Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a plurality of observation windows having different outer diameters for leading incident light to a plurality of image pickup portions, and disposed on a distal end surface of the distal end portion; and an air/water feeding portion for spouting out a gas or liquid toward the plurality of observation windows, and disposed to the distal end portion. One of the plurality of observation windows having the largest outer diameter is disposed on the distal end surface at a position closest to the air/water feeding portion than the other of the plurality of observation windows.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an image pickup section incorporated in a medical instrument body and movably provided in the medical instrument body that picks up an image of the object to be examined from an observation window, a covering section movably provided at the medical instrument body so as to cover the observation window and in which an opening portion is formed, a drive section that drives the covering section or the image pickup section, and a control section that controls the drive section so as to drive the covering section or the image pickup section by synchronizing a timing for the image pickup section to pick up the object image with a timing at which the opening portion and the observation window match, and can thereby prevent sticking of deposits to the observation window and obtain a clear observation image.

Abstract: A gas supply and liquid supply apparatus includes: a first fluid pipe which is provided in a distal end part of an insertion part of an endoscope, the first fluid pipe for supplying a first fluid; a second fluid pipe which is provided in the distal end part of the insertion part of the endoscope together with the first fluid pipe, the second fluid pipe for supplying a second fluid; and a confluence pipe which is connected to the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe, a central axis of the confluence pipe in a connection portion to the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe having a skew relationship to at least any one of a central axis of the first fluid pipe and a central axis of the second fluid pipe.

Abstract: An endoscope cleaning sheath includes a tube body and a distal end configuration portion. The tube body includes an endoscope disposition hole in which an insertion portion of an endoscope provided with at least an observation window is inserted and disposed, at least one liquid supply hole configuring a liquid supply channel, and at least one gas supply hole configuring a gas supply channel. The distal end configuration portion is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube body. On an inner surface of a distal end surface portion of the distal end configuration portion is provided a fluid mixing portion and a concave portion configuring an ejection opening that ejects a fluid mixture at an observation window of the endoscope. The fluid mixing portion causes liquid supplied through the liquid supply hole and gas supplied through the gas supply hole to merge to mix the liquid and gas.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope which is capable of preventing liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of an observation window even in the case where the observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part. In the case where an observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part, the peripheral edge part in the vicinity of the observation window is round-chamfered in a manner that the radius of curvature (round-chamfer) becomes larger along with an increase in distance from a starting point, the starting point being the point closest to the observation window. With this feature, it is possible to prevent the liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of the observation window to thereby block the field of view.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope which is capable of letting a liquid drain off to a satisfactory level at the time of cleaning, while securing the degree of freedom of a layout. An observation window is placed on an observation window base part which is formed on a distal end surface of a distal end part so as to protrude from the surrounding area. An outer peripheral shape of the observation window base part is formed into a streamline shape with respect to a flow of a cleaning fluid jetted from a nozzle. With this feature, it is possible to block a liquid flow having a low flow rate from flowing on the observation window, and to allow the liquid flow which has been used for cleaning to promptly move to the outside of the observation window.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope apparatus which is equipped with an endoscope including an object lens, a distal end portion and a handling section, a heat-producing device being incorporated into the distal end portion. The endoscope apparatus includes: a cleaning system which transiently discharges a cleaning liquid toward the object lens to clean the object lens; a cooling system which refluxes a coolant in the distal end portion to cool the heat-producing device; a liquid sending system, installed outside the endoscope, for supplying the cleaning liquid and the coolant; and a liquid-sending pressurizing system shared between the cleaning liquid and the coolant.

Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft having a distal end, the distal end terminates in an endoscope head having at least one light inlet and at least one channel for passing a flushing medium, the endoscope head having a body, a segment of the body being able to be detached from the body, the segment having a deflecting element arranged at a distance in front of a mouth of the at least one channel for passing the flushing medium, the deflecting element serves for guiding the flushing medium emerging the channel towards the light inlet, the segment being received captively and in a defined position on the body and being secured thereon by means of a holder.

Abstract: A liquid applicator for an endoscope configured to apply liquid to in vivo tissue includes a flexible tube to be inserted into and extracted from a treatment tool insertion channel of the endoscope, a brush member provided at a distal end of the flexible tube, and a fluid channel formed in the flexible tube to supply the liquid to the brush member.

