阅读说明：本技术 用于手术进入装置的清洁盖 (Cleaning cap for surgical access device ) 是由 雅各布·C·巴里尔 马修·A·迪尼诺 萨乌玛雅·班纳吉 贾斯廷·托马斯 加勒特·P·埃伯索尔 于 2021-05-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及用于手术进入装置的清洁盖,并提供一种手术进入组合件,其包含手术进入装置和清洁盖。所述手术进入装置包含细长轴,所述细长轴限定穿过其中的进入腔并且具有终止于远侧尖端的远侧部分。所述清洁盖设置在所述细长轴的所述远侧部分上方。所述清洁盖包含与所述进入腔对准的仪器通道和设置在所述仪器通道内的刮片。(The present disclosure relates to a cleaning cap for a surgical access device and provides a surgical access assembly including a surgical access device and a cleaning cap. The surgical access device includes an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough and having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The cleaning cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The cleaning cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access cavity and a wiper blade disposed within the instrument channel.)

1. A surgical access assembly, comprising:

a surgical access device including an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough, the elongate shaft having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip; and

a cleaning cap disposed over the distal portion of the elongated shaft, the cleaning cap including an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen, the instrument channel including a blade disposed therein.

2. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the surgical access device is disposed within an annular pocket of the cleaning cap.

3. The surgical access assembly of claim 2, wherein the annular pocket is defined between inner and outer annular walls of the cleaning cap.

4. The surgical access assembly of claim 3, wherein the instrument channel is defined by an inner surface of the inner annular wall and is disposed within the access lumen of the surgical access device.

5. The surgical access assembly of claim 4, wherein the wiper extends radially from the inner surface of the inner annular wall into the instrument channel.

6. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cap mimics a shape of the distal portion of the surgical access device.

7. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein the wiper is formed of a flexible material.

8. The surgical access assembly of claim 7, wherein the wiper is formed of rubber.

9. The surgical access assembly of claim 7, wherein the cleaning cap is integrally formed from the flexible material.

10. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the blades includes a full disc-shaped body defining an opening therethrough, the opening having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the instrument channel.

11. The surgical access assembly of claim 10, wherein the wipers are disposed in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to each other.

12. The surgical access assembly of claim 11, wherein the openings of the wiper differ in size and are concentric with one another.

13. The surgical access assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the blades includes a partially disc-shaped body.

14. The surgical access assembly of claim 13, wherein a first set of the wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a first side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall, and a second set of the wipers extends radially into the instrument channel from a second side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall.

15. The surgical access assembly of claim 14, wherein the wipers of the first and second sets are disposed in opposing relationship with respect to each other and longitudinally offset with respect to each other to define a tortuous path through the instrument channel.

16. The surgical access assembly of claim 1, further including a surgical instrument including an elongated tubular body having a distal end portion terminating in a tip portion, the surgical instrument being positionable through the surgical access device and the cleaning cap.

17. The surgical access assembly of claim 16, wherein the surgical instrument is a visualization device including a lens disposed at the tip portion.

18. The surgical access assembly of claim 16, wherein the distal end portion of the surgical instrument is movable in proximal and distal directions through the cleaning cap, and wherein movement of the surgical instrument within the cleaning cap causes the wiper to move from a biased configuration in which the wiper extends substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning cap to a deflected configuration in which the wiper engages the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and moves toward an inner annular wall of the cleaning cap.

19. A method of cleaning a distal portion of a surgical instrument positioned through a surgical access device, the method comprising:

retracting a distal portion of a surgical instrument into an instrument channel of a cleaning cap disposed over a distal portion of a surgical access device, the cleaning cap including a wiper extending radially into the instrument channel, wherein retraction of the surgical instrument causes the wiper to wipe an outer surface of the distal portion of the surgical instrument clean.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

advancing the distal end portion of the surgical instrument into the instrument channel of the cleaning cap, wherein advancement causes the wiper to sequentially contact a tip portion of the surgical instrument to clean the tip portion and frictionally engage the outer surface of the distal end portion to wipe the outer surface clean.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to surgical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a cleaning cap for a surgical access device for cleaning a surgical instrument positioned through the surgical access device.

