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.

A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an optical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is disposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be an object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminal(s)) are capable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one aspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device may allow visualization of an object—such as body tissue or other matter—concurrent with the application of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe the alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered.

Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.

An endoscope, including: at least one outer shaft tube, at least one inner shaft tube disposed within the at least one outer shaft tube; a window distally hermetically sealing one of the inner shaft tube or the outer shaft tube, a heater disposed proximate to the window between the at least one outer shaft tube and the at least one inner shaft tube, a temperature sensor disposed embedded in a potting compound proximate to the window, and an encasement filled with the potting compound, the encasement at least partially surrounding the temperature sensor.

A battery-powered scope warmer includes a heated cavity to receive the distal end of a surgical viewing instrument such as an endoscope or laparoscope. The distal end of the surgical viewing instrument is inserted into the cavity in the housing through one or more flexible flaps in the upper portion of the housing. A heating pad forms a curved tray that receives the distal end of the instrument. The flaps enable the distal end of the surgical viewing instrument to be inserted into, or removed from, the cavity in the housing through one or more slits. A de-fogging sponge in the cavity may be moistened with a de-fogging fluid, and one or more absorbent pads may be disposed on the upper portion of the housing for removing excess fluid from the tip of the surgical viewing instrument. The entire warmer, including the batteries, may be disposable.

An endoscope, especially a mediastinoscope, includes an elongated shaft and a head piece situated at a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein a heat source is arranged in the head piece. At least one heat pipe extends inside the shaft, wherein a proximal end section of the at least one heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source and the endoscope includes an optical system which is closed by a cover glass arranged in a distal end section of the shaft. The heat source is a light source for generating an illumination radiation. The at least one heat pipe extends in the distal direction as far as the distal end section of the shaft, and at least one distal end section of the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the distal end section of the shaft.

An intraoral scanner comprises an optical element for transmission of optical signals and a primary housing that houses the optical element, the primary housing comprising a head configured for insertion into a patient oral cavity, the head of the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of the optical signals, wherein the primary housing comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein a vector normal to a plane defined by the aperture is at a right angle or an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. The intraoral scanner further comprises a defogging element coupled to the primary housing, the defogging element comprising a transparent substrate aligned with the aperture, at least one side of the transparent substrate facing an external environment, and a transparent conductive layer on a surface of the transparent substrate, wherein responsive to application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat.

The end result, with the combination of an anti-fogging system that can be thermoregulated by means of a micro controller, for rigid endoscopes, which is the subject matter of the invention, is to have an apparently standard rigid endoscope (FIG. 4) that can withstand continuous temperature changes during surgical intervention, imparting value to the endoscopic device and preventing general fogging. With this thermoregulatable anti-fogging system, temperature levels can be controlled, it thereby being easy to prevent fogging/condensation in any intervention where a rigid endoscope is used, such as hysteroscopy, cystoscopy, general surgery, arthroscopy, etc. Using the invention completely prevents the need for the surgeon to remove the endoscope from inside the patient in the middle of surgery.

Thus, the surgeon does not become fatigued by continuous poor visibility. This reduces the duration of the intervention, optimising the process and providing the quality of vision anticipated for the endoscope in question.

An antifogging device includes: a heater configured to apply heat to an optical member; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature; a circuit board with a surface mounted the heater and the temperature sensor; a sealing member that is made of a resin material and that is applied to the surface to seal the heater and the temperature sensor; and a joining part that is provided on at least part of the surface and that is made of an inorganic material, the joining part being configured to: extend along a periphery of the surface in a state of being exposed to a side surface of the circuit board; and contact the sealing member.

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.