# US 2010/0168520 A1 · View optimizer and stabilizer for use with surgical scopes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0168520 A1 - Document ID: US20100168520A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/635,632 - Filed: 2009-12-10 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-10 - Assignees: Minimally Invasive Devices, LLC - Inventors: Wayne L. Poll; Matthew J. Huddleston; Caroline M. Crisafulli; Adam Landis; Gregory Drach - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100168520A1 ## CPC - A61B 1/127: {with means for preventing fogging (A61B1/253 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00091: {Nozzles} - A61B 1/00135: {Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion} - A61B 1/00142: {with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath} - A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation - A61B 1/126: {provided with means for cleaning in-use} - A61B 1/313: for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes - A61B 1/3132: {for laparoscopy} - A61B 17/3474: {Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles} - A61M 13/003: {Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing} - A61B 2017/347: {Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula} - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present application discloses several devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In some embodiments, the view optimizer is provided in multiple parts enabling separation of one or more operator control features from engagement with the surgical scope. In some embodiments, the view optimizer features stabilization means for securement and positioning with the surgical scope. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A view optimizer for use with a surgical scope, the view optimizer adapted to be supplied with gas from an insufflator that operates to insufflate a body cavity to a predetermined pressure and to cycle between an insufflating state when the pressure within the body cavity is below the predetermined pressure and a static state when the pressure within the body cavity is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure, the view optimizer comprising: a lens guard; at least one delivery passageway defined within the lens guard that is adapted to deliver at least a portion of gas from the insufflator to an outer surface of an objective lens of the surgical scope when the view optimizer is assembled with the surgical scope; a gas accumulator that is in operable communication with the at least one delivery passageway and is adapted to store at least a portion of the gas supplied from the insufflator, the gas accumulator being further adapted to deliver gas stored within the gas accumulator to the at least one delivery passageway when the insufflator is in the static state so as to maintain essentially continuous flow of gas through the at least one delivery passageway, wherein the lens guard is remote from the gas accumulator and is in communication therewith only through one or more conduits. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The view optimizer according to claim 1 wherein the lens guard is adapted to deliver a stream of gas at an essentially continuous rate of 0.07 liters per minute to 10 liters per minute, and at an average velocity from 0.01 to 30 meters per second. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The view optimizer according to claim 1 comprising, a lens guard stabilizing means that engages with the lens guard and one or more components of the surgical scope and prevents rotational movement between the lens guard and the surgical scope. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The view optimizer according to claim 3 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an external portion of the lens guard and is adapted to be fixable thereto and to receive and retain one or more components of the surgical scope so that engagement between the stabilizing means, the lens guard and the surgical scope components fixes and secures the relative positions of the lens guard and the surgical scope so as to prevent rotational movement between them. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The view optimizer according to claim 4 wherein the stabilizing means comprises a blocker having at least two elongate extensions, wherein at least one extension engages fixably with the lens guard and at least a second extension engages with the surgical scope. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The view optimizer according to claim 5 wherein the stabilizing means is a blocker having a substantially fork shape with one extension that engages fixable with the lens guard and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are adapted to receive a portion of the surgical scope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The view optimizer according to claim 3 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an internal portion of the lens guard and is adapted to be fixable thereto and to receive and retain the cylindrical body of a surgical scope so that engagement between the stabilizing means, the lens guard and the surgical scope components fixes and secures the relative positions of the lens guard and the surgical scope so as to prevent rotational movement between them. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The view optimizer according to claim 7 wherein the stabilizing means comprises a cam grip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The view optimizer according to claim 8 wherein the cam grip comprises a flexible and compressible grommet and a collet that is actuated by a cam means to grip the grommet into close engagement with the surgical scope body. ### Claim 10 A view optimizer for use with a surgical scope, comprising: a lens guard engageable with a surgical scope and having at least a first passageway that has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the passageway connected to a source of gas, the distal end oriented to deliver gas to an outer surface of an objective lens of the surgical scope when the view optimizer is assembled with the surgical scope, the lens guard adapted to deliver a stream of gas to the outer surface of the objective lens at an essentially continuous rate of 0.07 liters per minute to 10 liters per minute, and at an average velocity from 0.01 to 30 meters per second, and a gas delivery actuator wherein the lens guard is remote from the gas delivery actuator and is in communication therewith only through one or more conduits. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The view optimizer according to claim 10 comprising, a lens guard stabilizing means that engages with the lens guard and one or more components of the surgical scope and prevents rotational movement between the lens guard and the surgical scope. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The view optimizer according to claim 11 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an external portion of the lens guard and comprises a blocker having a substantially fork shape with one extension that engages fixable with the lens guard and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are adapted to receive a portion of the surgical scope. