I have started a project with cardio-pediatricians on shooting in the operating room. I use a 40D and 5D, with 16-35LII, 24-105, 70-200L4IS, 85/1.8 and 135L2. My question is regarding the cleaning and sterilizing the lens and camera, would you use tissue soaked with Ethanol on both the body and lenses? Or would you have any other ideas that would no ruin my equipment. Of course I would like to ensure the best possible cleaning.
To give you an idea, here are a few samples from open heart surgery on a 2 days-old baby that was born with an impaired heart (basically no right atria). The complete gallery is here
I think a call to Canon would be in order. I don't think ethanol is something you would want to use. If anything regular rubbing alcohol but not on the lens glass. John
I am a surgeon and would suggest that you do nothing to the camera except to keep it wiped clean so that no dust can go flying from it. None of the ancillary machines in the OR are sterilized since they never come in contact with the wound. Our cameras do not receive any special treatment.
Nice picts.
tomhh wrote:
I am a surgeon and would suggest that you do nothing to the camera except to keep it wiped clean so that no dust can go flying from it. None of the ancillary machines in the OR are sterilized since they never come in contact with the wound. Our cameras do not receive any special treatment.
Nice picts.
Thanks Tom! I was worried, I do keep my equipment fairly clean but do not want to put the baby's life at risk. Best, Fred
Actually an alcohol wipe will Not steralize the camera and lens. To accomplish that you would have to soak both in either ethanol or methanol, something you don't want to do. Instead what I have done was to autoclave (sterilize) a zip-lock plastic bag, first having cut a hole at the sealed end just slightly smaller then the lens opening. Then screw an autoclaved UV filter onto the end of the lens once the body and lens have been placed inside the bag. I doubt any French surgeon will let you in across the Red Line with an unprotected camera and lens.
Regards-Red
Fred Relaix wrote:
Thanks Tom! I was worried, I do keep my equipment fairly clean but do not want to put the baby's life at risk. Best, Fred
I think Tom gave you a very good answer here,
However, to eliminate any doubts, why not ask the surgeon in charge of the procedure you are about to photograph ? His requirements are the ones that count in your case.
We use Cavicide wipes in our hospital for cleaning medical equipment, and I've also used it on my laptop and other electronics I've taken to work with me on occasion (and my personal gear - scissors, stethoscope, etc.). You've got to wear gloves, but it cleans, sterilizes, and dries without leaving any reside. We use it on just about everything, and I've never seen it damage any plastic, rubber, or painted parts. I just bought an old beater 300D, and cleaned it up using those wipes. It also comes in a pump-spray bottle.
I did forget to mention a few things.
Be sure that the patients or their guardians have signed a permit that allows you to take pictures. In many cases it is already on the standard op permit. However, it should be mentioned to the family by the surgeon. Be careful where you post the images.
It is a good idea to ask the surgeon what he thinks about the camera's cleanliness. It looks to me like he has already given an implied OK as you already have some picts.
If you want good specimen picts, you will need a ring flash.
Above is correct - lights/monitors etc. are not sterilised in theatre!
Gloves/surgical gowns/intruments/drapes are sterile
Golden rule is to work out what is and isn't sterile,
plus;
Who is and who isn't! Staff operating lights and the aneathetist and other nurses do not wear starile gowns as they move around the theatre if they are not directly involved in the proceedure.
Final golden rule is don't touch or lean on anything that is part of the sterile field. You could lean over - given permission - as the surgeon would - just don't touch!!
70% ethanol, I use this to clean my camera and lenses on a regular basis and it's fine.
You can also wipe it with Vircon, but a good cleaning with 70% ethanol should suffice. I don't think you can sterilize your camera, you can however sanitize it.
One of the camera raincoats available should suit - do what you must to sterilize
the cover as it's expendable and wipe the camera down after each use but it's hardly
necessary to disinfect the camera with harsh chemicals very often?
seriously guys, if you don't work in a hospital or in other sterile environments, please don't post on this thread. your guesses are worth nothing and just confuse the issue.
I think you could put it inside 2 zip lock bags and then put it in your kitchen freezer over night. Thaw slowly, and bring to the hospital, remove the outer bag as part of your cleaning up prep, and take it out of the second bag inside the operating room. I'm just guessing. I know freezing kills bacteria, but shouldn't kill the camera.
Beautiful photos that capture the solemnity and the precision required for that kind of procedure.
How does one compensate these physicians for their effort? Money is not the issue, and I don't believe one can ever say "thank you" enough times or with enough impact. I believe their reward must be the sense of well being that must come from using their hands, talent and education to help others.
Your photos serve very well as the observer without intruding. The B&W shots in particular seem to force us to concentrate more on the moment, and are very dramatic.
Fred, I'm just curious, did you use a tripod to take those pictures? I would imagine the room to be quite dark to hand hold the camera and take sharp pictures?
dcains wrote:
We use Cavicide wipes in our hospital for cleaning medical equipment, and I've also used it on my laptop and other electronics I've taken to work with me on occasion (and my personal gear - scissors, stethoscope, etc.). You've got to wear gloves, but it cleans, sterilizes, and dries without leaving any reside. We use it on just about everything, and I've never seen it damage any plastic, rubber, or painted parts. I just bought an old beater 300D, and cleaned it up using those wipes. It also comes in a pump-spray bottle.
Are you saying that you have to wear gloves to use the cavicide wipes? So you just take the wipes and wipe the electronics and that will help sterilize the equipment? No need to wait a bit after the cleanup process in order to use the electronics?
Why not make your first enquiry at the medical facility. I've done a couple jobs in an operating room situations. I also do some work with two hospital photographers. As mentioned above don't touch things. No particularly strenuous cleaning rituals were needed. I think most people would also be surprised at how relatively 'not like tv' it is. I guess it's like us, I'm not generally dripping with hot blonds in underwear on most workdays. I'd like to think I'm still puurty coool though
