Surgical visualization systems and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11344190-B2
Application number	US-201815901435-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 21, 2018
Priority date	Sep 4, 2015
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A surgical system, comprising:
an access device having a working channel and a visualization channel;
a visualization system at least partially disposed in the visualization channel, the visualization system comprising a camera module and a housing in which the camera module is mounted, the housing including a distal end with a convex side, a non-convex side, first and second lateral convex ends between the convex side and the non-convex side, a distal-facing surface, a camera lumen therein in which the camera module is disposed, and first and second fluid lumens disposed adjacent to a respective one of the first and second lateral convex ends; and
an active lens cleaning device configured to remove debris from a lens of the camera module, the active lens cleaning device comprising a nozzle structure that extends from a terminal distal end surface of the housing, the nozzle structure including an opening configured to direct fluid from at least one of the first and second fluid lumens across the distal-facing surface towards the lens and away from the nozzle structure,
wherein the opening is configured to direct the fluid towards the lens at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the housing,
wherein a distal end of the lens of the camera is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing; and
wherein a distal-most termination of the housing extends beyond the nozzle structure with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lens cleaning device comprises a source of positive pressure gas directed towards the lens through one of the first and second fluid lumens of the housing.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the gas comprises air or carbon dioxide.

4. A surgical method, comprising;
inserting an access device into a patient;
inserting a housing having a camera module therein into the access device, the camera module having a lens with a distal end oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing, the housing including a distal end with a convex side, a non-convex side, first and second lateral convex ends between the convex side and the non-convex side, a distal-facing surface, a camera lumen therein in which the camera module is disposed, and first and second fluid lumens disposed adjacent to a respective one of the first and second lateral convex ends; and
while the access device and camera module are inserted into the patient, actuating a lens cleaning device to clean a visualization path to the lens of the camera module by directing fluid through at least one of the first and second fluid lumens formed in the housing and a nozzle structure extending from a terminal distal end of the housing and towards the lens from an opening in the nozzle structure, the opening being configured to direct the fluid away from the nozzle structure and at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the housing,
wherein a distal most termination of the housing extends beyond the nozzle structure with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein actuating the lens cleaning device comprises directing positive pressure air through one of the first and second fluid lumens of the housing and towards the lens.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Thommen Daniel
• Flock Judith
• Zollmann Veronique Christine
• Kane William
• Hawkins J Riley
• Gamache Thomas
• Conidi John
• Guffey Leonard Bryant
• Kolb Eric

Classifications

• A61B1/00089

  Hoods · CPC title

• A61B2017/00407

  Ratchet means · CPC title

• A61B17/3403

  Needle locating or guiding means · CPC title

• A61B17/7074

  Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling (A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39) · CPC title

• A61B1/055

  having rod-lens arrangements · CPC title