Laparoscope Warming and Cleaning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopes and endoscopes often fog and become obstructed by smoke and debris during surgical procedures, impairing visualization due to temperature changes and cellular vaporization, which existing warming and cleaning devices do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A device with a circuit board for warming and a V-shaped white balance element, along with a stand for stabilization, and a cleaning mechanism using absorbent and porous materials to prevent fogging and debris accumulation, powered by a battery or DC supply with LED illumination for operation in dim environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the scope is warmed using a conventional warming device, then the temperature difference between the scope and body cavity is reduced, but the scope lens still fogs due to rapid temperature change upon insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary warming of the scope in a horizontal chamber before insertion into the body cavity. The scope is warmed gradually in advance through contact with warmed absorbent material, preventing fogging when the scope enters the body cavity by reducing the temperature differential shock.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses absorbent material as an intermediary between the heating element and the scope. The absorbent material absorbs and distributes heat evenly, and also serves as a cleaning medium that removes debris and prevents fogging on the scope lens during the warming process.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the scope is cleaned during surgery to remove smoke and debris, then visualization is improved, but the cleaning process may introduce additional fogging or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-cleaning of the scope during surgery through a vertical chamber where the scope is inserted and cleaned in place. The absorbent material in the vertical chamber absorbs moisture and debris from the scope lens without requiring removal or external cleaning tools, preventing additional fogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the cleaning medium by maintaining it in a warmed state throughout the procedure. The continuous warming of the absorbent material prevents condensation and fogging that would otherwise occur during cleaning, allowing effective debris removal without introducing moisture-related problems.
3Speed
If the warming device uses high power heating, then the scope warms quickly, but thermal runaway may occur causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates temperature sensing and control circuitry that continuously monitors the temperature of the heating elements and adjusts power delivery accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents thermal runaway by reducing or切断 power when temperature thresholds are reached, ensuring safe and controlled warming.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the heating parameter from constant high power to variable power delivery. The heating elements operate at different power levels based on real-time temperature conditions, providing rapid initial warming followed by reduced power maintenance heating, achieving both speed and safety.
4Temperature
If the device includes multiple heating sections and control circuits, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the heating system into separate, independent heating sections (horizontal warming chamber and vertical cleaning chamber with separate heating elements). Each section can be controlled independently, allowing simplified control logic for each segment while achieving comprehensive temperature management across the entire device.
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
Effectively warms and cleans the scope, preventing fogging and debris attachment, ensuring clear visualization during procedures by maintaining temperature consistency and providing a stable, damage-preventing cradle for the scope.
Implementation Method 1
A circuit board is located on the bottom of the chamber that has a design element used to warm the liquid to a temperature sufficient to reduce or eliminate issues related to temperature differences
Implementation Method 2
The scope enters the cavity between two bodies of absorbent material that may or may not contain fluid
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A laparascope and endoscope cleaning and defogging device with a port located horizontally that is used to warm the scope prior to insertion into the body cavity / surgical site. The scope punctures the initial membrane and enters the cavity between two bodies of absorbent material that contain fluid. The absorbent material is arranged such that the passage of a scope would be accommodated for different sizes of surgical scopes. A circuit board is located on the bottom of the chamber that has a design element used to warm the liquid to a temperature equal to or greater than the temperature of the proposed surgical environment. When the scope is located betwee the two absorbent bodies, the heat generated by the circuit board is transferred via the liquid and contacts the scope, warming it in preparation for surgery.