System for simultaneously heating multiple surgical viewing instruments

Abstract

A system for simultaneously heating multiple elongated surgical viewing instruments comprises a heater with a slot and an insert received by the slot. The insert has multiple elongate cavities, each configured to receive the tip of a viewing instrument. A cover, configured to cover the heater with the insert in the slot thereof, provides a plurality of openings aligned with the cavities of the insert. In the preferred embodiment, the heater is reusable and the insert and cover are disposable. The insert and cover may be integrally joined into a single unit. The system may further include a stand upon which the heater is supported, one or more cavities to receive cleaning swabs to be heated, and/or a pad to heat a cleaning wipe or other article.

Claims

1. A system for simultaneously heating multiple elongated surgical viewing instruments, comprising: a heater with a slot; an insert received by the slot, the insert having multiple elongate cavities, each of the elongate cavities being configured to receive a tip of a viewing instrument; and a cover configured to cover the heater with the insert in the slot thereof, the cover including a plurality of openings aligned with the cavities of the insert.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heater is reusable.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the insert and the cover are disposable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the insert and the cover are joined into a single unit.

5. The system of claim 1, further including a stand upon which the heater is supported.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an overview of a preferred system according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows how an insert and cover may be bonded to one another;

(3) FIG. 3 provides side and top views of the insert and cover; and

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a heating unit and floor stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) This invention improves upon existing scope warmer solutions by providing a system that electrically heats multiple instruments simultaneously, but which uses disposable inserts so that the heating apparatus may be used over and over again without discarding the expensive equipment.

(6) FIG. 1 is an overview of the system. A heating unit 102 with an optional floor stand contains heating elements described below which may be operated by a rechargeable battery or a line cord. Advantageously, the heating unit 102 may be positioned in the sterile field.

(7) Unit 102 includes a slot 104 dimensioned to receive a disposable insert 106 with elongated cavities 108 configured to receive instruments 110. When the insert 106 is inserted into heater 102, the unit is covered with disposable cover 112 that includes slits 114. Instruments 110 are inserted through the slits and into the cavities of insert 106 where they are heated. Following a procedure, the insert 106 and cover 112 are discarded, enabling the heater 102 to be re-used.

(8) The insert 106 and cover 112 are provided in a sealed sterilized package prior to use. The insert and cover may be made from any plastic material, though the insert is preferably rigid or semi-rigid whereas the cover may be more flexible. Alternatively if one or both of the insert and cover may be made of a material such as stainless steel in which case they may be autoclaveable and resusable as well. As opposed to separate pieces, the insert and cover may be bonded to one another as shown in FIG. 2 regardless of the material(s) used. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom edge of the cover 112 extends past the bottom of the heater unit 102 to maintain sterility. FIG. 3 gives side and top views of the insert and cover. Optional smaller cavities 302 may be provided to heat cleaning swaps swabs or smaller articles.

(9) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the heating unit and floor stand 400. Metal plates 406, 408 with attached heaters are disposed with outer covers 402, 404. The heaters are controlled through controller 410 via control panel 412. A fan 414 may be used to improve heat circulation within the enclosure. The system may further include an optional metal dish 416 with attached heater for warming instrument tip cleaning pads or other items.