Abstract: A laparoscopic lens cleaner which is suitable for maintaining the lens of a laparoscope in a clean, dry condition during a laparoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the laparoscopic lens cleaner includes an elongated cleaner sheath having a sheath interior, a fluid conduit provided in the cleaner sheath, a fluid discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the fluid conduit, a gas conduit provided in the cleaner sheath and a gas discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the gas conduit.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of this invention includes an air/water feeding portion for spouting gas or liquid from a spouting port to outer surfaces of the first observation optical system and the second observation optical system, which is disposed on the distal end portion so as to line up with the first observation optical system and the second observation optical system on a generally straight line. The air/water feeding portion is disposed on the distal end portion such that a spouting direction of the gas or the liquid has a first angle with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A laparoscopic lens cleaner which is suitable for maintaining the lens of a laparoscope in a clean, dry condition during a laparoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the laparoscopic lens cleaner includes an elongated cleaner sheath having a sheath interior, a fluid conduit provided in the cleaner sheath, a fluid discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the fluid conduit, a gas conduit provided in the cleaner sheath and a gas discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the gas conduit.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention comprises: a distal end portion; first image pickup means for obtaining a first observation image, the first image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; second image pickup means for obtaining a second observation image, the second image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; a first object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the first image pickup means, the first object optical system being located in the distal end portion; a second object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the second image pickup means, the second object optical system being located in the distal end portion; and a plurality of illumination optical systems for irradiating light to a subject, the plurality of illumination optical systems being located in the distal end portion in a manner sandwiching each of the first object optical system and the second object optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a rigid endoscope including an optical system in a rigid insert section thereof, and a wiper sheath. The wiper sheath includes a wiper insert section receiving the insert section of the rigid endoscope, a wiper arranged on a distal end portion of the wiper insert section and enabled to be placed in contact with a distal-end face of the rigid endoscope received in the wiper insert section, and an operation unit, arranged at a proximal end portion of the wiper insert section, for switching the wiper between a contact state with the wiper placed to be in contact with the distal-end face of the rigid endoscope and a detached state with the wiper spaced apart from the distal-end face of the rigid endoscope, and for moving the wiper on and along the distal-end face of the rigid endoscope when the wiper is in the contact state.

Abstract: A flow guide directs a fluid flow across a surface of a device, for example a lens surface of an endoscope, in a controlled manner to facilitate flow attachment to the surface. Embodiments include features that impart a non-uniform velocity profile and/or include guide surfaces for facilitating flow attachment and/or coverage.

Abstract: In a washing/disinfecting tank of an endoscope washing/disinfecting device, an endoscope connection portion to be joined to a connector portion of an endoscope body is provided, and receiving-side bases to be connected to each of pipelines of the endoscope body are provided. In washing/disinfecting the endoscope body, the connector portion is opposed to the endoscope connection portion in the predetermined positioned state, and then, a switch is turned on. Then, an electromagnet disposed at the endoscope connection portion is excited so as to attract and fix the connector portion by a generated magnetic force.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes an outer surface formed between a plurality of observation windows oriented in a spouting direction of the air/water feeding portion, the outer surface being in the same plane as surfaces of the plurality of observation windows.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a dissection cradle that is resiliently supported along an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle, in operation, is extended to cradle the target vessel, and the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate a side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. The retractor includes a hollow support and a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system and lens washer that can be selectively positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site or at an endoscopic lens.

Abstract: An endoscopic flow-passage confluent structure that connects a gas-feed tube and a liquid-feed tube provided in an endoscope to a confluent tube communicating with an ejection nozzle arranged at a tip of an insertion portion of the endoscope and for ejecting a cleaning fluid toward a viewing window of the endoscope, the structure comprising: (i) a passage connection member having one end opened with two upstream-passage receiving bores in which the gas-feed and liquid-feed tubes are respectively inserted and fixed, other end opened with one downstream-passage receiving bore, and an intermediate region that communicates the upstream-passage receiving bores with downstream-passage receiving bore and comprises a passage confluent space having a diameter increasing in a taper-form in a direction of from the downstream-passage receiving bore toward the upstream-passage receiving bores; and (ii) a coupler pipe having one end connected to the downstream-passage receiving bore and other end connected with a base of t

Abstract: A disposable endoscope sheath includes an extendable sleeve sized to accommodate an endoscope shaft having a viewing end. The extendable sleeve has a variable length. A distal portion of the sleeve is configured to direct irrigation fluid onto the viewing end of the endoscope to flush surgical debris from the viewing end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A first balloon is fitted to an insertion portion of an endoscope and a second balloon is fitted to an insertion aid member. An end connector of a tube is connected to a balloon control device that supplies and sucks air into and from the first balloon and the second balloon. A duct that communicates with the first balloon, a duct that communicates with the second balloon, and a duct that communicates with a clearance between the insertion portion and the insertion aid member are formed in the end connector.

