Ultrasonic Cleaning for Irrigating Purulent Substances during Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery

To improve the outcome of laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, improvement in the technology for removing purulent substances from the abdominal cavity is required. Ultrasonic cleaning technology may be suitable for the task. However, it is necessary to examine cleaning efficiency and safety through model tests that can lead to clinical trials for practical use. Nine surgical specialists first estimated the distribution of the actual attachment of purulent substances using videos of removing pus-like model dirt as an evaluation scale. Subsequently, cleaning tests were conducted using a small-size shower with model dirt that was somewhat difficult to remove, and its suitability as a model sample was confirmed. A mixture of miso and other substances was attached to a silicon sheet to prepare a test sample. The model dirt could be removed within a few seconds by cleaning using a probe-type ultrasonic homogenizer while the test sample was submerged in water. This performance greatly surpassed that of water flow cleaning under increased water pressure. An ultrasonic cleaner that is useful for irrigation during laparoscopic surgery will be suitable for practical use in laparoscopic surgery.