Permanently Avoiding Steam on Camera for Arthroscopy by a Simple Device

Abstract

Steam on the camera may happen in any arthroscopic procedure, especially in shoulder arthroscopy. Although multiple techniques and devices have been applied to avoid steam, it still cannot be prevented completely. We designed a simple device to terminate this problem by protecting against the ingress of water.

Figures

Fig 1

Construction of the device. (A) A hole is cut in the fingertip of the glove (black arrowheads), and the small piece (yellow arrow) is removed. (B) The proximal portion of the arthroscope shaft is passed through the hole, and the fingertip (white arrow) of the glove is very tightly wrapped around the thick distal part of the arthroscope shaft. The light post adaptor (yellow arrow) is unloaded and reloaded so that the glove is passed through more easily. Plicate rubber (red arrowheads) wrapped around the shaft is very helpful for avoiding the ingress of water. (C) The arthroscope light post is much bigger than the hole, so it needs a small trick to pass very carefully without breaking the glove. (D) The distal part of the arthroscope and camera head are sealed up by the glove and incise drape (red arrowheads). The black arrow indicates the fingertip of the glove.