US 11,717,145 B2
Method for placement of an imaging element cleaning apparatus and obturator for enabling same
David K. Poirier, Houston, TX (US); and Douglas G. Stoakley, Austin, TX (US)
Assigned to ClearCam Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Filed by ClearCam Inc., Austin, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/221,865.
Application 17/221,865 is a division of application No. 16/900,715, filed on Jun. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,033,179.
Prior Publication US 2021/0386281 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 1/12 (2006.01); B08B 9/043 (2006.01); A61B 90/70 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 1/126 (2013.01) [A61B 1/123 (2013.01); B08B 9/0436 (2013.01); A61B 2090/701 (2016.02); A61L 2202/17 (2013.01); A61L 2202/24 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
urging a distal tip portion of an obturator of an endoscope placement assembly through an incision within a body cavity wall of a patient until an elongated tubular body of an imaging element cleaning apparatus of the endoscope placement assembly extends through the body cavity wall, wherein a cleaning member of the imaging element cleaning apparatus is located adjacent to a distal end portion of the elongated tubular body, wherein the distal tip portion of the obturator protrudes from within a central passage of the elongated tubular body at the distal end portion thereof and wherein at least a portion of the cleaning member is positioned within a cleaning member receiving space at the distal tip portion of the obturator;
detaching the obturator from the imaging element cleaning apparatus; and
after detaching the obturator, adjoining an endoscope with the imaging element cleaning apparatus for enabling the cleaning member to perform cleaning of an imaging element of the endoscope.