Methods, devices and systems for cleaning an imaging element with a translatable cleaning element

Abstract

A device operable to clean an imaging element of a visualization scope comprises a visualization scope engagement body, a cleaning element having a first end portion thereof located adjacent to a distal end of the visualization scope engagement body and a cleaning head attached to the visualization scope engagement body at the distal end thereof. The first end portion of the cleaning element is engaged with the cleaning head. The cleaning head is movable between a deployed configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body and a retracted configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body. A centerline longitudinal axis of the visualization scope engagement body extends through the cleaning head when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration and does not extend through the cleaning head when the cleaning head is in the retracted configuration. The cleaning element is movable for cleaning debris from the imaging element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device operable to clean an imaging element of a visualization scope, comprising: 
 a visualization scope engagement body;   a cleaning element having a first end portion thereof located adjacent to a distal end of the visualization scope engagement body; and   a cleaning head attached to the visualization scope engagement body at the distal end thereof, wherein the first end portion of the cleaning element is engaged with the cleaning head, wherein the cleaning head is movable between a deployed configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body and a retracted configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body, wherein a centerline longitudinal axis of the visualization scope engagement body extends through the cleaning head when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration and does not extend through the cleaning head when the cleaning head is in the retracted configuration, wherein the cleaning head includes a main body pivotably attached to the visualization scope engagement body at the distal end thereof and a first cleaning element support body attached to the main body, wherein the first end portion of the cleaning element extends around the first cleaning element support body, and wherein the first cleaning element support body is moveably attached to the main body for enabling the first cleaning element support body to moved relative to the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the cleaning element has a second end portion and a central portion extending between the first and second end portions; 
 the second end portion is located adjacent to a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body; and at least a portion of the central portion extends through a guide passage of the visualization scope engagement body. 
 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a drive unit at a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body, wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein:
 the visualization scope engagement body includes a cleaning element guide body at the distal end portion thereof; 
 a pivot axis about which the cleaning head is pivotable relative to the visualization scope engagement body extends through the cleaning element guide body; and 
 the cleaning element extends over the cleaning element guide body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein a centerline longitudinal axis of the visualization scope engagement body lies between an axis about which the first cleaning element support body rotates relative to the main body and a pivot axis about which the cleaning head pivots relative to the visualization scope engagement body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a drive unit at a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body, 
 wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body, 
 wherein movement of the actuation member causes an associated movement of the second cleaning element support body, wherein a second end portion of the cleaning element is engaged with the second cleaning element support body such that movement of the actuation member from a present position to a different position than the present position causes a corresponding movement of the cleaning element relative to the cleaning head. 
   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the centerline longitudinal axis of a central passage of the visualization scope engagement body lies between an axis about which the first cleaning element support body rotates relative to the main body when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration and a pivot axis about which the cleaning head pivots relative to the visualization scope engagement body. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein:
 the cleaning element has a second end portion and a central portion extending between the first and second end portions; 
 the second end portion is located adjacent to a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body; 
 at least a portion of the central portion extends through a guide passage of the visualization scope engagement body; 
 the visualization scope engagement body includes a cleaning element guide body at the distal end portion thereof; 
 the pivot axis about which the cleaning head pivots relative to the visualization scope engagement body extends through the cleaning element guide body; and 
 the cleaning element extends over the cleaning element guide body. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a drive unit at a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body,   wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body,   wherein movement of the actuation member causes an associated movement of the second cleaning element support body, wherein a second end portion of the cleaning element is engaged with the second cleaning element support body such that movement of the actuation member from a present position to a different position than the present position causes a corresponding movement of the cleaning element relative to the cleaning head.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a drive unit at a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body, 
 wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body, 
 wherein movement of the actuation member causes an associated movement of the second cleaning element support body. 
   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein: 
 the cleaning element has a second end portion and a central portion extending between the first and second end portions; 
 the second end portion is located adjacent to a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body; and 
 at least a portion of the central portion extends through a guide passage of the visualization scope engagement body. 
 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the cleaning head is pivotably attached to the visualization scope engagement body for enabling the cleaning head to pivot between the deployed configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body and the retracted configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein:
 the cleaning head includes a main body pivotably attached to the visualization scope engagement body at the distal end thereof and a first cleaning element support body attached to the main body; 
 the first end portion of the cleaning element extends around the first cleaning element support body; and 
 
 the first cleaning element support body is rotatably attached to the main body for enabling the first cleaning element support body to rotate relative to the main body. 
 
