CN216652246U - Surgical kit and cleaning device for use with an endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning device for use with an endoscope is capable of cleaning the lens of the endoscope during surgery to maintain a sharp image without having to remove the endoscope from the body of the patient. A cleaning device is mountable to the endoscope, a blade of the cleaning device being selectively displaceable across the lens to remove debris from the lens. The cleaning device includes a sleeve defining a lumen sized to receive a distal portion of the endoscope and an opening in registration with the lens; and a frame including a support portion, an engagement portion pivotably coupled to the support portion, and a wiper, the support portion coupled to the sleeve, the wiper slidable across the lens to remove debris from the lens, the engagement portion transitionable between an aligned position in which the wiper of the frame is placed in a first position on the lens and an offset position in which the engagement portion pivots relative to the support portion, thereby displacing the wiper across the lens. And a surgical kit comprising an endoscope and a cleaning device.

Description

Surgical kit and cleaning device for use with an endoscope

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The benefit and priority of united states provisional patent application No. 63/066,379, filed on 8/17/2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is claimed.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to minimally invasive surgical instruments and, more particularly, to an endoscope cleaning device for removing debris from a lens of an endoscope.

Background

Minimally invasive procedures do not require large incisions in the patient, thereby reducing discomfort, recovery time, and many of the deleterious side effects associated with traditional open procedures. Minimally invasive viewing instruments, such as laparoscopes and endoscopes, provide viewing of internal tissues and/or organs during minimally invasive procedures.

Laparoscopic surgery involves placing a laparoscope in a small incision in the abdominal wall of a patient to view the surgical site. Endoscopic surgery involves placing an endoscope in a naturally occurring orifice such as the mouth, nose, anus, urethra, or vagina to view the surgical site. Other minimally invasive surgical procedures include telethoracoscopic and cardiovascular surgery through small incisions between the ribs. These procedures also utilize a scope to view the surgical site.

A typical minimally invasive viewing apparatus, such as a laparoscope or endoscope, includes a housing, an elongate lens shaft extending from one end of the housing, and a lens disposed in a distal end of the elongate lens shaft. A camera viewfinder extends from the other end of the housing. The camera is connected to the housing and transmits the image seen through the lens to an external monitor on which the image is displayed. During surgery, the distal portion of the elongate lens shaft extends into the patient, while the proximal portion of the elongate lens shaft, the housing, and the camera viewfinder remain outside the patient. In this way, the laparoscope/endoscope is positioned and adjusted to view specific anatomical structures in the surgical field on the monitor.

Debris, such as organic matter and/or moisture, can be deposited on the lens of the scope during insertion of the endoscope or laparoscope into the body and during surgery. The accumulation of debris and condensation on the lens can impair visibility of the surgical site and often requires cleaning of the lens.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present disclosure describes an endoscope cleaning device that presents a practical approach to meeting performance requirements and overcoming usability challenges associated with cleaning the lens of an endoscope during surgery.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a surgical kit includes an endoscope having a lens at a distal portion of the endoscope and a cleaning device including a sleeve and a frame. The sleeve defines a lumen sized to receive the distal end portion of the endoscope. The frame includes a support portion, a wiper blade, and an engagement portion. The support portion is secured to the sleeve. The engagement portion is pivotably coupled to the support portion and extends distally from the support portion. The engagement portion supports the wiper blade for movement as a single configuration. The engagement portion is transitionable between an aligned position in which the wiper blade of the frame is placed in a first position on the lens and an offset position in which the engagement portion pivots relative to the support portion, thereby displacing the wiper blade across the lens to a second position diametrically opposite the first position to remove debris from the lens.

In one aspect, the cleaning device may be integrally formed as a single construction.

In another aspect, the support portion and the engagement portion may be integrally formed.

In yet another aspect, the sleeve may be formed of a flexible or resilient material.

In yet another aspect, the sleeve may be formed of an elastomer to detachably secure the sleeve to the endoscope.

In one aspect, the cleaning device may further include a lip extending radially inward from the sleeve and defining an opening in registration with the lens of the endoscope.

In another aspect, the cleaning device can further include a rib extending along a length of the sleeve and over the lip to limit proximal displacement of the sleeve when the lip engages the endoscope.

In yet another aspect, the support portion of the frame may include opposing lateral portions interconnected by a connecting portion.

In yet another aspect, the support portion may include an arcuate configuration corresponding to a profile of the sleeve.

In yet another aspect, the support portion may be overmolded to the sleeve.

In yet another aspect, the wiper may include a tapered edge.

In yet another aspect, the engagement portion may be biased toward the aligned position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning device for use with an endoscope includes a sleeve and a frame. The sleeve defines a lumen sized to receive a distal portion of an endoscope and an opening in registration with a lens of the endoscope. The frame includes a support portion, an engagement portion pivotably coupled to the support portion, and a wiper blade. The support portion is coupled to the sleeve. The blade is slidable across the lens of the endoscope to remove debris from the lens. The engagement portion is transitionable between an aligned position in which the wiper blade of the frame is placed in a first position on the lens and an offset position in which the engagement portion pivots relative to the support portion, thereby displacing the wiper blade across the lens.

In one aspect, the engagement portion may be distal to the support portion.

In another aspect, the support portion and the engagement portion may be integrally formed as a single construction.

In yet another aspect, the first location and the second location may be diametrically opposite one another.

In yet another aspect, the sleeve may be formed of a flexible or elastic material to frictionally secure the cleaning device to the endoscope.

In yet another aspect, the support portion can define a cavity. At least a portion of the blade may extend into the cavity.

In one aspect, the support portion may have a profile that conforms to a profile of the sleeve.

In another aspect, the blade may be formed of silicone or rubber.

Drawings

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals denote similar or identical elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the present disclosure, illustrating the cleaning device mounted on an endoscope;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of the detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the frame of the cleaning device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the frame of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the endoscope-mounted cleaning device of FIG. 1, illustrating use of the cleaning device

Detailed Description

The endoscope cleaning devices disclosed herein are described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion described that is farther from the user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion described that is closer to the user. In addition, the terms parallel and perpendicular should be understood to encompass relative configurations of substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular that differ from true parallel and true perpendicular by at most about +10 degrees or-10 degrees. Moreover, to the extent consistent, any or all aspects detailed herein may be used in combination with any or all other aspects detailed herein.

In fig. 1 and 2, an exemplary in-situ lens cleaning apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown generally as cleaning apparatus 100. The cleaning device 100 enables cleaning of the lens 18 of the endoscope 10 to maintain a sharp image during a surgical procedure without having to remove the endoscope 10 from the body of the patient. In particular, the endoscope 10 includes a housing 12 and an elongate tubular shaft 14 extending distally from the housing 12 and terminating in a lens 18. The distal tip portion 16 of the endoscope 10 includes a plurality of optical components that generate images of patient tissue, as known to those skilled in the art. The optical components typically include a window or frontal element of a lens assembly that is positioned in front of an image sensor or fiber optic imaging guide that passes the image to the proximal end of the endoscope 10. Illumination sources such as light emitting diodes, optical fibers, or illumination guides may also be provided. The elongate tubular shaft 14 may be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. The housing 12 may include a viewfinder 20 adapted to view an image of the surgical area (e.g., abdominal cavity, thoracic cavity, etc.) of the patient while adjusting the position of the endoscope 10 to view particular anatomical structures in the surgical area. The camera is adapted to receive an image of the surgical field seen through the lens 18 and transmit the image to, for example, an external monitor on which the image of the surgical field is displayed. That is, the visual display device converts the optical signal into a video signal to produce a video image on a monitor (or for storage on a selected medium). Thus, when performing a surgical procedure using minimally invasive or endoscopic surgical instruments, the monitor enables the clinician to view anatomical structures in the surgical field within the patient. Throughout the surgical procedure, condensate, smoke particles, and biological tissue or matter tend to contact and accumulate on the lens 18 of the endoscope 10. This tends to obscure the images of the surgical field (when they are displayed on the monitor). To this end, the cleaning device 100 may be utilized during a surgical procedure to maintain a clear image without having to remove the endoscope 10 from the patient's body, as will be discussed below. In particular, the cleaning device 100 may be used to remove debris, such as organic matter and/or moisture, from the lens 18 of the endoscope 10. Furthermore, the cleaning device 100 does not require additional modifications to the endoscope 10 with which it is used, as will be discussed below.

