Instrument port for minimally invasive cardiac surgery

An instrument port for introducing an instrument into a surgical site, wherein the instrument comprises an instrument channel extending therethrough, the instrument port comprising:

• a port body including a body channel extending therethrough from an insertion end to a manipulative end of the port body, wherein the body channel is configured to receive the instrument;
• an imaging system disposed within a transparent bulb formed at the insertion end of the port body, wherein the imaging system comprises an imaging device and an illumination device;
• a flush line having an outlet at the insertion end of the port body, the flush line configured to rinse an area directly in front of the transparent bulb to provide a clear optical line of sight for the imaging device;
• a one-way valve at the insertion end of the port body, wherein the one-way valve forms a fluid-tight seal between the surgical site and the body channel and wherein the one-way valve opens when the instrument is introduced through the one-way valve into the surgical site;
• a fluid inlet at the manipulative end of the port body and in fluid communication with the body channel, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and to introduce the fluid, at the manipulative end of the port body, into the body channel;
• a fluid outlet at the manipulative end of the port body and configured to be in fluid communication with a manipulative end of the instrument channel when the one-way valve is closed, wherein the fluid outlet is configured to be connected to a suction source;
• and
• wherein application of suction to the fluid outlet by the suction source when the one-way valve is closed causes fluid to be drawn into the fluid inlet from the fluid source, through the body channel between an outer surface of the instrument and an inner wall of the body channel from the manipulative end to the insertion end of the port body, into an insertion end of the instrument channel, through the instrument channel towards the manipulative end, and out through the fluid outlet to remove emboli from the body channel and the instrument channel.