Internal (faculty, staff, TA)
BME
2025-2026
Fall
Winter
Spring

ClearView Global

ClearView Global

Summary

Clear surgical visibility in humid operating rooms.

An affordable clamp-on airflow attachment for ophthalmic microscopes. The system directs controlled airflow near the optical path to reduce lens fogging and help surgeons maintain visibility with fewer workflow interruptions.

 

Fogging interrupts surgery.

Patient breathing, humid rooms, and long procedures can create condensation near the microscope lens. A low-cost retrofit can reduce interruptions without replacing existing microscopes.

 

A practical visibility problem in low-resource surgical settings

In warm, humid operating rooms, microscope lenses can fog during cataract and other ophthalmic procedures. Reduced visibility can break concentration, slow the procedure, and require repeated manual clearing.

  • Fogging blocks the surgeon’s view during precision work
  • Manual clearing delays the procedure and disrupts sterile workflow
  • Existing solutions can be costly, bulky, or inconsistent

Technical Approach/Methodology

Directed airflow with hands-free control

The prototype attaches to the microscope and positions a compact fan near the lens using a flexible gooseneck. A foot pedal lets the surgeon cycle airflow levels without using their hands.

  • Clamp-on attachment for existing microscopes
  • Adjustable gooseneck for positioning
  • Compact fan module near the fogging zone
  • Foot pedal control for sterile workflow
  • Arduino Nano ESP32-based speed control

 

Attach

Mount the device to the microscope without replacing core equipment.

Position

Use the gooseneck to aim airflow near the condensation zone.

Control

Cycle through airflow levels with a foot pedal.

Maintain view

Keep the surgical field clearer during humid conditions.

Outcomes

Focused first market

The first target market is ophthalmic clinics in humid, low-resource settings that already use standard microscopes. The device is positioned as an affordable retrofit product that improves visibility and reduces workflow interruptions without requiring major equipment replacement.

 

Direct to User Outcomes

Our clinical partner team at Fundacion Vision in Paraguay will be immediately using our product to help them support their ophthalmic surgeries.