of the distal end portion 110b of the surgical access device 100.

[0036] An instrument channel 143 of the cleaning cap 140 is disposed radially inward of the annular pocket 141 and is defined by an inner surface 146a of the inner annular wall 146. When the cleaning cap 140 is positioned on the surgical access device 100 such that a surgical instrument can pass therethrough, the instrument channel 143 coincides with the access lumen 111 of the surgical access device 100. A plurality of wipers or fins 150 extend radially into the instrument channel 143 from the inner surface 146a of the inner annular wall 146. The wipers 150 have a biased configuration that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "Y". The wipers 150 are disposed in a longitudinally spaced relationship relative to one another along a portion or the entire length of the body 142. Although four wipers 150 are shown, it should be understood that the cleaning cap 140 may include more than four wipers 150 or less than four wipers 150.

[0037] Each wiper 150 has a disk-shaped body 152 including a proximal facing surface 152a, a distal facing surface 152b, an outer terminal edge 152c connected to or integrally formed with the inner annular wall 146 of the body 142, and an inner terminal edge 152d thereby defining an opening 153. The opening 153 defined by each wiper 150 has a dimension or diameter smaller than the dimension or diameter of the instrument channel 143 and is concentric with the instrument channel 143. The wipers 150 may include openings 153 of the same size, or the sizes of the openings 153 may vary. In the embodiment and as shown, the wipers 150 have alternating sized openings 153a, 153b, respectively, that are concentric with one another along the longitudinal axis "Y" of the body 142.

[0038] The body 142 and wiper 150 of the cleaning cap 140 are each formed from a flexible material, such as rubber, plastic, or other suitable polymer (e.g., elastomer). These materials are selected to maximize debris removal while minimizing scratching of the lens 166. The body 142 and wiper 150 may be formed in a unitary structure from the same or a common material, or the body 142 and wiper 150 may be separate components formed from the same or different materials that are securely fastened together. The wiper 150 has a thickness and configuration that accommodates bending of the wiper 150 around a surgical instrument inserted therethrough during proximal and distal movement of the surgical instrument through the cleaning cap 140. In this manner, the wiper 150 cleans the outer surface of the surgical instrument and limits the introduction of fluid, debris, and / or tissue (e.g., fluid, debris, or tissue that may adhere to the surgical instrument at the surgical site) into the access lumen 111.

[0039] 7 and 8, cleaning cap 140 is positioned over distal end portion 110b of surgical access device 100 such that instrument channel 143 of cleaning cap 140 is disposed within and aligned with access lumen 111 of surgical access device 100. Surgical access device 100 with cleaning cap 140 attached may then be positioned through tissue "T", e.g., the abdominal wall. Elongated shaft 112 of cannula 110 is received through tissue "T" (e.g., by utilizing an obturator (not shown) to facilitate entry of cannula 110 through tissue "T") such that distal end portion 110b of surgical access device 100 and cleaning cap 140 are positioned within a body cavity "C", such as the abdominal cavity.

[0040] Visualization device 160 is inserted through surgical access device 100 and advanced through cleaning cap 140 until tip portion 163 extends distally from surgical access device 100 and cleaning cap 140, and is positioned within body cavity "C". During advancement of tip portion 163 of visualization device 160 through cleaning cap 140 in the direction of arrow "A" as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 (e.g., during introduction of visualization device 160 into body cavity "C"), distal end portion 162b of visualization device 160 is translated distally through wiper 150 of cleaning cap 140 such that tip portion 163 in turn contacts wiper 150, bending wiper 150 outwardly against inner annular wall 146 of body 142. During advancement, the outer surface of lens 166 of visualization device 160 contacts and is wiped clean by wiper 150 , and the outer surface of distal end portion 162 b is also wiped clean by frictional engagement with wiper 150 .

[0041] During retraction of tip portion 163 through cleaning cap 140 in the direction of arrow "B" as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (e.g., while visualization device 160 is being withdrawn from body cavity "C"), distal end portion 162b of visualization device 160 is translated proximally through wipers 150 of cleaning cap 140. Wipers 150 maintain contact with an outer surface of distal end portion 162b until distal end portion 162b is moved proximally of the respective wipers 150 and wipers 150 are released and return to their biased configuration. During retraction, the outer surface of distal end portion 162b is wiped clean by frictional engagement with wipers 150, minimizing the introduction of fluid, debris, and / or tissue into surgical access device 100.

[0042] During a surgical procedure, if lens 166 of visualization device 160 becomes obstructed, visualization device 160 can be retracted and advanced through cleaning cap 140 to scrape off fluid, debris, and / or tissue. Wiper 150 cleans visualization device 160 as it passes through access lumen 111 of surgical access device 100. Wiper 150 may also seal around tubular body 162 of visualization device 160 as visualization device 160 is positioned therethrough, allowing longitudinal movement of visualization device 160 relative thereto while minimizing the ingress of fluid, debris, and tissue into access lumen 111 of surgical access device 100 (e.g., during insertion, withdrawal, and manipulation of visualization device 160).

[0043] 11 and 12, there is shown a cleaning cap 240 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Cleaning cap 240 is substantially similar to cleaning cap 140, but will be described with respect to the differences therebetween. Accordingly, it should be understood that various components of the present disclosure, such as those numbered in the 100 sequence, correspond to components of the present disclosure similarly numbered in the 200 sequence, and therefore redundant descriptions of similar components need not be repeated herein.

[0044] The cleaning cap 240 includes a body 242 having an annular pocket 241 defined between an outer annular wall 244 and an inner annular wall 246 of the body 242 configured to receive a distal end portion 210b of the cannula 210 of the surgical access device 200 therein, and an instrument channel 243 defined in the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242 to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough and configured to clean the surgical instrument as it passes therethrough.

[0045] A plurality of wipers or fins 250 extend radially into the instrument channel 243 from the inner annular wall 246. The wipers 250 include a first set 250a extending from a first side of the inner annular wall 246 and a second set 250b extending from a second side of the inner annular wall 246. Each wiper 250 has a semicircular or semidisc-shaped body 252 including a proximal facing surface 252a, a distal facing surface 252b, an outer terminal edge 252c connected to or formed integrally with the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, and an inner terminal edge 252d. The first and second sets 250a, 250b of wipers 250 are disposed in opposed relationship relative to one another and are longitudinally offset relative to one another.

[0046] The first and second sets 250a, 250b of wipers 250 together define a tortuous or undulating path through the instrument channel 243 of the cleaning cap 240. The wipers 250 may extend the same distance into the instrument channel 243, or the radial lengths of the wipers 250 may vary. It should be understood that the wipers 250 may have any suitable shape and / or size, and the configuration of the first and second sets 250a, 250b of wipers 250 may vary so long as the tortuous or undulating path is maintained through the instrument channel 243.

[0047] The cleaning cap 240 is positioned over the distal end portion 210b of the surgical access device 200 such that the instrument channel 243 of the cleaning cap 240 is disposed within and aligned with the access lumen 211 of the surgical access device 200. As shown in FIG. 12 , a surgical instrument 260 is inserted through the surgical access device 200 and advanced through the cleaning cap 240 in the direction of arrow "A." During advancement, the tip portion 263 of the surgical instrument 260 sequentially contacts the wiper 250, bending the wiper 250 outwardly against the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, thus cleaning the distal end portion 262b of the surgical instrument 260. While the tip portion 263 of the surgical instrument 260 is retracted in the direction opposite arrow "A", the wiper 250 maintains contact with the distal end portion 262b of the surgical device 260, thus cleaning the distal end portion 262b of the surgical instrument 260 and minimizing the introduction of fluids, debris, and / or tissue into the surgical access device 200. Additionally, during use of the surgical instrument 260, if the distal end portion 262b of the surgical instrument 260 needs to be cleaned, the distal end portion 262b can be advanced and retracted (e.g., in a back and forth motion) within the cleaning cap 240 to clean obstructions on the distal end portion 262b.

[0048] Although the irrigation cap is described for use with a visualization device, it should be understood that the irrigation cap may be utilized with other surgical instruments introduced through a surgical access device to clean a distal end portion thereof. It should be further understood that the irrigation cap is suitable for use with any surgical access device (e.g., a rigid sleeve) through which a surgical instrument passes.

[0049] Further, in addition to being formed from a flexible material, one or more of the wipers or portions thereof (e.g., the proximal facing surface and / or the inner terminal edge) may include an additional layer (e.g., a pad, sponge, or swab) and / or cleaning solution to facilitate cleaning of the distal end portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., the lens of a visualization device) passing therethrough.

[0050] Although several aspects of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited to these aspects, as it is intended that the present disclosure should be taken as broad as the art will permit, and that the specification should be read in the same manner. Thus, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact aspects described, and that various other changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, elements and features shown and described in connection with a particular embodiment can be combined with elements and features of certain other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and variations are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is envisioned that the cleaning cap of the present disclosure may include a combination of wipers (e.g., wiper 250 may be provided between wipers 150 in a single cleaning cap). Thus, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as illustrative of the aspects of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. 1. A surgical access assembly comprising: a surgical access device comprising an elongate shaft and an access lumen defined therethrough, the elongate shaft including an outer surface having at least one rib and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip; 1. A cleaning cap including an annular pocket defined between an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall, the annular pocket configured to receive a distal portion of the elongate shaft, the annular pocket including a cutout configured to receive the at least one rib of the elongate shaft, the cleaning cap including an instrument channel defined by an inner surface of the inner annular wall, the instrument channel aligned with the access lumen, the cleaning cap including a plurality of wipers disposed within the instrument channel; A surgical access assembly comprising:

2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the surgical access device is disposed within an annular pocket of the irrigation cap.

3. The surgical access assembly of claim 1 , wherein the instrument channel is disposed within the access lumen of the surgical access device.

4. The surgical access assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of wipers extend radially into the instrument channel from the inner surface of the inner annular wall.

5. The surgical access assembly of claim 1 , wherein the irrigation cap mimics a shape of the distal portion of the surgical access device.

6. The surgical access assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wipers are formed from a flexible material.

7. The surgical access assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of wipers are formed from rubber.

8. The surgical access assembly of claim 6 , wherein the irrigation cap is unitarily formed from the flexible material.

9. A surgical access assembly, comprising: a surgical access device including an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough, the elongate shaft having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip; an irrigation cap disposed over the distal portion of the elongate shaft, the irrigation cap including an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen, the instrument channel including a plurality of wipers disposed within the instrument channel; Equipped with a surgical access assembly, each of the plurality of wipers including a fully disc-shaped body defining an opening therethrough, the opening having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the instrument channel;

10. The surgical access assembly of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of wipers are disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship relative to one another.

11. The surgical access assembly of claim 10 , wherein the openings of the wipers are different sizes and concentric with one another.

12. The surgical access assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of wipers includes a partially disc-shaped body.

13. 13. The surgical access assembly of claim 12, wherein a first set of the plurality of wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a first side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall and a second set of the plurality of wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a second side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall.

14. 14. The surgical access assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second sets of the plurality of wipers are disposed in opposing relationship relative to one another and longitudinally offset relative to one another to define a tortuous path through the instrument channel.

15. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, further comprising a surgical instrument including an elongated tubular body having a distal end portion terminating in a tip portion, the surgical instrument being positionable through the surgical access device and the cleaning cap.

16. The surgical access assembly of claim 15 , wherein the surgical instrument is a visualization device including a lens disposed at the tip portion.

17. 16. The surgical access assembly of claim 15, wherein the distal end portion of the surgical instrument is movable proximally and distally through the cleaning cap, and movement of the surgical instrument within the cleaning cap causes the multiple wipers to move from a biased configuration, in which the multiple wipers extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning cap, and in which the multiple wipers engage the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and are moved toward an inner annular wall of the cleaning cap.

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