WO2010040177A1

WO2010040177A1 - Instrument heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010040177A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antony Hugh Beeley
Original assignee: A H Beeley Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-06
Filing date: 2009-10-06
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

A trolley (10) comprising a work surface (12) on which surgical instruments may be placed during surgical procedures. A heating device (26) is provided for selectively heating the surface (12). This allows for the heating of the surgical instruments prior to their use. The surgical instruments may be, for example, surgical telescopes. Other articles may also be placed on the working surface for heating, including for example containers of treatment fluids.

Description

Instrument Heating Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for accommodating devices such as instruments, particularly instruments facilitating visual inspection of sites.

The present invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, for accommodating medical instruments of the type used to inspect sites such as internal cavities or internal features of patients.

Background Art

It has become common procedure to view the inside of biological cavities in order to, for example, assess its content, perform surgical procedures and photograph the interior for investigative or educational purposes.

The viewing of the interior of the biological cavity may be performed via telescope introduced in the biological cavity through an incision or biological orifice.

An example of surgical procedures in which viewing of the interior of the biological cavity is required is laparoscopic surgery (key hole surgery). Laparoscopic surgery is a surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions. The key element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of a laparoscope (a telescopic rod lens system). The telescope system is usually connected to a video camera allowing the surgical staff to see the interior of the abdominal cavity on a TV screen.

It is essential that the lens system of the telescope is free of stains, impurities, and for example, water vapor. Because the telescope (i.e. the lens system) is at a temperature lower than the patient's body temperature, water vapor tends to condense on the lens system making any inspection via the telescope of the surgical procedure difficult if not impossible.

Several products have been developed in order to prevent condensation of water vapor on the lens system of the telescopes; however, none have proven to be entirely satisfactory. It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising an area for accommodating at least one device and means for heating the area whereby the device accommodated at the area is heated.

Preferably, the area is incorporated in a surface on which the at least one device can rest.

Preferably, the means for heating the area comprises at least one heating device in heat exchange relation with the surface whereby the area is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating device.

Preferably, the temperature of the heating device may be selectively variable.

The heating device may comprise a heating plate.

Preferably, the area can be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.

Preferably, the area comprises indicator means for indicating that the area is heated or being heated.

Preferably, the at least one device comprises at least one instrument.

Preferably, the at least one instrument comprises a surgical telescope.

Preferably, the surface is defined by a trolley.

Preferably, the trolley has a working surface adapted to receive the at least one device.

The area for accommodating at least one device may be associated with substantially the entire working surface of the trolley. Preferably, the area for accommodating at least one device comprises stainless steel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a surgical trolley comprising at least one surface and heating means for heating the surface.

Preferably, the heating means comprises at least one heating device. The heating device may comprise a heating plate covered by a heat conducting material.

Preferably, the at least one heating device is in heat exchange relation with the at least one surface whereby the at least one surface is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating device.

Preferably, the at least one surface comprises a working surface.

Preferably, the working surface is adapted to receive at least one device in heat exchange relation therewith whereby the at least one device is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating plate.

Preferably, the at least one device comprises at least one instrument.

Preferably, the at least one instrument comprises a surgical telescope.

Preferably, the heat conducting material comprises stainless steel.

Preferably, the temperature of the heating plate is selectively variable.

Preferably, the surface can be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.

Preferably, the surface comprises indicator means for indicating that the surface is heated or being heated. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a trolley;

Figure 2 is a side view of the trolley; Figure 3 is a rear view of the trolley in accordance to the embodiment shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a detail of the rear view shown in figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a heating plate incorporated in the trolley;

Figure 6 is an underside view of the upper surface of the trolley;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a heating device for use in conjunction with the trolley in accordance to the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 8 is a side view of the heating device shown in figure 7;

Figure 9 is an end view of the heating device shown in figure 7;

Figure 10 is a side view of the heating device shown in figure 7 in use;

Figure 11 is an end view of the heating device shown in figure 7 in use;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the trolley shown in figure 1 prior to use; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the working surface of the trolley shown in figure 1 in use. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment(s)

Figures 1 to 6 show a trolley 10 in accordance to an embodiment of the invention for accommodating devices such as instruments and medical preparations.

