Patent Publication Number: US-2021177250-A1

Title: Imaging element cleaning apparatus with structure-mandated cleaning member motion control

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority as a continuation from co-pending United States Non-Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 17/068,563, filed Oct. 12 2020, entitled “IMAGING ELEMENT CLEANING APPARATUS WITH STRUCTURE-MANDATED CLEANING MEMBER MOTION CONTROL”, which claims priority as a continuation from co-pending United States Non-Provisional Patent Application having Serial No. 16/593,204, filed Oct.  4  2019, entitled “IMAGING ELEMENT CLEANING APPARATUS WITH STRUCTURE-MANDATED CLEANING MEMBER MOTION CONTROL”, both of which have a common applicant herewith and are being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Surgical procedures utilizing in vivo visualization of target surgical sites are well known as a form of a concealed operation site. Examples of these surgeries include, but are not limited to, endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic surgery and the like. These surgical procedures all utilize a surgical instrument having an integrated visualization device for providing in vivo visualization of a target surgical site within a surgical space of the patient. Although it is common for the surgical instrument to be referred to in the context of the specific type of surgical procedure (e.g., endoscope for endoscopic surgery, laparoscope for laparoscopic surgery, and the like), these surgical instruments are generally referred to herein as an “endoscope”.  
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an endoscope  1  used in these surgical procedures is characterized as having a user interface portion  5  and an extension portion  10  connected at its proximate end  15  to the user interface portion  5 . Scopes for endoscopic surgery generally have an extension portion that is substantially flexible, whereas scopes for other types of surgical procedures—e.g., for laparoscopic surgery, as shown in  FIG. 1 —generally have an extension portion  10  that is substantially rigid. The extension portion  10  has an imaging element  20  such as a lens at its distal end portion  25 . The imaging element  20  can have an exposed surface that is typically generally flush with or that defines an end face of the extension portion  10 . The imaging element  20  is connected to an optical fiber or other image transmitting element that is internal to the endoscope. The optical fiber or other image transmitting element extends along the length of the extension portion  10  and terminates at an optics connector  30  on the user interface portion  5 . The optics connector  30  enables the optical fiber to be connected to a visualization device (e.g., visual display console) through which target surgical sites can be viewed by surgery personnel. 
     During a surgical procedure using an endoscope, the exposed surface of the imaging element thereof may become impaired due to one or more in vivo scenarios. Examples of these scenarios include the exposed surface of the imaging element becoming fogged with moisture within the surgical space, or the exposed surface of the imaging element may be smeared by blood or other bodily fluids or tissues (e.g. interstitial fluid, fat tissue or the like). Currently, there are two primary different endoscope cleaning methods that are commonly utilized. The first of these cleaning methods is to remove the endoscope from the body, wipe the imaging element clean, and reinsert the endoscope into the body. This  method, though effective, is time consuming and causes the surgeon to lose visual of the surgical site, which can be considered dangerous (e.g., risk of infection), as surgical instruments typically remain inside the body. The second of these cleaning methods is to wipe the exposed surface of the imaging element upon a nearby organ or tissue. Although the endoscope remains inside the body, takes less time to clean and does not potentially compromise the surgical site, this method is often not sufficiently effective either due to the “cleaning” surface not providing effective cleaning performance or simply further contaminating the exposed surface of the imaging element. Also, when using either of these cleaning methods, the surgeon must undesirably spend time relocating the surgical site after cleaning the imaging element. 
     At a minimum, current approaches for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element can be a hindrance and an annoyance for surgeons and may offer poor cleaning performance. Additionally, the action of cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element increases the length of time a surgical procedure takes, thereby decreasing the amount of operating room (OR) time available to the hospital. It is also costly for hospitals, patients, and insurance companies due to wasted time, and possibly surgical complications and post-surgical infection rates. Additionally, as patients undergo longer procedures, their time spent under anesthesia increases. Increased time under anesthesia has been shown to correlate to a rise in surgical complication rates and post-surgical infection rates. Thus, the added time associated with current commonly used approaches for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element is not only a hindrance, but also potentially medically and financially costly.  
     Thus, to maintain required visualization of target surgical sites, it is desirable to clean an exposed surface of an imaging element of a device while the distal end portion of the device remains in a concealed operation site (e.g., an endoscope in vivo). Known methods and devices that are intended to provide for cleaning of a surface of such devices when still within the concealed operation site (e.g., an endoscope in vivo) have one or more shortcomings (e.g., lack efficacy, interfere with the surgical procedure, require significant alteration to a surgeon&#39;s preferred surgical technique, etc.). Therefore, an effective, efficient, simple and reliable approach for allowing an exposed surface of an imaging element of device (e.g., an endoscope) to be cleaned while the distal end portion of apparatus is still within the concealed operation site (e.g., in vivo) would be advantageous, desirable and useful.  