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The view optimizer according to claim 11 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an internal portion of the lens guard and comprises a cam grip that comprises a flexible and compressible grommet and a collet that is actuated by a cam means to grip the grommet into close engagement with the surgical scope body. ### Claim 14 A view optimizer for use with a surgical scope, the view optimizer supplied with gas from an insufflator, the insufflator adapted to insufflate a body cavity to a predetermined pressure, the insufflator adapted to cycle between and insufflating state when the pressure within the body cavity is below the predetermined pressure and a static state when the pressure within the body cavity is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure, the view optimizer comprising: a lens guard; a first passageway, at least a portion of the first passageway defined within the lens guard, the first passageway having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to a source of gas, the distal end oriented to deliver gas to an outer surface of an objective lens of the surgical scope when the view optimizer is assembled with the surgical scope; and an exhaust passageway, at least a portion of the exhaust passageway defined within the lens guard, the exhaust passageway having a distal end including at least one vent that is open to an outer surface of the lens guard, and a proximal end connected to an exhaust valve movable between open and closed positions; wherein when the view optimizer is inserted into a body cavity and the valve is in the open position, gas surrounding the distal end of the exhaust passageway is permitted to enter the exhaust passageway through the at least one vent and exit the body cavity through the exhaust passageway, wherein the gas exiting the body cavity through the exhaust passageway prevents the pressure within the body cavity from equaling or exceeding the predetermined pressure and thereby prevents the insufflator from cycling to the static state, and a an exhaust actuator wherein the lens guard is remote from the exhaust actuator and is in communication therewith only through one or more conduits. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The view optimizer according to claim 14 comprising, a lens guard stabilizing means that engages with the lens guard and one or more components of the surgical scope and prevents rotational movement between the lens guard and the surgical scope. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The view optimizer according to claim 15 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an external portion of the lens guard and comprises a blocker having a substantially fork shape with one extension that engages fixable with the lens guard and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are adapted to receive a portion of the surgical scope. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The view optimizer according to claim 15 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an internal portion of the lens guard and comprises a cam grip that comprises a flexible and compressible grommet and a collet that is actuated by a cam means to grip the grommet into close engagement with the surgical scope body. ### Claim 18 A view optimizer for a surgical scope, the view optimizer being supplied with gas from an insufflator, the insufflator being adapted to insufflate a body cavity to a predetermined pressure, the insufflator being adapted to cycle between and insufflating state when the pressure within the body cavity is below the predetermined pressure and a static state when the pressure within the body cavity is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure, the view optimizer comprising: an exhaust passageway having a distal end including at least one vent that is open to an outer surface of the view optimizer, and a proximal end; wherein when the view optimizer is inserted into a body cavity gas surrounding the distal end of the exhaust passageway is permitted to enter the exhaust passageway through the at least one vent and exit the body cavity through the exhaust passageway, wherein the gas exiting the body cavity through the exhaust passageway prevents the pressure within the body cavity from equaling or exceeding the predetermined pressure and thereby prevents the insufflator from cycling to the static state, and a an exhaust actuator wherein the lens guard is remote from the exhaust actuator and is in communication therewith only through one or more conduits. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The view optimizer according to claim 18 comprising, a lens guard stabilizing means that engages with the lens guard and one or more components of the surgical scope and prevents rotational movement between the lens guard and the surgical scope. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The view optimizer according to claim 19 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an external portion of the lens guard and comprises a blocker having a substantially fork shape with one extension that engages fixable with the lens guard and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are adapted to receive a portion of the surgical scope. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The view optimizer according to claim 19 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an internal portion of the lens guard and comprises a cam grip that comprises a flexible and compressible grommet and a collet that is actuated by a cam means to grip the grommet into close engagement with the surgical scope body. ### Claim 22 A view optimizer for use with a surgical scope, the view optimizer comprising: a lens guard; at least one fluid delivery passageway defined within the lens guard that is adapted to deliver fluid to an outer surface of an objective lens of the surgical scope when the view optimizer is assembled with the surgical scope; at least one actuator connected with the at least one fluid delivery passageway wherein the view optimizer is adapted to deliver a fluid selected from gas or liquid to an outer surface of the objective lens at a first flow rate when the at least one actuator is not activated and a second flow rate when the at least one actuator is activated, the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate; at least one exhaust passageway defined within the lens guard, wherein when the view optimizer is inserted into a body cavity, the at least one exhaust passageway is adapted to permit gas to enter the at least one exhaust passageway and exit the body cavity through the exhaust passageway wherein the lens guard is remote from at least one of the actuators and is in communication therewith only through one or more conduits. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The view optimizer according to claim 22 comprising, a lens guard stabilizing means that engages with the lens guard and one or more components of the surgical scope and prevents rotational movement between the lens guard and the surgical scope. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The view optimizer according to claim 23 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an external portion of the lens guard and comprises a blocker having a substantially fork shape with one extension that engages fixable with the lens guard and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are adapted to receive a portion of the surgical scope. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The view optimizer according to claim 23 wherein the stabilizing means is engaged on an internal portion of the lens guard and comprises a cam grip that comprises a flexible and compressible grommet and a collet that is actuated by a cam means to grip the grommet into close engagement with the surgical scope body.