Hector Z Zarate

US Patent:

8460180, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Apr 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/088418

Inventors:

Hector Zarate - San Antonio TX, US
Robert Lucio - San Antonio TX, US
Justin Kilpatrick - Pittsburgh PA, US
Nirav Desai - Fort Wayne IN, US

International Classification:

A61B 1/00

US Classification:

600127, 600129, 600176

Abstract:

An endoscopic lens cleaning apparatus includes an end cap, a lens, first and second magnets, one or more guide rails to couple housings for the first and second magnets, and a wiper assembly that is attached to and capable of gliding along the guide rail. The wiper assembly houses a wiper magnet that interacts with the first and second magnets. At least one of the wiper magnet or first and second magnets is an electromagnet, coupled to a power supply via a switch. A controller alternates the polarity of current supplied to the electromagnet to cause the wiper assembly to glide along the rail. A wiper attached to the wiper assembly likewise glides along the lens, thereby cleaning it. The controller is programmable, and can operate in continuous, intermittent, or as needed cleaning modes.