Thermal Defogging System and Method

• US 20150238072A1
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cadent Ltd (Align Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Makmel, Nir
• Granted Patent: US 10,111,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/00163 Optical arrangements A61B1/002, A61B1/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/127 with means for preventing fogging A61B1/253 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/253 with means for preventing fogging
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/16 Protecting caps for hand-pieces or angle-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0053 Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/011 Heaters using laterally extending conductive material as connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields

Abstract

A thermal defogging system and method for an optical instrument is described. In one embodiment, the thermal defogging system for an optical instrument is comprised of: at least a primary housing, the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element adapted to be aligned with the aperture for transmission of optical signals, at least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment; and a transparent conductive layer covering an area at least as large as the optical footprint of the transmitted optical signal through the transparent element, wherein responsive to the application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment.

Claims

1. A thermal defogging system for an optical instrument comprising:

at least a primary housing, the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals;

a transparent element adapted to be aligned with the aperture for transmission of optical signals, at least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment; and

a transparent conductive layer covering an area at least as large as the optical footprint of the transmitted optical signal through the transparent element, wherein responsive to the application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment.

2. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 1 wherein the transparent conductive layer is formed on a surface of the transparent element.

3. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 2 wherein the transparent element and the transparent conductive layer formed on the surface of the transparent element comprises a defogging element, the defogging element being coupled to the primary housing.

4. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 3 wherein the defogging element is removably coupled to the primary housing.

5. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 2 further including a secondary housing coupled to the primary housing.

6. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 5 wherein the transparent element and the transparent conductive layer formed on the surface of the transparent element comprises a defogging element, wherein the defogging element is coupled to the secondary housing.

7. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 5 wherein the transparent element and the transparent conductive layer formed on the surface of the transparent element comprises a defogging element, wherein the defogging element is coupled to the primary housing.

8. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 7 further comprising an additional transparent element with no conductive layer, wherein the additional transparent element is coupled to the secondary housing.

9. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 2 wherein the transparent conductive layer is applied to an internal surface of the defogging element.

10. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 2 wherein the transparent conductive layer is applied to an external surface of the defogging element.

11. A thermal defogging system for an optical instrument comprising of:

a secondary housing, the secondary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals; and

a defogging element comprised of a transparent element and a transparent conductive layer, wherein the defogging element is adapted to be aligned with the aperture of the secondary housing and an aperture of a primary housing of an optical instrument, the optical instrument for generating optical signals, wherein the transparent conductive layer covers at least a portion of the transparent element, wherein at least one side of the defogging element faces the external environment, wherein responsive to the application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the least one side of the defogging element facing the external environment.

12. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 11 wherein the secondary housing is coupled to the primary housing such that at least a portion of the primary housing fits within the secondary housing.

13. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 11 wherein the defogging element is housed within the secondary housing.

14. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 11 wherein the optical instrument is a medical device and the defogging element is disposable after each use.

15. The housing recited in claim 11 wherein the optical instrument is a medical device and the secondary housing is disposable after each use.

16. A housing for use with a defogging system for an optical instrument comprising of:

a secondary housing, the secondary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals;

and a transparent element housed within the secondary housing, the transparent element adapted to be aligned with the aperture of the secondary housing and with a defogging element that is aligned with the aperture of a primary housing of an optical instrument, the optical instrument for generating optical signals, wherein responsive to the application of power to the transparent conductive layer of the defogging element, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the external surface of the transparent element housed within the secondary housing.

17. The housing recited in claim 16 wherein the secondary housing is coupled to the primary housing such that at least a portion of the primary housing fits within the secondary housing.

18. The housing recited in claim 16 wherein the defogging element is housed within the primary housing.

19. The housing recited in claim 17 wherein responsive to application of power to the transparent conductive layer, heat is thermally communicated from the defogging element to the transparent layer housed within the secondary housing.

20. The housing recited in claim 16 wherein the optical instrument is a medical device and the secondary housing and transparent element are disposable after each use.

21. A thermal defogging system for an optical instrument is comprised of:

at least a primary housing, the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element adapted to be aligned with the aperture for transmission of optical signals, at least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment; and

a transparent conductive layer covering at least a portion of the transparent element, wherein responsive to the application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated to the least one side of the transparent element facing the external environment.

22. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 21 wherein the transparent conductive layer covers an area at least as large as the optical footprint of the transmitted optical signal through the transparent element,

23. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 21 wherein the transparent conductive layer covers an area at least as large as the aperture of the primary housing,

24. The thermal defogging system recited in claim 21 further including a secondary housing coupled to the primary housing, wherein the transparent element and the transparent conductive layer formed on the surface of the transparent element comprises a defogging element, wherein the defogging element is coupled to the secondary housing, wherein the transparent conductive layer covers an area at least as large as an aperture defined by the secondary housing.