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing an effective and reliable approach for allowing an exposed surface of an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of a device (e.g., an endoscope) be cleaned while the distal end portion of the device is within a concealed operational site (e.g., in vivo). More specifically, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for use with an endoscope utilized in one or more types of surgical procedures (e.g., endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic surgery and the like), The apparatus incorporates a cleaning member (e.g., a resilient polymeric wiper, a sponge, an absorbent pad or the like) used for cleaning the exposed surface of the imaging element of the device while the imaging element is within the concealed operation site. The apparatus is preferably adapted for having the device mounted thereon but can also be can be entirely or partially integral with one or more components of the device (e.g., a robotic arm configured for carrying, operating and manipulating an endoscope). 
     Cleaning apparatuses in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention can be configured to be used with commercially available endoscopes. Dimensions of such endoscopes are either published or otherwise publicly determinable. As a result of knowing the dimensions of the target endoscopes intended for use with a cleaning apparatus in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention can be engineered device-specific. Thus, engagement of a device such as an endoscope on an intended one of these device-specific cleaning apparatuses preferably  results in the device having a seated configuration on the cleaning apparatus exhibiting a high level of dimensional precision between the device and the cleaning apparatus. 
     Although such high level of dimensional precision is exhibited, both the device and the cleaning apparatus have respective manufacturing tolerances that can influence the efficiency, effectiveness and predictability by which the cleaning member cleans the imaging element. For example, in view of cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention relying upon contact with portions of the device comprising the imaging element (e.g., direct surface contact between the imaging element and the cleaning member), these manufacturing tolerances can influence a degree of force and/or deflection that the cleaning member exhibits as it comes into contact with the imaging element and thereby influence cleaning performance. Similarly, in some situations (e.g., rate of speed by which the cleaning member is brought into contact with the imaging element, direction of motion of the cleaning member and the like), other consideration can also influence the degree of force and/or deflection that the cleaning member exhibits as it comes into contact with the imaging element. 
     Advantageously, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include a mechanism for selectively adjusting the axial position of the cleaning member—an axial position adjuster. The axial position of the cleaning member is relative to the distal end portion of the device (e.g., the distal end portion of the extension portion of the endoscope). In most instances, the axial position will be relative to a face of an imaging element exposed at an end face of the extension portion. Through such adjustment of the axial position of the cleaning member, a user can alter the degree  of force and/or deflection that the cleaning member exhibits as it comes into contact with the end portion of the endoscope and/or imaging element, thereby optimizing cleaning functionality. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus comprises a chassis, a cleaning member and a cleaning member movement mechanism. The chassis is adapted for having an endoscope attached thereto. The cleaning member is provided at a distal end portion of the chassis. The cleaning member movement mechanism is provided at a proximate end portion of the chassis. The cleaning member movement mechanism includes a cleaning member movement assembly including a control body and a motion control device. The motion control device is attached to the control body and to the cleaning member. The motion control device includes a motion control structure that defines an axial position of the cleaning member as a function of angular position of the control body. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus comprises a chassis, a coupling element, and a cleaning member movement mechanism. The chassis is adapted for having an endoscope attached thereto a cleaning member at a location of the chassis that is adjacent to an imaging element of the endoscope when the endoscope is mounted on the chassis. The coupling element has a distal end thereof attached to the cleaning member. The cleaning member movement mechanism includes a cam body, a control body and a cleaning member coupling element. The cam body is engaged with the chassis and includes a motion control surface having a profile that defines axial movement of the cleaning member coupling element with respect  to the cam body as a function of angular position of the control body. The control body is attached to the cleaning member coupling element whereby rotation of the control body causes a corresponding rotational movement of the cleaning member coupling element. The cleaning member coupling element is translatably and rotatably engaged with the cam body and has a proximate end of the coupling element fixedly attached thereto. At least one of the control body and the cleaning member coupling element has a motion coupling element thereof engaged with the motion control surface whereby rotation of the control body results in translational and rotational movement of the cleaning member relative to the elongated member in accordance with the profile of the motion control surface. 
