Patent attributes
Devices and methods for cleaning a surgical device, and or end effectors associated with the device, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical device includes a housing, a plurality of shafts extending distally from the housing, a port disposed at a proximal end of the shafts to form a proximal compartment and an end effector receiver disposed at a distal end of the shafts to form a distal compartment. A fluid and/or a vacuum source can be supplied at the port, through the proximal compartment and shafts, and to the distal compartment. The supplied fluid or vacuum source can be effective to remove fluid and/or tissue from the distal compartment. A plurality of seals can be provided on an outer-most shaft in the compartments to seal fluid from the compartments from entering a housing and/or an outside environment. Other devices and exemplary methods are also provided.
