View optimizer and stabilizer for use with surgical scopes

Abstract

A method of defogging a lens of a laparoscope includes: (1) inserting the laparoscope into a sheath; (2) engaging a fork stabilizing feature of the sheath with a light post of the laparoscope to prevent rotational movement of the sheath relative to the scope; (3) activating a locking mechanism on the sheath to longitudinally fix a distal end of the laparoscope relative to a distal end of the sheath; and (4) providing gas to a plurality of gas lumens within a wall of the sheath such that the gas flows through the gas lumens and over the lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens while the laparoscope is in a body cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of defogging a lens of a laparoscope, comprising:
 inserting the laparoscope into a sheath;   engaging a fork stabilizing feature of the sheath with a light post of the laparoscope to prevent rotational movement of the sheath relative to the scope;   activating a locking mechanism on the sheath to longitudinally fix a distal end of the laparoscope relative to a distal end of the sheath; and   providing gas to a plurality of gas lumens within a wall of the sheath such that the gas flows through the gas lumens and over the lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating a locking mechanism comprises rotating the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein rotating the locking mechanism comprises rotating until a firm stop is felt. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein rotating the locking mechanism comprises rotating approximately ⅓ of a turn. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the laparoscope into a sheath comprises inserting the laparoscope such that no space or gap is visible between the distal end of the sheath and the lens. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is a cam lock. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fork stabilizing feature includes one extension that engages the sheath and two opposing extensions that are parallel to one another and are configured to engage the light post. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking knob and collet, and wherein engaging the locking mechanism comprises rotating the locking knob such that the collet radially compresses. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the fork stabilizing feature extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the laparoscope into a sheath comprises inserting a laparoscope having an angled lens, the angled lens positioned an angle that is greater than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of the sheath is angled, and wherein inserting the laparoscope into a sheath comprises inserting the laparoscope such that the angled lens is aligned with the angled distal end of the sheath. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the angled lens is positioned at an angle of approximately 120 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the angled lens is positioned at an angle of approximately 135 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collet includes a plurality of collet lobes connected together by living hinges. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing gas comprises providing gas from an insufflator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein providing gas comprises continuously providing gas from the insufflator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing fluid to another lumen within a wall of the sheath such that the fluid flows through the lumen and over the lens of the laparoscope. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is a surfactant. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a burst of gas through the plurality of lumens to clear debris or fluid from the lens of the laparoscope. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the laparoscope into a sheath comprises inserting the laparoscope until the lens or a distal rim of the laparoscope is seated against a proximal face of the distal end of the sheath.