Scope warming device

Abstract

A warming device ( 30 ) for warming the lens portion ( 2 ) of an optical instrument (I), such as a laparoscope, to a temperature above ambient to prevent lens fogging comprising: a double walled cylindrical tube ( 3 ) having an intemal wall ( 3 b ), and an external wall ( 3 a ), an upper surface and an open distal portion ( 7 ) with a central cavity ( 4 ) therebetween; a protrusion ( 9 ) extending from said upper surface, sized and shaped to receive the lens portion; a circular cap ( 5 ) sized to attach to said distal portion of said double walled cylindrical tube; and, a heating element ( 15 ) enclosed within said central cavity and thermally coupled to said insulation layer.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A device configured to receive an optical instrument during a surgical procedure, the device comprising:
 a cylindrical tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central cavity between the proximal end and the distal end, the central cavity configured to receive the optical instrument;   one or more gas tubing connectors disposed on the cylindrical tube and configured to receive a portion of insufflation gas used to insufflate a body cavity;   wherein the portion of the insufflation gas being diverted into the central cavity raises a temperature of the central cavity above a dew point of the insufflation gas.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the cylindrical tube is double walled, the double walled cylindrical tube having an internal wall and an external wall. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising an insulation layer between the internal wall and the external wall of the double walled cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         25 . The device to  claim 24 , wherein the insulation layer comprises air. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the proximal end and into the central cavity, the protrusion sized and shaped to receive the optical instrument. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the proximal end comprises an upper surface extending from the external wall of the double walled cylindrical tube to the protrusion. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion comprises a plurality of steps of decreasing circumference toward a distal portion of the protrusion to provide enhanced support for the optical instrument when inserted into the device. 
     
     
         29 . A device of  claim 26 , further comprising flexible grommet surrounding at least a portion of the proximal end, the flexible grommet adapted to enable optical instruments of differing sizes to be inserted into the protrusion. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the flexible grommet comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising a material coating on the protrusion. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more gas tubing connectors comprises an input gas tubing connector and an output gas tubing connector attached to the cylindrical tube, the input gas tubing connector configured to receive at least the portion of the insufflation gas. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the input gas tubing connector is longitudinally offset from the output gas tubing connector. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the portion of the insufflation gas is heated and/or humidified prior to entering the device. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the distal end is open. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , further comprising a circular cap sized to attach to the distal end of the cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising an attachment mechanism attached to the proximal end of the cylindrical tube, the attachment mechanism configured to removably attach the device to a surgical drape or table. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a handle or a handle clip. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more gas tubing connectors are positioned such that the portion of insufflation gas flows distally toward the distal end of the optical instrument. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more gas tubing connectors are positioned such that the portion of insufflation gas flows transversely across the optical instrument. 
     
     
         41 . An instrument configured to receive a surgical optical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a first cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   a second cylindrical body positioned at least partially within the first cylindrical body, the second cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   wherein the second cylindrical body comprises a passage for a heating substance configured to warm the surgical optical instrument to prevent lens condensation.   
     
     
         42 . The instrument of  claim 41 , wherein the heating substance is a fluid. 
     
     
         43 . The instrument of  claim 41 , further comprising an insulation layer between the first and second cylindrical bodies. 
     
     
         44 . The instrument of  claim 43 , wherein the insulation layer comprises air. 
     
     
         45 . The instrument of  claim 41 , wherein the passage is configured to receive a portion of the insufflation gas used to insufflate a body cavity. 
     
     
         46 . The instrument of  claim 41 , wherein the portion of the insufflation gas is heated and/or humidified prior to entering the device.