DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REMOVAL OF DEBRIS FROM THE OBJECTIVE LENS OF AN ENDOSCOPE

• US 20100174144A1
• Filed: 05/31/2008
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medeon Biosurgical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medeon Biosurgical, Inc.
• Inventors: Hsu, Senzan, Hsu, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,979,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0057 Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00663 the implement being a suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00676 promotion of self-sealing of the puncture

Abstract

The invention encompasses devices and methods used to keep the objective lens of a viewing or illuminating device, specifically an endoscope, free from obstructive fluid and dirt; specifically a device having a hollow body designed to fit over an endoscope, and a transparent lens cover film that is retained within the device and that is threaded in front of the objective lens of an endoscope, thereby maintaining a clear and unobstructed transparent window in front of the endoscope lens.

Claims

1. A device for maintaining a clear optical path comprising:

a. an elongated hollow body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongated hollow body defines a lumen adapted to receive the viewing apparatus;

b. a guide element coupled with the elongated hollow body, and

c. a transparent lens cover film movably associated with the guide element wherein the transparent lens cover film is guided by the guide element so as to describe a preset travel path passing in front of the lens of the viewing apparatus.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lumen of the device is adapted to receive an endoscope or laparoscope.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the device is configured to allow the surface of the transparent lens cover film pass in front of the lens of the viewing apparatus, so that the surface of the film is substantially parallel to the endoscope or laparoscope lens surface.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated hollow body further comprises a transparent window sealing the distal end, wherein the transparent window provides a complete separation of the luminal space and the exterior surface of the device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the preset travel path is unidirectional.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the preset travel path is bidirectional.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow body has a length that is adjustable.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated hollow body comprises at least one passageway allowing the passage of air, fluids, debris, or an instrument.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow body is adapted to receive an illuminating apparatus.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the apparatus comprises a frame or a scaffold.

9. (canceled)

11-15. -15. (canceled)

16. An apparatus for maintaining an optical property comprising:

a. an optical apparatus; and

b. a movable member containing a first portion and a second portion;

wherein the first portion overlaps at least part of the optical apparatus;

wherein the first portion is replaceable with the second portion, so that an optical property is retained when at least part of the first portion is replaced with at least part of the second portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the optical apparatus comprises a camera, a video device, an image capturing device, an image device, an endoscope, or a laparoscope.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the optical apparatus comprises a light emitting element.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the optical apparatus comprises an animal eye.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least some portion of the movable member is transparent.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the movable member comprises a film structure.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the movable member forms a cover over the optical apparatus.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a continuous layer.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first portion is movably replaceable by the second portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the optical property comprises a visible view or an illuminating element.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising at least two guide passageways capable of receiving the movable member across a lens, so that the movable member covers substantial portion of the lens of the optical apparatus.

27. A method of maintaining an optical property comprising:

a. coupling at least a portion of a movable member with an optical apparatus;

wherein the movable member contains a first part overlapping at least a portion of the optical apparatus; and

b. replacing the first part of the movable member with a second part of the movable member, so that an optical property is retained.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the optical property comprises a visible view.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising moving at least a portion of the movable member in a direction substantially parallel to a lens of the optical apparatus.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the optical property comprises an illuminating element.

31. The method of claim 27 further comprising removing a physical substance from a viewing portion of the optical apparatus by replacing the first part of the movable member with the second part of the movable member.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the movable member forms a cover over optical apparatus.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the movable member comprises a transparent film structure.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first part and the second part of the movable member form a continuous layer.