IP Library Granted Patent US 9,545,194
Granted Patent B2
US 9,545,194 · App. 14/232,974 · Granted Jan 17, 2017

Multi-purpose trocar with lens cleaner

Inventor: Hien Tan Nguyen (Baltimore, MD)
Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
A61B1/126A61B1/00154A61B1/127A61B1/3132A61B17/0218A61B17/3421A61B17/3423A61B90/70A61B2017/3437
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,545,194
App. No.
14/232,974
Granted
Jan 17, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a scope lens cleaning system disposed within a trocar shaft to allow the surgeon to clean the scope lens without losing orientation of the operative field. The lens cleaning system is configured to remove solid debris, liquid, and condensation from the scope lens. The cleaning system includes a first cleaning component configured to remove the solid debris from the scope lens. A second cleaning component is configured to remove the liquid and condensation from the scope lens. A third cleaning component wicks the solid debris and liquid away from the cleaning components and the scope lens and allows it to fall out the end of the trocar shaft. The cleaning system minimizes distraction during the surgical procedure to improve efficiency and safety.

Claims (28)

1. A cleaning system integrated into a trocar and configured to clean a lens of a scope to be disposed through the trocar, comprising:

a first cleaning component disposed within a lumen defined by the trocar configured for removing solid debris from the lens of the scope, such that the lens of the scope and the first cleaning component can be brought into contact, and wherein the first cleaning component comprises a brush having a saline spigot for cleaning the debris from the brush and lens of the scope;

a second cleaning component disposed within the lumen defined by the trocar configured for wiping fluid from the lens of the scope, such that the lens of the scope and the second cleaning component can be brought into contact, wherein the second cleaning component comprises a sponge, the sponge being configured to collapse against a wall of the lumen defined by the trocar, and wherein a slidable switch is configured to collapse the sponge against the wall of the lumen defined by the trocar; and

a third cleaning component configured to wick the solid debris and fluid away from the lens of the scope, wherein the third cleaning component is disposed at a distal end of the trocar.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1 further comprising the brush extending approximately halfway into a diameter of the shaft of the trocar.

3. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush further comprises bristles configured to be elastic enough to allow for passage of tools and the scope.

4. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush further comprises bristles configured to have tensile strength sufficient to remove the debris from the lens of the scope.

5. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the brush further comprises a color such that it is visible and identifiable.

6. The cleaning system of claim 1 further comprising the sponge extending approximately halfway into a diameter of the lumen of a shaft of the trocar.

7. The cleaning system of claim 1 further comprising the sponge collapsing to approximately less than 10% of a circumference of a shaft of the trocar.

8. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the sponge further comprises a color such that it is identifiable and visible.

9. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the third cleaning component comprises grooves.

10. The cleaning system of claim 9 further comprising at least three grooves.

11. A trocar for performing laparoscopic surgery comprising:

a housing defining a hub and a trocar shaft, wherein said trocar shaft has a proximal end and a distal end and an outer wall defining a lumen extending therethrough, and wherein the hub is coupled to the proximal end of the trocar shaft;

an obturator configured to be disposed through an opening in the hub of the trocar and through the lumen of the trocar shaft;

a first cleaning component disposed within the lumen defined by the trocar configured for removing solid debris from a lens of a scope to be disposed through the lumen and disposed on an inside wall of the trocar, such that the lens of the scope and the first cleaning component can be brought into contact, and wherein the first cleaning component comprises a brush having a saline spigot for cleaning the debris from the brush and lens of the scope;

a second cleaning component disposed within the lumen defined by the trocar configured for wiping fluid from the lens of the scope disposed on the inside wall of the trocar, such that the lens of the scope and the second cleaning component can be brought into contact, wherein the second cleaning component comprises a sponge, the sponge being configured to collapse against a wall of the lumen defined by the trocar, and wherein a slidable switch is configured to collapse the sponge against the wall of the lumen defined by the trocar; and

a third cleaning component configured to wick the solid debris and fluid away from the lens of the scope, wherein the third cleaning component is disposed at the distal end of the trocar shaft.

12. The trocar of claim 11 further comprising the brush extending approximately halfway into a diameter of the shaft of the trocar.

13. The trocar of claim 11 wherein the brush further comprises bristles configured to be elastic enough to allow for passage of tools and the scope.

14. The trocar of claim 11 wherein the brush further comprises bristles configured to have tensile strength sufficient to remove the debris from the lens of the scope.

15. The trocar of claim 11 wherein the brush further comprises a color such that it is visible and identifiable.

16. The trocar of claim 11 further comprising the sponge extending approximately halfway into a diameter of the lumen of the trocar shaft.

17. The trocar of claim 11 further comprising the sponge collapsing to approximately less than 10% of a circumference of the shaft of the trocar.

18. The trocar of claim 11 wherein the sponge further comprises a color such that it is identifiable and visible.

19. The trocar of claim 11 wherein the third cleaning component comprises grooves.

20. The trocar of claim 19 further comprising at least three grooves.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2014
From: NGUYEN, HIEN TAN
To: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 032989/0532 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61508346 · Jul 15, 2011
Related Publication 20140171739A1 · Jun 19, 2014