GB2448329A

GB2448329A - Absorbent cleaning device for an endoscopy port

Info

Publication number: GB2448329A
Application number: GB0706935A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Franz Dickmann
Original assignee: QUO SEMPER IDEM LLP
Current assignee: QUO SEMPER IDEM LLP
Priority date: 2007-04-10
Filing date: 2007-04-10
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-10
Also published as: WO2008122807A3; GB2448329B; WO2008122807A2; GB0706935D0

Abstract

An endoscopy port cleaning device comprises absorbent material 1 coupled to and covering part of a resilient shaft 2 that has a finger grip 3 wider than the absorbent material. The device is for cleaning access ports into the body and it may have a cleaning tip 5 that is of greater diameter than the rest of the absorbent material. The device can be combined with a port seal (10, figure 2A) also having an absorbent portion. Preferably, the absorbent material is rayon and the shaft is made from anti-bacterial plastic.

Description

I Device, Kit and Method for Cleaning an Endoscopy Port

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscopy port cleaning device. The invention also relates to a kit comprising such a device and a seal, together with a method of using the device and kit.

Background to the Invention

Endoscopy is an extremely widely used technique in medicine and also in veterinary science allowing access to internal areas of a subject (typically a patient) for the purposes of visual inspection. The technique is "minimally invasive" in the sense that access to the internal part of the body in question may be obtained through a body orifice or through a relatively small wound.

Endoscopy is now used not only for investigative purposes but also to aid in surgical procedures.

The commercial availability of glass fibres initiated a rapid expansion of the use of endoscopy techniques in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, over a 120,000 endoscopy procedures are performed on a weekly basis in Europe. Despite the extensive use of the technique around the world, a fundamental problem still exists in endoscopy, this being that, as an optical instrument, the endoscope is subject to severe optical degradation during use because of the presence of body fluids and other debris which coats the outer lens of the endoscope.

For many endoscopy procedures an endoscopy port is used as an interface between the body and the external environment. To access the body an endoscope is passed through the port. Such a port typically has an elongate tube which is inserted into the body. A proximal (outer) end of the tube opens into a chamber. This chamber contains an aperture separating it from the external environment. A manually operable valve separates the tube from the aperture and the endoscope is passed through the aperture and valve in order to pass into the body. Typically the chamber is also provided with a further small port in a sidewall for the application of suction to remove fluid and debris within the port. Examples of such endoscopy ports are available from Johnson & Johnson and sold under the Endopath registered trade mark.

As an endoscopy procedure is performed, such as during surgery, the tip of the endoscope becomes covered in an oily sticky residue which builds up and begins to have an adverse effect on the clarity of the image obtained from the endoscope, this being displayed onto a monitor within the operating theatre. This is not only inconvenient for the surgeon, it is potentially dangerous. The debris is primarily fat blood and plume residue. This may also become adhered to the valve in the chamber at the proximal (outer) end of the endoscopy port in addition to building up inside the tube of the port which is inserted into the body.

In general the greater the length of the medical procedure, the greater the build up of fluid and debris on the endoscope because the endoscope is withdrawn and reinserted thereby becoming soiled by the port.

In the past this problem has been addressed in a number of ways. Typically medical practitioners have used crude improvised tools to clear the fluid and debris from the port, these tools often being completely inappropriate for the procedure and often potentially damaging to the endoscopy port. For example it is known that some surgeons will roll up a gauze swab, clamp it between the jaws of artery forceps and proceed to force this into the endoscopy port as deeply as possible. Unfortunately this often causes the gauze to become wedged into the valve at the proximal end of the port which then leads to enhanced safety risks for the patient and delays to the surgical schedule. Such a technique is also only partially effective. Typically even after such a procedure the fat, blood and plume residue are still present within the port as well as the outer side of the valve. When the surgeon then inserts a clean endoscope into the port, the endoscope immediately becomes soiled once more and the vision of the surgeon is drastically compromised.

The second technique used by some practitioners is to use the endoscope itself as a cleaning device by simply inserting this into the endoscopy port and allowing it to become soiled. The endoscope is removed from the port and it is usually cleaned by either shaking it (including striking it in a downward motion) and cleaning it with gauze. This is inappropriate as a method of cleaning and is not very effective. This method soils the floor of the operating theatre and indeed the clothing of the medical staff. The entrance aperture to the port will be soiled when removing the endoscope and traditionally this is cleaned with gauze repeatedly. This is often not entirely effective and residue remains on the walls of the entrance of the port. The same is true of the chamber beneath the valve as residue remains within the interior of this chamber and around the valve s which is difficult to clean. This procedure may be performed more than once which is not only inadequate for further cleaning of the port, but also causes risks from lack of sterility since this "cleaned" end of the endoscope is then inserted into the body.

