System and method for cleaning a cannula during a surgical procedure using a hinged tip
An improved system and method for cleaning a scope during a surgical procedure using a hinged tip is herein described. A scope cleaning apparatus can comprise a tube configured to be slidably received by a cannula, a hinged tip connected to the tube, and a lens-cleaning portion. The tube can comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion. Furthermore, the tube, across the proximal portion and the distal portion together can comprise an outer surface, an inner surface, and a lumen. The inner surface can be configured to slidably receive a viewing scope. The lumen can be defined by the inner surface. The lens-cleaning portion can be coupled to the hinged tip and can be configured to engage at least a portion of the viewing scope.
1. A cannula and scope cleaning apparatus, comprising:
a multi-layered tube,
wherein the tube has an elongate rigid structure that is sized to be inserted in a cannula while simultaneously being able to receive therein a viewing scope;
wherein the tube comprises:
a proximal portion and a distal portion;
an outer surface extending along the tube, wherein the outer surface comprises an absorbent layer; and
an inner surface extending along the tube, wherein the inner surface defines a lumen and comprises a scaffold layer extending along at least a portion of the lumen;
and
a tip connected by a hinge to the distal portion of the tube,
wherein the tip, hinge, and distal portion of the tube comprise a single piece; and
wherein a portion of the tip is coupled to an absorbent pad.
2. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a single tip and a single hinge.
3. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hinge includes a flexible base that extends into the distal portion of the tube.
4. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the hinge includes a flexible base that extends into the distal portion of the tube.
5. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an outer portion of the tip is coupled to an absorbent pad.
6. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an inner portion of the tip is coupled to an absorbent pad.
7. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an outer and an inner portion of the tip are each coupled to an absorbent pad.
8. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold layer provides a support structure to help maintain integrity of the lumen.
9. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold layer extends along the entire lumen and is radially compressible.
10. The cannula and scope cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a collar portion at the proximal portion of the tube, where the collar portion abuts a proximal portion of the cannula upon insertion of the cannula and scope cleaning apparatus into the cannula.