Hinged Tip Cannula Cleaning Apparatus for In-Situ Scope Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures require frequent removal and cleaning of viewing scopes during minimally invasive surgeries to address fogging and debris on the lens, which disrupts the surgical process and increases contamination risks, especially since existing solutions often necessitate removing the scope from the patient, which is inconvenient and prolongs procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cannula and scope cleaning apparatus with an absorbent tube and lens-cleaning portion that can be inserted alongside the viewing scope, allowing for in-situ cleaning by absorbing debris and fluids from the cannula and engaging with the scope's lens to clear obstructions without removing the scope from the patient, utilizing a multilayered design with a radially expandable lumen and deformable materials for compatibility with various scopes and cannulas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the viewing scope is removed from the patient for cleaning, then the lens can be cleaned effectively, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cleaning apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device that can be inserted into the cannula alongside the viewing scope. The apparatus includes an absorbent tube with a lens-cleaning portion that contacts the scope lens directly within the patient's body, enabling cleaning without removing the scope. This mediator allows continuous surgical procedure while maintaining lens cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is designed to be inserted and removed easily by the surgeon without requiring scope removal. The absorbent tube can be advanced to contact the lens, perform cleaning through absorption and wiping actions, and then retracted. This self-service mechanism allows the scope to remain in place throughout the procedure.
2Reliability
If the viewing scope is removed from the patient for cleaning, then the lens can be cleaned effectively, but the cannula remains contaminated and the scope must be reinserted
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus serves as a mediator that cleans both the scope lens and the cannula interior simultaneously. The absorbent tube contacts and cleans the lens while its outer surface absorbs fluids and debris from the cannula inner surface. This dual cleaning action eliminates the need to remove the scope, preventing additional contamination opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus enables continuous cleaning action within the cannula without removing the scope. The absorbent tube can be advanced, cleaned the lens, absorbed contaminants from the cannula, and retracted in a continuous sequence, maintaining the sterile field and preventing contamination throughout the surgical procedure.
3Ease of operation
If a cleaning apparatus is inserted into the cannula, then in-situ cleaning is enabled, but the apparatus must be compatible with various scope and cannula sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus incorporates a radially expandable lumen that can dynamically adjust its diameter. The lumen expands when a viewing scope is inserted to accommodate different scope sizes, and contracts when the scope is removed. This dynamic adaptability allows a single apparatus design to work with multiple scope and cannula size combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent tube is constructed with flexible materials including a radially expandable lumen made of elastic or compliant wall material. This flexible structure allows the tube to deform and expand radially to accommodate viewing scopes of different diameters, providing versatility across various surgical instrument sizes without requiring multiple specialized devices.
4Reliability
If the cannula inner surface is absorbent, then fluids and debris are absorbed effectively, but the cannula structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus incorporates an absorbent tube made of porous or absorbent material that actively absorbs fluids and debris from the cannula inner surface. The porous structure provides high surface area for absorption while maintaining a relatively simple tubular geometry, effectively managing fluids without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent tube is constructed using composite materials that combine structural integrity with absorbent properties. This allows the tube to maintain its shape and provide mechanical support while simultaneously absorbing fluids and debris, achieving effective fluid management without requiring overly complex multi-component structures.
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
Enables continuous visibility during surgical procedures by maintaining the cleanliness of both the cannula and viewing scope lenses, reducing contamination risks and procedural interruptions, while being adaptable to different scope and cannula sizes without the need for modifying existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the tube has an inner surface configured to slidably receive a viewing scope and an outer surface having at least a portion of which is absorbent
Implementation Method 2
a tube... having an inner surface configured to slidably receive a viewing scope and an outer surface having at least a portion of which is absorbent, where the tube is sized and configured to be slidably received by a cannula
Implementation Method 3
a lens-cleaning portion... configured to engage at least a portion of the viewing scope
Implementation Method 4
a lens-cleaning portion coupled to the tube, where the lens-cleaning portion is configured to engage at least a portion of the viewing scope
Data Source
AI summary
An improved apparatus for cleaning a scope during a surgical procedure using a hinged tip. A scope cleaning apparatus can include a tube configured to be slidably received by a cannula, a hinged tip connected to the tube, and a lens-cleaning portion. The tube can include a proximal portion and a distal portion. Furthermore, the tube, across the proximal portion and the distal portion together can include an outer surface, an inner surface, and a lumen. The inner surface can be configured to slidably receive a viewing scope. The lumen can be defined by the inner surface. The lens-cleaning portion can be coupled to the hinged tip and can be configured to engage at least a portion of the viewing scope.