| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 600157000 | With window cleaning means | 37 |
| 20080200764 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system, including an endoscope having a first optical system to obtain an image of an observation object in predetermined magnifying power and a first cleaning system to discharge fluid toward a front end surface of the first optical system to clean the front end surface, and a processor to process the image obtained through the endoscope, having a light source to illuminate the observation object and a reservoir to store the fluid for cleaning, is provided. A dischargeable portion of the first cleaning system is protruded forward from the front end surface of the first optical system when the fluid is discharged from the dischargeable portion and retracted rearward when the image of the observation object is obtained by the first optical system. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080200765 | LAPAROSCOPE CLEANING SYSTEM - A laparoscope lens cleaning system includes a housing that is configured to be connected to existing laparoscopes. The housing forms a lumen which carries a tube for dispensing cleaning solution. An extension system enables the tubing to be extended beyond the end of the laparoscope such that a hole or a plurality of holes in the extended tube end enables the dispensing of cleaning solution on the lens without requiring removal of the laparoscope from the patient. A pumping system is connected to the other end of the tubing and provides a cleaning solution reservoir and means for selectively dispensing the cleaning solution when required by the surgeon. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080319266 | DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING VISUALIZATION WITH SURGICAL SCOPES - The present application discloses several embodiments of a 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 one embodiment, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to deliver at least one fluid to the objective lens of the laparoscope to clean and/or defog the objective lens of the laparoscope without the need to remove the laparoscope from the surgical field. In additional embodiments, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to create leakage or venting of gas from the body cavity so as to ensure continuous gas flow from an insufflator. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090209822 | ENDOSCOPIC FLUID FEED SYSTEM - On a rigid tip end section at the distal end of an elongated endoscopic insertion member, an observation window washer means is provided to wash an endoscopic optical observation window, along with a fluid injection means to be used for injecting a fluid from an injection passage leading to an injection hole opened on the rigid tip end section of the insertion member. Connection ports to a wash liquid conduit and a compressed air conduit of the observation window washer means are opened at a conduit connection terminal of a multiplex connector on a proximal end of a universal connection cable. Disconnectibly connected to the conduit connection terminal is a conduit coupler member having a wash liquid conduit and a compressed air conduit to supply a wash liquid and compressed air to the wash liquid conduit and compressed air conduit on the side of the conduit connection terminal. Further, an end of a injection passage is opened in the conduit connection terminal, while an injection fluid feed line is disconnectibly connected to a connection port which is provided at a lateral side of the conduit coupler member and which is brought into communication with the injection passage when the conduit coupler member is plugged into the conduit connection terminal. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090247830 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope including, an insertion section, a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window, a first flow path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a first fluid source, a second flow path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a second fluid source, and a nozzle having a jet outlet which jets a mixture fluid, in which a fluid supplied from the first flow path and a fluid supplied from the second flow path are mixed, toward the observation window, wherein the observation window is disposed, relative to the jet outlet, on a side of one of the first flow path and the second flow path, which has a smaller fluid supply amount. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090247831 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a liquid feed source, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a gas feed source, and a nozzle having a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, in which the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path are mixed, toward the observation window, wherein an opening end of the liquid feed path and an opening end of the gas feed path are disposed in an order of proximity to the jet outlet. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090253964 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path, a gas feed path, and a nozzle cleans the window by jetting toward the window a mixture fluid in which the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path are mixed, wherein the nozzle includes, a confluent portion which is provided in a mount plane in which the window of the distal end section body is provided, the confluent portion making confluent and mixing the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the window. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090253965 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side, and a nozzle having a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window, wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20110087072 | FLOW GUIDE - A flow guide directs a fluid flow across a surface of a device, for example a lens surface of an endoscope, in a controlled manner to facilitate flow attachment to the surface. Embodiments include features that impart a non-uniform velocity profile and/or include guide surfaces for facilitating flow attachment and/or coverage. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110295070 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - Provided is an endoscope apparatus which is equipped with an endoscope including an object lens, a distal end portion and a handling section, a heat-producing device being incorporated into the distal end portion. The endoscope apparatus includes: a cleaning system which transiently discharges a cleaning liquid toward the object lens to clean the object lens; a cooling system which refluxes a coolant in the distal end portion to cool the heat-producing device; a liquid sending system, installed outside the endoscope, for supplying the cleaning liquid and the coolant; and a liquid-sending pressurizing system shared between the cleaning liquid and the coolant. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110306837 | ENDOSCOPE - Provided is an endoscope which is capable of preventing liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of an observation window even in the case where the observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part. In the case where an observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part, the peripheral edge part in the vicinity of the observation window is round-chamfered in a manner that the radius of curvature (round-chamfer) becomes larger along with an increase in distance from a starting point, the starting point being the point closest to the observation window. With this feature, it is possible to prevent the liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of the observation window to thereby block the field of view. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306838 | ENDOSCOPE - Provided is an endoscope which is capable of letting a liquid drain off to a satisfactory level at the time of cleaning, while securing the degree of freedom of a layout. An observation window is placed on an observation window base part which is formed on a distal end surface of a distal end part so as to protrude from the surrounding area. An outer peripheral shape of the observation window base part is formed into a streamline shape with respect to a flow of a cleaning fluid jetted from a nozzle. With this feature, it is possible to block a liquid flow having a low flow rate from flowing on the observation window, and to allow the liquid flow which has been used for cleaning to promptly move to the outside of the observation window. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110319716 | GAS SUPPLY AND LIQUID SUPPLY APPARATUS - A gas supply and liquid supply apparatus includes: a first fluid pipe which is provided in a distal end part of an insertion part of an endoscope, the first fluid pipe for supplying a first fluid; a second fluid pipe which is provided in the distal end part of the insertion part of the endoscope together with the first fluid pipe, the second fluid pipe for supplying a second fluid; and a confluence pipe which is connected to the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe, a central axis of the confluence pipe in a connection portion to the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe having a skew relationship to at least any one of a central axis of the first fluid pipe and a central axis of the second fluid pipe. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120046524 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side, and a nozzle having a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window, wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120059222 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CLEANING AN ILLUMINATION WINDOW OF THE IMAGING DEVICE - In an imaging device for capturing an image by applying illuminating light emitted from a light source to a part to be observed through a light exit window and receiving light coming from the part to be observed when the illuminating light is applied, a light exit window cleaning unit discharges a liquid toward the light exit window to clean the light exit window in response to an instruction to start application of the illuminating light. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120088974 | HYBRID APPARATUS FOR FLUID SUPPLY FOR ENDOSCOPIC IRRIGATION AND LENS CLEANING - A hybrid apparatus for delivery of fluid in connection with endoscopic irrigation and lens cleaning including a connector which is adaptable to a flexible or rigid container, a connector arranged at the end thereof and connected via a tubing supply to a fluid, air and or gas source and to an endoscope during a procedure. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120101337 | ENDOSCOPE CLEANER - An instrument for cleaning a scope lens having an elongated sheath having proximal and distal end portions and a sheath interior and exterior. The sheath interior is dimensioned and configured to slidingly receive a scope therein. A fluid conduit transports fluid and has a fluid discharge opening to deliver fluid to the lens of the scope, the conduit coupled to the sheath exterior. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101338 | ENDOSCOPE WIPER BLADE CLEANER - A minimally invasive surgical instrument including a viewing instrument and a wiper mechanism configured and adapted to clean a lens of the viewing instrument. The wiper mechanism includes a wiper that is configured and adapted to contact and translate across a surface of the lens. An actuator moves the wiper across the lens to clean the lens. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120123209 | ENDOSCOPE GAS FEED SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE, AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope gas feed system comprising:
| 05-17-2012 |
| 20120165610 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING AND MAINTAINING VISUALIZATION OF A SURGICAL FIELD DURING THE USE OF SURGICAL SCOPES - Systems and methods condition air for passage across a laparoscopic lens to prevent fogging, deflect debris, and maintain visualization of an operating cavity. The systems and methods provide an access device sized and configured to provide communication with an insufflated CO2 environment maintained by operation of an insufflations circuit. The access device is coupled to an air conditioning set, which interacts with an air conditioning driver to condition air from the insufflated environment for continuous passage across the laparoscopic lens, to thereby maintain visualization by the laparoscopic lens of the operating cavity, independent of operation of the insufflator circuit. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120316395 | FLUID NOZZLE UNIT AND ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope has an elongated tube, end shell, and imaging window. A water channel is formed through the elongated tube, for supplying water toward a distal surface. An air channel is formed through the elongated tube, for supplying air. For use with an endoscope, a fluid nozzle unit includes a nozzle housing for mounting on the end shell in a removable manner. A water branch conduit in the nozzle housing is supplied with the water by the water channel. An air branch conduit in the nozzle housing is supplied with the air by the air channel. A converging channel is formed in the nozzle housing, for coupling the water branch conduit and air branch conduit together. A nozzle spout device is secured to the nozzle housing, disposed on the distal surface, for ejecting the water and air from the converging channel toward the imaging window. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130046145 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system includes a nozzle provided at a tip of a tube forming member, communicating with a fluid tube, and injecting a fluid supplied from the fluid tube toward a window part of an endoscope insertion part, a first gas supply tube provided between a gas supply source and the fluid tube and guiding a gas to the fluid tube, a second gas supply tube having a limiting device limiting a pressure or a flow rate of the gas supplied from the gas supply source, the second gas supply tube guiding the gas with the pressure or the flow rate limited by the limiting device to the fluid tube, and a gas switching device provided only to the first gas supply tube between the first and second gas supply tubes and selectively switching between supplying and stopping of the gas to the fluid tube. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130085337 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SUCTION AND/OR IRRIGATION IN A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - Methods and devices are provided for providing suction and/or irrigation to locations within a body cavity. In general, the methods and devices can allow instruments within a body cavity to be cleaned during a surgical procedure without having to remove the instruments from the body cavity. In one embodiment, an end effector is provided that includes an elongate body having a cleaning base formed thereon. The end effector can be configured as a modular element configured to be removably and replaceably attachable to a distal end of an elongate shaft. The cleaning base can have one or more ports formed through a surface thereof. The cleaning base can be configured to provide suction and/or irrigation through the one or more ports to clean a face of a surgical instrument seated in the cleaning base or in close proximity to the cleaning base. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130204088 | ENDOSCOPE, DISTAL END CAP-EQUIPPED ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a liquid feed source, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a gas feed source, and a nozzle having a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, in which the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path are mixed, toward the observation window, wherein an opening end of the liquid feed path and an opening end of the gas feed path are disposed in an order of proximity to the jet outlet. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130211198 | ENDOSCOPIC DEVICE - In order to prevent floating matters from attaching to a glass plate fixed on a leading end face of an endoscope insertion portion, gas-feed ports are formed around the glass plate. Between the glass plate and the gas-feed ports, a protective barrier is formed in a manner surrounding the glass plate. Ejection of gas through the gas-feed ports generates gas streams to remove unnecessary floating matters existing between the glass plate and an observation target from sight. The gas streams also generate secondary gas streams flowing toward the glass plate. Some of the secondary gas streams are drawn forward with the primary gas streams, while the other of the secondary gas streams collide with the protective barrier. The secondary gas streams cannot flow along the surface of the glass plate, which prevents floating matters flowing with the secondary gas streams from attaching to the surface of the glass plate. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130217970 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING THE LENS OF AN ENDOSCOPE - 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. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130267780 | TUBE ASSEMBLY FOR AN ENDOSCOPE - The invention relates to a tube assembly for an endoscope comprising a disposable tube that surrounds a working channel and preferably also a flushing channel and fixing means for fixing the disposable tube to the endoscope. Said fixing means have a fixing unit which is used to fix the disposable tube on the distal end of the endoscope in a rotationally and axially fixed manner. The endoscope fixing means also have a guide device which is used to displaceably fix the disposable tube on respective sections of the endoscope that are at a distance from the distal end of said endoscope. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20140039260 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes a flat surface which is provided at a distal end of an inserter to be inserted into a subject and is approximately perpendicular to an axial direction of the inserter, an observation window which has a light entrance surface located at a position higher than the flat surface, a fluid injection nozzle which is positioned on the flat surface and injects fluid toward the observation window, a first inclined plane which faces the fluid injection nozzle and inclines such that whose height gradually increases from the flat surface toward the observation window, and a back-flow prevention member which is provided so as to prevent the fluid having been injected from the fluid injection nozzle and passed though the light entrance surface of the observation window flows backwardly from the flat surface toward the light entrance surface of the observation window. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140058204 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes a first flat surface formed at a distal end portion of an insertion part to be inserted into a subject, and orthogonal to an axial direction of the insertion part an observation window provided at the distal end portion for allowing image light of the subject to be taken therethrough, with the surface of the observation window as a light incidence plane, an illumination window provided at the distal end portion to irradiate a subject with illumination light, a fluid jetting nozzle arranged at the first flat surface to jet a fluid toward the observation window, and an inclined surface formed around the observation window and arranged at a position that faces the fluid jetting nozzle, wherein the distal end portion is formed with a second flat surface arranged on the distal end side of the first flat surface and parallel to the first flat surface. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140088365 | Endoscope - An endoscope includes a distal end part having a round-chamfered outer peripheral edge, an observation window on an end surface of the distal end part, a nozzle which jets a cleaning fluid toward the observation window, and an observation window base part on which the observation window is placed, the observation window which is formed on the end surface of the distal end part so as to protrude from a surrounding area, and has an outer peripheral shape being formed into a streamline shape in a region facing the nozzle, with respect to a flow of the cleaning fluid jetted from the nozzle. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140094659 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes: a window portion that protrudes by a predetermined dimension along an insertion direction of an endoscope insertion portion from a flat portion provided at a distal end of the endoscope insertion portion; an air/water feeding nozzle that ejects a fluid toward the surface of the window portion; and an inclined portion formed at a circumferential edge portion of the window portion; wherein, a second angle of inclination against the flat portion being an angle in a direction along a second axis orthogonal to a first axis at the center of the window portion is made a larger angle than a first angle of inclination against the flat portion being an angle in a direction along a first axis passing through a center of the window portion and extending in an ejection direction of the fluid ejected from the air/water feeding nozzle. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20150073218 | ENDOSCOPIC DEVICE INCLUDING CLEANING MECHANISM - In a cleaning mechanism provided in an insertion section of an endoscopic device, two straight lateral faces obliquely and straightly extending toward the center side of a cylindrical lens are joined to a laterally circumferential face, a pedestal section inside which a liquid-sending route of a cleaning liquid, and a gas-sending route are internally provided is arranged, and an angle which a gushing direction of the cleaning liquid gushed from each of wash nozzles provided on the lateral faces toward the laterally circumferential face forms with a perpendicular line passing through the center of the cylindrical lens is an acute angle, the gushed cleaning liquid intersecting the perpendicular line. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150080660 | Laparoscopic Visualization System - A Laparoscopic Visualization System comprising a sterile, self-contained, disposable apparatus used in medical procedures for heating and applying an anti-fog solution to the distal end of laparoscopes or surgical devices is presented. It additionally serves as an endoscopic lens protector and cleaner. An efficient heating and narrow range temperature control mechanism is used in combination with an anti-fog solution to provide clear visualization through a distal lens of the surgical device inserted into the system. The configuration prevents the anti-fog solution from spilling out of the system and is designed to also be used as a holder for the surgical scope, protecting the distal lens from impact with a shock absorbent outer shell, prior to, during, and after a medical procedure. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150087911 | ENDOSCOPE SHEATH DEFLECTION DEVICES - An endoscope sheath comprising: a tube having: a proximal end having a proximal end region and a distal end; and a conduit that extends through a portion of the endoscope sheath so that the proximal end region of the endoscope sheath and the distal end of the endoscope sheath are in fluid communication when an endoscope is inserted inside the endoscope sheath; and wherein the endoscope sheath is configured to receive all or a portion of the endoscope; wherein the distal end of the endoscope sheath has a flow director configured to direct irrigation fluid across a lens on the distal end of the endoscope; and wherein the flow director is a flexible flap. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150359421 | GAS SUPPLY AND LIQUID SUPPLY APPARATUS - A gas supply and liquid supply apparatus includes a first fluid pipe which is provided in an endoscope, the first fluid pipe supplying a first fluid, a second fluid pipe which is provided in the endoscope together with the first fluid pipe, the second fluid pipe supplying a second fluid, and a confluence pipe which is provided in a substantially cylindrical distal end part of an insertion part of the endoscope. The confluence pipe includes a first communication part which is communicated with the first fluid pipe and has a bent shape, a second communication part which is communicated with the second fluid pipe and has a bent shape, and a confluence part in which the first communication part and the second communication part are brought together. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150374213 | HYBRID APPARATUS FOR FLUID SUPPLY FOR ENDOSCOPIC IRRIGATION AND LENS CLEANING - A hybrid apparatus for delivery of fluid in connection with endoscopic irrigation and lens cleaning including a connector which is adaptable to a flexible or rigid container, a connector arranged at the end thereof and connected via a tubing supply to a fluid, air and or gas source and to an endoscope during a procedure. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160029881 | LENS CLEANING INSTRUMENT FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN AN ENCLOSED CAVITY - A device for cleaning a lens is disclosed. The device includes a shaft, a head having multiple prongs, a cleaning material disposed between the prongs, and a handle extending from the shaft. The handle has an actuator in communication with the prongs to move the prongs from a collapsed state to an expanded state. Also disclosed is a cartridge for use with the device. The cartridge includes a cartridge head configured for removable attachment to the device, two or more prongs, and a wipe. The head has a fixed pivot pin and a slide pin movable by the actuator. Each prong has a pivot aperture configured to engage with the pivot pin and a slot aperture configured to engage with the slide pin such that the corresponding prong will be urged to rotate about the pivot pin when the slide pin is moved by the actuator. | 02-04-2016 |
