Rotating Sphere Wiper Laparoscope for Fog-Free Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery is hindered by reduced visibility due to fogging, abdominal bleeding, and tissue smearing on the laparoscope lens, requiring frequent removal and reinsertion, which interrupts surgery, increases complications, and poses bacterial risks.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning laparoscope design featuring a rotatable transparent sphere with a rubber wiper and internal saline/vacuum system that continuously removes debris and fluids from the lens, maintaining a clear imaging surface without interrupting the surgical procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laparoscope is removed from the patient for cleaning the lens, then the lens can be cleaned to improve visibility, but the surgery is interrupted and patient complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system is self-contained within the laparoscope, allowing the lens to clean itself automatically during surgery without requiring removal. The wiper blade is driven by a motor that can be activated on-demand or continuously, enabling the lens to maintain clarity autonomously while remaining in place, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surgical continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper system proactively removes debris, blood, and condensation from the lens surface before they can significantly obscure the view. By continuously or periodically activating the wiper during surgery, the system performs cleaning actions in advance of visibility degradation, maintaining clear viewing without interrupting the surgical procedure
2Reliability
If the laparoscope is removed and reinserted frequently, then lens cleanliness is improved, but patient exposure to bacteria increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-cleaning wiper system eliminates the need to remove the laparoscope for lens maintenance. The wiper blade, driven by an integrated motor, continuously or periodically cleans the lens surface of blood, tissue debris, and condensation, maintaining optical clarity while the laparoscope remains in place, thereby preventing bacterial exposure that would occur during removal and reinsertion
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper system provides continuous or periodic cleaning action throughout the surgical procedure, ensuring the lens remains clean without interruption. This continuous maintenance of lens clarity eliminates the need for repeated removal and reinsertion, thereby continuously protecting against bacterial exposure while maintaining visibility
3Reliability
If a mechanical air curtain solution is used to prevent debris entry, then lens protection is improved, but the instrument bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a bulk-intensive mechanical air curtain system, the patent extracts the essential cleaning function and implements it through a compact wiper blade mechanism. The wiper blade directly contacts and removes debris from the lens surface, achieving effective lens protection without requiring the large-volume air generation and distribution systems that would increase instrument bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical air curtain system with a simpler wiper blade mechanism driven by a small motor. This substitution achieves the same lens protection function (removing debris, blood, and condensation) with a much more compact design, reducing instrument bulk while maintaining effective lens cleaning capability
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
The solution ensures uninterrupted clear vision during surgery by maintaining a clean and fog-resistant lens, reducing patient complications and medical expenses, and minimizing the risk of infection by eliminating the need for lens removal and reinsertion.
Implementation Method 1
A ring-shaped wiper is fixed to the distal end of the tube for circumferentially engaging the sphere, wherein the wiper removes debris and fluids from the surface of the sphere as the sphere rotates
Implementation Method 2
Fogging of the laparoscope occurs because there is a difference in room temperature and abdominal temperature, causing condensation on the distal lens
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscope comprises an elongated insertion tube having an open distal end. Optical means are provided for conducting an optical image of a target. The optical means includes an objective lens. A transparent sphere houses the lens. The sphere is rotatably disposed in the distal end of the tube such that a portion of the sphere protrudes from the tube. A ring-shaped wiper is fixed to the distal end of the tube for circumferentially engaging the sphere. Means are disposed in the tube for rotating the sphere, wherein the wiper removes debris and fluids from the surface of the sphere as the sphere rotates.