Claims
- 1. A lens warming and cleaning device for use with an optical instrument having a lens portion, the device comprising:
a heat-conducting tube sized and shaped to receive the lens portion of the optical instrument; a heating element thermally coupled to the tube; and a cleaning member disposed within the tube, such that when the lens portion of the optical instrument is inserted into the tube, the lens portion contacts the cleaning member.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the heat conducting tube is sized and shaped to receive the lens portion of an optical instrument selected from the group consisting of a laparoscope and an endoscope.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the tube is constructed from a material comprising aluminum.
- 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a substance that, when triggered, generates an exothermic reaction.
- 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the substance comprises a mixture of compounds, and the exothermic reaction is triggered by exposing the substance to oxygen.
- 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a flexible pad.
- 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the pad surrounds at least a portion of the tube that receives the lens portion of the optical instrument.
- 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the pad comprises an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism securing the pad to the tube.
- 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an adhesive.
- 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element generates sufficient heat to warm the lens portion of the optical instrument to between about 45° C. and 60° C.
- 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member comprises a sponge.
- 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the sponge is disposed within a distal end of the tube.
- 13. The device of claim 11, further comprising a moistening mechanism that moistens the sponge.
- 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the moistening mechanism comprises a squeezable bottle containing a liquid.
- 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the liquid is a saline solution
- 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the saline solution comprises an anti-fogging agent, a surfactant, or both.
- 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing that encases the tube and the heating element.
- 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the housing defines an opening configured for insertion of the lens portion of the optical instrument.
- 19. The device of claim 17, further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled to the housing, the attachment mechanism having a member configured to removably attach the device to a table or to a surgical drape.
- 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the member comprises a clip.
- 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises a tether that connects the clip to the housing.
- 22. The device of claim 19, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener system, the system having a first sheet attached to the housing, and a second sheet attached to a table or to a surgical drape, the first sheet comprising one of hooks or loops, and a second sheet comprising the other of hooks or loops.
- 23. A lens warming and cleaning device for use with an optical instrument having a lens portion, the device comprising:
a heat-conducting tube sized and shaped to receive the lens portion of the optical instrument; a flexible heating pad wrapped around at least a portion of the tube, the heating pad comprising a substance that, when triggered, generates an exothermic reaction; and a sponge disposed within a distal end of the tube, such that when the lens portion of the optical instrument is inserted into the tube, the lens portion contacts the sponge.
- 24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a wetting mechanism arranged to moisten the sponge.
- 25. A method of warming and cleaning a lens of an optical instrument, the method comprising:
obtaining the device of claim 1;withdrawing the optical instrument from an operating field; inserting a lens portion of the optical instrument into the tube such that the lens contacts the cleaning member; and moving the lens while the lens is in contact with the cleaning member to remove fog and debris from a surface of the lens.
- 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the inserting step includes inserting only a distal portion of the optical instrument into the tube, the distal portion comprising the lens.
- 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
removing the optical instrument from the tube; and reintroducing the optical instrument into the operating field, and then repeating the withdrawing, inserting, and removing steps when the lens portion again requires cleaning.
- 28. A cannula comprising:
a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the body defining a bore for passage of an optical instrument therethrough; and a cleaning portion disposed within the bore between the distal end and the proximal end, the cleaning portion comprising a cleaning member and a heating element, wherein the cleaning member is positioned in the bore such that when the optical instrument is passed through the bore, a lens of the instrument contacts the cleaning member, and wherein the heating element is positioned such that it thermally couples to the lens when the lens is within the bore.
- 29. The cannula of claim 28, wherein the cleaning member comprises a sponge.
- 30. The cannula of claim 28, further comprising a wetting mechanism arranged to moisten the sponge.
- 31. The cannula of claim 30, wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the sponge.
- 32. The cannula of claim 28, wherein the heating element comprises a substance that, when triggered, generates an exothermic reaction.
- 33. The cannula of claim 28, wherein the heating element surrounds the cleaning member.
- 34. A method of cleaning a lens on an optical surgical instrument, the optical surgical instrument having a distal portion that includes the lens, and the method comprising:
providing the cannula of claim 28; inserting the distal end of the cannula into the operating field; passing the distal portion of the optical surgical instrument through the bore of the cannula, into the operating field, and, when the lens becomes covered with fog, fluid, or tissue; withdrawing the distal portion of the instrument from the surgical field into the cleaning portion of the cannula, such that the lens contacts the cleaning member; moving the lens while the lens is in contact with the cleaning member to clean the lens; and reintroducing the distal portion of the instrument into the surgical field.
- 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the cleaning member comprises a sponge.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 60/183,467 filed on Feb. 18, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60183467 |
Feb 2000 |
US |