Referring to figure 1 , the trolley 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a surface 12 defined by a mobile frame 14 comprising wheels 16.

The surface 12 of the trolley 10 presents a working surface 20 on which surgical instruments may be placed during surgical procedures (see figures 12 and 13). In particular, the surface 12 is adapted to receive surgical instruments. This allows for the heating of the surgical instruments. The surgical instruments may be, for example, surgical telescopes. Any other medical instruments or medical substances may be heated by placing the instruments on the surface 12.

Additionally, the trolley 10 comprises an area 18 for accommodating, for example, a rechargeable power supply such as a battery (not shown).

Referring to figure 3, a heating plate 26 is located under the surface 12 and in close proximity thereto. In this way, the heating plate 26 is in heat exchange relationship with the working surface 12. The surface 12 comprises a heat conducting material such as, for example, stainless steel. Other arrangements may include ceramic or glass ceramic.

As shown in figure 4, the heating plate 26 is confined between the surface 12 and support rods 28. Each rod 28 is installed between opposed flanges 30 that project perpendicularly from the side edges of surface 12. For this, each rod 28 is resiliently extensible, whereby the rod can be contracted for placement between the opposed flanges 30 and then allowed to resiliently extend to be retained in position. The rods 28 are maintained in position by inturned flanges 32 that extend perpendicularly from the flanges 32. As mentioned above, the heating plate 26 is located in close proximity to the bottom surface of surface 12. Spacers 34 are located between the underside of the working surface 12 and the heating plate 26. The spacers 34 establish an air gap between the heating plate 26 and the surface 12. The heating plate 26 comprises a heating element (such as an electrical resistance element) embedded in a casing which may, for example, comprise flexible resin. The heating plate 26 is configured such that a single face emits thermal energy. The opposite face insulates the heating element from the exterior. This is advantageous due to the fact that the thermal energy emitting face may be located towards the underside of surface 12 for heating of the surface 12. The opposite face does not present a danger for the users as minimal thermal energy is emitted from that face.

The heating plate 26 is connected to a power supply via conductor cable 40. The conductor cable is electrically connected to the heating elements of the heating plate via connecting means 44 (see figure 6). The conductor cable 40 may be electrically connected to mains power supply through an electrical outlet.

Additionally, or alternatively, the heating plate 26 may be powered by a rechargeable power supply such as batteries (not shown) electrically connected to the heating plate 26.

A control 42 is provided for selectively controlling the temperature of the heating plate 26. Control 42 comprise a switch 42a the controls allows activation of the heating plate 26 when required and maintenance of the heating plate 26 at a desired temperature. The control 42 may incorporate a rheostat 42b that can be set to maintain the heating plate at a desired temperature. Indicator means 28

(not shown) indicating that the heating sections 26 are heating or being heating may also be provided. The indicator means 28 may be lights (not shown) visible through sterile drapes covering the surface 12 of the trolley 10 during surgical procedures (see figure 12 and 13).

In the arrangement shown in figure 6, the heating plate 26 only partially covers the bottom surface of the surface 12. Thus, a section 46 of the surface 12 does not cover a heating plate 26. Section 46 thus provides a working surface 20 for objects or devices that do not require heating.

In a further arrangement, the heating of the devices such as surgical instruments or medical substances may be assisted by a heating device 50. In use, the heating device 50 may be placed, for example, on the surface 52 to be heated.

Once the heating device 50 is heated, the surgical instruments or medical substances may be located in channels 54 in order to be heated. Upon the instruments 52 reaching the required temperature, the surgeon may use the heated instruments 52 to perform the surgical procedure.