Despite the extensive worldwide use of endoscopy in surgery and other procedures, the problem with endoscopes becoming soiled has, to date, been merely tolerated and worked around using various improvised procedures. This problem is therefore deserving of a superior solution which will ensure that endoscopes remain as free from soiling as possible, allowing the endoscopy procedure to be performed as quickly as possible whilst retaining the sterility of the medical environment.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention we provide an endoscopy port cleaning device comprising an elongate shaft formed from a resilient material, having first and second ends, an elongate absorbent member coupled to and covering part of the shaft and the first end thereof, and a finger grip positioned at the second end of the shaft, distal from the absorbent member and having a diameter in excess of the absorbent member.

The use of such a device addresses the problems caused by the presence of fluid and debris in an endoscopy port. Since the device is designed for the purpose of cleaning the port, it is extremely effective and can substantially remove such fluid and debris which would otherwise remain behind when the more crude prior art techniques are used. The device is extremely advantageous since it can be manufactured to exactly fit the port in question, have a length capable of reaching the distal end of the port, and be provided as a single-use, sterile disposable device. Since the present invention now provides, for the first time, a reliable and effective way of cleaning an endoscopy port, medical practitioners can now use their endoscopes for longer periods with much * improved vision. Thus endoscopy procedures can now be performed more quickly since "down time" relating to cleaning is substantially reduced. A significant advantage in terms of safety is provided due to the sterility and clear vision provided to the operator.

The shaft of the port cleaning device typically has a first diameter and the absorbent member has a second diameter in excess of the first diameter. This provides advantages in increased capability of removing fluid and debris.

Typically therefore the first diameter of the shaft is significantly smaller than that of the endoscopy port tube, whereas the second diameter of the absorbent member may be approximately the same or in excess of the tube diameter where the absorbent member material is compressible.

In order to provide a high quality of cleaning in a single use, typically the absorbent member is significantly elongate and is at least 40% the length of the device. In two examples the absorbent member is about 50% the length of the device and about 60% the length of the device respectively.

We have also found that an improved cleaning effect can be provided by the use of an increased diameter in a tip region of the device. Specifically the end of the absorbent member most distal from the second end of the shaft preferably has a local diameter in excess of the remainder of the absorbent member. For example the main part of the absorbent member may have a diameter which is substantially that of the tube of the endoscopy port, and the local diameter in the tip region may be slightly in excess of this. Typically the form of the absorbent member in the tip region is generally bulbous.

The material for use as the absorbent member must be selected carefully. It is important that this material is adapted to absorb liquids and preferably to attract debris upon contact therewith. Preferably the material should have a high capacity for absorption of liquids so as to "soak up" as much liquid (such as body fluids) as possible. It is also important that the absorbent material retains its integrity and does not fragment, fracture or become separated from the shaft.

Preferably a plant fibre material such as rayon is used as the absorbent material.

The material of the elongate shaft may be chosen from a number of different resilient materials, although preferably for sterility, cost and ease of manufacture, the shaft is formed from an anti-bacterial plastic (a plastic containing one or more agents which are disruptive to cells). The material is resilient in the sense that it is not extremely rigid and therefore allows the finger grip to be moved off-axis with respect to the elongate absorbent member so as to avoid obstructions within the chamber of the port and also to allow the absorbent member to be forced sideways so as to clean any particular part of the port.

The finger grip is preferably provided at the extreme end of the shaft distal from the absorbent member, It has a diameter in excess of the absorbent member and which is preferably in excess of the tube of the endoscopy port such that, if the operator loses their grip, it does not fall inside the port and therefore potentially into the body of the subject patient. Preferably the grip is formed as an integral part of the shaft and may be made from a single unitary piece of plastic. The finger grip preferably comprises two opposed and planar surfaces positioned symmetrically upon either side of the central axis of the shaft, these surfaces being adapted to accommodate the finger and thumb of an operator.

This allows the device to be gripped firmly and securely and improves the ease of the use of the device.

