A laser disinfecting and sterilizing device for a medical interventional catheter is disclosed, comprising an ultraviolet laser device, a coupling module, a conductive optical fiber, and a traction device. The conductive optical fiber has an attenuation region for scattering ultraviolet laser from the conductive optical fiber to an inner wall of a catheter, and the attenuation region extends into the catheter. The traction device is connected to the conductive optical fiber and drives the conductive optical fiber to move back and forth in the catheter. The ultraviolet laser is emitted into the conductive optical fiber via the coupling module, the attenuation region on the conductive optical fiber scatters the ultraviolet laser into the catheter, and the traction device pulls the conductive optical fiber to move back and forth in the catheter, the emitted ultraviolet laser can completely disinfect and sterilize the inner wall of the catheter.

Devices and methods for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. A drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The drying element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force applied to the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively remove all of the moisture and fluid from the internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument.

Various embodiments provide a sterilisation apparatus for sterilising a channel of a surgical scoping device. The apparatus includes: a gas supply having a conduit to deliver an ionisable gas to the channel of the surgical scoping device; and, a sterilisation instrument, separate from the gas supply and the conduit, configured to be inserted through the channel of a surgical scoping device. The sterilisation instrument includes an elongate probe. The elongate probe includes: a transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy; and, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the transmission line for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, the probe tip comprising an electrode assembly configured to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy to generate a plasma of the ionisable gas delivered to the channel from the gas supply.

A cleaning tool for insertion instrument includes: a cleaning cap configured to be attachable to and detachable from a distal end component portion provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion in an endoscope and covered by a tubular cover when the endoscope is used, attachment and detachment of the cleaning cap to and from the distal end component portion being performed in a state where the cover is removed from the distal end component portion; and a cap-side engaging portion provided on the cleaning cap and configured to be engaged with a distal end component portion-side engaging portion provided on an outer peripheral surface, at least a part of which is covered by the cover, of the distal end component portion.

Embodiments of the disclosures made herein are directed to devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of imaging devices used with robotic systems. Devices, apparatuses, systems and methods in accordance with the disclosures made herein provide a lens cleaning device configured to perform one or more cleaning events to remove contaminating matter from an imaging element (e.g., lens) of an imaging device (e.g., a laparoscope). In preferred embodiments, such devices, apparatuses, systems and methods are adapted specifically for facilitating in-vivo cleaning of an imaging element of imaging devices that are used with robotic surgical systems. Advantageously, embodiments of such robotic surgical system implementations enable a surgeon to readily resolve sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic (e.g., laparoscopic) surgical procedures.

Endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, and devices and methods for cleaning endoscopic instruments are provided. A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a cleaning member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The cleaning element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force of a cleaner or detergent against the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively clean all internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument, including crevasses, scratches or other irregularities, without further damaging these surfaces.

Endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, and devices and methods for cleaning endoscopic instruments are provided. A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a cleaning member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The cleaning element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force of a cleaner or detergent against the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively clean all internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument, including crevasses, scratches or other irregularities, without further damaging these surfaces.

A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves (or valve assemblies) for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state in response to utilization of the valve, e.g., to control fluid flow through a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse of valves of the present disclosure. For instance, a lumen between first and second orifices in a valve stem may be blocked or disconnected.

The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state for indication of utilization of the valve, e.g., via exposure to a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse valves of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the valve may be made from a limited number of components and materials.