The heating device 50, which is shown in figures 7 to 11 , comprises a body 52 configured as a block. The block has a lower portion defining a base 53 and an upper portion having a plurality of channels 54 adapted to receive instruments 62. The channels 54 are grooves that extend longitudinally along the body 52 from a first end 56 to a second end 58 of the body 52 (see figure 8). The channels comprise open ends 60 at each of first and second ends 56, 58. The base 53 is adapted to be located on the surface 52 for heating of the heating device 50.

Not all channels 54 are of identical size. A pair of channels 54a and 54c differ in size with respect to another pair of channels 54b and 54d. The channels 54 are arranged parallel to each other and different sized channels 54 are located side by side.

As shown in figure 9, channels 54 are grooves having an upper open portion 21 and sidewalls 23. The upper portion 21 allows insertion of the instruments 62 into channels 54. The sidewalls 23 surround the instruments 62 (inserted in channels 54) providing heat exchanging surfaces for transferring to the instruments 62 the heat retained in the heating device 50.

As said before, channels 54 are adapted to receive instruments 62. In the arrangement shown in figure 10, the instruments 62 comprise an elongated body 64 and an end portion 66. The end portion 66 is of larger diameter than the elongated body 64. As shown, the instruments 62 are located in the heating device 50 by inserting their elongated bodies 64 into the channels 54. A portion of the elongated bodies 64 extend through the open ends 60 of the channels 54 so that the end portions 66 of the instruments 62 rest adjacent to the ends 56 or 58 of the body 52.

The heating device 50 allows locating four instruments 62 (having end portions 66 of relative large diameter) side by side. As shown in figures 10 and 11 , a pair of instruments 62a and 62c are resting in channels 54a and 54c with their end portions 66 extending beyond end 56 of the heating device. The other pair of instruments 62b and 62d are resting in channels 54b and 54d with their end portions 66 extending beyond the opposite end 58 of the heating device 50. This is possible due to the fact that channels 54 comprise open ends 60 at both ends 56 and 58 of the heating device 50.

The open ends 60 of the channels 54 (located at ends 56 and 58 of the heating device 52) also facilitate access to the instruments 62 while lying inside the channels 54. As said before, end portions 66 of the instruments 62 extend beyond the body 52 of the heating device 50 and, thus, can be grabbed to extract the instruments 62 from channel 54.

Moreover, the fact that the heating device has channels 54 of different sizes allows instruments 62 of different dimensions to be located in the heating device 50. As shown in figure 11 , the relatively smaller instruments 62a and 62c can be located into channels 54a and 54c. Relatively larger instruments 62b and 62d can be located into channels 54b and 54d.

Examples of instruments 62 that can be located on the heating device 50 are laparoscopes (telescopic rod lens systems used during laparoscopic surgery). A laparoscope comprises an elongated body 64 having an end portion 66 of relatively large diameter than the elongated body 64. The elongated body 64 of the laparoscope can be located into the appropriate channel 54 while the relatively larger portion 66 rest adjacent an end 56 or 58 of the heating device 50 (see figure 10). The heating device 50 may be made out of materials that are good thermal conductors. For example, metals such as aluminium or stainless steel are appropriate for transferring the heat from the working surface 20 on which the heating device 50 rests due to their thermal conductivity. The heat emanating from the surface 20 is transferred to the instruments 62 (placed on the heating device 50) via the heating device 50.

The heating device 50 may be provided in a sterile environment such as a sterile pack. Upon heating or prior to heating of the heating device (as the case may be) the sterile pack is opened and the heating device 50 is placed on the surgical trolley for heating of the instruments 62 as explained before.

