Method and Apparatus for Cleaning the Field of View of an Endoscopic Lens
First Claim
1. An endoscope lens protection apparatus, wherein the endoscope includes an endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end and a lens positioned at a distal end of the endoscope body, the protection apparatus comprising:
- a clear indexable film strip positioned over the endoscope lens having an underside surface and an opposite exposed surface, such that the underside surface is positioned to face the endoscope lens, and the incision side surface is exposed;
wherein the indexable film is movable from a clean film position to a used film position, such that, in operation, the indexable film is advanced from a point in front of the lens to a used film position out of the endoscope field of view.
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Abstract
An endoscope lens protection apparatus may include a clear indexable film strip positioned over the endoscope lens having an underside surface and an opposite exposed surface, such that the underside surface is positioned to face the endoscope lens, and the incision side surface is exposed; wherein the indexable film is movable from a clean film position to a used film position, such that, in operation, the indexable film is advanced from a point in front of the lens to a used film position out of the endoscope field of view, and may further include a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end defining a chamber therebetween configured to receive the endoscope body, an interior sheath surface defining a film supply channel and a film retraction channel. A sealing mechanism associated with the sheath may also be included.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoscope lens protection apparatus, wherein the endoscope includes an endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end and a lens positioned at a distal end of the endoscope body, the protection apparatus comprising:
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a clear indexable film strip positioned over the endoscope lens having an underside surface and an opposite exposed surface, such that the underside surface is positioned to face the endoscope lens, and the incision side surface is exposed; wherein the indexable film is movable from a clean film position to a used film position, such that, in operation, the indexable film is advanced from a point in front of the lens to a used film position out of the endoscope field of view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of maintaining a clear field of view during endoscopic surgery using an endoscope including an endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end and a lens positioned at a distal end of the endoscope body, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning the endoscope into a surgical incision of a patient; advancing an indexable film in front of the endoscope lens field of view; viewing the surgery site through the endoscope lens and the indexable film; and advancing the indexable film, when the endoscope field of view becomes obstructed, wherein the film positioned in the field of view is moved to a used film position, and an unused portion of the film in the endoscope field of view providing an unobstructed view of the surgery site through the endoscope lens. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An endoscope system comprising:
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an endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end and a lens positioned at a distal end of the endoscope body; an indexable film strip; and a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end defining a chamber therebetween configured to receive the endoscope body, an interior surface of the sheath defining a film supply channel and an opposite film retraction channel, the supply channel and retraction channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the sheath, wherein the indexable film extends from and is movable from the proximal end of the sheath, through the film supply channel, around a point in front of the endoscope lens in the endoscope field view, and through the film retraction channel back to the proximal end of the sheath.
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Specification