Surgical instrument inspection system
An inspection system for inspecting a surgical instrument lumen at a cleaning station. The system includes a waterproof housing and a waterproof borescope assembly. The housing carries an image processor electronically connected to a display screen, and provides an imaging port. The borescope assembly includes a borescope, an image sensor and a connector assembly. The connector assembly is configured to selectively connect with the imaging port. When connected, signals from the image sensor are delivered to the image processor. A cleaning implement (e.g., wipe) is optionally provided with the borescope. During a cleaning operation, the inspection system is located in close proximity to cleaning liquid, affording the operator the ability to inspect lumen(s) of the surgical instrument throughout the cleaning operation without fear of damaging the inspection system. The borescope assembly can be disconnected from the housing and repeatedly sterilized or disinfected.
1. A surgical instrument lumen inspection system for use at a cleaning station, the inspection system comprising:
a waterproof housing carrying an image processor and carrying a display screen, wherein the image processor is electronically connected to display screen, the housing including an imaging port electronically connected to the image processor; and
a waterproof borescope assembly including a borescope, an image sensor carried by the borescope, and a connector assembly including an imaging plug configured to selectively connect to the imaging port;
wherein the borescope assembly is configured to be repeatedly low-temperature, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilized without damaging any components of the borescope assembly;
and further wherein when the connector assembly is connected to the imaging port, signals generated by the image sensor are delivered to the image processor.
2. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the borescope assembly is configured to be selectively disconnected from the housing, and to be repeatedly sterilized upon disconnection from the housing.
3. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the waterproof housing further carries an illumination source and includes an illumination port connected to the illumination source.
4. The inspection system of claim 3 , wherein the connector assembly is further configured to selectively connect to the illumination port.
5. The inspection system of claim 4 , wherein the connector assembly includes an illumination plug configured to selectively interface with the illumination port.
6. The inspection system of claim 5 , wherein the system is configured such that when the imaging plug is disconnected from the imaging port and the illumination plug is disconnected from the illumination port, the borescope assembly is entire free of physical connection with the housing.
7. The inspection system of claim 1 , further comprising waterproof support framework configured to maintain the borescope assembly relative to a surface of the cleaning station.
8. The inspection system of claim 7 , wherein the support framework is further configured to maintain the housing relative to a surface of the cleaning station.
9. The inspection system of claim 8 , wherein the support framework is configured to retain the borescope assembly and the display screen in tandem.
10. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the borescope includes a guide tube terminating at a distal tip and a cleaning implement projecting from an exterior of the guide tube proximate to the distal tip, the cleaning implement comprising a structure configured to clean surgical residue from internal surfaces of a surgical instrument.
11. The inspection system of claim 10 , wherein the cleaning implement is a cloth wipe.
12. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.
13. The inspection system of claim 1 , wherein a waterproof, sterilizable sheath covering extends along an exterior surface of the borescope.
14. A surgical instrument lumen inspection system for use at a cleaning station, the inspection system comprising:
a waterproof housing carrying an image processor and carrying a display screen, wherein the image processor is electronically connected to the display screen, the housing including an imaging port electronically connected to the image processor; and
a waterproof borescope assembly including a borescope, an image sensor carried by the borescope, and a connector assembly including an imaging plug configured to selectively connect to the imaging port;
wherein the borescope includes a guide tube terminating at a distal tip and a cleaning implement projecting from an exterior of the guide tube proximate to the distal tip, the cleaning implement comprising a structure configured to clean surgical residue from internal surfaces of a surgical instrument;
and further wherein when the connector assembly is connected to the imaging port, signals generated by the image sensor are delivered to the image processor.
15. The inspection system of claim 14 , wherein the cleaning implement is a cloth wipe.
16. The inspection system of claim 14 , further comprising waterproof support framework configured to maintain the borescope assembly relative to a surface of the cleaning station.
17. The inspection system of claim 16 , wherein the support framework is further configured to maintain the housing relative to a surface of the cleaning station.
18. The inspection system of claim 17 , wherein the support framework is configured to retain the borescope assembly and the display screen in tandem.
19. The inspection system of claim 14 , wherein a waterproof, sterilizable sheath covering extends along an exterior surface of the borescope.