     In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a cleaning member controller of an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning member coupling element, a control body and a cam body. The cleaning member coupling element is fixedly coupled to a cleaning member of the in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus. The control body is attached to the cleaning member coupling element to provide for rotation of the control body to cause a corresponding rotational movement of the cleaning member coupling element. The cam body has a chassis engaging portion engaged with a chassis of the in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus. The cam body includes a motion control surface having a profile that defines axial movement of the cleaning member coupling element with respect to the cam body as a function of angular position of the control body. The cleaning member coupling element is translatably and rotatably engaged with the cam body. The cleaning member coupling element has a motion coupling element thereof engaged with the motion control surface whereby rotation of the control body results in  translational and rotational movement of the cleaning member relative to the elongated member in accordance with the profile of the motion control surface. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a camming device that synchronously controls movement of the cleaning member. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention for a motion control surface of the camming device to define a circuitous path that defines such synchronous movement control. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention that such synchronous movement control causes the wiper to move from a stowed position to a use position back to the stowed position. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention that such synchronous movement control can be implemented by manipulation of a single control body. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention that the camming device that at least partially limits a direction in which the single control body can be moved. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a plurality of control bodies where at least one of the control bodies is in a nested arrangement with respect to at least one of the one of the control bodies.  
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a cleaning member that is at least one of a resilient wiper, a semi-rigid wiper, an absorbent pad and a sponge. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a single control mechanism that provides for multiple modes of cleaning member movement. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide for selective adjustment of the axial position of the cleaning member. 
     It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention for such axial distance adjustability to be provided by a control device that is integral with the single control mechanism that provides for multiple modes of cleaning member movement. 
     These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.  
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a prior art endoscope. 
         FIG. 2  is a first perspective view showing an endoscope cleaning apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a second perspective view showing the endoscope of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where a control body of a first cleaning member control mechanism is in an extended configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where a control body of a first cleaning member control mechanism is in a retracted configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where a cleaning member thereof is in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 8  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where the cleaning member thereof is in a use position. 
         FIG. 9  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where the cleaning member thereof is moved to an imaging element contacting position thereof.  
         FIG. 10  is partial perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , where the cleaning member thereof is moved beyond the imaging element contact position thereof. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view showing a structural arrangement for providing cleaning member offset functionality in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing an endoscope cleaning apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a cam body of the cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a first plan view of the cam body of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a second plan view of the cam body of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic view showing a profile of cam segments of the cam body of  FIG. 15 .  
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 2-10  illustrate various aspects of an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus configured in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, which is designated as cleaning apparatus  100 . Cleaning apparatus  100  is preferably, but not necessarily, configured to be used with commercially available endoscopes, such as endoscope  1  of  FIG. 1 . Examples of such commercially available endoscopes include, but are not limited to, endoscopes manufactured under brand names of Karl Storz, Linvatec, Olympus, Richard Wolf, Stryker and Intuitive Surgical (i.e., DaVinci). To this end, in preferred embodiments, cleaning apparatus  100  can be engineered as endoscope-specific for a given model(s) of one or more manufacturers based on the dimensional attributes of such commercially available endoscopes. An underlying consideration of the manner in which the endoscope cleaning apparatus  100  is engineered for an intended brand(s) or model(s) of endoscope is that there be a high level of dimensional precision between the endoscope and the cleaning apparatus. Such dimensional precision can be characterized to include both the inhibition of any unacceptable level of relative movement between the endoscope and the cleaning apparatus  100  and relative placement of key structural elements of the endoscope relative to those of the cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the cleaning apparatus  100  has an elongated body  102  that is adapted to have the extension portion  10  of the endoscope  1  inserted. In its fully seated placement, as shown, a dimensionally predictable surface or feature of the endoscope  1  such as that of the user interface portion  5  (e.g., a handle and/or optic interface portion) abuts a mating dimensionally predictable surface or feature of the endoscope cleaning  apparatus  100 . This mating surface or feature of the cleaning apparatus  100 —such as a surface or feature of a user interface body  103  thereof—serves as a reference structure of the cleaning apparatus  100 . With the endoscope  1  in this fully seated position on the cleaning apparatus  100  with respect to the reference structure, a distal end portion  25  of the endoscope protrude from within an opening  104  in the distal end portion  106  of the elongated body  102  by a known, predictable amount. Through such an interfacial arrangement and dimensional tolerances, a high level of dimensional precision between the endoscope  1  and the cleaning apparatus  100  can be achieved. As discussed below in greater detail, such dimensional precision is beneficial to the cleaning performance afforded by the cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     As discussed above in reference to  FIG. 1 , the distal end portion  25  of the endoscope  1  carries the imaging element  20  (e.g., a lens). The imaging element  20  is exposed at and is generally flush with or defines an end face at the distal end portion  25  of the extension portion  10  of the endoscope  1 . The distal end portion  25  of the endoscope  1  is exposed at an opening  104  in a distal end  106 . As a result of the seated placement of the endoscope  1  on the cleaning apparatus  100 , the imaging element  20  is at a known and predictable position relative to the reference structure of the cleaning apparatus  100 . Thus, for an endoscope engineered for use with a specific cleaning apparatus, the components of the cleaning apparatus  100  can similarly be at known and predictable position relative to structures of the endoscope  1 , thereby providing for precise placement and configuration of components of the cleaning apparatus  100  to achieve a desired and predictable level of cleaning performance.  