Abstract: An endoscopic fluid supply conduit system for use with an endoscope having an insertion tube and a universal cable connected to and from a manipulating head assembly. A fluid conduit is provided internally of the insertion tube to supply a fluid from a fluid feed port on the manipulating head assembly toward a fluid jet injection port feed port which is provided on a rigid tip end section at the fore distal end of the insertion tube. In addition, a second fluid conduit is provided internally of the universal cable and toward the manipulating head assembly. A fluid supply channel selector is provided at the fluid feed port to which a fluid feed adaptor is to be disconnectibly connected.

Abstract: An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path, a gas feed path, and a nozzle cleans the window by jetting toward the window a mixture fluid in which the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path are mixed, wherein the nozzle includes, a confluent portion which is provided in a mount plane in which the window of the distal end section body is provided, the confluent portion making confluent and mixing the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the window.

Abstract: An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side, and a nozzle having a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window, wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more.

Abstract: An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a liquid feed source, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a gas feed source, and a nozzle having a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, in which the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path are mixed, toward the observation window, wherein an opening end of the liquid feed path and an opening end of the gas feed path are disposed in an order of proximity to the jet outlet.

Abstract: An endoscope including, an insertion section, a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window, a first flow path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a first fluid source, a second flow path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a second fluid source, and a nozzle having a jet outlet which jets a mixture fluid, in which a fluid supplied from the first flow path and a fluid supplied from the second flow path are mixed, toward the observation window, wherein the observation window is disposed, relative to the jet outlet, on a side of one of the first flow path and the second flow path, which has a smaller fluid supply amount.

Abstract: A first expression of apparatus for keeping clean a medical viewing scope's distal scope end includes a tube, an annular sheath, and a handpiece. The tube has a proximal end fluidly connectable to irrigation fluid and has a distal end fluidly connected to the handpiece. The sheath is surroundingly attachable to the scope and includes a lumen between the sheath's inside and outside diameters. The lumen has a substantially constant cross-sectional flow area which is substantially equal in area to the tube's cross-sectional flow area. The handpiece is in fluid communication with the proximal lumen end. The distal scope end is positioned proximate the attached sheath's distal lumen end. A second expression of the apparatus has the lumen with a substantially crescent shape without any limitation on its cross-sectional flow area. In an alternate embodiment, the lumen substantially continuously varies in cross-sectional flow area and/or irrigation flow path direction.

Abstract: On a rigid tip end section at the distal end of an elongated endoscopic insertion member, an observation window washer means is provided to wash an endoscopic optical observation window, along with a fluid injection means to be used for injecting a fluid from an injection passage leading to an injection hole opened on the rigid tip end section of the insertion member. Connection ports to a wash liquid conduit and a compressed air conduit of the observation window washer means are opened at a conduit connection terminal of a multiplex connector on a proximal end of a universal connection cable. Disconnectibly connected to the conduit connection terminal is a conduit coupler member having a wash liquid conduit and a compressed air conduit to supply a wash liquid and compressed air to the wash liquid conduit and compressed air conduit on the side of the conduit connection terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a dissection cradle that is resiliently supported along an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle, in operation, is extended to cradle the target vessel, and the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate a side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. The retractor includes a hollow support and a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system and lens washer that can be selectively positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site or at an endoscopic lens.

Abstract: The present application discloses several embodiments of a devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to deliver at least one fluid to the objective lens of the laparoscope to clean and/or defog the objective lens of the laparoscope without the need to remove the laparoscope from the surgical field. In additional embodiments, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to create leakage or venting of gas from the body cavity so as to ensure continuous gas flow from an insufflator.

Abstract: A laparoscope lens cleaning system includes a housing that is configured to be connected to existing laparoscopes. The housing forms a lumen which carries a tube for dispensing cleaning solution. An extension system enables the tubing to be extended beyond the end of the laparoscope such that a hole or a plurality of holes in the extended tube end enables the dispensing of cleaning solution on the lens without requiring removal of the laparoscope from the patient. A pumping system is connected to the other end of the tubing and provides a cleaning solution reservoir and means for selectively dispensing the cleaning solution when required by the surgeon.

