Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods make use of a fluid dispensing control apparatus having a sheath, a tubing system, and a fluid source to facilitate control of fluid during intra-operative defogging, surgical debris deflection, and cleaning of a laparoscope lens during minimally invasive surgery. The sheath has at least one lumen for providing fluid to the distal end of the sheath to clean the laparoscope. At the end of the lumen is a one-way control valve to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluid from the lumen. The apparatus may also have a syringe assembly wherein a syringe is inserted into a syringe mating mechanism having a gasket which can facilitate the immediate relief of pressure in the fluid lumen once the pressure on the syringe plunger is released.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

Abstract: A scope includes an elongate body, a lens at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one conduit, and a view optimizing assembly. The conduit is configured to connect to an air supply. The view optimizing assembly extends from the distal end of the elongate body past the lens and includes a first lumen and a second lumen, a plurality of dividers separating the lumens, and a deflector. The first and second lumens are in fluid communication with the conduit and are sized such that a single velocity flow from the conduit separates into a first flow through the first lumen and a second flow through the second lumen. The first flow has a higher velocity than the second flow. The deflector assembly is configured such that air exiting the first and second lumens combines to keep debris off of the lens.

Abstract: A sheath for providing a dynamic air shield relative to a distal portion of a laparoscope disposed within the sheath includes a sheath elongate body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of lumens, and a distal portion configured to deflect air from the lumens across the surface of a laparoscope. The sheath can include a registration and alignment feature configured to align the sheath with a laparoscope. Further, the sheath can be configured to work with robotic laparoscope systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing an operating cavity when performing endoscopic surgery comprising. The systems and methods include at least one obturator-free cannula unit and a trocar assembly. The trocar assembly includes a single dedicated functional obturator independent of the cannula unit and an endoscopic cannula. The invention also provides a system and methods for providing continuous flow of carbon dioxide during a laparoscopic procedure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing an operating cavity when performing endoscopic surgery comprising. The systems and methods include at least one obturator-free cannula unit and a trocar assembly. The trocar assembly includes a single dedicated functional obturator independent of the cannula unit and an endoscopic cannula. The invention also provides a system and methods for providing continuous flow of carbon dioxide during a laparoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods make use of a fluid dispensing control apparatus having a sheath, a tubing system, and a fluid source to facilitate control of fluid during intra-operative defogging, surgical debris deflection, and cleaning of a laparoscope lens during minimally invasive surgery. The sheath has at least one lumen for providing fluid to the distal end of the sheath to clean the laparoscope. At the end of the lumen is a one-way control valve to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluid from the lumen. The apparatus may also have a syringe assembly wherein a syringe is inserted into a syringe mating mechanism having a gasket which can facilitate the immediate relief of pressure in the fluid lumen once the pressure on the syringe plunger is released.

Abstract: A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

Abstract: A method of defogging a lens of a laparoscope includes: (1) inserting the laparoscope into a sheath; (2) engaging a fork stabilizing feature of the sheath with a light post of the laparoscope to prevent rotational movement of the sheath relative to the scope; (3) activating a locking mechanism on the sheath to longitudinally fix a distal end of the laparoscope relative to a distal end of the sheath; and (4) 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 the lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens while the laparoscope is in a body cavity.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sheath for providing a dynamic air shield relative to a distal portion of a laparoscope disposed within the sheath includes a sheath elongate body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of lumens, and a distal portion configured to deflect air from the lumens across the surface of a laparoscope. The sheath can include a registration and alignment feature configured to align the sheath with a laparoscope. Further, the sheath can be configured to work with robotic laparoscope systems.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing an operating cavity when performing endoscopic surgery comprising. The systems and methods include at least one obturator-free cannula unit and a trocar assembly. The trocar assembly includes a single dedicated functional obturator independent of the cannula unit and an endoscopic cannula. The invention also provides a system and methods for providing continuous flow of carbon dioxide during a laparoscopic procedure.