Sterile surgical coupler and drape

• US 5,792,045 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/609,954
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 600/121-125, 600/174, 600/112
• US Class Current: 600/125
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for enclosing a non-sterile camera setup comprising a video camera, its trailing cables, and a standard optical connector for use of the unsterile camera setup in the sterile environment of an operating room. The apparatus includes a coupler having a first end for attachment to the unsterile camera setup and a second end for attachment to a sterile endoscope. A passageway is formed inside the coupler that extends from the first end to the second end thereof providing an optical pathway whereby an image from the endoscope may be transmitted to the unsterile camera setup. A transparent window is mounted transversely across the passageway between the first and second ends of the coupler providing a sterile barrier therebetween. In operation, a sterile drape is positioned over the first end of the coupler and extends over the unsterile camera setup. The sterile drape is secured between the first and second ends of the coupler by a locking ring which secures the distal end of the drape so that a fluid and airtight seal is formed therebetween. A sterile disposable wand may be releasably attached to the second end of the coupler for providing support to the unsterile camera setup as it is attached to the coupler. The wand may then be detached enabling connection of the sterile endoscope to the second end of the coupler.

Claims

1. An apparatus for optically coupling a sterile endoscope to a sterile camera setup including an unsterile optical connector mounted to an unsterile camera having trailing cables, and for enclosing the unsterile camera setup in a sterile enclosure for use of the unsterile camera setup in a sterile surgical environment, said apparatus comprising:

a sterile coupler having a first end including a first mounting structure for connection to the unsterile optical connector, and having a second end including a second mounting structure for connection to the sterile endoscope, said sterile coupler further having an optical path positioned between said first and second ends thereof through which an image may be transmitted from the sterile endoscope to the unsterile camera;

a sterile barrier positionable between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler;

a sterile drape having an open distal end and including a drape ring formed thereon, said sterile drape positionable over said first end of said coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the unsterile optical connector, the unsterile camera and its trailing cables; and

means for sealing said distal end of said drape between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler whereby said first end of said coupler is isolated from the sterile surgical environment located outside said drape said sealing means including a locking ring positionable between said first end and said second end of said sterile coupler and engaging said drape ring to compress the drape ring between said locking ring and said coupler.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical path includes:

an interior passageway formed within said sterile coupler extending from said first end to said second end thereof.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sterile barrier includes:

an optically clear window mounted transversely in said optical path.

4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second mounting structure includes:

an interior passageway for receiving the sterile endoscope; and

securing means attached to said second mounting structure for releasably attaching said second mounting structure to the sterile endoscope.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said securing means includes a sliding quick release.

6. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second mounting structure includes:

a transversely mounted securing means for releasably attaching said second mounting structure to the sterile endoscope.

7. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sterile coupler further includes:

an integral engagement flange; and

said drape ring being attached at said distal end of said drape for releasable engagement with said engagement flange and said locking ring.

8. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking ring further includes:

a spring washer attached to one side of said locking ring for providing an airtight and liquid proof seal between said optical connector and said sterile coupler.

9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a sterile disposable wand attachable to said second end of said sterile coupler for providing support to the camera setup when being attached to said sterile coupler.

10. An apparatus for coupling a sterile endoscope to an unsterile camera setup including an unsterile optical connector and an unsterile camera wherein the optical connector and camera are shielded from a sterile surgical environment, said apparatus comprising:

means for coupling the unsterile optical connector and camera to the sterile endoscope, said coupling means including a first end for connection to the unsterile optical connector and a second end for connection to the sterile endoscope;

an optical passageway extending from said first end of said coupling means to said second end of said coupling means enabling an image to be transmitted from the sterile endoscope to the unsterile camera;

means positionable between said first and second ends of said coupling means for providing an optically clear sterile barrier therebetween;

a sterile drape having an open distal end and including a drape ring formed thereon said sterile drape being positionable over said first end of said coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the unsterile camera setup; and

means for sealing said open distal end of said sterile drape to said coupling means between said first and second ends thereof to form a fluid and airtight seal said sealing means including a locking ring positionable between said first end and said second end of said coupling means and engaging said drape ring to compress the drape between said locking ring and said coupling means.

11. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said optical passageway comprises an interior passageway formed within said coupling means extending from said first end to said second end thereof.

12. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second end of said coupling means includes:

an interior passageway for receiving the sterile endoscope; and

securing means attached to said second end of said coupling means for releasably attaching said second end to the sterile endoscope.

13. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second end of said coupling means further includes:

a transversely mounted securing means for releasably attaching said second end of said coupling means to the sterile endoscope.

14. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said coupling means further includes an engagement flange; and

said drape ring being positioned at said distal end of said drape for releasable engagement with said engagement flange and said locking ring.

15. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said coupling means includes:

an optical coupler mounting integral with said first end of said coupling means, and an endoscope mounting integral with said second end of said coupling means, said optical coupler mounting being slidably engageable with said endoscope mounting to releasably secure said distal end of said drape between said first and second ends of said coupling means.

16. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, further including:

a sterile disposable wand attachable to said second end of said coupling means prior to attaching the sterile endoscope to said second end of said coupling means, said sterile disposable wand providing support to the camera setup when being attached to said first end of said coupling means.