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , the elongated body  102  and the user interface body  103  jointly define a chassis of the cleaning apparatus. The chassis serves as the platform on which the endoscope  1  can be mounted in a predictable seated position. It is disclosed herein that the chassis can be that of a robot that provides robot-assisted surgery or can be adapted to operatively interface with a mating mounting portion of such a robot. For example, the elongated body  102  and/or the user interface body  103  can be that of an arm or other structure of the robot or adapted to operatively interface with an instrument mounting portion of the arm of the robot. 
     The elongated body  102  of the chassis can be a tube having a central passage  110  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) with a round or generally round cross-sectional shape. The central passage  110  has a size and profile that is adapted to have the extension portion  10  of the endoscope  1  seated therein by inserting the extension portion into the central passage  110  and sliding the extension portion  10  along the length of the elongated body  102  until the endoscope  1  is in a seated position on the chassis. The user interface body  103  can include a retention tool  111  for securing the endoscope  1  is in the seated position on the chassis. Alternatively, the elongated body  102  can be a non-tubular structure such as a skeletal structure that engages the extension portion  10  of the endoscope at discrete spaced-apart locations thereof 
     The chassis can include a plurality of structural elements that provide for the known and predictable position of the endoscope  1  when mounted in a seated position on the chassis. One of these structural elements is the effective inside diameter (e.g., for ribbed or textured interior surface) or the actual inside diameter (e.g., a smooth interior wall) of  the elongated body  102  in relation to an outside diameter of the extension portion  10  of the endoscope  1  and the elongated body  102  of the chassis. It is preferable to maintain a close fit between the outside wall of elongated body  102  and the mating exterior wall of the extension portion  10  so as to provide for a fluid-resistant interface between the elongated body  102  and the extension portion  10  and to limit off-axis pitch between a longitudinal axis of the elongated body  102  and the extension portion  10 . Another one of these structural elements is a seating surface  112  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 11 ) on the user interface body  103 . The seating surface can be a reference surface of the cleaning apparatus  100  that engages a mating reference surface  35  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the endoscope  1 . Engagement of the seating surface  112  on the user interface body  103  with the mating reference surface  35  of the endoscope  1  serves to define a predictable seated orientation of the endoscope  1  on the chassis. 
     The cleaning apparatus  100  includes a cleaning member  114  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) adjacent to the opening  104  in the distal end portion  106  of the elongated body  102 . As discussed below in greater detail, the cleaning member  114  functions to clean contaminants and debris from a surface of the imaging element  20  when brought into contact with the imaging element  20  of the endoscope. The cleaning member  114  can be fixedly attached to a distal end portion of a coupling element  116 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the coupling element  116  extends through a channel  118  within the elongated body  102 . Preferably, the channel  118  and the central passage  110  extend substantially parallel to each other within the elongated body  102 . In some embodiments, the coupling element  116  is characterized by an elongated small diameter structure that offers at least a limited degree of bendability in combination with high torsional rigidity. In other embodiments,  the coupling element  116  is characterized by an elongated small diameter structure that offers a given amount of torsional compliance. Based on these characterizing attributes, examples of coupling element  116  include, but are not limited to, solid metallic wire, spiraled metal wire, a polymeric filament(s), a composite filament(s) or the like. 
     The user interface body  103 , which can be configured as a handle for the cleaning apparatus  100 , carries a cleaning member controller  120 . The cleaning member controller  120  is coupled between the user interface body  103  and the cleaning member  114  for enabling selective movement of the cleaning member  114 . The cleaning member controller  120  includes a first cleaning member control mechanism  122  (i.e., a cleaning member movement mechanism) and a second cleaning member control mechanism  124  (i.e., a cleaning member adjusting mechanism). The first cleaning member control mechanism  122  includes a control body  125  (i.e., the first control body  125 ) that is rotatably and translatably mounted on (i.e., attached to) the user interface body  103 , as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and the second cleaning member control mechanism  124  is rotatably mounted on the first cleaning member control mechanism  122 . The first and second cleaning member control mechanisms  122 ,  124  provide for various cleaning member manipulation modes. 
