# US 11,026,568 B2 · Fluid filtration, cleaning, and defogging device

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- Number: US 11,026,568 B2
- Document ID: US11026568B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/545,385
- Filed: 2019-08-20
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-11-02
- Assignees: Buffalo Filter LLC
- Applicants: Buffalo Filter LLC
- Inventors: Michael J. Miller; William Kellner; Kyrylo Shvetsov; Greg Pepe; Samantha Bonano
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026568B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/123: {using washing machines}
- A61B 1/121: {provided with means for cleaning post-use}
- A61B 1/127: {with means for preventing fogging (A61B1/253 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/128: {provided with means for regulating temperature}
- A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
- A61L 2202/122: Chambers for sterilisation
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

Presented is a method and apparatus for aiding medical procedures. An apparatus includes a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and a interior, and a first cleaning element maintained within the interior relative to the first opening, the first cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning agent operable to remove extraneous debris from an object. The apparatus further includes a second cleaning element maintained with the interior relative to the second opening, the second cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning material and at least one white reference material, the at least one cleaning material operable to remove debris from an object. The apparatus also includes a conduit defining a passage from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of aiding medical procedures, the method comprising:
(a) providing a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and an interior;
(b) providing a first cleaning element maintained within the interior relative to the first opening, the first cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning agent operable to remove extraneous debris from an object;
(c) providing a second cleaning element maintained with the interior relative to the second opening, the second cleaning element comprising at least one cleaning material and at least one white reference material, the at least one cleaning material operable to remove debris from an object; and
(d) providing a conduit defining a passage from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, the conduit comprising at least one filter and at least one liquid trap, the conduit operable to allow a flow from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing and to remove debris from the flow.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a microfiber material fixedly attached to an outside surface of the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is occluded by a first frangible disc operable to maintain the at least one cleaning agent within the first opening, and wherein the second opening is occluded by a second frangible disc.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, the conduit further comprising a flow selector operable to change a rate of flow of fluid through the conduit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, the first opening and the second opening each comprising at least one illumination device operable to at least partially indicate a location of the first opening and the second opening.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising providing a power source operably coupled to an electrical resistance element, the electrical resistance element operable to heat the interior.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein the electrical resistance element is a printed circuit board (PCB).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning agent is a porous material operable to receive and hold a cleaning solution.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning material is a pair of sponges, and the at least one white reference material forms a V-shape operable to accept a scope.