Fig. 2 illustrates the cleaning device 100 detachably mounted to the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10. The cleaning device 100 includes a sleeve or body 110 having a tubular configuration. The sleeve 110 defines a lumen 112 sized to receive the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10. In this configuration, sleeve 110 may be frictionally mounted on a variety of endoscopes having different sizes. The cleaning device 100 can be made available in different diameters to allow it to be retrofitted for various endoscopes and laparoscopes. It is contemplated that the sleeve 110 may be fixedly secured to the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10 via, for example, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, or the like. The sleeve 110 includes a proximal portion 110a and a distal portion 110 b. The proximal end portion 110a defines an aperture 116 that receives the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10. The cleaning device 100 further includes a lip 114 extending radially inward from the distal end portion 110b of the sleeve 110. The lip 114 defines an opening that registers with the lens 18 of the endoscope 10. The sleeve 110 and lip 114 may be formed of a flexible or resilient material, such as an elastomer. In particular, the sleeve 110 and the lip 114 may be integrally formed as a single construction. In one aspect, the sleeve 110 and the lip 114 may be integrally formed. The sleeve 110 may be frictionally mounted on the endoscope 10. In this configuration, the sleeve 110 can accommodate endoscopes of various sizes or diameters. Although the cleaning device 100 is shown as a detachable assembly separate from the endoscope 10, it is contemplated that the cleaning device 100 may be integrally formed with the endoscope 10 as a single construction. For example, the cleaning device 100 may be overmolded onto the elongate tubular shaft 14 of the endoscope 10. When the cleaning device 100 is mounted on the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10, the lip 114 is disposed about the lens 18 of the endoscope 10. The lip 114 defines an opening such that the lip 114 engages the distal-most portion of the endoscope 10 without obstructing the lens 18 of the endoscope 10.

To enhance the securement of sleeve 110 to endoscope 10, sleeve 110 may further include ribs 118 (fig. 2 and 3). The ribs 118 may be more rigid than the sleeve 110 formed from a flexible or elastomeric material. In particular, the rib 118 extends along the length of the sleeve 110 and at least partially over the lip 114. In this configuration, the ribs 118 limit proximal displacement of the sleeve 110 when securing the sleeve 110 over the endoscope 10, which in turn ensures proper placement of the lip 114 with the endoscope 10.

The cleaning device 100 further includes a frame 300. Fig. 2 and 3 illustrate a frame 300 pivotably coupled to the sleeve 110. Frame 300 includes a support portion 310 (shown in phantom), a wiper blade 330, and an engagement portion 350. The support portion 310 is fastened to the sleeve 110. For example, the support portion 310 may be overmolded on the sleeve 110 as a single construction. The support portion 310 and the engagement portion 350 may be formed of a flexible or elastic material. In particular, the support portion 310 and the engagement portion 350 may be formed as a single construction. In one aspect, the support portion 310 and the engagement portion 350 may be integrally formed. The engaging portion 350 is pivotable relative to the support portion 310. In particular, the engagement portion 350 extends distally from the support portion 310. Blade 330 is supported on engagement portion 350 such that when engagement portion 350 is pivoted, blade 330 slides across lens 18 of endoscope 10 to remove debris, such as organic matter and/or moisture, from lens 18, as will be described below.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate the frame 300 of the cleaning device 100 removed from the sleeve 110. The support portion 310 includes opposing lateral portions 312, 314 connected by a connecting portion 316. The opposing transverse portions 312, 314 and the connecting portion 316 define a cavity 318. The support portion 310 may be arcuate corresponding to a circular cross-section or profile of the sleeve 110 or endoscope 10. An engagement portion 350 extends distally from support portion 310 and supports blade 330 such that blade 330 engages lens 18 of endoscope 10. In particular, wiper 330 may include a tapered edge 330a configured to enhance removal of debris from lens 18. The engaging portion 350 is pivotable relative to the support portion 310. In this configuration, when the engagement portion 350 pivots relative to the support portion 310, the wiper blade 330 slides across the lens 18 to remove debris therefrom. In this manner, wiper 330 may transition from an initial position in which wiper 330 and engaging portion 350 are aligned with rib 118 to an offset position in which wiper 330 and engaging portion 350 are offset from rib 118. In this manner, wiper 330 is movable between two diametrically opposed positions on lens 18. Further, frame 300 may be formed of a resilient or flexible material to bias wiper blade 330 to the initial position. The engagement portion 350 extends from the support portion 310 and is displaceable by another surgical instrument, such as the surgical clip applier 200 (fig. 6). The engagement portion 350 can be pushed against another surgical instrument or tissue to transition the wiper 330 from the initial position to the offset position.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate the use of the cleaning device 100 with the endoscope 10. Prior to use, the cleaning device 100 can be mounted on the distal end portion 10a of the endoscope 10. The clinician may utilize one or more cannulae 50. The sleeve 50 is configured to permit access to a surgical site (e.g., an inflated abdominal cavity) during laparoscopic surgery to permit introduction of surgical instruments, such as an endoscope or surgical clip applier 200, for performing various surgical tasks on internal organs within the cavity.