     Through such movement capability of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122 , the first cleaning member control mechanism provides at least a first cleaning member manipulation mode and a second cleaning member manipulation mode. The first cleaning member manipulation mode can include translational movement, as provided for by translation of the coupling element  116  to move the cleaning member  114   between a stowed position S (best shown in  FIG. 7 ) and a use position U (best shown in  FIG. 8 )—i.e., the first cleaning member manipulation mode. As can be seen, the stowed position S and the use position U are relative to a location of the imaging element  20  of the endoscope  1  when the endoscope  1  is mounted on the chassis. As can be seen, the stowed position S and the use position U are relative to a location of the imaging element  20  of the endoscope  1  when the endoscope  1  is mounted on the chassis. The use position U is a position in which the cleaning element  114  is beyond a terminal end of the endoscope  1 . The stowed position S is a position in which the cleaning element  114  is retracted from the use position U (e.g., by a maximum distance of travel therebetween). The second cleaning member manipulation mode can include rotational movement to move the cleaning member  114  into and away from contact with the imaging element  20  (as best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8-10 ) while the cleaning member  114  is in the use position—i.e., the second cleaning member manipulation mode or, as discussed below, an offset use position adjacent thereto. In this manner, the first cleaning member manipulation mode of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  permits manipulation of the cleaning member  114  for enabling in vivo cleaning of the imaging element  20  in concert with in vivo surgical cavity visualization utilizing the imaging element  20 . 
     As discussed above, the cleaning apparatus  114  and the endoscope  1  are jointly configured such that the imaging element  20  is at a known and predictable position relative to the reference structure of the chassis of the cleaning apparatus  100 . Thus, due to dimensional properties of the endoscope  1  and the cleaning apparatus  100 , the cleaning member  114  is at a known and predictable position relative to the imaging element  20 . In at least one aspect, such known and predictable position of the cleaning member  114   relative to the imaging element  20  can be characterized as being an axial distance between a reference portion of the cleaning member  114  (e.g., edge portion of the cleaning member  114 ) and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20 . This axial distance is a design parameter of the cleaning apparatus that enables the cleaning member  114  to remove (i.e., clean) debris and contaminants from the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  in response to the cleaning member  114  being moved into contact with (e.g., wiped across) the exposed face of the imaging element  20  during implementation of the second cleaning member manipulation mode when the cleaning member  114  is in the use position U. 
     Some situations can arise that influence the position of the cleaning member  114  relative to the imaging element  20  to a degree that can impair desired cleaning of the imaging element  20 . One such situation is where dimension tolerances of the cleaning apparatus  114  and and/or the endoscope  1  result in a dimensional stack that influence the axial distance between the reference portion of the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  to a degree that adversely effects cleaning performance. For example, the extension portion  10  of the endoscope  1  can have a length that is at the lower end of its tolerance range and the mating reference surface  35  of the endoscope  1  can be at the upper end of its tolerance range. In this case, the axial distance between the reference portion of the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  can become greater than required for providing acceptable cleaning performance. Another such situation is where end user technique by which the user causes the cleaning member  114  to move across the imaging element  20  (e.g., the rate, cadence and/or rotation direction) can adversely influence cleaning performance.  
     Advantageously, cleaning apparatuses configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention include at least one provision for mitigating situations that can influence the position of the cleaning member  114  relative to the imaging element  20  to a degree that impairs desired cleaning of the imaging element  20 . To this end, the second cleaning member control mechanism  124  provides a respective cleaning member manipulation mode—i.e., a third cleaning member manipulation mode—for selectively altering the axial distance between the reference portion of the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 , the second cleaning member control mechanism  124  includes a control body  126  that is rotatably (i.e., moveably) attached to the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  (i.e., the second control body). Through rotation of the second control body  126  in a given direction, a respective change in the axial distance between the reference portion of the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  occurs (e.g., clock-wise rotation provides lesser distance and counter clock-wise rotation provides greater distance or vice-versa). In this manner, an end user is able to alter the axial distance between the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  to affect cleaning member loading upon contact with the imaging element  20  and thus imaging element cleaning performance. 