17. A method of coupling an unsterile camera setup including an optical connector and camera to a sterile endoscope wherein differing endoscopes may be freely interchanged without compromising the sterility of a surgical environment, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a sterile coupler having a first end attachable to the unsterile camera setup and a second end attachable to the sterile endoscope;

providing a sterile drape having an open distal end including a drape ring formed thereon positionable over the first end of the coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the camera setup;

sealing the distal end of the drape around the first end of the coupler by a locking ring engageable with said drape ring and said coupler thereby providing a sterile seal wherein the first end of the coupler is sealed within the drape and the second end of the coupler is exposed to the sterile surgical environment;

inserting the unsterile optical connector mounted to the unsterile camera within the proximal end of the drape;

attaching the unsterile optical connector to the first end of the coupler; and

attaching the sterile endoscope to the second end of the coupler.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further including the step of:

supporting the sterile coupler with a sterile disposable wand attached to the second end thereof prior to attaching the unsterile optical connector to the first end of the coupler; and

detaching the sterile disposable wand from the second end of the sterile coupler prior to attaching the sterile endoscope to the second end of the coupler.

19. A method of coupling an unsterile camera setup to a sterile endoscope wherein sterility is maintained and wherein differing endoscopes may be freely interchanged without compromising the sterility of a surgical environment, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a sterile coupler having a first end releasably attachable to the unsterile camera setup and a second end releasably attachable to the sterile endoscope;

providing a sterile drape having an open end including a drape ring formed thereon positionable between the ends of the sterile coupler wherein the drape provides a first sterile barrier between exterior portions of the ends of the sterile coupler;

sealing the open end of the sterile drape between the ends of the sterile coupler by a locking ring engageable with said drape ring and said coupler;

providing a clear optical pathway within the sterile coupler wherein an image may be transmitted from the endoscope to the camera setup;

providing a window positionable within the sterile coupler along said optical pathway wherein a second sterile barrier is created between the interiors of the first and second ends of the sterile coupler;

attaching the first end of the sterile coupler to the camera setup; and

attaching the second end of the sterile coupler to the sterile endoscope.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, including the further step of:

supporting the sterile coupler with a sterile disposable wand attached to the second end thereof prior to attaching the first end of the sterile coupler to the camera setup; and

detaching the sterile disposable wand from the second end of the sterile coupler prior to attaching the second end of the sterile coupler to the sterile endoscope.

21. An apparatus for optically coupling a sterile endoscope to a sterile camera setup including an unsterile optical connector mounted to an unsterile camera having trailing cables, and for enclosing the unsterile camera setup in a sterile enclosure for use of the unsterile camera setup in a sterile surgical environment, said apparatus comprising:

a sterile coupler having a first end including a first mounting structure for connection to the unsterile optical connector, and having a second end including a second mounting structure for connection to the sterile endoscope, said sterile coupler further having an optical path positioned between said first and second ends thereof through which an image may be transmitted from the sterile endoscope to the unsterile camera;

a sterile barrier positionable between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler;

a sterile drape having an open distal end positionable over said first end of said coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the unsterile optical connector, the unsterile camera and its trailing cables;

means for sealing said distal end of said drape between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler whereby said first end of said coupler is isolated from the sterile surgical environment located outside said drape; and

said first mounting structure includes an optical coupler part having an internal threaded portion, and said second mounting structure includes an endoscope coupler part having external threads for engaging said internal threaded portion to releasably secure said distal end of said drape therebetween.

22. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 21, wherein said sealing means includes:

a locking ring positionable between said optical coupler part and said endoscope coupler part.

23. An apparatus for optically coupling a sterile endoscope to a sterile camera setup including an unsterile optical connector mounted to an unsterile camera having trailing cables, and for enclosing the unsterile camera setup in a sterile enclosure for use of the unsterile camera setup in a sterile surgical environment, said apparatus comprising:

a sterile coupler having a first end including a first mounting structure for connection to the unsterile optical connector, and having a second end including a second mounting structure for connection to the sterile endoscope, said sterile coupler further having an optical path positioned between said first and second ends thereof through which an image may be transmitted from the sterile endoscope to the unsterile camera;

a sterile barrier positionable between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler;

a sterile drape having an open distal end positionable over said first end of said coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the unsterile optical connector, the unsterile camera and its trailing cables;

means for sealing said distal end of said drape between said first and second ends of said sterile coupler whereby said first end of said coupler is isolated from the sterile surgical environment located outside said drape; and

said first mounting structure includes an optical coupler mounting and an interior passageway formed through said optical coupler mounting; and

said second mounting structure includes an endoscope mounting having an annular flange for slidably engaging with said interior passageway to releasably secure said distal end of said drape between said optical coupler mounting and said endoscope mounting.

24. An apparatus for coupling a sterile endoscope to an unsterile camera setup including an unsterile optical connector and an unsterile camera wherein the optical connector and camera are shielded from a sterile surgical environment, said apparatus comprising:

means for coupling the unsterile optical connector and camera to the sterile endoscope, said coupling means including a first end for connection to the unsterile optical connector and a second end for connection to the sterile endoscope;

an optical passageway extending from said first end of said coupling means to said second end of said coupling means enabling an image to be transmitted from the sterile endoscope to the unsterile camera;

means positionable between said first and second ends of said coupling means for providing an optically clear sterile barrier therebetween;

a sterile drape having an open distal end being positionable over said first end of said coupler and having a proximal end extendable over the unsterile camera setup;

means for sealing said open distal end of said sterile drape to said coupling means between said first and second ends thereof to form a fluid and airtight seal; and

an optical coupler part integral with said first end of said coupling means, and an endoscope coupler part integral with said second end of said coupling means, said optical coupler part being attachable to said endoscope coupler part by a threaded connection to releasably secure said distal end of said drape between said first and second ends of said coupling means.