Surgical systems and methods for biofilm removal, including a sheath for use therewith
OwnerDale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis +2inventors
InventorsDale E. Slenker, Cecil O. Lewis, Gerould W. Norman, John R. Prisco
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for one or more of reducing, removing, or preventing growth of bacterial biofilms are provided, including an endoscopic procedure using a surgical instrument adapted to dispense a pressurized flow of irrigant through a nozzle to substantially remove a layer of bacterial biofilm.
Claims20
A system for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the system comprising:
- an irrigation duct in communication with a fluid source;
- a nozzle communicating with the irrigation duct, the nozzle positioned to dispense the fluid directly at a target site;
- an aspiration duct in communication with a vacuum source, the aspiration duct terminating at a distal inlet for aspirating fluid dispensed from the nozzle;
- an endoscope having an elongated insertion tube defining a working end adapted to facilitate imaging the target site;
- and
- a removable endoscope sheath for providing a barrier over at least a portion of the insertion tube during imaging;
- wherein at least one of the irrigation duct and the aspiration duct is associated with the endoscope sheath.
An endoscope sheath for use in removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the sheath comprising:
- an elongated, flexible outer sleeve adapted to receive an insertion tube of an endoscope, the outer sleeve defining a distal end maintaining a viewing window;
- and
- an irrigation duct formed as an elongated tube having a distal end maintaining a nozzle, the nozzle being secured adjacent the viewing window and oriented to direct a pressurized stream of fluid away from the viewing window and directly against a layer of bacterial bio film to mechanically remove the bacterial biofilm without substantially damaging an underlying structure of the target site.
A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, comprising:
- providing a system for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site, the system including an endoscope having an insertion tube defining a working end, an irrigation duct connected to a nozzle, an aspiration duct having an inlet, and a removable endoscope sheath for covering the insertion tube, wherein at least one of the irrigation duct and the aspiration duct is part of the removable endoscope sheath;
- disposing the working end of the endoscope, the inlet of the aspiration duct, and the nozzle, respectively, proximate the target site, the target site including a layer of bacterial biofilm;
- imaging the target site with the working end of the endoscope;
- dispensing a flow of fluid through the nozzle, via the irrigation duct, toward the target site to mechanically remove a substantial portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm;
- and
- collecting the removed bacterial biofilm and the dispensed fluid with the inlet end of the aspiration duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.