Background

Some surgical procedures, i.e., laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and endoscopy, require the insertion of a visualization device into a body cavity. During such procedures, surgeons use visualization devices such as laparoscopes, arthroscopes, and endoscopes to view features and structures within body cavities. The views provided by these visualization devices may be helpful in detecting physiological abnormalities in the human body.

Visualization devices typically comprise rigid or flexible rods. These rods typically contain optical fibers and lenses. An external light source typically provides illumination and is typically attached to the proximal end of the shaft. The fiber transmits light through the rod to the distal end of the visualization device. After providing sufficient illumination, the surgeon may examine the internal structure of the body cavity by viewing through an eyepiece, which is typically located at the proximal end of the shaft. Alternatively, the visualization device comprises a camera arranged at its distal end. These cameras transmit video signals to a monitor electrically connected to the rod of the visualization device. A visualization device with a camera allows the surgeon to perform the surgical procedure while viewing the monitor. However, the surgeon must follow certain steps to properly use the visualization device.

Before introducing the visualization device into the body cavity, the body cavity is typically injected with a gas or fluid. Thereafter, a surgical access device (e.g., a cannula, sheath, or other access port) is inserted through the wall of the body cavity. These surgical access devices typically contain seals that prevent the leakage of gas or fluid from the body cavity. After the body cavity is properly insufflated, a visualization device is inserted through the surgical access device. The surgeon may then view internal features of the body cavity through a visualization device disposed within the surgical access device.

The surgical access device may not be operatively coupled to a particular visualization device. One surgical access device is typically used with multiple visualization devices and/or other surgical instruments. To use a different visualization device, the surgeon may simply retract the visualization device positioned within the surgical access device and insert another visualization device through the same surgical access device. Alternatively, the surgical access device may have multiple ports.

Upon extraction and insertion of the visualization device, bodily fluids and debris may enter the interior portion of the surgical access device. These fluids and debris may adhere to the surface of the newly inserted visualization device and foul the lens, thereby reducing the visibility of the lens. In addition, during use and manipulation of the visualization device within the body cavity, lens smudging, staining and/or other visual disturbances, such as fogging, may occur, which may obscure the surgeon's view.

The most common method of dealing with a blurred lens is to completely remove the visualization device from the surgical access device and manually clean it. While effective, the need to remove the visualization device from the surgical access device, clean it, reinsert it, and reposition the target is inefficient and can result in delayed surgery or occur at inopportune times when visualization can affect the outcome of the surgery. Others have proposed incorporating spray rinsing nozzles on the visualization device itself or on the surgical access device to allow cleaning of the lens without removing the visualization device from the patient. However, these devices can be relatively expensive and require the provision of a flush path and cleaning fluid.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a cleaning cap for a surgical access device for cleaning a visualization device or other surgical instruments while the surgical instruments remain inserted through the surgical access device. The cleaning cap is configured to clean a distal portion of a surgical instrument extending through the surgical access device. The cleaning cap is quickly and easily coupled to the distal portion of the surgical access device to reduce fouling on surgical instruments inserted through the surgical access device.

In some aspects, the cleaning cap is configured to be mounted on a pre-existing surgical access device. For example, the cleaning cap may be universal and fit standard sized trocars, cannulas, and/or cannulas (e.g., 5 to 15mm surgical access devices).

In some aspects, the cleaning cap is formed of a flexible material, such as soft rubber, and has an internal geometry for cleaning a distal portion of a surgical instrument passing therethrough. Cleaning is performed by retracting and advancing the surgical instrument through the cleaning cap, removing fouling material from the distal portion of the surgical instrument that would impair the functionality of the surgical instrument (e.g., hinder visualization of the lens of the visualization device). Cleaning the cover provides a quick and simplified cleaning method and may reduce operating room downtime compared to conventional methods in which surgical instruments are removed from a surgical access device and cleaned, for example, with a gauze pad.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical access assembly including a surgical access device and a cleaning cap. The surgical access device includes an elongate shaft defining an access lumen therethrough and having a distal portion terminating in a distal tip. The cleaning cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The cleaning cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access cavity and includes a wiper blade disposed within the instrument channel.

The distal portion of the surgical access device may be disposed within the annular recess of the cleaning cap. The annular pocket may be defined between inner and outer annular walls of the cleaning cap. The instrument channel may be defined by an inner surface of the inner annular wall and may be disposed within the access lumen of the surgical access device. The wiper may extend radially from the inner surface of the inner annular wall into the instrument channel.

The cleaning cap can mimic the shape of the distal portion of the surgical access device.

The blade may be formed of a flexible material and, in certain aspects, may be formed of rubber. The cleaning cover may be integrally formed from the flexible material.

Each of the blades may comprise a full disc-shaped body defining an opening therethrough having a diameter less than a diameter of the instrument channel. The blades may be disposed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another. The openings of the blades may vary in size and may be concentric with one another.

Each of the blades may comprise a partially disc-shaped body. A first set of blades can extend radially into the instrument channel from a first side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall, and a second set of blades can extend radially into the instrument channel from a second side of the inner surface of the inner annular wall. The first and second sets of blades may be disposed in opposing relation to one another and may be longitudinally offset relative to one another to define a tortuous path through the instrument channel.

The surgical access assembly may further include a surgical instrument including an elongated tubular body having a distal end portion terminating in a tip portion. The surgical instrument is positionable through the surgical access device and the cleaning cap. The surgical instrument may be a visualization device including a lens disposed at the tip portion. The distal end portion of the surgical instrument is movable in proximal and distal directions through the cleaning cap. Movement of the surgical instrument within the cleaning cap may cause the wiper blade to move from a biased configuration in which the wiper blade extends substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning cap to a deflected configuration in which the wiper blade engages the distal end portion of the surgical instrument and moves toward the inner annular wall of the cleaning cap.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of cleaning a distal portion of a surgical instrument positioned through a surgical access device. The method includes retracting a distal portion of a surgical instrument into an instrument channel of a cleaning cap disposed over a distal portion of a surgical access device. The cleaning cap includes a wiper blade extending radially into the instrument channel, and retraction of the surgical instrument causes the wiper blade to wipe clean an outer surface of the distal portion of the surgical instrument.

The method may further include advancing the distal end portion of the surgical instrument into the instrument channel of the cleaning cap. Advancement may cause the wiper to sequentially contact a tip portion of the surgical instrument to clean the tip portion and frictionally engage the outer surface of the distal end portion to wipe the outer surface clean.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the aspects described in the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a surgical access assembly including a surgical access device, a cleaning cap, and a surgical instrument according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective side view of the surgical access assembly of fig. 1, showing a surgical instrument detached from the surgical access device;

fig. 3 is a perspective side view of a surgical access device and a cleaning cap of the surgical access assembly of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective end view of the cleaning cap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the cleaning cap of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning cap of FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical access assembly of FIG. 1, shown positioned in tissue;

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of a detail area indicated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the area of detail of FIG. 8, showing a tip portion of the surgical instrument disposed in a proximal portion of the cleaning cap;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the area of detail of FIG. 8, showing the tip portion of the surgical instrument disposed in the distal portion of the cleaning cap;

fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of a surgical access device and a cleaning cap according to another aspect of the present disclosure; and

fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical access device and cleaning cap of fig. 11, showing a surgical instrument extending therethrough.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures. Throughout this specification, the term "proximal" refers to a portion of a structure or component thereof that is closer to a user, and the term "distal" refers to a portion of a structure or component thereof that is further from the user.

Surgical access assemblies with obturators (referred to as trocar assemblies) are employed during minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic procedures, and allow surgical instruments to sealingly access an insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. A surgical access assembly of the present disclosure includes an instrument housing mounted on a cannula. An obturator (not shown) may be inserted through the instrument housing and cannula. The obturator may have a blunt distal end, or a penetrating distal end with or without blades, and may be used to cut and/or separate tissue of the abdominal wall so that the surgical access assembly may be introduced into the abdomen. The handle of the obturator may be engaged or selectively locked into the instrument housing of the surgical access assembly.

The trocar assembly is used to tunnel through an anatomical structure, such as an abdominal wall, by forming a new passage through the anatomical structure or by passing through an existing opening in the anatomical structure. Once the surgical access assembly with the obturator has tunneled through the anatomy, the obturator is removed, leaving the surgical access assembly in place. The instrument housing of the surgical access assembly includes a valve and/or seal that prevents the escape of insufflation fluids from the body cavity while also allowing the insertion of surgical instruments into the body cavity.

In various aspects, a bladeless optical trocar obturator may be provided that allows for separating tissue planes during a surgical procedure and visualizing the body tissue as it is defibrated, allowing for controlled traversal across the body wall. In other aspects, the trocar obturator may be bladeless, but not optical, e.g., without providing simultaneous visualization thereof through the distal tip of the trocar obturator. A bladeless trocar obturator may be provided to blunt the peritoneum during the surgical procedure.

Various trocar obturators suitable for use with the surgical access assemblies of the present disclosure are known and include, for example, bladed, bladeless, blunt, optical and non-optical trocar obturators. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary trocar assembly including an exemplary trocar obturator and an exemplary cannula, please refer to PCT publication No. WO2016/186905, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Fig. 1-3 illustrate a surgical access assembly 10 including a surgical access device 100, a cleaning cap 140 releasably engaged with the surgical access device 100, and a surgical instrument, shown as a visualization device 160, positioned through the surgical access device 100. The surgical access device 100 and the visualization device 160 will be further described to the extent necessary to disclose aspects of the present disclosure. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary surgical access device, reference may be made to U.S. patent No. 10,543,018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary visualization device, reference may be made to U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0007833, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thus, it should be understood that a variety of surgical access devices and visualization devices may be used with the cleaning cap of the present disclosure.

Visualization device 160 includes an elongate tubular body 162 having a proximal end portion 162a coupled to a handle 164 and a distal end portion 162b including a tip portion 163 with a lens 166. The elongate tubular body 162 is adapted to conduct light therethrough and facilitate viewing through an eyepiece 168 coupled to the handle 164. Alternatively, the light source may be disposed at the distal end portion 162b (e.g., tip portion 163) of the elongate tubular body 162 and/or the visualization device may include a camera configured to transmit video signals to an external monitor. It is contemplated that the specific structural features of the visualization device may vary, so long as the device facilitates visual inspection of the internal structure of the human body. The visualization device may be an endoscope, laparoscope or any suitable device designed for visual inspection of internal body structures.

Surgical access device 100 includes a cannula 110 and an instrument housing 120 secured to cannula 110. Cannula 110 generally includes an elongate shaft 112 extending along a central longitudinal axis "X" and defining an access lumen 111 for receiving and passing surgical instruments, such as visualization device 160. Proximal portion 110a of cannula 110 supports instrument housing 120 thereon, and distal portion 110b of cannula 110 supports cleaning cap 140.

As shown in fig. 7, instrument housing 120 defines a lumen 121 therein that communicates with access lumen 111 of elongate shaft 112 of cannula 110. Instrument housing 120 supports seal assembly 122 and valve assembly 124 therein. The seal assembly 122 is disposed proximal to the valve assembly 124. Seal assembly 122 typically includes an instrument seal 122a for sealing around a surgical instrument (e.g., visualization device 160) inserted into cannula 110, and valve assembly 124 typically includes a zero seal 124a for sealing access lumen 111 of cannula 110 without a surgical instrument inserted through cannula 110. The seal assembly 122 and valve assembly 124 prevent the escape of insufflation fluids therefrom while allowing surgical instruments to be inserted therethrough and into the body cavity. Instrument seal 122a can comprise any known instrument seal used in cannulas and/or trocars, such as a septum seal. The zero seal 124a may be any known zero seal for closing the passage into the access chamber 111, such as a duckbill seal or flapper valve.