     Referring now, to  FIG. 11 , aspects of a specific implementation of the first and second cleaning member control mechanisms  122 ,  124  are described. The first control body  125  includes a user interface portion  128  and a mounting portion  130  connected to the user interface portion  128 . The mounting portion  130  is translatably and rotatably  attached to a mating portion of the user interface body  103 . For example, the mounting portion  130  can include a cylindrical extension portion that is seated in a mating passage of the user interface body  103  to permit the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  to be axially translated relative to the user interface body  103  between an extended position E ( FIG. 5 ) and a retracted position R ( FIG. 6 ) for correspondingly moving the cleaning member  114  between the stowed position S and the use position U, and to be rotationally translated relative to the user interface body  103  for correspondingly moving the cleaning member  114  into and away from contact with the imaging element  20  of the endoscope  1 . Dimensions of the mounting portion  130  and the mating passage of the user interface body  103  can jointly define the amount of translational movement that the cleaning member control mechanism  122  exhibits. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 11 , the second control body  126  includes a user interface portion  132  and a mounting portion  134  connected to the user interface portion  132 . The mounting portion  134  is rotatably (i.e., movably) attached to a mating portion of the user interface portion  132  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  (e.g. ,the control body  125 ) for enabling rotation of the second control body  126  relative to the first control body  125  while inhibiting unrestricted axial translation therebetween (i.e., a rotation-enabling, translation-inhibiting interface). A coupling element engaging structure  136  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  124  is disposed on the first control body  125  so as to permit axial translation of the coupling element engaging structure  136  relative to the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  and to inhibit unrestricted rotational movement therebetween (i.e., a rotation-inhibiting, translation-enabling interface). For example, the coupling element engaging structure  136  can have an oblong lateral shape  (e.g., rectangular) and be located within a mating elongated cavity of the first control body  125  that has an oblong lateral shape, thereby enabling relative axial translation of the coupling element engaging structure  136  and inhibit unrestricted relative rotational movement thereof 
     An extension portion  138  of the coupling element engaging structure  136  (e.g., a first structural element of an interlocked interface structure) is threadedly engaged within a mating central passage  140  of the second control body  126  (e.g., a second structural element of an interlocked interface structure) . Such threaded engagement is an example of interlocked engagement, whereby axial movement is a function of rotational movement. The mounting portion  130  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  has a coupling element passage  142  extending longitudinally therethrough and the coupling element engaging structure  136  has a coupling element passage  144  extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough. The mounting portion  130  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  and the coupling element engaging structure  136  are jointly configured such that the coupling element passages  142 ,  144  are longitudinally aligned. A proximate end portion of the coupling element  116  extends through the coupling element passage  142  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  into the coupling element passage  144  of the coupling element engaging structure  136 . The coupling element engaging structure  136  includes a securement structure  146  (e.g., a threaded setscrew) for securing the coupling element  116  in a fixed placement relative to the coupling element engaging structure  136 .  
     Through the treaded engagement between the extension portion  138  of the coupling element engaging structure  136  and the second control body  126 , as discussed above, rotation of the second control body  126  relative to the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  causes axial translation of the coupling element engaging structure  136  relative to the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  and, thus, provides a corresponding axial displacement of the cleaning element  114  thereby adjusting the axial distance between the reference portion of the cleaning member  114  and the exposed surface of the imaging element  20  occurs (e.g., clock-wise rotation provides lesser distance and counter clock-wise rotation provides greater distance or vice-versa). 
     A user can use the cleaning member adjustment capability provided by the second cleaning member control mechanism  124  in any number of ways. For example, prior to a surgical procedure, a user can set-up an initial degree of contact between the cleaning element  114  and the imaging using such cleaning member adjustment capability. After mounting an endoscope on a chassis of the cleaning apparatus, the user can adjust the axial distance between the cleaning member  114  and the imaging element  20  such that the is no contact between the cleaning member  114  as the cleaning member  114  passes across the exposed surface of the imaging element  20 . Using the cleaning member adjustment capability provided by the second cleaning member control mechanism  124 , the user can then bring the cleaning element  114  into first contact with the imaging element  20  and then apply a given degree of “preload” to the cleaning member through use of the cleaning member adjustment capability. The cleaning member adjustment capability can also be utilized during the surgical procedure to further adjust the cleaning member axial distance  (i.e., a greater or lesser contact loading on the cleaning member  114 ) to influence cleaning performance. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention can provide a cleaning member offset functionality.  FIG. 12  illustrates an implementation of such cleaning member offset functionality provided for by the cleaning apparatus of  FIGS. 2-11 . Such cleaning member offset functionality serves to enable the position of the cleaning member  114  be precisely offset from its use position when the first control body  125  is in the retraced position R (See  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 ) at the limit of its retraction travel (i.e., fully retracted). To this end, a circumferential groove  148  can be provided in the mounting portion  130  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122  corresponding to a desired offset location. The user interface body  103  includes a displacement controlling structure  150  that tactically and, optionally, audibly indicates when the first control body  125  has been translated from the retracted position R to the location defined by the location of the circumferential groove  148 . A lateral distance between the groove  148  and the displacement controlling structure defines the offset distance of the cleaning member  114 . In one or more embodiments, the displacement controlling structure  150  includes a contact member having a surface-engaging portion that is forcibly-biased into contact with the exterior surface of the mounting portion  130  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  122 . The surface-engaging portion is sized and/or shaped to engage the circumferential groove  148 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-18 , various aspects of an in vivo endoscope cleaning apparatus configured in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, which is designated as cleaning apparatus  200 , are discussed. With the exception of the  following distinguishing aspects of the cleaning apparatus  200 , the cleaning apparatus  200  can be generally of the same configuration as the cleaning apparatus  100  discussed above in reference to  FIGS. 2-12 , interfaces with commercially available endoscopes and is intended for use in the same manner described above for cleaning apparatus  100 . However, as will be seen, the cleaning apparatus  200  includes a cleaning member controller construction that is different in function and structure than that of cleaning apparatus  100 . Similar elements in the first and second embodiments are designated by similar reference numbers and/or names (e.g., user interface body  103  and user interface body  203 ). 
