Scope warmer with disposable sterile casing
First Claim
1. Apparatus for warming an endoscope or laparoscope having a shaft with a distal optical element susceptible to fogging, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongated heater unit having an elongated outer wall and an elongated inner cavity and a heating element to heat the cavity;
a battery within the heater unit operative to power the heating element; and
a sterile, disposable casing including an elongated inner sleeve with a closed end configured to be received within the elongated inner cavity of the heater unit, the casing further including an elongated outer sleeve configured to cover the outer wall of the heater unit, the elongated outer sleeve including an opening to receive the heater unit, and a closure to seal the opening such that the heater unit is contained entirely within the sterile, disposable casing when the closure is sealed, thereby enabling an endoscope or laparoscope to be inserted into an open end of the outer sleeve to be warmed by the heater unit while preventing the heater unit from entering a sterile field.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A laparoscope/endoscope warmer includes a rechargeable heater with an inexpensive, disposable casing so that the expensive portions of the system can be reused. An elongated heater has an outer wall, a closed end and an open end into a cavity having an inner wall. A heating element such as a heating coil is disposed between the inner and outer walls of the heater. A rechargeable battery within the heater powers the heating element. The heater fits into a charging base operative to recharge the rechargeable battery through cooperating electrical contacts or an inductive coupling. The sterile casing includes an inner sleeve that fits into the cavity of the heater unit, providing a receptacle to receive and warm the rod of an endoscope or laparoscope.
8 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for warming an endoscope or laparoscope having a shaft with a distal optical element susceptible to fogging, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongated heater unit having an elongated outer wall and an elongated inner cavity and a heating element to heat the cavity; a battery within the heater unit operative to power the heating element; and a sterile, disposable casing including an elongated inner sleeve with a closed end configured to be received within the elongated inner cavity of the heater unit, the casing further including an elongated outer sleeve configured to cover the outer wall of the heater unit, the elongated outer sleeve including an opening to receive the heater unit, and a closure to seal the opening such that the heater unit is contained entirely within the sterile, disposable casing when the closure is sealed, thereby enabling an endoscope or laparoscope to be inserted into an open end of the outer sleeve to be warmed by the heater unit while preventing the heater unit from entering a sterile field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification