Removable Surgical Scope Cleaning Device with Dual-Size Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
During minimally invasive surgeries, the lenses of surgical scopes and trocars often become obscured by bodily fluids or fogged due to humidity, leading to reduced visibility and the need for effective cleaning and defogging solutions.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device and kit are designed with a casing housing a sponge and a heating element, attachable to a trocar, featuring a snap member for secure attachment, a heating coil or chemical pack for defogging, and a microfiber element for wiping, allowing for efficient cleaning and defogging of lenses during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning device is attached to a trocar to clean surgical scopes, then the lenses can be cleaned and defogged effectively, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is nested within the trocar structure, with the housing containing the sponge and heating element inside the trocar's external dimensions. This allows the cleaning functionality to be integrated without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device serves multiple functions: it cleans the lens using a sponge with cleaning solution and simultaneously defogs the lens using a heating element. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated unit attached to the trocar, reducing the need for separate cleaning and defogging devices.
2Illumination intensity
If a heating element is included in the cleaning device to prevent fogging, then lens visibility is improved, but the device requires additional components and setup time
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged with the sponge assembly within the same housing, allowing both cleaning and heating functions to be delivered through a single integrated component rather than separate devices. This reduces the number of components needed while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is pre-positioned within the housing and can be activated before lens insertion to prevent fogging proactively, rather than requiring reactive defogging measures after fogging occurs. This preliminary action maintains visibility without requiring complex real-time response systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning device is designed to accommodate different trocar sizes, then versatility is improved, but the connector design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates adjustable parameters such as movable arms or resizable engagement features that can accommodate different trocar outer diameters. This allows the same connector design to adapt to various trocar sizes without requiring completely different connector configurations for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into modular segments or adjustable components that can be configured for different trocar sizes. This segmentation allows flexibility in adapting to various dimensions while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design.
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 effectively clears debris and reduces fogging on surgical scopes, ensuring clear visibility and prolonged use by maintaining the optical clarity of lenses throughout minimally invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element... configured to heat the lens of the surgical scope
Implementation Method 2
a sponge... configured to contact the lens of the surgical scope
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for a surgical tool includes a housing having at least one opening for accessing an interior of the housing; a sponge and a heater assembly positioned in the interior of the housing; and a connector. The connector includes a first arm and a second arm extending from an outer surface of the housing. An inner surface of the first arm and an inner surface of the second arm define at least a first recess sized to receive a sidewall of a first tubular body having a first diameter, and a second recess sized to receive a sidewall of a second tubular body having a second diameter, different than the first diameter. The connector is configured to removably attach the housing to the sidewall of the first tubular body or to the sidewall of the second tubular body to supporting the housing relative to the tubular body.