     A user interface body  203  of the cleaning apparatus  200  carries a cleaning member controller  220 . The following description will describe the operation of the cleaning member controller  220 , which provides a cleaning member movement arrangement that is structure-mandated. In contrast, the cleaning member controller  120  of the cleaning apparatus  100  discussed above in reference to  FIGS. 2-12  utilizes a cleaning member movement arrangement that is user-mandated. 
     The cleaning member controller  220  is coupled between the user interface body  203  and a cleaning member of the cleaning apparatus  200  for enabling selective movement of the cleaning member. (i.e., functionally and/or structurally the same as the cleaning member controller  120  of the cleaning apparatus  100  is coupled to the cleaning member  114  thereof.) The cleaning member controller  220  includes a first cleaning member control mechanism  222  and a second cleaning member control mechanism  224 . The first and second cleaning member control mechanisms  222 ,  224  each include a respective control body  225 ,  226  (i.e., the first control body  225  and second control body  226 ) that is rotatably  attached to the user interface body  203 , as best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The first cleaning member control mechanism  222  utilizes rotational movement thereof for synchronously moving the cleaning member between a stowed position S (See  FIG. 7 ) and a use position U (See  FIG. 8 ) and into and away from contact with the imaging element of the endoscope  1  (See  FIGS. 7-9 ). The first cleaning member control mechanism  222  thus provides combines the previously-mentioned first and second cleaning member manipulation modes. The second cleaning member control mechanism  224  utilizes rotational movement thereof to provide a cleaning member manipulation mode (i.e., previously referred to as the third cleaning member manipulation mode) for adjusting an axial distance between the cleaning member and an imaging element of the endoscope when the cleaning member is in the use position. In this manner, the first cleaning member manipulation mode of the first cleaning member control mechanism  222  permits manipulation of the cleaning member for enabling in vivo cleaning of the endoscope&#39;s imaging element in concert with in vivo surgical cavity visualization utilizing the imaging element. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the first cleaning member control mechanism  222  includes the first control body  225 , a cam body  227  and a coupling element engaging structure  236  and the second cleaning member control mechanism  222  includes the second control body  226 . The first control body  225  includes a user interface portion  228  and a mounting portion  230  connected to the user interface portion  228  thereof. The second control body  226  includes a user interface portion  232  and a mounting portion  234  connected to the user interface portion  232  thereof. Preferably, as shown, the first control body  225  is in a nested arrangement with the second control body  226 .  
     A proximate end portion of the coupling element  216  into a coupling element passage  242  of the coupling element engaging structure  236 . The coupling element engaging structure  236  includes a securement structure  246  (e.g., a threaded setscrew) for securing the coupling element  216  in a fixed placement relative to the coupling element engaging structure  236 . Accordingly, as discussed below in greater detail, axial displacement of the coupling element engaging structure  236  results in a corresponding axial displacement of coupling element  216  and the cleaning member attached to the distal end portion thereof 
     The coupling element engaging structure  236  is translatably and rotatably seated within a central passage  229  of the cam body  227 . The mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  (e.g., a first structural element of an interlocked interface structure) is disposed within the central passage  229  of the cam body  227  and is threadedly engaged with the cam body  227  (e.g., a second structural element of an interlocked interface structure), whereby rotation of the second control body  226  causes axial displacement of the cam body  227  relative to the mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224 . The cam body  227  is mounted on the user interface body  203  and is jointly configured with the user interface body  203  to permit axial translation of the cam body  227  relative to the user interface body  203  and inhibit unrestricted rotational movement therebetween (i.e., a translation-enabling, rotation-inhibiting interface). The mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  is engaged with user interface housing  203  to permit rotational movement of the second control body  226  relative to the user interface housing  203 , while inhibiting  unrestricted axial displacement therebetween (i.e., a rotation-enabling, translation-inhibiting interface). The mounting portion  230  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  222  is rotatably disposed within the central passage  229  of the cam body  227 , extending through a central passage  231  of the second control body  226 . 
     The coupling element engaging structure  236  includes an extension portion  238  that is engaged within a central passage  240  of the first control body  225 . Mating surface of the extension portion  238  and the central passage  240  are jointly configured to permit relative axial translation between the extension portion  238  and the first control body  225 , while inhibiting relative rotation therebetween (i.e., translation-enabling, rotation-inhibiting interface). For example, the extension portion  238  can have a non-circular cross-sectional profile (e.g., a square or star shaped cross-sectional profile) and the central passage  240  can correspondingly have a non-circular cross-sectional profile. A resilient member  243  (e.g., spring) is engaged between the cam body  227  and the coupling element engaging structure  236  for biasing the extension portion of the coupling element engaging structure  236  toward the central passage  240  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  222 . 