In operation, prior to the surgical procedure the heating plate 26 can be activated and the desired temperature may be set via the control 42. As shown in figures 12 and 13, sterile drapes are typically used to cover the working surface 20 of the heating apparatus 10 during surgical procedures. The surgical instruments 22 are located on the working surface 20 in order to be heated. Also, heating device 50 can be placed on the covered working surface 20 to assist in the heating process of devices used during the surgical procedure. During the surgical procedures the surgeon, once the instruments or medical substances have reached the required temperature, may use the heated instruments to perform the surgical procedure.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment disclosed. By way of example, a plurality of heating plates may be arranged under the surface 12 in order to provide a plurality of working surfaces 20 that can be heated at different temperatures. Further, the heating plate 26 may be configured to any shape so as to provide specific heating pattern on the working surface 20. Also, the heating plate 26 may be adapted to any surfaces used in surgical or medical procedures such as moveable or retractable surfaces adapted to any type of medical treatment and surgery system.

Alternatively, the heating plate 26 may comprise ceramic-glass covering heating elements. The heating elements may be electrical coils, halogen elements comprising halogen lights, and/or induction plates comprising induction coils located under the ceramic-glass surface. In the arrangements comprising stainless steel, the heating elements, using induction coils, may not require the induction plate.

Moreover, the heating plate need not necessarily be adapted to the working surfaces of the trolley. The heating plates may be adapted to compartments (for example, drawers) or retractable surfaces provided on the trolley.

Furthermore, the working surface 20 need not necessarily be electrically heated. Any type of heating system may be used. For example, the surface 12 may be in contact with (or in proximity to) a heat emitting medium, such as, heated water with such an arrangement, a reservoir for containing heated water would be located under the surface 12.

The present invention may be used for heating any type of surgical instrument or medical substances, or indeed any other instrument or device that is required to be heated. For example, in local anaesthetic operations, skin cleansing fluids and the instruments could be maintained at a temperature compatible with the patient's body temperature. This is beneficial in bilateral vasectomy procedures in which cold instruments would cause the cremasteric reflex and scrotal contraction to be stimulated pulling the testes up into the inguinal canal thus increasing the risk of complications such as scrotal haematoma.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows:

1. An apparatus comprising an area for accommodating at least one device and means for heating the area, whereby the device accommodated at the area is heated.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the area is incorporated in a surface on which the at least one device can rest.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for heating the area comprises at least one heating plate in heat exchange relation with the surface, whereby the area for is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating plate.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the temperature of the heating plate is selectively variable.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the area can be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the area comprises indicator means for indicating that the area is heated or being heated.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one device comprises at least one instrument.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the at least one instrument comprises a surgical telescope.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the surface is defined by a trolley.

10.An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the trolley has a working surface adapted to receive the at least one device.

11.An apparatus according to claim 10 the area for accommodating at least one device is associated with substantially the entire working surface of the trolley.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the area for accommodating at least one device comprises stainless steel.

13. A surgical trolley comprising at least one surface and heating means for heating the surface.

14. A surgical trolley according to claim 13 wherein the heating means comprises at least one heating plate covered by a heat conducting material.

15. A surgical trolley according to claim 14 wherein the at least one heating plate is in heat exchange relation with the at least one surface whereby the at least one surface is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating plate.

16.A surgical trolley according to claims 14 or 15 wherein the at least one surface comprises a working surface.

17. A surgical trolley according to claim 16 wherein the working surface is adapted to receive at least one device in heat exchange relation therewith whereby the at least one device is heated by the thermal energy emitted by the heating plate.

18. A surgical trolley according to claim 17 wherein the at least one device comprises at least one instrument.

19. A surgical trolley to claim 18 wherein the at least one instrument comprises a surgical telescope.

20. A surgical trolley according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein the heat conducting material comprises stainless steel.

21. A surgical trolley according to any one of claims 13 to 20 wherein the temperature of the heating plate is selectively variable.

22.A surgical trolley according to any one of claims 13 to 21 wherein the surface can be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.

23. A surgical trolley according to any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein the surface comprises indicator means for indicating that the surface is heated or being heated.

24. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A surgical trolley substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.