Hinged Tip Cannula Cleaning Apparatus for Surgical Scope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures require frequent removal and cleaning of viewing scopes during minimally invasive surgeries, leading to prolonged procedures, increased contamination risks, and inefficiency due to the need to defog and clean lenses outside the patient, which can be costly and inconvenient.
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, and featuring a resilient material for effective lens cleaning without removing the scope from the patient.
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 prolonged and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is inserted into the cannula before the viewing scope becomes significantly contaminated. The absorbent tube and lens-cleaning portion are positioned in advance to prevent debris and fluids from accumulating on the lens, allowing cleaning to occur proactively rather than reactively after contamination occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning apparatus serving as an intermediary device is introduced between the contaminated environment (cannula interior) and the viewing scope lens. This intermediary contains an absorbent tube for soaking up fluids and a lens-cleaning portion with resilient material that directly contacts and cleans the lens without requiring scope removal.
2Reliability
If the viewing scope is removed from the patient for cleaning, then the lens can be cleaned effectively, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is inserted into the cannula before the viewing scope becomes significantly contaminated. The absorbent tube and lens-cleaning portion are positioned in advance to prevent debris and fluids from accumulating on the lens, allowing cleaning to occur proactively rather than reactively after contamination occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning apparatus serving as an intermediary device is introduced between the contaminated environment (cannula interior) and the viewing scope lens. This intermediary contains an absorbent tube for soaking up fluids and a lens-cleaning portion with resilient material that directly contacts and cleans the lens without requiring scope removal.
3Ease of operation
If a spray wash nozzle is incorporated on the viewing scope, then cleaning can occur without removal, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented from the viewing scope itself and implemented as a separate, independent cleaning apparatus. This segmentation allows the viewing scope to remain simple while the cleaning device provides the necessary cleaning mechanisms (absorbent tube, lens-cleaning portion) as a standalone component that interfaces with the scope during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is designed to be universally applicable to different viewing scopes without requiring modification of the scope itself. The apparatus performs multiple functions: the absorbent tube cleans the cannula interior while the lens-cleaning portion cleans the scope lens, making it a multi-functional solution that addresses both cleaning needs with a single device.
4Reliability
If the viewing scope is frequently removed and reinserted, then the lens can be cleaned, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus enables continuous cleaning action during the surgical procedure without interrupting the overall workflow. The absorbent tube continuously absorbs fluids and debris from the cannula interior, while the lens-cleaning portion can continuously or periodically clean the lens as needed, maintaining visibility quality without the discontinuous interruptions caused by scope removal and reinsertion.
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
This solution enables continuous visibility during surgeries by maintaining the cleanliness of both the cannula and viewing scope lenses, reducing contamination risks, and minimizing procedural interruptions while being cost-effective and easy to implement.
Implementation Method 1
The tube has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough, and further includes an absorbent tube
Implementation Method 2
an outer surface having at least a portion of which is absorbent
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system and method for cleaning a scope during a surgical procedure using a hinged tip is herein described. A scope cleaning apparatus can comprise 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 comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion. Furthermore, the tube, across the proximal portion and the distal portion together can comprise 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.