Abstract: An endoscope system, including an endoscope having a first optical system to obtain an image of an observation object in predetermined magnifying power and a first cleaning system to discharge fluid toward a front end surface of the first optical system to clean the front end surface, and a processor to process the image obtained through the endoscope, having a light source to illuminate the observation object and a reservoir to store the fluid for cleaning, is provided. A dischargeable portion of the first cleaning system is protruded forward from the front end surface of the first optical system when the fluid is discharged from the dischargeable portion and retracted rearward when the image of the observation object is obtained by the first optical system.

Abstract: A medical device for imaging internal body cavities of a patient includes one or more optical components and one or more vibrating elements. The vibrating elements are selectively activated during the application of a washing liquid over the optical components to enhance the cleaning ability of the liquid.

Abstract: An endoscope cleaning sheath includes a tube body and a distal end configuration portion. The tube body includes an endoscope disposition hole in which an insertion portion of an endoscope provided with at least an observation window is inserted and disposed, at least one liquid supply hole configuring a liquid supply channel, and at least one gas supply hole configuring a gas supply channel. The distal end configuration portion is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube body. On an inner surface of a distal end surface portion of the distal end configuration portion is provided a fluid mixing portion and a concave portion configuring an ejection opening that ejects a fluid mixture at an observation window of the endoscope. The fluid mixing portion causes liquid supplied through the liquid supply hole and gas supplied through the gas supply hole to merge to mix the liquid and gas.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope insertion portion capable of illuminating a diseased part corresponding to a part of an endoscope image by irradiation light in an amount approximately the same as that in non-enlarged display, when displaying the part of the endoscope image in an enlarged manner. The endoscope insertion portion of this invention includes: an insertion portion having a distal end surface; a first illumination optical system for irradiating light onto a subject; a second illumination optical system for irradiating light onto the subject; a first image pickup portion including on the distal end surface a first optical member for introducing light from the subject; and a second image pickup portion including a second optical member for introducing light from the subject, the second optical member being disposed in an area sandwiched by the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system.

Abstract: Mounted internally of a casing of a manipulating head assembly of an endoscope is a branching passage member to connect a base end of a biopsy channel with a biopsy channel entrance way and a suction passage. The branching passage member is retained in position by threaded engagement with a biopsy channel entrance pipe which is fitted in the biopsy channel entrance way. Further, the branching passage member is provided with restrictive members thereby to restrict movements of the branching member except a movement toward the biopsy channel entrance pipe when the branching member is pulled into the biopsy channel entrance way for engagement with the entrance pipe.

Abstract: A first apparatus for cleaning a distal end of a medical scope includes an annular sheath surroundingly attachable to the scope wherein the distal scope end is in fluid communication with the distal end of a lumen of the attached sheath with the proximal lumen end fluidly connectable to an irrigation fluid source and/or vacuum source. A second apparatus includes a motor-driven rotatable cannula having a closed distal end. A third apparatus includes an annular sheath and a lens which closes off the sheath, wherein the scope is insertable into the sheath, and wherein the lens is exposed to a distal lumen end of a lumen of the attached sheath. A fourth apparatus includes an annular sheath and a transparent shield rotatable attachable to the sheath to seal the distal sheath end. A fifth apparatus includes a sleeve attachable to and slidable along a scope.

Abstract: The instrument has an original cleaning system, which includes a gas nozzle supplying a gas jet onto the optical surface under high pressure. This pressure is sufficient to enable the gas jet to be a single cleaning means for cleaning the optical surface in all clinical instances. A safety means prevents the patient's internal organs from barotrauma by the gas jet and includes a gas jet catcher and a suction pump of ejection type. The latter is arranged in the instrument's handle and can be used also for the removal of abundant secretions or body's small particles from the patient's cavity. Besides, the gas jet and the suction pump along with a control means form the system for pressure control within the patient's cavity.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided and includes: a plurality of guide tubes that is pierced into a subject coelom swelled by supplying a pressurized gas; an endoscope inserted into one of the plurality of guide tubes; a treatment piece inserted into at least the other one of the plurality of guide tubes; an injection nozzle that intermittently inject a cleaning gas to an observation window at a front end of an inserting portion of the endoscope so as to flow along a surface of the observation window, the cleaning gas being the same as the pressurized gas; and a cleaning gas supply controller capable of setting an injection pressure and an injection time period of the cleaning gas under a condition that an injection amount of the cleaning gas becomes equal to or smaller than a leakage amount of the pressurized gas leaked from inside of the coelom.