Initially, the endoscope 10 is inserted into the body cavity "BC" via the cannula 50, and the surgical clip applicator 200 is inserted into the body cavity "BC" via the second cannula 50. The surgical clip applier 200 can be utilized as desired by a clinician, and the lens 18 of the endoscope 10 can be manipulated as desired for placement near a surgical site to provide visual assistance to the clinician. When the lens 18 of the endoscope 10 is obscured by debris (e.g., organic matter and/or moisture), the clinician may place the engagement portion 350 of the cleaning device 100 against another surgical instrument (e.g., the surgical clip applier 200). At this point, the endoscope 10 can be manipulated to displace the support portion 310 in the direction of arrow "F" such that the blade 330 slides across the lens 18. Alternatively, the endoscope 10 may remain stationary and the clinician may manipulate the surgical clip applier 200 to displace the engagement portion 350 of the cleaning device 100 in the direction of arrow "S". Such movement advances the blade 330 of the cleaning device 100 across the lens 18 of the endoscope 10, removing debris from the lens 18. Although fig. 6 and 7 are shown as advancing the wiper blade 330 of the cleaning device 100 across the lens 18 of the endoscope 10, the engagement portion 350 can be pushed against, for example, tissue to advance the wiper blade 330 of the cleaning device 100 across the lens 18 of the endoscope 10 without the use of a separate instrument, such as the surgical clip applier 200. In this way, the lens 18 of the endoscope 10 can be cleaned without removing the endoscope 10 from the body cavity "BC". During surgery, the cleaning of the lens 18 can be repeated as desired. It is also contemplated that the cleaning device 100 may be adapted for use with a robotic surgical system.

While specific structures have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Accordingly, the foregoing description is not to be construed in a limiting sense, but is made only by way of example. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (20)

1. A surgical kit, comprising:

an endoscope having a lens at a distal end portion of the endoscope; and

a cleaning device, characterized in that the cleaning device comprises:

a sleeve defining a lumen sized to receive the distal end portion of the endoscope; and

a frame including a support portion secured to the sleeve, a wiper blade, and an engagement portion pivotably coupled to and extending distally from the support portion, the engagement portion supporting the wiper blade for movement as a single configuration,

wherein the engagement portion is transitionable between an aligned position in which the wiper blade of the frame is placed in a first position on the lens and an offset position in which the engagement portion pivots relative to the support portion thereby displacing the wiper blade across the lens to a second position diametrically opposite the first position to remove debris from the lens.

2. A surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning devices are integrally formed as a single construction.

3. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the support portion is integrally formed with the engagement portion.

4. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed of a flexible or resilient material.

5. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed of an elastomer to detachably secure the sleeve to the endoscope.

6. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device further includes a lip extending radially inward from the sleeve and defining an opening in registration with the lens of the endoscope.

7. The surgical kit of claim 6, wherein the cleaning device further includes a rib extending along a length of the sleeve and over the lip to limit proximal displacement of the sleeve when the lip engages the endoscope.

8. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the support portion of the frame includes opposing lateral portions interconnected by a connecting portion.

9. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the support portion includes an arcuate configuration corresponding to a contour of the sleeve.

10. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the support portion is overmolded to the sleeve.

11. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the wiper blade includes a tapered edge.

12. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is biased toward the aligned position.

13. A cleaning device for use with an endoscope, the cleaning device comprising:

a sleeve defining a lumen sized to receive a distal portion of an endoscope and an opening in registration with a lens of the endoscope; and

a frame including a support portion, an engagement portion pivotably coupled to the support portion, and a wiper coupled to the sleeve, the wiper being slidable across the lens of the endoscope to remove debris from the lens,

wherein the engagement portion is transitionable between an aligned position in which the wiper blade of the frame is placed in a first position on the lens and an offset position in which the engagement portion pivots relative to the support portion, thereby displacing the wiper blade across the lens.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the engagement portion is distal to the support portion.

15. The cleaning apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the support portion and the engagement portion are integrally formed as a single construction.

16. The cleaning apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the first position and the second position are diametrically opposed to one another.

17. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the sleeve is formed of a flexible or resilient material to frictionally secure the cleaning device to the endoscope.

18. The cleaning apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the support portion defines a cavity, at least a portion of the blade extending into the cavity.

19. The cleaning apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein the support portion has a profile that conforms to a profile of the sleeve.

20. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the wiper blade is formed of silicone or rubber.

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