With continued reference to figure 3, in conjunction with figure 7, the instrument housing 120 includes an insufflation port 126 defining an opening (not expressly shown) therethrough in fluid communication with the lumen 121 of the instrument housing 120, which in turn is in fluid communication with the access lumen 111 of the cannula 110 for insufflation (e.g., creating pneumoperitoneum) of a body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The opening of insufflation port 126 is disposed distally of valve assembly 124 to maintain insufflation pressure within the body cavity. The insufflation port 126 may be connected to a source of insufflation fluid (not shown) to deliver insufflation fluid (e.g., gas) into the body cavity. Insufflation port 126 is configured and dimensioned to receive valve 128 in a substantially fluid-tight manner. In various aspects and as shown, the valve 128 is a stopcock valve for controlling the flow of insufflation fluid. However, the valve 128 may be any known valve for directing fluid flow and in some aspects regulating fluid flow.

Referring now to fig. 3-6, a cleaning cap 140 is removably positioned over distal end portion 110b of cannula 110 of surgical access device 100. The cleaning cap 140 includes a body 142 that extends along a longitudinal axis "Y" that coincides with the central longitudinal axis "X" of the surgical access device 100 when the cleaning cap 140 is positioned on the surgical access device 100. The body 142 of the cleaning cap 140 includes an annular recess 141 configured to receive the distal end portion 110b of the surgical access device 100 therein, and an instrument channel 143 configured to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough and clean the surgical instrument as it passes therethrough.

The annular recess 141 of the cleaning cap 140 is defined in its outer circumference between an inner surface 144a of the outer annular wall 144 and an outer surface 146b of the inner annular wall 146 of the body 142. The annular recess 141 is sized and shaped for frictional engagement with the elongate shaft 112 of the surgical access device 100 such that the distal end portion 110b of the cannula 110 is received within the annular recess 141 and the access lumen 111 of the cannula 110 is aligned with and in open communication with the instrument channel 143 of the body 142. In various aspects and as shown, the annular pocket 141 is complementary in size and shape to the distal end portion 110b of the cannula 110, and includes a proximal cutout 141a for receiving the rib 112a of the elongate shaft 112, and a distal taper 141b for receiving the distal tip 110c of the cannula 110.

The annular pocket 141 is open at the proximal end 142a of the body 142 and closed at the distal end 142b of the body 142. It is understood that the body 142 may have any length and the annular pocket 141 may extend along any portion of the length of the body 142. The outer annular wall 144 includes an outer surface 144b that mimics the shape of the outer surface 113 of the distal portion 110b of the surgical access device 100. In various aspects and as shown, the outer surface 144b of the cleaning cap 140 has a smooth non-invasive finish similar to the finish of the distal portion 110b of the surgical access device 100.

The instrument channel 143 of the cleaning cap 140 is disposed radially inward of the annular recess 141 and is defined by an inner surface 146a of the inner annular wall 146. When the cleaning cap 140 is positioned on the surgical access device 100, the instrument channel 143 coincides with the access lumen 111 of the surgical access device 100 so that surgical instruments can pass therethrough. A plurality of wipers or fins 150 extend radially from the inner surface 146a of the inner annular wall 146 into the instrument channel 143. Wiper blade 150 has an offset configuration extending substantially orthogonal to longitudinal axis "Y". Wiper blades 150 are disposed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along some or all of the length of body 142. Although four wiper blades 150 are shown, it is understood that the cleaning cap 140 can contain more than four wiper blades 150 or less than four wiper blades 150.

Each blade 150 has a disc-shaped body 152 that includes a proximally facing surface 152a, a distally facing surface 152b, an outer end edge 152c connected to or integrally formed with the inner annular wall 146 of the body 142, and an inner end edge 152d defining an opening 153 therethrough. An opening 153 defined through each wiper 150 has a size or diameter that is smaller than a size or diameter of instrument channel 143 and is concentric with instrument channel 143. Wiper 150 may contain openings 153 of the same size, or openings 153 may be of different sizes. In various aspects and as shown, wiper 150 has alternating sized openings 153a, 153b of larger and smaller sizes, respectively, that are concentric with one another along a longitudinal axis "Y" of body 142.

