Laparoscope Imaging Element Cleaning with Real-Time Contamination Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices used in surgical procedures, such as laparoscopes, suffer from inefficient and potentially harmful ex-vivo cleaning methods that lead to sub-optimal visualization due to contamination, causing delays and risking patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A computer-assisted system that assesses the cleanliness of the imaging element in real-time using image processing to determine when cleaning is needed and autonomously or semi-autonomously activates a cleaning device to maintain optimal visualization during surgical procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ex-vivo cleaning approaches are used, then the imaging element can be cleaned, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and patient safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidsurgical procedure interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of imaging element cleanliness continuously during the surgical procedure and activates cleaning operations before contamination becomes critical, preventing the need for procedure interruption while maintaining patient safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device performs self-cleaning operations autonomously during the surgical procedure without requiring removal from the body cavity, eliminating procedure interruption and maintaining continuous patient care

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If visual determination of cleaning need is made by surgical staff, then cleaning can be performed, but sub-optimal visualization is delayed and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidcleanliness assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors imaging element cleanliness by analyzing captured images and provides real-time feedback on contamination levels, automatically triggering cleaning operations when thresholds are exceeded and eliminating reliance on surgical staff visual determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual assessment method with an automated image processing system that objectively measures contamination levels through algorithmic analysis of captured surgical field images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If cleaning is performed ex-vivo, then the imaging element can be cleaned, but the imaging element becomes contaminated again and visualization quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization qualityVSAvoidcleaning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous in-vivo cleaning operations during the surgical procedure, maintaining constant visualization quality without the interruption and re-contamination cycles of ex-vivo cleaning, thereby improving reliability while managing system complexity through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250288185A1Methods, systems and controllers for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of an imaging device

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 CLEARCAM INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are technological solutions that are configured to limit sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery. Such technological solutions are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of a laparoscope (or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can be used for enabling or causing cleaning of the imaging element to be performed in-vivo in either a manual, semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. In this manner such technological solutions advantageously enable the surgical field during surgery to be more efficiently and consistently maintained in an optimal condition.