Week 5: The Doctor Will See You Now…
Welcome back to my research blog! This week marks a major milestone for the KnoxFog™ project as I wrap up data analysis from our three core experiments and turn my attention to how we’ll implement these findings in real-world surgical settings. If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve compared KnoxFog™ to both uncoated lenses and the predicate VitreOx™ in multiple trials. After crunching the numbers – and hearing enthusiastic feedback from surgeons – here’s where we stand.
Before we dive deep into this weeks goals, I wanted to do a quick knowledge check to make sure we are not confused on any of the key points from week 4. I want to continue this format for future weeks as well so let me know if you like this plan!
Week 5 Quiz (Review of Week 4 Content)
-
In the largest multi-endoscope study you ran, how many endoscopes were tested in parallel?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8 -
Which of the following was a major takeaway from the extended data analysis?
A. KnoxFog™ performs worse than alcohol-based anti-fog sprays.
B. KnoxFog™ showed the longest time-to-fog when it was kept below room temperature.
C. KnoxFog™ outperformed or matched alternative methods in providing extended fog-free visualization.
D. Heating the endoscopes was the only way to achieve over an hour of fog-free viewing. -
Why did you use cold packs around the endoscopes during the experiments?
A. To prevent the endoscopes from cracking in the heated environment.
B. To keep the internal electronics from warming the lenses too much, thus skewing fog-test data.
C. To sterilize the endoscopes before use.
D. To show that KnoxFog™ functions only at very low temperatures. -
What feedback did surgeons at Banner Health provide about the ClearEndoscope™ applicator prototype?
A. They disliked the new silicone casing and found it awkward to handle.
B. They recommended combining it with alcohol-based solutions for quicker drying.
C. They appreciated the one-step application and found it easy to integrate into their workflow.
D. They found no use for anti-fog methods since they rely entirely on heated scopes. -
Which best describes the overall conclusion from the multi-endoscope trials mentioned in Week 4?
A. KnoxFog™ is only effective when used alongside heated lenses.
B. KnoxFog™ maintains clear visibility longer than either heated or alcohol-based solutions alone.
C. Alcohol-based solutions lasted longer than KnoxFog™ in every test.
D. No single anti-fog solution offered a significant improvement over uncoated lenses.
Consolidating the Three Main Experiments
Over the past several weeks, we ran three principal in vitro experiments to see how KnoxFog™ fares against (1) uncoated endoscopes and (2) VitreOx™ (the industry predicate) (3) FogKnox™. In short, we found:
- KnoxFog™ vs. Uncoated Lenses:
- Dramatically longer “time-to-fog,” often exceeding 60+ minutes, while uncoated lenses sometimes fogged in seconds.
- KnoxFog™ vs. VitreOx™:
- When applied as a simple liquid coating, KnoxFog™ consistently matched or slightly surpassed VitreOx™ in extending fog-free clarity.
- KnoxFog™ vs FogKnox™
- While KnoxFog is derived from FogKnox (the names are confusing I know lol), KnoxFog’s semi-solid property that I had brought up first in week 1 makes it a stronger candidate due to longer visibility times.
Reproducibility Checks:
- By switching lens positions and repeating the procedures, we confirmed that KnoxFog™’s performance wasn’t just a fluke – it remained reliably effective across all runs.
Looking Beyond the Basics: Semi-Solid Application
You might recall that in a follow-up study (sometimes called “Experiment #4”), we tested KnoxFog™ in a semi-solid gel form by dipping the endoscope lens into a tilted vial rather than using a liquid dropper. The results were even more impressive, pushing the fog-free window well beyond two hours—a huge leap for endoscopic visualization in longer procedures. Surgeons at Banner Health and elsewhere have been particularly excited about this method because it reduces drip-related mess and wastes far less solution.
Next Steps: Surgical Integration & Prototyping
- Refining the ClearEndoscope™ Applicator:
- We’re now optimizing the single-compartment silicone casing to accommodate this semi-solid formulation, ensuring quick, uniform gel application under sterile conditions.
- In-Depth Sterility & Biocompatibility (pH Testing + animal trials):
- We’ve already seen promising results from earlier tests, but the next stage will involve more rigorous validation, including potential animal trials for safety assurance.
- Expanding Clinical Collaborations:
- Surgeons have provided invaluable feedback on handling, usability, and workflow integration, and I’ll continue working with them to ensure that KnoxFog™ fits seamlessly into diverse surgical environments (laparoscopic, arthroscopic, gastro-endoscopic, and more).
Wrapping Up: Where We Go From Here
With the main experiments completed and the data analyzed, it’s time to move forward. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be finalizing a peer-reviewed paper that summarizes our findings and outlines KnoxFog™’s path toward FDA clearance. Each step brings us closer to a future where fogged lenses are no longer a frequent obstacle in delicate surgeries.
As always, thank you for following this journey – special thanks to Professor Herbots and Mr. Schaffer. Feel free to send any questions my way, especially if you’d like more details on the difference between KnoxFog™’s liquid and semi-solid approaches. Until then, I’ll keep you posted on further developments—stay tuned for more progress, and here’s hoping our work will help bring clearer vision to surgeons everywhere!
Best regards and happy readings,
Shreyash
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