Wiper assembly for imaging element cleaning apparatus
Inventors
IDELSON, Christopher • Rylander, Christopher • Gilkey, Mitchell Ross • Gilkey, James Landon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11737661-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an effective and reliable approach for cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of apparatuses including but not limited to medical imaging instruments such as endoscopes and laparoscopes and the like. In the case of medical imaging instruments, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments the present invention can be cleaned while the distal end portion of the endoscope is in vivo. Such apparatuses have a cleaning member incorporated therein (e.g., a resilient polymeric wiper, a sponge, an absorbent pad or the like) that is used for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element. The apparatus is preferably adapted for being mounted on imaging apparatus but can also be entirely or partially integral with one or more components of the imaging apparatus or system of which it is a component.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an in vivo endoscope imaging-element cleaning apparatus with a wiper assembly that cleans while a distal end remains within a concealed operation site. A cleaning member includes opposing faces defining a blade portion that extends from a main body of the cleaning member, and a coupling element includes a cleaning member engaging structure that resides within the cleaning member so that the engaging structure interacts with the blade portion while at least part of the structure is also positioned within the main body.
The cleaning member engaging structure includes a U-shaped portion defining a first leg portion and a second leg portion. At least a portion of the first leg portion resides within the blade portion, while at least a portion of the second leg portion resides within the main body, and an arcuate segment of the U-shaped portion is partially within the blade portion and partially within the main body, with ends attached to respective leg portions.
Geometric relationships are defined for improved cleaning efficacy with reduced physical size versus prior art single-leg wiper attachment. The blade portion is described as having a triangular cross-sectional shape, and the first leg portion is described as having a round cross-sectional shape, with a quantitative relationship in which a diameter of the first leg portion is about 40% of the blade portion overall length.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims that define 4 main inventive elements: a coupling element with a U-shaped engaging structure, a cleaning member or wiper with a blade portion extending from a main body, a leg-to-region placement relationship between the blade portion and main body, and additional structure refinements including segmented U-shape/arcuate positioning and geometric/reference-axis constraints.
U-shaped cleaning member engaging structure positioned in blade portion and main body
A coupling element including a cleaning member engaging structure having a U-shaped portion defining a first leg portion and a second leg portion, and a cleaning member having the cleaning member engaging structure residing therein such that the cleaning member includes opposing faces defining a blade portion extending from a main body, wherein at least a portion of the first leg portion is within the blade portion and at least a portion of the second leg portion is within the main body.
Segmented cleaning member engaging structure with distal end face and arcuate segment attachment across blade portion and main body
A cleaning member engaging structure including a plurality of segments spaced apart from each other, at least a portion of a first one of the segments being within the blade portion, a second one of the segments defining a distal end face of the coupling element, the blade portion extending from a main body of the cleaning member, at least a portion of the second one of the segments being within the main body, and the cleaning member engaging structure including a U-shaped portion with an arcuate segment partially within the blade portion and partially within the main body.
U-shaped wiper engaging structure with blade portion containing first leg portion and main body containing second leg portion
A coupling element including a wiper engaging structure including a U-shaped portion defining a first leg portion and a second leg portion, and a wiper having at least a portion of the wiper engaging structure residing therein, wherein the wiper includes opposing faces defining a blade portion, at least a portion of the first leg portion is within the blade portion, the blade portion extends from a main body of the wiper, and at least a portion of the second leg portion is within the main body.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive coverage is directed to a coupling element with a U-shaped engaging structure and a cleaning member or wiper with a blade portion extending from a main body, arranged so that portions of the first and second legs of the engaging structure are positioned in the blade portion and main body respectively. Additional coverage specifies segmented engaging structures with a distal end face and an arcuate segment crossing the blade portion/main body interface, and further characterizes embodiments by geometric relationships.
Stated Advantages
Improved cleaning efficacy.
Reduced physical size versus prior art single-leg wiper attachment.
Documented Applications
In vivo endoscope imaging-element cleaning using a wiper assembly where the distal end remains within a concealed operation site.
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