Method and apparatus for preheating an optical instrument prior to use thereof in a medical procedure
First Claim
1. In combination, a laparoscope and an apparatus for preheating said laparoscope prior to use thereof in a medical procedure, said laparoscope including an elongated optical shaft portion which is adapted to be received in the body of a patient, said apparatus comprising an elongated sleeve dimensioned for receiving said shaft portion therein, said sleeve having an open end and a closed end and including flexible inner and outer walls which cooperate to define a compartment therebetween, said inner wall defining an inner pocket dimensioned for receiving said laparoscope therein, said pocket having an open end and a closed end which correspond to the open and closed ends of said sleeve, respectively, said compartment substantially completely surrounding said pocket, and heating means in said compartment for heating said shaft portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for preheating an optical instrument prior to use thereof in a medical procedure, wherein the optical instrument includes an elongated optical shaft portion. The apparatus includes a casing for receiving the optical shaft portion therein and a heater mechanism in the casing for heating the shaft portion. The method includes the steps of assembling the shaft portion in the casing and leaving it therein until the shaft portion has been heated to at least the normal body temperature of a patient.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. In combination, a laparoscope and an apparatus for preheating said laparoscope prior to use thereof in a medical procedure, said laparoscope including an elongated optical shaft portion which is adapted to be received in the body of a patient, said apparatus comprising an elongated sleeve dimensioned for receiving said shaft portion therein, said sleeve having an open end and a closed end and including flexible inner and outer walls which cooperate to define a compartment therebetween, said inner wall defining an inner pocket dimensioned for receiving said laparoscope therein, said pocket having an open end and a closed end which correspond to the open and closed ends of said sleeve, respectively, said compartment substantially completely surrounding said pocket, and heating means in said compartment for heating said shaft portion.
- 10. A method of preventing fogging of an optical instrument used in a medical procedure on a patient, said instrument including an elongated optical shaft portion, said method comprising assembling said instrument in a preheating device including a casing for receiving at least a portion of said instrument shaft portion therein and means for heating said instrument shaft portion in said casing, and leaving said instrument shaft portion in said cashing until it has reached at least approximately the normal body temperature of said patient, said means for heating said instrument in said casing comprising first and second chemicals which are mixable to form an exothermic reaction, said method further comprising mixing said chemicals to produce an exothermic chemical reaction.
Specification