     
     
         14 . A device operable to clean an imaging element of a visualization scope, comprising: 
 a visualization scope engagement body;   a cleaning head attached to the visualization scope engagement body, wherein the cleaning head is pivotable between a deployed configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body and a retracted configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body in conjunction with movement of the extension portion of the visualization scope between a first one of the positions and a second one of the positions different than the first one of the positions;   a cleaning element having a first end portion thereof located adjacent to a distal end of the visualization scope engagement body, wherein the first portion of the cleaning element is engaged with the cleaning head, wherein the cleaning element is in contact with the imaging element when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration and is displaced away from being in contact with the imaging element when the cleaning head is in the retracted configuration; and   a drive unit at a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body, wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein movement of the actuation member causes an associated movement of the second cleaning element support body. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein: 
 the cleaning element has a second end portion and a central portion extending between the first and second end portions; 
 the second end portion is located adjacent to a proximate end of the visualization scope engagement body; and 
 at least a portion of the central portion extends through a guide passage of the visualization scope engagement body. 
 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the cleaning head being pivotably attached to the visualization scope engagement body enables the cleaning head to pivot between the deployed configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body and the retracted configuration relative to the visualization scope engagement body. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein:
 the cleaning head includes a main body pivotably attached to the visualization scope engagement body at the distal end thereof and a first cleaning element support body attached to the main body; 
 the first end portion of the cleaning element extends around the first cleaning element support body; and 
 the first cleaning element support body is rotatably attached to the main body for enabling the first cleaning element support body to rotate relative to the main body. 
 
     
     
         19 . A device operable to clean an imaging element of a laparoscope, comprising:
 a tubular body having a central passage within which an extension portion of a laparoscope is slidably engageable for enabling the extension portion to be axially moveable between a retracted configuration relative to the laparoscope and a deployed configuration relative to the laparoscope;   a cleaning head including a main body pivotably attached to the tubular body at the distal end thereof and a first cleaning element support body attached to the main body, wherein the cleaning head is movable between a deployed configuration relative to the tubular body and a retracted configuration relative to the tubular body, wherein a centerline longitudinal axis of the central passage extends through the first cleaning element support body when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration thereof and does not extend through the first cleaning element support body when the cleaning head is in the retracted configuration thereof and wherein the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration thereof when the extension portion is in the deployed configuration thereof and is in the retracted configuration thereof when the extension portion is in the retracted configuration thereof;   a drive unit at a proximate end of the tubular body, wherein the drive unit includes a second cleaning element support body and an actuation member coupled to the second cleaning element support body and wherein movement of the actuation member causes an associated movement of the second cleaning element support body; and   a cleaning element having a first end portion engaged with the first cleaning element support body and a second end portion engaged with the second cleaning element support body.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein:
 the tubular body includes a cleaning element guide body at the distal end portion thereof; 
 a pivot axis about which the main body of the cleaning head is pivotable relative to the tubular body extends through the cleaning element guide body; and 
 the cleaning element extends over the cleaning element guide body. 
 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein:
 the first end portion of the cleaning element extends around the first cleaning element support body; and 
 the first cleaning element support body is rotatably attached to the main body for enabling the first cleaning element support body to rotate relative to the main body. 
 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the centerline longitudinal axis of the central passage of the tubular body lies between an axis about which the first cleaning element support body is rotatable relative to the main body when the cleaning head is in the deployed configuration and a pivot axis about which the cleaning head is pivotable relative to the tubular body.