# US 2008/0188714 A1 · Electromechanical in-situ cleaning of optical elements

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- Number: US 2008/0188714 A1
- Document ID: US20080188714A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/672,476
- Filed: 2007-02-07
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Inventors: Nathaniel J. McCaffrey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188714A1

## CPC

- A61L 2/025: Ultrasonic waves
- A61B 1/00091: {Nozzles}
- A61B 1/121: {provided with means for cleaning post-use}
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A medical device for imaging internal body cavities of a patient includes one or more optical components and one or more vibrating elements. The vibrating elements are selectively activated during the application of a washing liquid over the optical components to enhance the cleaning ability of the liquid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical device, comprising:
a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
one or more optical components at the distal end of the shaft;
a port that directs a washing liquid over the optical components; and
one or more vibrational transducers that are positioned near the optical components and are selectively enabled to vibrate as a washing liquid is directed over the optical components.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical components includes a lens at the distal tip of the shaft and the one or more vibrational transducers are ultrasonic transducers that are positioned adjacent to the lens.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical components includes a window at the distal tip of the shaft and the one or more vibrational transducers are ultrasonic transducers that are positioned adjacent to the window.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic generator for producing driving signals to the one or more vibrational transducers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the medical device further includes a handle, and the ultrasonic generator is in the handle.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the medical device is connectable to a control cabinet, and the ultrasonic generator is in the control cabinet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic generator is in the shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the medical device includes a lens wash button that activates the delivery of a washing liquid towards the optical components, and, wherein, the ultrasonic generator is activated by the lens wash button.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The medical device of claim 4, wherein the delivery of a washing liquid towards the optical components is controlled by a processor that analyzes images of tissue to determine when the optical components need to be cleaned and activates the ultrasonic generator during delivery of the washing liquid.

### Claim 10

A medical device, comprising:
a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
one or more optical components at the distal end of the shaft; and
one or more vibrational transducers that are positioned near the optical components and are selectively enabled to vibrate in order to clean the optical components.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The medical device of claim 10, wherein the one or more vibrational transducers are piezoelectric transducers that are energized to clean the optical components.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The medical device of claim 10, wherein the one or more vibrational transducers include a vibrating electric motor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The medical device of claim 10, wherein the one or more vibrational transducers include an optically transparent, electrically conductive material that functions as a piezoelectric transducer when a driving signal is applied.