Apparatus and methods for cleaning the lens of an endoscope

摘要

An apparatus for cleaning a lens, or one or more lenses, of an endoscopic camera while the endoscope is deployed in a patient during a medical procedure, such as a minimally invasive procedure, or a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus generally includes a conduit having a fluid delivery port, an alignment system, and a flexible supply tube to fluidly connect the conduit to one or both of a source of a fluid and a suction device.

主权项

1. An apparatus for cleaning at least one of a lens of an endoscopic camera and endoscopic illumination source of an endoscope, the endoscope being deployable into an internal site of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a conduit for removable attachment to the endoscope, the conduit defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end and being structured for the passage of fluid therethrough; the distal end of the conduit defining at least one fluid delivery port; an alignment system for aligning the delivery port in a desired position relative to the lens of at least one of the camera and the illumination source of the endoscope, said alignment system comprising an alignment member on the conduit and a recess formed on the outer surface of the endoscope for receiving the alignment member,
the recess having a recessed engaging section for maintaining the alignment member in a locked position when engaged therewith, and a recessed unlocking section, the alignment member movable between the recessed sections for movement between locking and unlocking positions;the alignment member comprising a protrusion extending outwardly from the conduit in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the conduit, the recessed unlocking section maintains the protrusion in an unlocked position when received therein;a biasing member for maintaining the protrusion in the locked position;the at least one delivery port being positioned on the conduit such that the delivery port is directed towards the lens of at least one of the camera and the illumination source when the protrusion is in the locked position; and, a supply tube attached to the proximal end of the conduit, the tube defining at least one lumen for passage of fluid therethrough.