Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc.

Floshield, Inc.

Caroline M Crisafulli

Wayne Lyle Poll

Adam Landis

Matthew J Huddleston

Gregory P Drach

Thomas J Ward

William J Post

Matthrew J Huddleston

A view optimizing assembly for use with a laparoscope includes an elongate cylindrical body configured to hold a laparoscope therein and a deflector assembly attached to the elongate cylindrical body. The elongate cylindrical body includes a plurality of channels in a wall thereof, and the plurality of channels are configured to allow a flow of fluid or gas therethrough. The deflector assembly is configured to circumferentially enclose a distal end of the laparoscope and extend beyond the distal end of the laparoscope. The deflector assembly includes a plurality of passageways within a wall thereof, and each passageway is aligned with a different channel of the elongate cylindrical body so as to direct the flow of gas or fluid exiting the channels across a lens of the laparoscope in a plurality of different flow paths.

Device for maintaining visualization with surgical scopes

A method of defogging and cleaning a laparoscope includes: (1) inserting a laparoscope into a sheath; (2) inserting the laparoscope and sheath into a body cavity; (3) providing gas to a plurality of gas lumens within a wall of the sheath such that the gas flows through the gas lumens and over a lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity; and (4) providing a fluid comprising a surface-active agent to a fluid lumen within the wall of the sheath such that the fluid flows through the fluid lumen and over the lens to clean the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity.

Systems and methods for optimizing and maintaining visualization of a surgical field during the use of surgical scopes

Systems and methods condition air for passage across a laparoscopic lens to prevent fogging, deflect debris, and maintain visualization of an operating cavity. The systems and methods provide an access device sized and configured to provide communication with an insufflated CO2 environment maintained by operation of an insufflations circuit. The access device is coupled to an air conditioning set, which interacts with an air conditioning driver to condition air from the insufflated environment for continuous passage across the laparoscopic lens, to thereby maintain visualization by the laparoscopic lens of the operating cavity, independent of operation of the insufflator circuit.

The present application discloses several embodiments of a devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to deliver at least one fluid to the objective lens of the laparoscope to clean and/or defog the objective lens of the laparoscope without the need to remove the laparoscope from the surgical field. In additional embodiments, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to create leakage or venting of gas from the body cavity so as to ensure continuous gas flow from an insufflator.

The present application discloses several devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In some embodiments, the view optimizer is provided in multiple parts enabling separation of one or more operator control features from engagement with the surgical scope. In some embodiments, the view optimizer features stabilization means for securement and positioning with the surgical scope.

View optimizer and stabilizer for use with surgical scopes

Systems and methods make use of a view optimizing assembly having a deflector assembly with critical physical, pneumatic, and optical characteristics that make possible intra-operative defogging, surgical debris deflection, and cleaning of a laparoscope lens during minimally invasive surgery, while also maintaining visualization of the surgical site. The view optimizing assembly can incorporate a quick exchange feature, which makes possible a surgical method for maintaining clear visualization that includes the ability to make a quick exchange of laparoscopes having different operating characteristics (e.g., laparoscopes with different tip angles, lengths, or diameters) entirely on the sterile operating field and without interference with the preexisting surgical set-up on the sterile operating field. The view optimizing assembly integrates with the existing suite of minimally invasive instrumentation. It does not interfere with the surgical set-up, and it requires minimal change in the process or practice of a surgical operating room (OR) team.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Caroline M Crisafulli