SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING AND MAINTAINING VISUALIZATION OF A SURGICAL FIELD DURING THE USE OF SURGICAL SCOPES

摘要

Systems and methods couple a self-contained air processing or conveying component to a sheath that is sized and configured to receive a laparoscope including a laparoscopic lens providing visualization of an operating cavity. The air processing or conveying component comprises an air flow path having an inlet sized and configured for communication with a source of CO2 and an outlet. The air processing or conveying component includes a driven air moving component in communication with the air flow path sized and configured to continuously convey CO2 from the source through the air flow path to the outlet. The sheath coupled to the air processing or conveying component can include a lumen communicating with the outlet of the air processing or conveying mechanism for passing CO2 continuously conveyed by the driven air moving component across the laparoscopic lens to maintain visualization of the operating cavity. The sheath and self-contained air processing or conveying component can comprise an integrated assembly. The source of CO2 can comprise a laparoscopic access device for accessing the operating cavity insufflated with CO2 by operation of an insufflator circuit. The driven air moving component continuously conveys CO2 from the operating cavity across the laparoscopic lens to maintain visualization of the operating cavity, independent of operation of the insufflations circuit.

主权项

1. A system comprising a sheath sized and configured to receive a laparoscope including a laparoscopic lens providing visualization of an operating cavity insufflated with CO2 through operation of an insufflator circuit, the sheath including a lumen for passing air from a source across the laparoscopic lens to maintain visualization of the operating cavity, and the source comprising an air conveying assembly including a housing, an air flow path self-contained within the housing comprising an inlet sized and configured for communication with the operating cavity and an outlet sized and configured for communication with the lumen of the sheath, and an air moving component self-contained within the housing in communication with the air flow path and powered independent of the insufflator circuit to convey CO2 from the operating cavity through the air flow path for passage across the laparoscopic lens, to thereby maintain visualization of the operating cavity independent of operation of the insufflator circuit.