Self-Cleaning Trocars/Laparoscopic Port Add-on for Surgical Camera Lens

Abstract

<h3>Study Objective</h3> During laparoscopic surgeries, the camera is visually impaired by blood, debris, and condensation. The process of cleaning includes removing the laparoscope out of the patient and then using cloth and/or lens defogging solution. Thus, there is a need for a device that will clean the camera without removing it from the patient to decrease surgical time, risk of contamination, and cost. <h3>Design</h3> We have developed a prototype of a disposable lens-cleaning compartment that is attached onto a disposable trocar to allow surgeons to clean the lens without removing the laparoscope from the patient's body. The cleaning compartment is made of three layers of plastic - upper, lower, iris diaphragm covered with synthetic cleaning material, and O rings on either side. The cleaning compartment will sit between the cap and the hollow tube of the trocar. This device will clean the lens by having the surgeon use a back-and-forth motion onto the compartment until the lens has visibility <h3>Setting</h3> N/A. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> N/A. <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Benchtop model of glass lens were clouded with egg, chocolate syrup, .25% agar and 1x DPBS saline (control) and cleaned with synthetic material for five full rotation of the laparoscope. Clarity was quantified through image J by filtering for black and white ratio. A two-way ANOVA showed significant differences with solution, time, and the interaction of the two. Solidwork stress simulation demonstrate that the device can withstand around 270N/60 lbs of force before breakage. Compartment was assessed with and without O rings and airtightness was noted with the use of O rings. <h3>Conclusion</h3> By adding a cleaning compartment to pre-existing trocars, laparoscopic surgery time will decrease as there is no need to remove the laparoscope from the patient. Future work would include testing product within the OR to further validate the product design to meet surgeons' need.