US 11,375,887 B2Granted

Imaging element cleaning apparatus

AssigneeClearCam Inc.

InventorsJames Landon Gilkey, Mitchell Ross Gilkey

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Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an effective and reliable approach for cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of apparatuses including but not limited to medical imaging instruments such as endoscopes and laparoscopes and the like. In the case of medical imaging instruments, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments the present invention can be cleaned while the distal end portion of the endoscope is in vivo. Such apparatuses have a cleaning member incorporated therein (e.g., a resilient polymeric wiper, a sponge, an absorbent pad or the like) that is used for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element. The apparatus is preferably adapted for being mounted on imaging apparatus but can also be entirely or partially integral with one or more components of the imaging apparatus or system of which it is a component.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A cleaning member adjusting mechanism of an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus, wherein the cleaning apparatus includes a chassis adapted for having an endoscope engaged therewith, a cleaning member attached to the chassis at a location adjacent to an imaging element of the endoscope when the endoscope is mounted on the chassis and a coupling element having a distal end portion thereof fixedly attached to the cleaning member, wherein a cleaning member movement mechanism is attached to chassis and has a movable coupling element engaging structure thereof fixedly attached to a proximate end portion of the coupling element for enabling selective imaging element cleaning movement of the cleaning member relative to the chassis, wherein the cleaning member adjusting mechanism comprises:

an adjustment control body rotatably attached to the at least one of the chassis and the cleaning member movement mechanism;
and
an interlocked interface structure that translates rotational movement of a first structural element thereof to axial displacement of a second structural element thereof;
wherein the interlocked interface structure is a threaded interface structure;
wherein the adjustment control body includes a user interface portion and a cleaning member movement mechanism engaging structure attached to the user interface portion;
and
wherein the cleaning element movement mechanism engaging structure and the cleaning element movement mechanism are coupled to each other through a respective one of said structural elements of the interlocked interface structure such that rotation of the user interface portion of the adjustment control body provides a corresponding axial displacement of the coupling element engaging structure.

4 more elements

An in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus, comprising:

an elongated body including a central passage adapted for having an extension portion of an endoscope seated therein, wherein a distal end portion of the elongated body has an opening therein through which an imaging element attached to the extension portion of the endoscope is accessible when the extension portion of the endoscope is in a seated configuration within the central passage of the elongated body;
a cleaning member adjacent to the opening at the distal end portion of the elongated body;
a user interface body connected to a proximate end of the elongated body;
a coupling element fixedly attached at a distal end portion thereof to the cleaning member;
a cleaning member movement mechanism mounted on the chassis and coupled to the cleaning member through the coupling element for enabling the cleaning member to be selectively moved into and away from contact with the imaging element through movement of a movement control body of the cleaning member movement mechanism;
and
an axial position adjuster movably engaged with at least one of the user interface body and the cleaning member movement mechanism, wherein the axial position adjuster is attached to the coupling element through an interlocked interface structure that causes movement an adjustment control body of the axial position adjuster to provide a corresponding axial displacement of the coupling element and wherein the interlocked interface structure includes a first structural element threadedly engaged with a second structural element thereof.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/593,244Filed 4 Oct 2019
Published: US 2021/0100444 A18 Apr 2021
Granted: 5 Jul 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A61B 1/126
With cooling or rinsing arrangements: provided with means for cleaning in-use
A61B 1/00066
Constructional details of the endoscope body: proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles
A61B 1/00087
Characterised by distal tip features: tools
A61B 1/00112
Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g.…:…