The body 142 of the cleaning cap 140 and the wiper blade 150 are each formed of a flexible material, such as rubber, plastic, or other suitable polymer (e.g., elastomer). These materials are selected to maximize debris removal while minimizing scratching of the lens 166. Body 142 and wiper 150 may be integrally formed from the same or common materials, or body 142 and wiper 150 may be separate components formed from the same or different materials that are securely fastened together. Wiper blade 150 has a thickness and configuration that accommodates bending of wiper blade 150 about a surgical instrument inserted therethrough during proximal and distal movement of the surgical instrument through cleaning cap 140. In this manner, the wiper 150 cleans the outer surface of the surgical instrument and limits the introduction of fluid, debris, and/or tissue (e.g., fluid, debris, or tissue that may stick to the surgical instrument at the surgical site) into the access lumen 111.

Turning now to fig. 7 and 8, the cleaning cap 140 is positioned over the distal end portion 110b of the surgical access device 100 such that the instrument channel 143 of the cleaning cap 140 is disposed within and aligned with the access lumen 111 of the surgical access device 100. The surgical access device 100 with the cleaning cap 140 attached thereto may then be positioned through a tissue "T", such as the abdominal wall. Elongate shaft 112 of cannula 110 is received through tissue "T" (e.g., by using an obturator (not shown) to facilitate entry of cannula 110 through tissue "T") such that distal portion 110b of surgical access device 100 and cleaning cap 140 are positioned within a body cavity "C", e.g., the abdominal cavity.

Visualization device 160 is inserted through surgical access device 100 and advanced through cleaning cap 140 until tip portion 163 extends distally out of surgical access device 100 and cleaning cap 140 and is disposed within body cavity "C". During advancement of the tip portion 163 of the visualization device 160 through the cleaning cap 140 (e.g., during introduction of the visualization device 160 into the body cavity "C"), the distal end portion 162b of the visualization device 160 is translated distally through the wiper 150 of the cleaning cap 140 in the direction of arrow "a" as seen in fig. 9 and 10, such that the tip portion 163 sequentially contacts and deflects the wiper 150 outwardly against the inner annular wall 146 of the body 142. During advancement, the outer surface of the lens 166 of the visualization device 160 contacts and is wiped clean by the wiper blade 150, and the outer surface of the distal end portion 162b is also wiped clean by the wiper blade 150 frictionally engaging therewith.

During retraction of the tip portion 163 through the cleaning cap 140 (e.g., during retraction of the visualization device 160 from the body cavity "C"), the distal end portion 162B of the visualization device 160 is translated proximally by the wiper 150 of the cleaning cap 140 in the direction of arrow "B" as seen in fig. 9 and 10. The wiper blade 150 remains in contact with the outer surface of the distal end portion 162b until the distal end portion 162b moves proximally of the respective wiper blade 150 and the wiper blade 150 is free to return to its biased configuration. During retraction, the outer surface of distal portion 162b is wiped clean by wiper 150 frictionally engaging it, thereby minimizing the introduction of fluids, debris, and/or tissue into surgical access device 100.

During a surgical procedure, if the lens 166 of the visualization device 160 is obstructed, the visualization device 160 can be retracted and advanced through the cleaning cap 140 to scrape off fluids, debris, and/or tissue. The wiper 150 cleans the visualization device 160 as it passes through the access lumen 111 of the surgical access device 100. The wiper 150 can also form a seal around the tubular body 162 of the visualization device 160 when the visualization device 160 is disposed therethrough, thereby allowing the visualization device 160 to move longitudinally relative thereto while minimizing the ingress of fluids, debris, and tissue into the access lumen 111 of the surgical access device 100 (e.g., during insertion, retraction, and manipulation of the visualization device 160).

