Endoscopic Lens Cleaning Device Without In-And-Out Decreased Operative Time

In endoscopic surgeries, the use of a scope is essential due to the detrimental effects of limited vision on surgical safety, operative time, and surgeon stress. A significant challenge in endoscopy is the compromised field of view caused by fog, fat droplets, and blood during surgical procedures. This study aimed to assess the necessity of washing equipment and evaluate the performance of a new device in both dry and wet laboratory settings.

The study involved calculating the cleaning time for the endoscope and evaluating the functionality of washing equipment in dry and wet laboratories. Four prototypes of washing equipment (designed as Prototypes A, B, C, and D) were developed and tested using pig models. The time required to remove blood and fat stains from the endoscope was measured for five different procedures: LADG, LAC, Ro-LAR, VATS, and RATS.

LADG required the longest cleaning time, which correlated with extended operative time (r = 0.89, p < 0.05). In dry laboratories, Prototype B yielded the best results for the bleeding model, whereas Prototype C showed the best results for the fat deposition model. In animal experiments, Prototype C showed the most favorable outcomes. Based on the results of three experiments, Prototype C demonstrates the most balanced and effective cleaning performance overall.

Our findings suggest that the implementation of these cleaning devices can significantly reduce the duration of endoscopic surgeries, consequently alleviating surgeon stress, optimizing medical resources, and enhancing surgical safety. Further validation in clinical settings is necessary to confirm these findings.