     The mounting portion  230  of the first cleaning member control mechanism  222  includes a travel limiting element  245  that is fixedly attached thereto and that engages one or more surface of the mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224 . For example, the travel limiting element  245  can abut an end face of the mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224 , as shown, or can engaged a groove at an intermediate location of the mounting portion  234 . Such  engagement of the travel limiting element  245  with one or more surfaces of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  secures the first cleaning member control mechanism  222  in axial position relative to the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  while enabling rotation movement therebetween. Such securement of the first and second cleaning member control mechanism  222 ,  224  and the threaded engagement of the mounting portion  234  of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  with the cam body  227  provides for axial displacement of the cam body  227  relative to the first and second cleaning member control mechanisms  222 ,  224  when second control body  226  is rotated (e.g., clock-wise rotation provides axial movement in one direction and counter clock-wise rotation provides axial movement in the opposite direction). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18 , the cam body  227  includes a camming structure  247  (i.e., a cam surface providing structure) that defines an axial position of the cleaning member as a function of angular position of the first control body  225 . In one or more embodiments, the camming structure  247  can be a slot (i.e., including channels and recessed portions) and the slot can extend entirely through a wall defining the central passage  229 . In one or more other embodiments, the functionality of the camming structure  247  can be provided by a track or other structure that includes a profiled surface defining an axial position of the cleaning member as a function of angular position of a control portion of the cleaning member controller. A motion control member  249  (e.g., a pin) has a first end portion thereof fixedly attached to the coupling element engaging structure  236  and a second end portion thereof slidably engaged with the camming structure  247  (e.g., a pin within a slot). The camming structure  247  has a profile that at least partially defines a  path of travel of the motion control member  249 . Accordingly, in use, rotation of the first control body  225  causes the motion control member  249  to travel along such path and, thus provide a corresponding axial movement of the coupling element engaging structure  236  to which the cleaning member is attached through the coupling element  214 . 
     The cam body  226 , the coupling element engaging structure  236  and the motion control member  249  jointly define a motion control device. The cam body  227  includes a motion control structure that defines an axial position of the coupling element engaging structure  236  as a function of angular position of the first control body  225 . The motion control device provides for rotational and axial movement of the cleaning member and thus a cleaning member attached thereto via the coupling element  216 . 
     In one or more embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 15-18 , the camming structure  247  of the cam body  227  is circumferential such that it extends around an entire circumference of the camming structure  247 . The camming structure  247  has a plurality of cam segments. A first one of these cam segments (the first cam segment  252 ) can be a dwell segment during which the cleaning member is rotated while in a stowed position relative to a distal end portion of an elongated body  202  ( FIG. 13 ) of the cleaning apparatus  200 . A second one of these cam segments (the second cam segment  254 ) can be a deployment segment during which the cleaning member is deployed from the stowed position to a use position (i.e., axially displace away from the distal end portion of the elongated body  202 ). A third one of these cam segments (the third cam segment  256 ) can be a contact segment during which the cleaning member is rotated into and away from contact with the imaging element  of the endoscope while the cleaning member remains fully or partially axially displaced axially away from the distal end portion of the elongated body  202  by a distance defined at least partially by the second and third cam segment  254 ,  256 . For example, third cam segment  256  can have a slope for causing the cleaning member to exhibit a corresponding axial displacement. A fourth one of these cam segments (the fourth cam segment  258 ) can be a retraction segment during which the cleaning member returns to the stowed position. The resilient member provides a biasing force for urging the coupling element engaging structure  236  toward to fully retracted position and thus the cleaning member toward the stowed position. 
     Movement of the motion control member  249  through these cam segments defines a current instance of a cleaning cycle. A next instance of cleaning cycle  260  is initiated upon rotation of the first control body  225 . The retraction segment  258  also can serve as an anti-rotation tool by, for example, the retraction segment  258  and the dwell segment  252  having a steep vertical profile (e.g., 90-degree angle therebetween) that prevents the motion control member  249  moving in an unintended direction of rotation. 
     In one or more other embodiment of the present invention, the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  can be omitted. Omission of the second cleaning member control mechanism  224  provides for the first control body  225  to be rotatably mounted on the chassis and enables the first control body  225  to be attached to the coupling element engaging structure  236  in a manner that inhibits both rotational movement and axial movement of the first control body  225  with respect to the coupling element engaging structure  236 . Such an embodiment provides the aforementioned combined first and  second control member manipulation modes while omitting the aforementioned third control member manipulation modes 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.