Patent US 5,400,767

A simple, rapid and effective device for cleaning the objective lens of a laparoscope, endoscope, coeloscope or similar telescope, without the removal of said telescope from the body cavity, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device consists of a tube, the inner diameter of which is such that it accepts the shaft of such telescope. On the inner circumference, near to or at one end of the tube, is a ridge that can direct a flow of fluid within the tube onto the objective lens at the end of a telescope shaft inserted within the tube. At the other end of the tube there is a means of making a seal, such as a flexible O-ring, that prevents or reduces the leakage of air and/or fluid between the tube and the inserted shaft of the telescope. There is an aperture in the tube which gives access to the inside of the tube. Prior to use, the shaft of the telescope is inserted into the invention so that the end of the telescope, containing the objective lens, touches or almost touches the ridge. During operation, whenever the objective lens at the end of the telescope shaft becomes soiled or obscured, fluid is injected through the aperture via a fixture. The fluid flows between the telescope shaft and the inner wall of the tube until it reaches the ridge which directs the fluid over the objective lens, washing the lens and improving or restoring visibility.