It is important to ensure that the absorbent material remains adhered to the elongate shaft. Typically therefore the shaft passes through the length of the elongate absorbent member, preferably substantially all of the way along it.

Typically the surface of the shaft in the region covered by the absorbent member has a roughened or jagged surface so as to aid the adhesion of the absorbent member thereto. The member may be irreversibly bonded to the elongate shaft using an adhesive or other bonding technique.

Typically the absorbent material is adapted to absorb about 12 to 15 grammes of liquid in the form of a body fluid, one example of which is blood.

In one particular example, the device has a length of about 260mm, a length of absorbent material of about 155mm, an exposed shaft length excluding the finger grip of about 75mm, a finger grip length of about 30 mm, a finger grip diameter of about 20mm, an absorbent material diameter of about 10mm generally and about 12mm at the end in a 4mm long tip region.

In another example the device has a length of about 260mm, a length of absorbent material of about 130mm, an exposed shaft length excluding the finger grip of about 100mm, a finger grip length of about 30 mm, a finger grip diameter of about 20mm, an absorbent material diameter of about 5mm generally and about 6mm at the end in a 4mm long tip region.

In accordance with a second aspect to the present invention we provide an endoscopy port cleaning kit comprising an endoscopy port cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention; and a port seal comprising an annular inducer having a bore passing therethrough of a sufficient diameter to allow passage of the absorbent member of the device, and an absorbent portion coupled to the outer surface of the inducer.

The kit therefore provides further functionality in addition to that provided by the endoscopy port cleaning device itself. The port seal is positioned when in use at the outermost part of the port, thereby effectively lodging in the top of the port and having a central bore through which the cleaning device may pass. The seal preferably has an absorbent portion which is adapted to absorb liquids and attract debris upon contact therewith. As for the absorbent member of the cleaning device, the absorbent portion of the seal is preferably formed from a plant fibre. Typically it is formed from the same material as the absorbent portion of the device. The inducer itself is typically formed from an anti-bacterial plastic. Preferably this is also provided with a roughened or jagged surface to which the absorbent portion is coupled. Preferably this coupling is irreversible, in a similar manner as the coupling between the absorbent member of the device and the shaft. Thus the geometry of the port seal is adapted such that the seal fits snugly in the outer part of an endoscopy port.

In one example the inducer has a bore length of about 10 mm, a width in a first direction of about 26 mm, a width in a second direction normal to the first of about 39 mm and a generally circular bore of a diameter of about 10 mm. In the second example the circular bore may have a diameter of about 5 mm. The * absorbent portion of the seal is preferably adapted to absorb about 15 to 20 grammes of liquid.

Since more than one device and, optionally port seal, may be used during any particular endoscopy procedure, generally a plurality (preferably three) of such devices, seals or kits are provided in a sterile pack for use by a medical practitioner or operator.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention we provide a method of cleaning an endoscopy port, wherein the endoscopy port comprises a) a receiving part having a chamber for receiving an endoscope, and b) an elongate tube coupled to the receiving part for insertion into a subject body, wherein the tube has a bore which opens at a proximal end into the chamber of the receiving part and which receives the endoscope from the chamber when in use for passing along the tube into the body, wherein the method comprises:-i) inserting at least the tube of an endoscopy port into the subject body; ii) inserting a device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, into the chamber and/or tube thereby causing the absorbent member to remove fluid and/or debris contacted by the member; and, iii) withdrawing the device from the port so as to remove the said fluid and/or debris.

Thus the provision of the device is accompanied by a new method of cleaning an endoscopy port in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

When the port is provided with a recessed aperture so as to separate the chamber from the external environment then, optionally, the method further comprises, prior to step (i), positioning a port seal according to the second aspect of the invention adjacent the aperture such that in the subsequent steps the device is passed through the seal bore and wherein the seal removes fluid and/or debris that it contacts. The port may be provided with a recess on an external side of the aperture and within which the port seal may be adapted to be retained.

In either case, steps (ii) and (iii) may be repeated one or more times, and for each time using a new device. A new seal may also be used for each repetition.

Preferably the method further comprises waiting for a few seconds, such as five seconds, prior to the performance of step (iii) so as to allow any fluid to absorbed and any debris to contact the absorbent material of the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some examples of a device, kit and method according to the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a schematic view, partly in section, of a first example device; Figure 2A shows a schematic plan view of a seal according to the first example; Figure 26 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the first example seal; Figure 3 shows a second example of a device; Figure 4A shows a schematic plan view of a second example seal; Figure 4B shows a cross section through the second example seal; and, Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of a method of using the example devices and seals.

Detailed Description of Examples

We now describe two examples of devices and seals in accordance with the invention, together with a method of using these for cleaning an endoscopy port.

Figure 1 shows a first example of an endoscopy port cleaning device generally indicated at 1. This comprises a shaft 2 made from anti-bacterial plastic. The shaft has a finger grip 3 at a first end. The finger grip 3 is formed as an integral part of the shaft 2 and is therefore constructed from the same anti-bacterial plastic. The finger grip 3 has two opposed parallel surfaces positioned equidistant from and symmetrically about a central axis of the shaft, the surfaces normal to the shaft axis being substantially planar. Each surface is in the form of a round-corned rectangle of dimensions approximately 30 mm in length and 20 mm in height. The opposing surfaces so defined allow the device to be gripped between the finger and thumb of an operator such as a surgeon.

S An elongate absorbent member 4 is positioned around the shaft 2 at a location distal from the finger grip 3, including a first end of the shaft Each of the shaft and absorbent member 4 are approximately circular in cross section and therefore have a generally cylindrical shape. The shaft 2 passes along the central axis of the cylindrical absorbent member 4 and the first end of the shaft (not shown) is located in a tip region 5 of the absorbent member 4. The diameter of the absorbent member 4 is substantially the same at all parts of the absorbent member other than within the tip region 5. The absorbent member 4 is formed as a bulbous part, the end of which is approximately hemispherical and which has a maximum diameter which is in excess of that of the absorbent member 4.

The material from which the absorbent member 4 is formed is the highly absorbent plant fibre rayon which absorbs a large volume of liquid and is also readily adhered to by other debris such as solids with which it comes into contact. The rayon material is compressible and readily retains its structural integrity even when heavily laden with liquid. A netted weave of rayon is used upon the surface to contain the remainder of the material.

The anti-bacterial plastic shaft 2 is approximately 1.5 mm in diameter and is resilient rather than rigid. Along part or all of the shaft that is covered by the absorbent member 4, the surface of the shaft is roughened so as to increase the contact area between the shaft and the surrounding absorbent member material 4. The shaft and absorbent member are bonded together using suitable adhesive. As can be seen from Figure 1, the diameter of the absorbent member 5 is about 10 mm in general, although in the tip region 5 adjacent to the first end of the shaft, this increases to about a maximum diameter of 12 mm.

Thus in the first example, the total length of the absorbent member is about 155 mm, whereas the total length of the device is about 260 mm. The length of the exposed shaft is 75 mm.

Turning now to Figures 2A and 2B, an endoscopy port seal is illustrated for use with the device of Figure 1. In plan view, as shown in Figure 2A, the general shape of the seal 10 is that of an approximate rectangle of 39 mm in length and 26 mm in width, although this actually having curved sides and these dimensions mentioned indicate the maximum length and width. Within the centre of the seal is a circular bore or hole which passes through the entire seal 10. The bore 11 has a diameter of 10 mm.

A cross-section of the seal along its longer axis and passing through the centre point is shown in Figure 2B. As can be seen, the shape of the seal in cross-section upon either side of the bore is a rectangle. Although not shown clearly in Figures 2A or 26, the bore 11 is formed by the inner wall of an inducer 12. The inducer is annular having a depth of 10 mm (bore length) and a wall thickness of about 1 mm. As for the device 1, the outer surface of the inducer 12 is roughened or jagged so as to increase its surface area and allow the material which forms the remainder of the seal to be bonded to it. A suitable adhesive may be used for this purpose.

The general geometry illustrated in Figures 2A and 28 is that of an absorbent portion 13 to which the inducer is coupled. The absorber portion 13 is preferably formed from a similar material to that of the absorbent member of the device.

Specifically, it should have a high liquid absorption capacity (in this case about 12 to 15 grammes) and retain its structural integrity even when laden with liquid.

Again, a plant fibre based material such as rayon can be used.

It will be appreciated that endoscopes of different sizes are used depending upon the application in question, for example for viewing the heart chambers in a cardiac operation. For this reason ports of different sizes are available commercially. The first example device and seal are suitable for use with an Ethicon Endopath (RTM) 512 series device available from Johnson & Johnson.

This has a 12 mm diameter tube and a total length of about 165 mm. As can be seen in comparison with the length of the absorbent member 4 of Figure 1, the device 1 is capable of being passed through the entire length of the port tube and out of the distal end where it is deepest within the body. A further advantage of the bulbous shaped tip region 5 is that this can be used to clean around the external wall of the distal opening of the endoscopy port tube during use.

A second example device and seal is now described in connection with Figures 3, 4A and 4B. The second example device is suitable for use for example with an Ethicon Endopath (RIM) 355 series device. This has a significantly narrower tube forming part of the port (this being 5 mm in diameter) whereas the chamber of the port is substantially similar to that of the 512 series described above.

The second example of the device 1' is shown at Figure 3, this again having a shaft, absorbent member and finger grip in a similar manner to the first device shown in Figure 1. Note that in the figures similar components are given primed reference numerals. It should be noted that the materials used for the second example device and seal (to be described below) are identical to those of the first device in the seal.

The finger grip 3' is similar in form to that of the grip 3 in Figure 1. The shaft 2' is of a similar thickness to the shaft 2 and indeed an identical shaft and finger grip may be used for each example to reduce manufacturing costs. A first main difference between the second example and the first example is that the absorbent member 4' is significantly narrower in diameter than its equivalent in the first example. A second difference is that it also has a reduced length in comparison with the first example, the length in the second example being 130 mm in comparison with 155 in the first example. Note that the total lengths of the devices 1 and 1' are the same. Similarly the tapered region 5' is also smaller in diameter and is approximately scaled accordingly, this having a maximum diameter of about 6 mm. Thus the exposed shaft length is about 100 mm in the

second example.

Turning now to the seal 10' illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, this has an external geometry which is identical to that of the seal 10, the difference in this case is that the central bore 11' is of a significantly reduced diameter, this being 5 mm.

Thus the inducer 12' is of much smaller diameter although it retains an approximately similar wall thickness. This means that more absorbent material is provided at the absorbent portion.

We now describe a method of using either of the example devices and seals in accordance with the flow diagram illustrated in Figure 5. This method is illustrative and is discussed in the context of a cardiac operation performed using endoscopy techniques.

At step 100 of the method a subject patient is prepared for surgery, this including normal procedures such as the application of anaesthesia and the sterilisation of the incision area. At step 102 an incision is made for example in the leg of the patient so as to expose the femoral artery through which an incision is made and the wound plugged. The endoscopy port is then implanted within the patient such that the tube of the port is inside the patient's body and the port chamber is external to the body.

At step 104 a surgical technician or nurse places a seal 10 or 10' snugly within the recess at the external entrance of the port. The design of the port allows the seal to be retained without additional securing. At step 106, a corresponding sized device 1, 1' in accordance with the diameter of the bore of the seal 10, 10' is passed through the central bore of the seal and through the aperture of the endoscopy port and thereafter through the valve within the chamber and along the full length of the tube, including to some extent a small length beyond the end of the tube (so as to remove debris from around the distal end).

At step 108 a "wait" period of five or so seconds is performed, optionally with gentle reciprocating motion and/or slight sideways pressure and/or rotational movement about the axis of the device, so as to gather any waste material with which the absorbent member 4 comes into contact.

At step 110, the device is withdrawn, together with the seal and removed. At step 112, steps 104 to 110 are repeated twice more, in each case using a new device 1, 1' and seal 10, 10'. At step 114 optional further repeats of 104 to 110 are provided, in each case using new devices and seals as necessary.

At step 116 each of the used devices and seals is deposited in a sterile bag in accordance with hospital protocols and best practice. At step 118 the remainder of the surgery is performed by the insertion of the endoscope into the endoscopy port in the usual way. Further cleaning operations can be performed by the removal of the endoscope and the performance of further steps 104 to 110.

It should be noted that the use of the seal in addition to the device is optionat and serves to further improve upon the effect of using the device alone. With the use of the device, and preferably the seal also, the operator is provided with a much improved view through the endoscope since the fluid and debris which would otherwise have impeded the endoscope view is removed from the port.

Claims

* CLAIMS 1. An endoscopy port cleaning device comprising:-an elongate

shaft formed from a resilient material, having first and second ends; an elongate absorbent member coupled to and covering part of the shaft and the first end thereof; and, a finger grip positioned at the second end of the shaft, distal from the absorbent member and having a diameter in excess of the absorbent member.
2. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first shaft has a first diameter and the absorbent member has a second diameter in excess of the first diameter.
3. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the length of the absorbent member is at least 40 percent the length of the device.
4. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the absorbent member is about 50 percent the length of the device.
5. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the absorbent member is about 60 percent the length of the device.
6. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the absorbent member most distal from the second end of the shaft has a local diameter in excess of the remainder of the absorbent member.
7. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the said end of the absorbent member is generally bulbous.
8. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent material is adapted to absorb liquids and attract debris upon contact therewith.
9. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the absorbent material is a plant fibre.
10. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft is formed from anti-bacterial plastic.
11. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the finger grip is integral with the shaft.
12. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the finger grip comprises two opposed and generally planar surfaces positioned symmetrically upon either side of a central axis of the shaft, the surfaces being adapted to accommodate the finger and thumb of a user respectively.
13. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the part of the shaft to which the absorbent member is coupled has a roughened or jagged surface.
14. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent member is adapted to absorb about 12 to 15 grammes of liquid.
15. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a length of about 260mm, a length of absorbent material of about 155mm, an exposed shaft length excluding the finger grip of about 75mm, a finger grip length of about 30 mm, a finger grip diameter of about 20mm, an absorbent material diameter of about 10mm generally and about 12mm at the end in a 4mm long tip region.
16. An endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device has a length of about 260mm, a length of absorbent material of about 130mm, an exposed shaft length excluding the finger grip of about 100mm, a finger grip length of about 30 mm, a finger grip diameter of about 20mm, an absorbent material diameter of about 5mm generally and about 6mm at the end in a 4mm long tip region.
17. An endoscopy port cleaning kit comprising:-an endoscopy port cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims; and, a port seal comprising an annular inducer having a bore passing therethrough of a sufficient diameter to allow the passage of the absorbent member of the device, and an absorbent portion coupled to the outer surface of the inducer.
18. A kit according to claim 17, wherein the absorbent portion is adapted to absorb liquids and attract debris upon contact therewith.
19. A kit according to claim 18, wherein the absorbent portion is formed from a plant fibre.
20. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the inducer is formed from anti-bacterial plastic.
21. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the outer surface of the inducer to which the absorbent portion is coupled has a roughened or jagged surface.
22. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the geometry of the port seal is adapted to fit snugly into the outer part of an endoscopy port.
23. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the inducer has a bore length of about 10 mm, a width in a first direction of about 26mm, a width in second direction normal to the first of about 39 millimetres and a generally circular bore of a diameter of about 10 mm or about 5 mm.
24. A kit according to any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the absorbent portion of the seal is adapted to absorb about 15 to 20 grammes of liquid.
25. A port seal for use in a kit according to any of claims 17 to 24.
26. A sterile pack comprising three devices according to any of claims 1 to 16 or three kits according to any of claims 17 to 24.
27. A method of cleaning an endoscopy port, wherein the endoscopy port comprises a) a receiving part having a chamber for receiving an endoscope, and b) an elongate tube coupled to the receiving part for insertion into a subject body, wherein the tube has a bore which opens at a proximal end into the chamber of the receiving part and which receives the endoscope from the chamber when in use for passing along the tube into the body, wherein the method comprises:-I) inserting at least the tube of an endoscopy port into the subject body; ii) inserting a device according to any of claims 1 to 24, into the chamber and/or tube thereby causing the absorbent member to remove fluid and/or debris contacted by the member; and, iii) withdrawing the device from the port so as to remove the said fluid and/or debris.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the port is provided with an aperture so as to separate the chamber from the external environment and wherein the method further comprises, prior to step (ii), positioning a port seal according to any of claims 17 to 25 adjacent the aperture such that in the subsequent steps the device is passed through the seal bore and wherein the seal removes fluid and/or debris that it contacts.
29. A method according to claim 27 or claim 28, further comprising repeating steps (ii) and (iii) one or more times, each time using a new device.
30. A method according to any of claims 27 to 29, further comprising waiting for a few seconds prior to the performance of step (iii).
31. A method according to claim 28, further comprising repeating steps (ii) and (iii) one or more times, each time using a new device and a new port seal.