Method of cleaning scope end of endoscope and endoscope with scope end cleaning mechanism
First Claim
1. A method of cleaning a scope end of an endoscope, comprising the steps of:
- injecting water on the scope end for washing out the scope end;
exhaling air on the scope end to blow away remaining drops on the scope end of the water injected at the injecting step; and
inhaling substantially as much an amount of air as exhaled at the exhaling step, slowly enough not to cause dew condensation due to an abrupt pressure decrease.
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Abstract
A method of cleaning scope end of endoscope capable of performing a painless cleaning operation as well as securing a stable direct observation condition, without relying on an operator'"'"'s skill. The method includes the steps of: injecting water towards the scope end for washing out the scope end; exhaling air towards the scope end to blow away remaining drops on the scope end of the water injected at the injecting step; and inhaling as much an amount of air as exhaled at the exhaling step, slowly enough not to cause dew condensation due to an abrupt pressure decrease. An endoscope equipped with scope end cleaning mechanism performing this method is also disclosed.
51 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of cleaning a scope end of an endoscope, comprising the steps of:
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injecting water on the scope end for washing out the scope end; exhaling air on the scope end to blow away remaining drops on the scope end of the water injected at the injecting step; and inhaling substantially as much an amount of air as exhaled at the exhaling step, slowly enough not to cause dew condensation due to an abrupt pressure decrease. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An endoscope with scope and cleaning mechanism which utilizes water injections, air inhalation and air exhalation, comprising:
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a scope with a scope end where exposed ends of optical devices are located; means for injecting water on the scope end for washing out the scope end; means for exhaling air on the scope end to blow away remaining drops on the scope end of the water injected by the injecting means; and means for inhaling substantially as much an amount of air as exhaled by the exhaling means, slowly enough not to cause dew condensation due to an abrupt pressure decrease. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification