Laparoscope Lens Cleaning Assembly With In-Situ Spray and Wipe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The camera lens of a laparoscope becomes dirty during surgical procedures, necessitating its removal from the patient's body for cleaning, prolonging the operation and reducing surgical efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that cleans the laparoscope's camera lens in situ by spraying a cleaning fluid and wiping it with a blade, operated by a single-hand trigger mechanism, allowing continuous use during the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laparoscope is removed from the surgical site to clean the camera lens, then the lens can be cleaned effectively, but the surgical procedure time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is attached to the laparoscope itself, allowing the laparoscope to clean its own camera lens through a self-contained spray mechanism and wiping blade system that operates in situ without removal from the surgical site
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is nested within or attached to the laparoscope structure, with the spray nozzle positioned to direct fluid onto the camera lens and the wiping blade integrated into the same assembly, enabling compact in-situ cleaning
2Reliability
If the laparoscope is removed from the patient's body for cleaning, then the camera can be cleaned thoroughly, but patient exposure and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-contained cleaning functionality integrated into the laparoscope, eliminating the need for external cleaning equipment or procedures and allowing the surgeon to maintain camera cleanliness independently during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus serves multiple functions: spraying cleaning fluid onto the lens, providing a wiping blade for mechanical cleaning, and being operable by a single trigger mechanism, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate cleaning tools and procedures
3Ease of operation
If a single-hand trigger mechanism is used to operate the cleaning apparatus, then ease of operation during surgery is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the trigger system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism combines multiple functions into a single operational interface: activating the spray pump, controlling the wiping blade movement, and coordinating the cleaning sequence, all through one trigger press that can be operated with a single hand during the surgical procedure
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
Reduces surgical time by maintaining clear camera vision without removing the laparoscope, enhancing patient recovery and hospital resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
direct a fluid on a camera lens of the laparoscope
Implementation Method 2
wipe the lens with a wiping blade
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning a laparoscope includes a housing configured to be selectively connected to the laparoscope, a fluid-moving assembly connected to the housing, a wiping assembly connected to the housing, and a trigger movably connected to the housing. The housing may include first transparent portion thereof covering a camera of the laparoscope. The fluid-moving assembly is configured to receive a cleaning fluid and to direct the fluid toward the first transparent portion of the housing. The wiping assembly is configured to wipe the first transparent portion of the housing. The trigger is configured to be selectively moved between a first position and a second position relative to the housing to cause the fluid-moving assembly to spray the fluid toward the first transparent portion of the housing and to cause the wiping blade to wipe the first transparent portion of the housing.