Abstract: An endoscope system for performing medical treatments uses a medical endoscope equipped with an observation window and at least one treatment instrument for medical treatments which are inserted into a body cavity of a human patient through trocar inserted and maintained in incisions formed in the patient body, respectively. The body cavity is inflated with an inflation CO2 gas supplied through one of the trocars. In order to form a curtain of CO2 gas for protection of the observation window from dirt particles, the endoscope has a spray nozzle through which a jet of cleaning CO2 gas is continuously emitted at an emission rate controlled less than leakage of CO2 gas from the body cavity through the trocars.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an observation window (25) installed to an insertion section (2) of a rigid endoscope (1) is equipped with a nozzle (21) to spray selectively cleaning liquid and a pressurized CO2 gas against the observation window (25), internal conduits (23, 24) through which the cleaning liquid and the CO2 gas are supplied to the nozzle (21) and external conduits (90,30; 40) detachably connected to the internal conduits (23, 24), respectively, so as to distribute the cleaning liquid and the CO2 gas into the internal conduits (23, 24), respectively, from a liquid container (60) and a gas container (89) respectively. The gas supply external conduit (40) has a flow path diameter smaller than the liquid supply external conduit (30).

Abstract: To provide a medical energy irradiation apparatus which, having a simple and inexpensively manufacturable structure, enables a doctor using it in the heat curing of prostatic hypertrophy or the like to accurately and stably irradiate a prescribed site deep in a living body with a laser beam and, even if its observation window is smeared, to observe tissues of a living body. An inserting portion of the medical energy irradiation apparatus to be inserted into a living body according to the invention has an emitting portion for emitting a laser beam toward tissues of the living body; an observation window, provided near the tip of the inserting portion in its inserting direction, for observing the tissues of the living body; and a hollow pipe for supporting a supporting member, which supports the emitting portion, shiftably in the lengthwise directions of the inserting portion and feeding detergent to the observation window.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a dissection cradle that is resiliently supported along an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle, in operation, is extended to cradle the target vessel, and the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate a side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. The retractor includes a hollow support and a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system and lens washer that can be selectively positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site or at an endoscopic lens.

Abstract: An elongated sheath body for an endoscope has a channel provided in the sheath body to allow the endoscope to be inserted into the sheath body. The endoscope channel has a first opening at a distal end of the sheath body and a second opening at a proximal end of the sheath body. The endoscope-covering sheath is provided with a wiper provided near the first opening and a mechanism which drives the wiper. The wipers can wipe adhering matter which hinders the viewing field of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an imaging probe, positioned at the distal end of the elongated member; a pivot mechanism mechanically coupled to the imaging probe; and an actuating assembly extending through the passage of the elongated member and coupled to the pivoting mechanism. The imaging probe includes an objective lens, an imager positioned to receive an image from the objective lens, and a light source for illuminating a target. Upon actuation of the actuating mechanism, the pivot mechanism rotates the imaging probe relative to a point at the distal end of the elongated member.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical instruments for the operation in patient's body cavity with the visualization of internal organs. The instrument has an original cleaning system, which includes a gas nozzle supplying a gas jet onto the optical surface under high pressure. This pressure is sufficient to enable the gas jet to be a single cleaning means for cleaning the optical surface in all clinical instances. A safety means prevents the patient's internal organs from barotrauma by the gas jet und includes a gas jet catcher and a suction pump of ejection type. The latter is arranged in the instrument's handle and can be used also for the removal of abundant secretions or body's small particles from the patient's cavity. Besides, the gas jet and the suction pump along with a control means form the system for pressure control within the patient's cavity.

Abstract: An endoscope dirt remover according to the present invention comprises a tube through which an insert section of an endoscope is inserted, an elastic member coupled with the tube, and a wiper blade coupled with the elastic member at wiping the dirt of the objective lens, at least part of the wiper blade coming into contact with an objective lens of the endoscope and moving on the objective lens together with deformation of the elastic member.

Abstract: A sleeve for holding an endoscope used in surgical procedures including a hollow cylinder for receiving the endoscope, a docking member at the proximal end of the cylinder for receiving the viewing hub of the endoscope, a continuous suction supply adjacent the distal end of the cylinder, and a pressurized fluid supply for use when needed to clean the window of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided comprising a shaft having an endoscope optical system arranged therein, which has a distal front face. The instrument also comprises a working element arranged in the shaft. The shaft provides for the supply of an irrigation fluid. Flow-influencing means are provided, such that the irrigation fluid reaches in front of the front face of the endoscope optical system and can eliminate contaminations, which obstruct the view through the endoscope optics.