Week 9: Clarity, Coatings, and Closing Loops
Welcome back to the final weeks of the ClearEndoscope™ and KnoxFog™ blog series! Over the past nine weeks, we’ve journeyed through the inner workings of our biomedical engineering project— from ideation to experimentation (all the complicated theory) , and from materials science to molecular magic.
This week we will sum up everything and talk about what we learned over these past 9 weeks!
🧠 From Brainstorm to Breakthrough
It all started with a simple, yet critical, problem: fogging during endoscopic surgery. In those high-stakes moments, even a second of impaired vision can mean the difference between success and complication.
Thanks to KnoxFog™—our super-hydrophilic anti-fog coating—and ClearEndoscope™, the platform through which we’re revolutionizing surgical visibility.
🔬 The Scientific Trail We’ve Created
Let’s rewind and recap the highlights:
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Week 1–2:
We laid the foundation, defining the problem and scoping out current solutions in the market. Our brainstorming led to a novel idea: what if we could engineer a surface that didn’t repel water—but embraced it? -
Week 3–4:
We began prototyping. Using UV-curable hydrophilic polymers and glass slides, we started testing how fog behaves on treated vs. untreated surfaces. We explored sterilization methods (autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma) to simulate real clinical prep. -
Week 5:
We conducted time-to-fog experiments and captured clarity metrics through high-resolution imaging. The early results? Promising—but we knew we could go deeper. -
Week 6:
We pivoted to microscopic surface analysis, checking uniformity and durability under lab conditions. Each iteration brought us closer to a stable, transparent, biocompatible coating. -
Week 7:
We explored biocompatibility and antibacterial properties, testing KnoxFog™ in agar environments with E. coli and Lactobacillus. No toxicity, no bacterial adhesion—just clarity. -
Week 8:
We went full physics mode, diving into surface energy, contact angles, and the Van Oss-Chaudhury-Good theory. Using Three Liquid Contact Angle Analysis (3LCAA) and the Young Equation, we decoded what makes a surface fog—or fight it.
💡 What We’ve Learned
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Surface energy isn’t just theory—it’s the foundation of fog resistance.
By designing a high-energy surface, we’ve created a lens that pulls water into a flat, light-permitting film. -
Measurement matters.
Tools like DROP™ and 3LCAA helped us quantify success—taking guesswork out of the equation. -
Biomed innovation is holistic.
It’s not just about the coating. It’s about biocompatibility, surgical workflow integration, and real-time visibility.
🛠️ Next Steps
Though this marks the end of our formal blog series, our work is just beginning. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
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💡 Durability optimization: Improving KnoxFog™’s longevity under sterilization and storage.
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🧪 Clinical simulations: Real-world testing with surgeons under controlled humidity and temperature.
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🚀 FDA pathways: Continuing research with our mentors to build out regulatory and commercialization frameworks.
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🧬 Material customization: Tailoring the coating for different types of endoscopes and other optical surgical tools.
🎉 Thank You
To our readers, lab mentors, and surgical advisors—thank you. Your insights, feedback, and support fueled every breakthrough we’ve shared. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—and we’re grateful for this collaborative journey.
From brainstorm to biocompatible brilliance, we’ve shown that a fog-free future in surgery is not only possible—it’s already forming.
Until next time,
Stay curious – and stay clear.
Team ClearEndoscope™
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