Endoscope Lens Cleaning Suction Ring for In Situ Debris Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally invasive viewing instruments like endoscopes face the challenge of debris and condensation buildup on their lenses during surgical procedures, impairing visualization and requiring effective cleaning methods without compromising the surgical site or increasing risks such as tumor spread and air/gas embolism.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a housing, elongate shaft, suction ring, and slider mechanism that allows for the delivery and retention of cleaning fluid to the lens, using a vacuum source to maintain a fluid tight seal and prevent fluid release into the surgical site, enabling debris removal without removing the endoscope from the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning fluid is applied to the lens during surgical procedure, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but risk of fluid release into surgical site increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of fluid release into surgical site

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction ring is disposed within the elongate shaft, creating a nested configuration where the cleaning mechanism is contained within the protective shaft structure. This nesting ensures that the suction ring and its contents remain confined within the shaft during insertion and positioning, preventing premature release of cleaning fluid into the surgical site while enabling effective lens cleaning when activated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction ring is formed from a resilient material that can deform and seal around the lens. This flexible shell creates a fluid-tight barrier that contains the cleaning fluid on the lens surface, preventing it from leaking into the surgical site while maintaining effective contact with the lens for debris removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If endoscope is removed from patient for cleaning, then lens cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surgical procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device enables the endoscope lens to be cleaned in situ without removal from the patient. The self-contained system with integrated suction ring, elongate shaft, and slider mechanism allows the lens to service itself by delivering and retaining cleaning fluid directly at the lens location, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal and external cleaning procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The suction ring acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the cleaning function and the endoscope lens. It delivers cleaning fluid to the lens, retains it during the cleaning process, and suction removes debris and excess fluid. This intermediary enables effective cleaning to occur within the constrained surgical environment without requiring endoscope removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If suction ring is made resilient for sealing, then fluid retention capability is improved, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid retention capabilityVSAvoidstructural strength of suction ring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suction ring is constructed from a resilient material that provides flexibility for sealing while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. This flexible shell can deform to create a fluid-tight seal around the lens, ensuring effective retention of cleaning fluid, while the material properties and design maintain the structural strength needed to withstand surgical conditions and repeated use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The device effectively cleans the endoscope lens during surgical procedures, maintaining clear visualization without increasing risks, by using a suction ring to retain cleaning fluids and debris, ensuring continuous use without compromising the surgical site or patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

The outlet port of the housing may be coupled to a vacuum source such that the suction ring retains the cleaning fluid when the slider is in the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20230263382A1Endoscope cleaning device

Publication Date: 2023.08.24 COVIDIEN (CHINA) MEDICAL DEVICES TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

A cleaning device (100) enables cleaning of a lens (18) of an endoscope (10) during a surgical procedure to maintain a clear image without having to remove the endoscope (10) from the patient's body. The cleaning device (100) includes a suction ring (500) that selectively encloses the lens (18) of the endoscope (10) and retains the cleaning fluid during cleaning of the lens (18).