Intraoperative endoscope cleaning system
The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for cleaning scopes using a camera port (e.g. trocar) which has been modified to include a cleaning system. A trocar is a device designed to allow surgical instruments and tools to be quickly and easily inserted into a body cavity without contacting the surrounding tissue.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a main body defining a lumen configured to receive an endoscope, the main body having a shaped end configured to be disposed in a body lumen, the shaped end including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first edge extending further distally than the second edge, the shaped end configured to allow the endoscope to extend distal to the first and second edges and into the body lumen;
an inlet port disposed on a proximal portion of the main body and configured to receive a wash solution and a gas; and
a cleaning orifice in fluid communication with the inlet port, the cleaning orifice being disposed proximal of the first edge at a position distal to the second edge, the cleaning orifice being angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body and being configured to deliver the wash solution and the gas into the lumen as an atomized spray to clean a distal end of the endoscope.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning orifice is angled proximally such that an output angle of the wash solution and the gas is greater than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning orifice is configured to deliver the wash solution and the gas in a direction towards the distal end of the endoscope.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning orifice is further configured to deliver additional gas into the lumen after delivering the wash solution to at least partially dry a surface of the endoscope.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main body further includes a fluid channel configured to fluidically couple the inlet port to the cleaning orifice, the fluid channel extending within a wall of the main body from the proximal portion of the main body to the first edge.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fluid channel has smooth edges without stepped or hard edges to avoid trapping or retaining moisture as the wash solution and the gas are delivered through the fluid channel.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit operatively coupled to valves that are configured to be coupled to a gas supply and a wash solution reservoir,
the control unit being configured to actuate the valves to deliver the wash solution and the gas.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the valves in response to a signal received at the control unit.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising markings disposed on the proximal portion of the main body, the markings configured to provide a visual cue to assist a user in positioning the endoscope for cleaning.
10 . An apparatus, comprising:
a main body having a wall defining a lumen configured to receive an endoscope, the main body having a distal end configured to allow the endoscope to extend distally therethrough and into a body lumen;
an inlet port disposed on a proximal portion of the main body and configured to receive a wash solution and a gas;
a cleaning orifice disposed on the wall near the distal end and facing inward toward the lumen, the cleaning orifice configured to deliver the wash solution and the gas into the lumen as an atomized spray to clean a distal end of the endoscope; and
a fluid channel disposed in the wall of the main body, the fluid channel configured to fluidically couple the inlet port to the cleaning orifice, the fluid channel having rounded edges without steps or corners such that the fluid channel is configured to reduce retention of fluid within the fluid channel while the wash solution and the gas are delivered to the cleaning orifice.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the fluid channel has a first rounded edge positioned proximate to the inlet port and a second rounded edge positioned proximate to the cleaning orifice.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first rounded edge curves in a first direction and the second rounded edge curves in a second direction different from the first direction.
13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the rounded edges are configured to change a direction of a flow of the wash solution and the gas being delivered therethrough.
14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the fluid channel has an ovular cross-sectional shape.
15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the main body has a shaped end including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first edge extending further distally than the second edge,
the fluid channel and the cleaning orifice being disposed in the wall of the main body on a side including the first edge.
16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising markings disposed on the proximal portion of the main body, the markings configured to provide a visual cue to assist a user in positioning the endoscope for cleaning.
17 . A method, comprising:
receiving a wash solution and a pressurized gas at an inlet port of an endoscope cleaning device, the endoscope cleaning device having a main body that defines a lumen configured to receive an endoscope, the inlet port being in fluid communication with a cleaning orifice disposed adjacent to a distal end of the main body;
in response to a distal end of the endoscope being retracted from a position disposed distally of the distal end of the main body to a position proximal of the distal end of the main body and inside of the lumen, delivering, via the cleaning orifice, the wash solution propelled by the pressurized gas as a spray directed toward the distal end of the endoscope to clean the distal end of the endoscope received within the lumen; and
delivering, after delivering the wash solution, additional pressurized gas into the lumen to dry the distal end of the endoscope.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
receiving a signal at a control unit operatively coupled to valves that are coupled to a gas supply and a wash solution reservoir; and
actuating, with the control unit, the valves to deliver the wash solution and the pressurized gas into the inlet port.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the control unit is further configured to generate visual or audible feedback to assist a user in positioning the endoscope for cleaning.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising loading, after delivering the additional pressurized gas, an amount of the wash solution into a fluid channel coupled to the cleaning orifice to prime the endoscope cleaning device for a subsequent cleaning operation.