Week 7: One-Step Applicator Refinements & Next Steps in Animal Testing
Welcome back to our weekly series on ClearEndoscope™ and KnoxFog™ progress! If you recall from Week 6, we introduced our newly simplified, single-compartment silicone applicator and shared our excitement about its successful first animal trial on a pig. This week, we’ll dive into further tweaks to the applicator design, lessons learned from continuing testing, and what’s on the horizon.
But first, let’s kick things off with a quick five-question quiz to refresh your memory and gear you up for the latest updates.
Week 7 Quiz
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What was the most significant design change we reported last week?
A. A multifunctional nozzle
B. Switching from two compartments to a single silicone compartment
C. Replacing silicone with stainless steel
D. Combining KnoxFog™ and FogKnox™ into one brand -
Why was the original two-compartment applicator phased out?
A. It was too heavy
B. Hospitals disliked two colors
C. The extra drying compartment slowed down the workflow
D. Surgeons requested more compartments -
What was the main purpose of our very first animal trial?
A. To show that KnoxFog™ can replace operating room lights
B. To test the safety and efficacy of KnoxFog™ under real surgical conditions
C. To develop new branding images
D. To see if the pig would notice the lens coating -
Which statement best reflects what we learned from our first pig study?
A. The pig insisted on wearing goggles
B. Fogging still occurred immediately in a humid environment
C. The new single-step applicator was simpler to manage and provided consistent clarity
D. The pig’s lens spontaneously cracked after applying KnoxFog™ -
What is the advantage of using a silicone applicator to apply KnoxFog™?
A. It’s heavier and more time-consuming
B. It’s easy to sterilize and streamlines the coating process
C. It demands multiple drying phases
D. It only works in dimly lit rooms
(Answers are at the end – no peeking!)
Refining the Single-Step Applicator
After our initial success with the pig trial, we took a closer look at how the new one-compartment approach could be fine-tuned. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
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Tweaking the Applicator Mouthpiece
Some surgeons noted that certain endoscope lenses are slightly wider than others. To ensure a universal fit, we tested a few revised mouthpiece shapes, each designed to accommodate a slightly larger lens diameter. We’re carefully balancing “snug” enough for even coating but not so tight that it’s a hassle to use. -
Sterility Maintenance
The single silicone compartment has remained easy to sterilize, but we’re exploring slightly different silicone blends to see if they can withstand more types of sterilization protocols (e.g., autoclave vs. cold sterilant). Stay tuned for data on that! -
User Feedback Loop
In addition to surgeons, we’re working with OR nurses—often the real MVPs in prepping and handling instruments. They appreciate that the single-step device cuts down on the “dip-and-wait” routine, and we’ve integrated their tips for labeling the applicator to avoid confusion with other sponges or wipes on the sterile tray.
Further Animal Testing: More Pigs, Different Scopes
Encouraged by our first live pig trial, we’re lining up additional pig studies using laparoscopes of different brands and diameters. We want to confirm:
- Scalability: Will the same KnoxFog™ formula and applicator technique work seamlessly across multiple scope types?
- Durability: Does the single-step approach stand up to longer procedures or repeated scope insertions?
- Consistency: Is the lens clarity just as good after multiple re-entries or lens wipes?
We’re currently logging these trials in real time, measuring how clear the lens stays under various temperature and humidity challenges. While we can’t overpromise, initial results look promising—KnoxFog™ still shows minimal fogging even in high-moisture environments.
Sneak Peek: Cool Visuals Coming Your Way
You might remember I mentioned some nifty side-by-side comparisons of KnoxFog™ versus other antifog solutions. I’ve finally got the images ready! In these visuals, you’ll see:
- Drop Test: A single drop of condensation on a lens coated with KnoxFog™ vs. a standard alcohol-based solution. (Spoiler: one lens forms big droplets, the other is uniformly clear!)
- Before & After Shots: Side-by-side images highlighting how quickly KnoxFog™ stabilizes into a crystal-clear film.
I’ve also thrown in a few behind-the-scenes pics showing what the pig trial setup looked like. Keep an eye out for these snapshots in our next update—I promise they’re as educational as they are fascinating.
Next on the Horizon
- Potential Additional Animal Models: While pigs are great analogs for certain human tissues, we’re discussing whether a second species might offer added insight—nothing final yet, but we’ll keep you updated.
- Regulatory Pathway: All the data from these trials feeds directly into the documentation we’re preparing for FDA submissions.
- More Surgeon Feedback: We’ll be hosting a small workshop soon, gathering surgeons from various specialties (ENT, GI, laparoscopic) to try out the single-step applicator in a simulated OR environment.
It’s been an exciting journey so far—who knew a shift from two compartments to one could simplify so many steps in the operating room?
Answers to the Quiz
- B (We went from two compartments to a single silicone compartment)
- C (Having a separate drying compartment slowed things down)
- B (We want to ensure KnoxFog™ works safely and effectively in real surgical conditions)
- C (The single-step method simplified tasks, and lens clarity was consistently good)
- B (Silicone is easy to sterilize and speeds up the coating process)
Thanks for tuning in this week, friends! Keeping fog off endoscopic lenses may sound like a small detail, but it’s often the little details that make a huge difference in surgical outcomes—and that’s what keeps us going.
As always, feel free to drop your comments below, and I’ll see you next time with more data, visuals, and (fingers crossed) even more good news from the front lines of fog-free imaging!
Cheers and clear views,
Shreyash
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