Turning now to fig. 11 and 12, a cleaning cap 240 is illustrated in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The cleaning cap 240 is substantially similar to the cleaning cap 140 and differences therebetween will be described. Accordingly, it should be understood that the various components of the present disclosure, such as those numbered in the 100 series, correspond to the components of the present disclosure that are similarly numbered in the 200 series, such that repeated descriptions of the similar components need not be repeated herein.

The cleaning cap 240 includes a main body 242 having: an annular pocket 241 defined between an outer annular wall 244 and an inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, the annular pocket configured to receive the distal end portion 210b of the cannula 210 of the surgical access device 200 therein; and an instrument channel 243 defined within the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, the instrument channel configured to allow surgical instruments to pass therethrough and to clean the surgical instruments as they pass therethrough.

A plurality of wipers or fins 250 extend radially from the inner annular wall 246 into the instrument channel 243. Wiper 250 includes a first set 250a extending from a first side of inner annular wall 246 and a second set 250b extending from a second side of inner annular wall 246. Each wiper 250 has a semi-circular or semi-disc shaped body 252 that includes a proximally facing surface 252a, a distally facing surface 252b, an outer end edge 252c connected to or integrally formed with the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, and an inner end edge 252 d. First and second sets 250a, 250b of doctor blades 250 are disposed in opposing relationship with respect to one another and are longitudinally offset with respect to one another.

First and second sets 250a, 250b of wiper blades 250 together define a tortuous or undulating path through instrumentation channel 243 of cleaning cap 240. Wiper 250 may extend the same distance into instrument channel 243, or the radial length of wiper 250 may vary. It should be understood that each wiper 250 may have any suitable shape and/or size, and that the configuration of first and second sets 250a, 250b of wipers 250 may vary so long as a tortuous or undulating path through instrumentation channel 243 is maintained.

The cleaning cap 240 is positioned over the distal end portion 210b of the surgical access device 200 such that the instrument channel 243 of the cleaning cap 240 is disposed within and aligned with the access lumen 211 of the surgical access device 200. As shown in fig. 12, surgical instrument 260 is inserted through surgical access device 200 and advanced through cleaning cap 240 in the direction of arrow "a". During advancement, the tip portion 263 of the surgical instrument 260 sequentially contacts the wiper 250 and deflects it outwardly against the inner annular wall 246 of the body 242, thereby cleaning the distal end portion 262b of the surgical instrument 260. During retraction of tip portion 263 of surgical instrument 260, wiper 250 remains in contact with distal portion 262b of surgical device 260 in a direction opposite arrow "a" thereby cleaning distal portion 262b of surgical instrument 260 and minimizing the introduction of fluids, debris, and/or tissue into surgical access device 200. Further, during use of surgical instrument 260, if it is desired to clean distal portion 262b of surgical instrument 260, distal portion 262b may be advanced and retracted (e.g., moved back and forth) within cleaning cap 240 to clean any obstructions on distal portion 262 b.

Although the cleaning cap is described for use with a visualization device, it should be understood that the cleaning cap may be used with other surgical instruments introduced through a surgical access device to clean a distal portion of the surgical instrument. It should be further understood that the cleaning cap is suitable for use with any surgical access device (e.g., a rigid cannula) through which surgical instruments are passed.

Further, in addition to being formed of a flexible material, one or more of the blades or portions thereof (e.g., the proximal-facing surface and/or the inner end edge) can contain additional layers (e.g., a pad, sponge, or swab) and/or cleaning solutions to help clean the distal portion of the surgical instrument (e.g., the lens of the visualization device) therethrough.

While aspects of the disclosure have been illustrated in the drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure thereto, since it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It is therefore to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in the related art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Additionally, elements and features shown and described in connection with certain aspects may be combined with elements and features of certain other aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is contemplated that the cleaning covers of the present disclosure can include a combination of wiper blades (e.g., wiper blade 250 can be disposed between wiper blades 150 within a single cleaning cover). Accordingly, the foregoing description is not to be construed in a limiting sense, but is merely illustrative of various aspects of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.