Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized the care of patients with cancer. Compared with the bigger incisions of traditional “open” surgery, MIS uses several small incisions to introduce a surgical camera (scope) and instruments into a body cavity. Specific to patients undergoing cancer surgery, MIS results in: 1) a higher chance of receiving and tolerating chemotherapy or radiation after surgery, 2) fewer complications from surgery after preoperative chemotherapy, 3) improved quality-of-life, and 4) preservation of important anti-tumor immune responses. A major, unsolved problem for all MIS is that the lens of the surgical scope is repeatedly soiled by blood and debris, which dec...

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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized the care of patients with cancer. Compared with the bigger incisions of traditional “open” surgery, MIS uses several small incisions to introduce a surgical camera (scope) and instruments into a body cavity. Specific to patients undergoing cancer surgery, MIS results in: 1) a higher chance of receiving and tolerating chemotherapy or radiation after surgery, 2) fewer complications from surgery after preoperative chemotherapy, 3) improved quality-of-life, and 4) preservation of important anti-tumor immune responses. A major, unsolved problem for all MIS is that the lens of the surgical scope is repeatedly soiled by blood and debris, which decreases the ability to see the surgical field. Vision is typically impaired when clarity is needed most, for example, when active bleeding soils the lens. The current, standard practice for cleaning the surgical scope requires stopping the operation. The scope is removed from the patient, its lens is wiped, anti-fog solution applied, and then is reinserted into the patient. This practice compromises patient safety by increasing the risks of surgical errors and complications. Operating room time, cost, and patient anesthesia are all increased, as well as the frustration of the surgical team. In this application, a team led by a surgeon scientist and a seasoned medical technology developer will design, test, and commercialize a simple and cost effective solution to this problem that will lessen each of these major MIS deficiencies and optimize those benefits specific to cancer patients. We have engineered a camera cleaning function, a mini “car wash,” into the small plastic ports that are already used to introduce the endoscope through the small incisions of all MIS procedures. This innovative mechanism will provide rapid and effective lens cleaning with a simple surgical motion that does not disrupt the procedure.

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