Method for placement of an imaging element cleaning apparatus and obturator for enabling same

Inventors

Poirier, David K • Stoakley, Douglas G

Assignees

ClearCam Inc

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and assembly each adapted for enabling an imaging element cleaning apparatus to be placed through an abdominal wall of the patient without the use of a trocar or cannula. By eliminating the need for and use of a cannular or trocar, such embodiments advantageously overcome dimensional compatibility issues exhibited between the inside diameter of the central passage of commercially-available trocars and cannulas and the outside diameter of the sheath of an imaging element cleaning apparatus comprising such a sheath. Such dimensional compatibility issues are overcome by enabling an imaging element cleaning apparatus of the present disclosures to be placed through the abdominal wall of a patient without the use of a trocar or cannula. As a result, the sheath of the aforementioned imaging element cleaning apparatus can be in direct contact with the abdominal wall tissue.

Core Innovation

An imaging element cleaning apparatus and obturator placement assembly are described for use with an endoscope. The assembly includes an endoscope cleaning apparatus with a chassis and a cleaning member, where the chassis includes an obturator mounting portion adapted for having an elongated member of an endoscope engaged therewith and the cleaning member is located adjacent a distal end portion of the chassis.

An obturator includes a shank and at least one retention member, and the shank is adapted to be engaged with the obturator mounting portion. A distal tip portion of the shank includes a space to enable at least a portion of the cleaning member to be received within the space when the obturator is engaged with the chassis, and the at least one retention member is selectively engaged with a mating engagement portion of the chassis to secure the obturator and chassis in fixed relationship relative to each other.

In an endoscope placement assembly, the endoscope has an imaging element that protrudes from a central passage opening at the distal end portion of the obturator mounting portion, and the cleaning member is located at the distal end portion of the obturator mounting portion. The distal tip portion of the shank protrudes from within the central passage opening, and a space in the distal tip portion of the shank has at least a portion of the cleaning member disposed therein so the imaging element and the cleaning member are positioned in relation through the obturator and chassis arrangement.

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claims cover two related systems with a shared construction concept: (1) an endoscope cleaning apparatus secured to an obturator by a selectively engaged retention member with a shank distal-tip space receiving the cleaning member, and (2) an endoscope placement assembly where the endoscope imaging element protrudes from a central passage opening while the shank distal tip protrudes and carries a space holding the cleaning member. Across the two independent claims, the inventive features include obturator/chassis selective retention in fixed relationship, a distal-tip space for cleaning-member receipt, and a shank length that enables distal-tip extension beyond the chassis distal end face or from within the central passage opening.

The claims are directed to an endoscope cleaning apparatus and an endoscope placement assembly that use an obturator with a retention member selectively engaged with a chassis mating engagement portion to secure a fixed relationship, while a distal tip portion of the shank provides a space receiving the cleaning member. The arrangement further defines relative positioning such that the shank distal tip extends beyond a chassis distal end face and/or protrudes from within a central passage opening, with the endoscope imaging element protruding from that central passage opening.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications