# US 12,108,936 B2 · Anti-fogging endoscopic camera systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,108,936 B2 - Document ID: US12108936B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/149,636 - Filed: 2021-01-14 - Published: 2021-07-15 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-15 - Assignees: Stryker Corporation - Applicants: Stryker Corporation - Inventors: Chien Mien Pang; Levey Tran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108936B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00126: {optical, e.g. for light supply cables} - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/00137: {End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs} - A61B 1/00188: {with focusing or zooming features} - A61B 1/042: {characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera} - A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A coupler for coupling an endoscope to an endoscopic camera head is configured for removably mounting to a portion of the camera head that houses at least one imaging sensor and includes a housing assembly forming a sealed chamber that houses at least one optical component for focusing light for the at least one imaging sensor, and at least one desiccant component that is in air communication with the sealed chamber for absorbing moisture from the sealed chamber, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a desiccant that is at least partially covered by at least one covering to prevent desiccant particulates from entering the sealed chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupler for coupling an endoscope to an endoscopic camera head, the coupler configured for removably mounting to a portion of the camera head that houses at least one imaging sensor, the coupler comprising: a housing assembly comprising a clamp for releasably clamping an eyepiece of the endoscope to the coupler and an adapter configured for coupling to the portion of the camera head, the adapter comprising a cylindrical wall forming a chamber that houses at least one optical component for focusing light for the at least one imaging sensor and a flange that extends outwardly from the cylindrical wall, and at least one desiccant component disposed within at least one pocket of the flange, the at least one desiccant component being in air communication with the chamber for absorbing moisture from the chamber, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a desiccant that is at least partially covered by at least one covering to prevent desiccant particulates from entering the chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the coupler is configured to be sterilized when dismounted from the portion of the camera head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, comprising a first light transmissive component sealing a first end of the chamber and a second light transmissive component sealing a second end of the chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The coupler of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second light transmissive components is adhesively attached to the housing assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical component comprises an optical assembly that comprises an optical assembly housing that houses the at least one optical component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The coupler of claim 5, wherein the optical assembly comprises a plurality of optical components that are fixedly mounted to the optical assembly housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical component is movable within the chamber for focus adjustment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein at least one air pathway leads from the at least one pocket to the chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the desiccant that is at least partially covered by the at least one covering is formed as a single solid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a plurality of spaced apart desiccant components. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one desiccant component is shaped as a tablet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one desiccant component is shaped as a ring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises at least one of silica gel, activated charcoal, calcium chloride, charcoal sulfate, activated alumina, Montmorillonite clay, and molecular sieve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the chamber is at least partially sealed by at least one elastomeric seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, comprising a focusing member for engagement by a user for adjusting a location of the at least one optical component within the chamber and at least one elastomeric seal that seals between the focusing member and the housing assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the housing assembly comprises a plurality of components that are assembled together and at least partially sealed by one or more elastomeric seals. ### Claim 17 An endoscopic camera head comprising: a main housing that houses at least one imaging sensor; and a coupler removably mounted to the main housing and configured for coupling an endoscope to the camera head, the coupler comprising: a housing assembly comprising a clamp for releasably clamping an eyepiece of the endoscope to the coupler and an adapter configured for coupling to the camera head, the adapter comprising a cylindrical wall forming a chamber that houses at least one optical component for focusing light for the at least one imaging sensor and a flange that extends outwardly from the cylindrical wall, and at least one desiccant component disposed within at least one pocket of the flange, the at least one desiccant component being in air communication with the chamber for absorbing moisture from the chamber, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a desiccant that is at least partially covered by at least one covering to prevent desiccant particulates from entering the chamber. ### Claim 18 An endoscopic camera head comprising: a clamp for releasably clamping an eyepiece of an endoscope to the camera head; a cylindrical wall forming a chamber that houses at least one optical component for focusing light for at least one imaging sensor; a flange that extends outwardly from the cylindrical wall; and at least one desiccant component disposed within at least one pocket of the flange, the at least one desiccant component being in air communication with the chamber for absorbing moisture from the chamber, wherein the at least one desiccant component comprises a desiccant that is at least partially covered by at least one covering to prevent desiccant particulates from entering the chamber.