The endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system is a mechanical structure. The endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system is a medical device. The endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system clamps an endoscope to a working surface, such as an operating table, such that the endoscope can be cleaned and lubricated before use. The endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system comprises an endoscope clamp, a clamp mount, a gooseneck tube, and a table clamp. The gooseneck tube attaches the clamp mount to the table clamp. The table clamp attaches the endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system to the working surface. The clamp mount attaches the endoscope clamp to the gooseneck tube. The endoscope attaches to the endoscope clamp. The endoscope clamp holds the endoscope in a fixed position relative to the endoscopic cleaning and lubrication system. The gooseneck tube is a flexible structure that allows for the repositioning of the endoscope clamp.

An endoscopic tissue separator surgical device and method. The device has a multi-lumen shaft having proximal and distal ends, a central lumen for accepting an endoscope, and at least two fluid lumens, with a head coupled to the distal end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the proximal end. The head has an endoscope port and at least two fluid ports whose centers are all disposed along an arcuate line of curvature, while the handle has at least two fluid supply ports. Gas and fluid may be conveyed through the shaft from the handle to the head in the at least two fluid lumens separate from the lumen for accepting an endoscope. At least one lumen of the multi-lumen shaft may house a stainless steel tube with an inside diameter of sufficient size to accept an endoscope.

An endoscopic tissue separator surgical device and method. The device has a multi-lumen shaft having proximal and distal ends, a central lumen for accepting an endoscope, and at least two fluid lumens, with a head coupled to the distal end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the proximal end. The head has an endoscope port and at least two fluid ports whose centers are all disposed along an arcuate line of curvature, while the handle has at least two fluid supply ports. Gas and fluid may be conveyed through the shaft from the handle to the head in the at least two fluid lumens separate from the lumen for accepting an endoscope. At least one lumen of the multi-lumen shaft may house a stainless steel tube with an inside diameter of sufficient size to accept an endoscope.

A sheath for providing a dynamic air shield relative to a distal portion of a laparoscope disposed within the sheath includes a sheath elongate body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a plurality of lumens, and a distal portion configured to deflect air from the lumens across the surface of a laparoscope. The sheath can include a registration and alignment feature configured to align the sheath with a laparoscope. Further, the sheath can be configured to work with robotic laparoscope systems.

A minimally invasive surgical instrument including a viewing instrument and a wiper mechanism configured and adapted to clean a lens of the viewing instrument. The wiper mechanism includes a wiper that is configured and adapted to contact and translate across a surface of the lens. An actuator moves the wiper across the lens to clean the lens.

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.

A user assistance system of a reprocessing apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting at least one surgical instrument arranged in a cleaning basket, the user assistance system including: at least one electronically controlled display device; and a controller coupled with the at least one electronically controlled display device, the at least one electronically controlled display device being integrated in a loading station and being configured for arranging the cleaning basket on one side of the display device during the loading of the cleaning basket, the controller being configured to control the display device such that image information is displayed in an actual size and position which indicates a predetermined arrangement within the cleaning basket of the surgical instrument that is to be reprocessed.

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 the 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.

In accordance with one embodiment, an automated probe system includes a probe configured to be reversibly inserted into a live body part, a robotic arm attached to the probe and configured to manipulate the probe, a first sensor configured to track movement of the probe during an insertion and a reinsertion of the probe in the live body part, a second sensor configured to track movement of the live body part, and a controller configured to calculate an insertion path of the probe in the live body part based on the tracked movement of the probe during the insertion, and calculate a reinsertion path of the probe based on the calculated insertion path while compensating for the tracked movement of the live body part, and send control commands to the robotic arm to reinsert the probe in the live body part according to the calculated reinsertion path.

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.