Device for anti-fog arthroscope system

A method comprising:

• providing an optical imaging system including:
• an elongated member disposed along an optical axis having a distal end and a proximal end, an interface section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, an optical window disposed at the distal end, and an optical system disposed along the optical axis, wherein the optical system comprises at least one optical lens element positioned along the optical axis;
• a light source coupled to the interface section;
• an adapter module coupled to the elongated member at the proximal end having an optical window disposed along the optical axis and positioned on a first side of the adapter module and a coupler window disposed along the optical axis and positioned on a second side of the adapter module, wherein at least one of the optical window or the coupler window includes a near-infrared (NIR) light absorbing material;
• and
• a coupling module coupled to the adapter module proximate the second side and having a NIR light source;
• activating the NIR light source to transmit NIR light through the coupler window along a portion of the optical axis to the optical window for an illumination time period;
• activating the light source to transmit light toward an area of interest through a plurality of optical fibers disposed circumferentially around the elongated member;
• and
• receiving a light beam from the area of interest along the optical axis.

A method of operating a fog-free optical imaging system having an elongated member comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising:

• coupling an adapter module to the elongated member at the proximal end, wherein the adapter module comprises an optical window adjacent the proximal end and disposed along an optical path of the fog-free optical imaging system and a coupler window disposed along the optical path of the fog-free optical imaging system;
• coupling a coupling module to the adapter module at a side adjacent the coupler window, wherein the coupling module comprises a light source emitting NIR light;
• and
• receiving a visible light beam reflected from an area of interest along the optical path.