CO2 Deflector Assembly for Laparoscope Lens Fogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical scopes used in minimally invasive surgeries face challenges with fogging and debris accumulation on the lens, requiring frequent removal and cleaning, which disrupts the surgical procedure and prolongs recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A view optimizing assembly with a deflector assembly that uses a controlled flow of anhydrous CO2 to prevent fogging and deflect debris from the lens, allowing for intra-operative defogging and cleaning without removing the scope, and a quick exchange feature for switching laparoscopes with different characteristics on the sterile field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgical scopes are used continuously during minimally invasive surgery, then surgical productivity is improved, but lens fogging and debris accumulation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A CO2 deflector assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the surgical field and the scope lens. The deflector receives CO2 gas from the insufflator and redirects it across the lens surface, creating a gas barrier that prevents fogging and debris accumulation without requiring scope removal or interruption of surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic flow by channeling CO2 gas through the deflector assembly. The pressurized CO2 stream is directed across the lens to maintain clear visualization, leveraging gas dynamics to solve the fogging problem continuously during surgery.
2Reliability
If the scope is removed for cleaning and defogging, then lens clarity is improved, but surgical time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 deflector is pre-positioned and activated before fogging occurs. By continuously directing CO2 across the lens surface, the system prevents fogging proactively rather than reacting to it, eliminating the need for scope removal and cleaning interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector operates continuously throughout the surgical procedure, maintaining constant protection against fogging and debris. This continuous action ensures uninterrupted visualization without requiring periodic removal and cleaning of the scope.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laparoscopes with different characteristics are used, then surgical versatility is improved, but device complexity and setup time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the scope holder mechanism from the laparoscope itself, allowing the scope to be exchanged independently while the holder and CO2 deflector remain in place. This segmentation enables quick swapping of different scopes without disrupting the overall surgical setup or CO2 delivery system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains clear visualization of the surgical site during minimally invasive surgery by preventing fogging and debris accumulation, reducing the need for scope removal and cleaning, and enabling quick and efficient exchange of laparoscopes without interrupting the surgical setup.
Implementation Method 1
the deflector assembly is sized and configured to direct a flow of CO2 across a lens of the laparoscope
Data Source
AI summary
A method of defogging and cleaning a laparoscope includes: (1) inserting a laparoscope into a sheath; (2) inserting the laparoscope and sheath into a body cavity; (3) providing gas to a plurality of gas lumens within a wall of the sheath such that the gas flows through the gas lumens and over a lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity; and (4) providing a fluid comprising a surface-active agent to a fluid lumen within the wall of the sheath such that the fluid flows through the fluid lumen and over the lens to clean the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity.