Wiper for cleaning a surface and cleaning devices comprising same

Abstract

A wiper body for an apparatus adapted to clean an imaging element of a surgical instrument comprises a first arcuate wiper edge segment and a second arcuate wiper edge segment. The first arcuate wiper edge segment has a first direction of curvature. The second arcuate wiper edge segment has a second direction of curvature segment opposite the direction of curvature of the first arcuate wiper edge segment. The second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment to jointly define a cleaning edge of the wiper body.

Description

WIPER FOR CLEANING A SURFACE AND CLEANING DEVICESCOMPRISING SAMEFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The disclosures made herein relate generally to imaging element cleaning devices and, more particularly, to wipers for devices configured for cleaning imaging elements and for, more particularly, cleaning imaging elements of in-vivo surgical scopes.BACKGROUND

[0002] 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”.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 11, 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. 11 -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 generally flush with or that defines an end face of the extension portion 10. However, in some endoscopes, the imaging element 20 may have an exposed surface that is recessed relative to a surrounding support structure, may have a non-planar surface (e.g., convex or concave), or otherwise not flush with a surrounding support structure. 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 eyepiece 30 on the user interface portion 5. The eyepiece 30 enables the imaging element 30 to be connected to a visualization device (e.g., a camera connected to a visual display console) through which target surgical sites can be viewed by surgery personnel.

[0004] 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, as surgical instruments typically remain inside the body. This method can also subject the patient to a higher risk of infection. Thesecond 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 endoscope to the surgical site after cleaning the imaging element.

[0005] 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.

[0006] Thus, to maintain required visualization of target surgical sites, it is desirable to clean an exposed surface of an imaging element of an endoscope while the distal end portion of the endoscope 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 suchcleaning 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’s preferred surgical technique, etc.). Additionally, a recessed or non-planar exposed imaging element surface is also known to adversely impact cleaning of the imaging element.

[0007] Therefore, an in-vivo cleaning device having a wiper that is configured to exhibit improved efficiency in cleaning an exposed surface of an imaging element of an endoscope, particularly when the exposed surface is recessed or non-planar, would be advantageous, desirable and useful.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] In one or more embodiments, a wiper body for an apparatus adapted to clean an imaging element of a surgical instrument comprises a first arcuate wiper edge segment and a second arcuate wiper edge segment. The first arcuate wiper edge segment has a first direction of curvature. The second arcuate wiper edge segment has a second direction of curvature segment opposite the direction of curvature of the first arcuate wiper edge segment. The second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment to jointly define a cleaning edge of the wiper body.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a device for cleaning an imaging element of a surgical instrument comprises a chassis, a wiper control wire, and a wiper body. The chassis is adapted for having an endoscope engaged therewith to fixedly position an imaging element of the endoscope at a distal end portion of the chassis. The wiper control wire is movably attached to the chassis for enabling rotational movement of the coupling element relative to the chassis. A wiper body is fixedly attached to an end portion of the coupling element at the distal end portion of the chassis whereby the rotational movement of the wiper control wire causes a corresponding sweeping movement of the wiper body relative to the distal end portion of the chassis. The wiper body has an S-shaped cleaning edge.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, a front surface of the wiper body is flat and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the wiper body includes a first arcuate wiper edge segment having a first direction of curvature and a second arcuate wiper edge segment having a second direction of curvature segment opposite the direction of curvature of the first arcuate wiper edge segment.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment jointly define the cleaning edge.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the first arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a first plane and the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the wiper control wire extends through a wiper control wire receiving side face of the wiper body, the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment, and the second plane is located between a rear face of the wiper body and the first plane.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, a front surface of the wiper body is flat, the first arcuate wiper edge segment lies along the front surface, the second arcuate wiper edge segment lies along the front surface, and the first arcuate wiper edge segment is offset from the second arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the cleaning edge is stepped.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the wiper body has a wiper control wire receiving side face, a longitudinal refence axis extends through the wiper control wire receiving side face, the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment, the first and second arcuate wiper edge segment each extend parallel to the longitudinal refence axis, the second plane is located between the longitudinal refence axis and the first plane, and the wiper body has a uniform cross-section profile along an entire length of the wiper body between the longitudinal refence axis and the cleaning edge.

[0021] 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

[0022] FIG. 1 is first perspective view of a wiper body in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosures made herein.

[0023] FIG. 2 is front view of a wiper body shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3 is second perspective view of the wiper body shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view of the wiper body shown in FIG. 1

[0026] FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of a wiper body in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosures made herein.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of the wiper body shown in FIG. 5.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the wiper body shown in FIG. 5.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the wiper body shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing relative location of a cleaning edge of the wiper body shown in FIG. 5 relative to an end face of an endoscope.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cleaning device comprising a wiper body in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a prior art endoscope.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The inventors have observed less than desirable efficacy in cleaning various scope imaging element geometries of imaging element cleaning devices that utilize an imaging element wiper (“wiper”). US patent nos. 10932661, 10959610, and 11058291 disclose various aspects of imaging element cleaning devices that utilize a wiper to clean the imaging element of a visualization device such as an endoscope (i.e., wiper-based imaging element cleaning devices) and are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. These imaging element geometries include those that are “recessed,” “non-planar,” or otherwise not flush with a surrounding support structure with respect to the wiper sweeping profile. In some specific applications, a cleaning device may be configured for cleaning an imaging element (e.g., a lens) having a 30-degree taper relative to being perpendicular to a centerline longitudinal axis of the scope. Such taper has been found to further complication imaging element cleaning. In these specific applications, a wiper of the cleaning device for a 30-degree taper imaging element travels in a cone-shaped pathway in 3D space relative to its fixed point of rotation when attempting to clean a 30-degree taper imaging element. The endoscope 1 discussed above in reference to FIG. 11 is an example of an endoscope with a 30-degree taper imaging element.

[0034] Through experimentation, the inventors have found that that there is a lack of optimal contact on an imaging element by a wiper from its fixed point of rotation, regarding application to / on imaging elements having recessed or non-planar geometries with respect to the wiper actuation path. For recessed imaging elements, getting the wiper to even contact the imaging element may prove difficult. This is believed to be due to a cone- shaped actuation / sweep path attempting to contact a flat-plane imaging element. In thisregard, the sweep profile is not a clean alignment, whereby imaging element contact is sometimes varied / non-optimal for cleaning.

[0035] For 30-degree taper imaging elements, larger scopes (i.e., 10mm diameter extension portion or wand) have proven more difficult to clean with a wiper-based imaging element cleaning device due to (a) less contact area for a wiper of similar scale from the 5mm diameter version (b) seemingly due to a different aspect ratio of [imaging element surface area] vs. [wiper surface area + pressure exerted on imaging element] vs. debris type and total amount of debris and effect on total surface tension of amalgamated debris on imaging element]. That is, when scaling up from wipers for scopes with a 5mm diameter extension portions that have shown relatively strong success in cleaning debris on 0-degree and 30-degree taper imaging elements, the scaled 10mm wipers in combination with 10mm imaging elements and debris types / amounts have an interaction that yields sub-satisfactory results. These sub-satisfactory results are assumed to be due to an inability to (a) contact as much imaging element surface area, apply appropriate pressure(s) across total surface area onto the imaging element from wiper, and applying enough pressure to significantly disrupt surface tension of debris on the imaging element by the wiper that enables successful and reliable imaging element cleaning performance.

[0036] For 0-degree and 30-degree taper imaging elements, it appears that liquid droplets in particular pose significant difficulty in cleaning on recessed 30-degree taper imaging elements, and this is possibly due to the liquid being pushed by the wiper into a large compiled pool of liquid with a surface tension that a standard 5mm wiper scaled to 10mm size could not overcome in a reliable manner.

[0037] The inventors have discovered wiper cleaning edge configurations that provide enhanced imaging element cleaning performance for the aforementioned adverse cleaning considerations. Broadly, these cleaning edge configurations are embodied in the form of an “S-shaped wiper,” as shown in FIGS. 1-8. These performance enhancing wipers may be used in imaging element cleaning devices such as, for example, those of disclosed above.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an S-shaped wiper in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosures made herein is shown (i.e., wiper body 100). The wiper body 100 has a non-stepped cleaning edge. In view of being non-stepped, the wiper body 100 has a cleaning edge 102 that extends entirely within a first cleaning edge plane Pl that extends parallel to a centerline axis CLA1 of a wiper mounting portion 104A of a wiper control wire 104. The wiper mounting portion 104A of the wiper control wire 104 is disposed within the wiper body 100. As best shown in FIG. 2, a width of the cleaning edge 102 is preferably uniform along its length. In this regard, the wiper body 100 may have a generally uniform cross sectional shape along its length, width, and depth, as shown . However, the wiper body 100 may have a shape allowing for a width of the cleaning edge 102 to be non-uniform along its length. In preferred embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning edge 102 is a flat edge as opposed to having a rounded (i.e., radiused) profile.

[0039] As best shown in FIG. 3, the wiper control wire 104 is configured for a 0-degree taper imaging element (i.e., has approximately a 90-degree bend at the wiper mounting portion 104 A). However, it is disclosed herein that the wiper body 100 may be used with imaging elements of tapers other than 0-degree. In use, an imaging element cleaning deviceincorporating the wiper body 100 will be adapted to enable generally uniform contact force between the wiper body 100 and an imaging element of a visualization device engaged with the imaging element cleaning device along the length of the wiper body 100.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, a stepped and S-shaped wiper in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosures made herein is shown (i.e., wiper body 200). The wiper body 200 has a stepped and S-shaped cleaning edge cleaning edge 202. As shown, the stepped and S-shaped cleaning edge 202 extends in two planes - i.e., the blade tip from the side view (appears somewhat as a “stepped” wiper blade) and the blade geometry from the “bottom view”, as viewed from a side of the wiper body 200 from which a wiper mounting portion 204A of a wiper control wire 204 extends (i.e., a control wire receiving side face of the wiper body 202). In these regards, in view of being stepped and S-shaped, the cleaning edge 202 has a first (i.e., upper) portion 202A that extends within a first cleaning edge plane Pl that extends parallel to a centerline axis CLA1 of the wiper mounting portion 204 A of the wiper control wire 204 and a second (i.e., lower) portion 202B that extends within a second cleaning edge plane P2 that extends parallel to the centerline axis CL Al of the wiper mounting portion 204A of the wiper control wire 204. The wiper mounting portion 204A of the wiper control wire 204 is disposed within the wiper body 200. The first and second cleaning edge plane Pl, P2 are offset from each other by a distance D. In preferred embodiments, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the cleaning edge 202 is a flat edge as opposed to having a rounds (i.e., radiused) profile.

[0041] As best shown in FIG. 7, the wiper control wire 204 is configured for a 30-degree taper imaging element (i.e., has approximately a 90-degree bend at the wiper mounting portion 104 A). However, it is disclosed herein that the wiper body 200 may be used withimaging elements of tapers other than 30-degree. As best shown in FIG. 6, a width of the cleaning wedge 202 is non-uniform along its length in view of the wiper body 100 having a generally uniform cross sectional shape along its length, width, and depth, as shown. However, the wiper body 200 may have a shape allowing for a width of the cleaning wedge 102 to be generally uniform along its length.

[0042] Upon original set of an imaging element cleaning device incorporating the wiper body 200 (e.g., an imaging element cleaning device discussed in the one or more of the patents disclosed above), the wiper body 200 is aligned in the middle of an imaging element of a visualization device engaged with the imaging element cleaning device. The imaging element cleaning device is adjusted to a wiper body pre-load set point that compresses the “upper” portion 202A of the cleaning edge 202. As the wiper body is made of a deformable material, it compresses until the user stops the set point at a stage where the “upper” portion 202A cleaning edge 202 is deformed against the imaging element to a point where the “lower” portion 202B of the cleaning edge 202 is in low-force contact with the imaging element. This preload arrangement enables the utilization of the normal force of the imaging element on the cleaning edge 202 to fully engage contact of the cleaning edge 202 with the engaged surface of the imaging element. In this preload arrangement, the “upper” portion 202A is highly deformed and the “lower” portion 202B is slightly deformed. But, ultimately, an entire length of the cleaning edge 202 is in contact with the imaging element. In use, as the wiper body 200 sweeps across the imaging element in a single direction (i.e., the wiper body 200 is biased to work in specific direction / mode of actuation in view of its geometric profile), the portion of the wiper body 200 that defines the cleaning edge 202 is able to adjust / compensate to the cone-shaped pathway to maintainengagement between the cleaning edge 202 with the imaging element even when the imaging element is recessed. Maintaining engagement between the cleaning edge 202A and imaging element in this manner provides for sustained and robust cleaning performance over a substantial area of the imaging element.

[0043] Additionally, the S-shaped (and optionally stepped) configuration of wiper bodies in accordance with the disclosures made herein enables the creation of a pivot point of pressure that translates to 2 distinct “pressure pockets” or at least pressure gradients. These pressure pockets result in more effective cleaning of various contaminant material types instead of merely pushing debris along the imaging element surface. This accumulation can be a particular issue with recessed 30-degree taper imaging elements. The S-shaped (and optionally stepped) configuration of wiper bodies in accordance with the disclosures made herein further distributes and pushes the debris into these two pockets and down the pressure gradients to more effectively and deliberately guide debris from the imaging element surface and mitigate the potential of accumulation of debris. This in turn mitigates the potential higher surface tension of debris in the “recessed imaging element edge pockets” that reside at the transition between opposing edges of the imaging element and the support structure - i.e., the discontinuity in surfaces that defines the recess at each opposing side of the imaging element.

[0044] With respect to prior art wiper bodies designs, the S-shaped (and optionally stepped) configuration of wiper bodies in accordance with the disclosures made herein provide more effective and reliable cleaning for liquid droplets as well as more sticky / viscous debris types (i.e., tissue residue, blood, etc.) which may otherwise amalgamate together and create a higher surface tension. This higher surface tension leadsto total debris “imaging element-retaining forces” that are not easy to overcome, particularly for recessed 30-degree taper imaging elements or 30-degree taper imaging elements where contact pressure is difficult to generate due to non-uniform (recessed) or non-planar (30 degree) geometries.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 9, engagement of the wiper body 200 with the imaging element 20 involves the upper portion 202A of the cleaning edge 202 being fully compressed against the imaging element 20 to the point that the lower portion 202B becomes less compressedly engaged with the imaging element 20. The pivot point PP of the cleaning edge 202 engages with the imaging element 20. In some embodiments, lower portion 202B started deflecting (i.e., deforming) before engaging the imaging element 20 as a result of the upper portion 202A engages imaging element 20 causing the cleaning edge 202 to absorbs the stress along its length, thereby changing the angle of approach and pressure profile as compared to a conventional straight-edge wiper found in prior art cleaning devices.

[0046] Although disclosed herein mainly in the context of surgical scopes, wipers in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein may be useful for imaging elements in a host of other applications - e.g., imaging elements in automotive applications, robotic applications, and other applications having imaging element configurations that may benefit from wipers as disclosed herein.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 10, a cleaning device 301 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein is shown. US patent nos. 10932661, 10959610, and 11058291 disclose various aspects of imaging element cleaning deviceshaving similar construction and operability as the cleaning device 300. The cleaning device 301 is preferably, but not necessarily, configured to be used with commercially available endoscopes, such as endoscope 1 of FIG. 11. 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 device 301 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 device 301 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 device. Such dimensional precision can be characterized to include both the inhibition of any unacceptable level of relative movement between the endoscope and the cleaning device 100 and relative placement of key structural elements of the endoscope relative to those of the cleaning device 100.

[0048] Still referring to FIG. 10, the cleaning device 301 has an elongated body 302 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 device 301. This mating surface or feature of the cleaning device 300 - such as a surface or feature of a user interface body 303 thereof - serves as a reference structure of the cleaning device 301. With the endoscope 1 in this fully seated position on the cleaning device 301 with respect to the reference structure, a distal end portion 25 of the endoscopeprotrude from within an opening in the distal end portion 306 of the elongated body 302 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 device 301 can be achieved. As discussed below in greater detail, such dimensional precision is beneficial to the cleaning performance afforded by the cleaning device 301.

[0049] The cleaning device 301 includes a wiper body 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein (e.g., the wiper body 200). The wiper body 300 may be fixedly coupled to a control body 308 of the user interface body 303 via a coupling element 310 such as a wire. Accordingly, rotation of the control body 308 causes a corresponding rotational movement of the wiper body 300 for enabling cleaning of an adjacent imaging element of an endoscope engaged with the cleaning device 301.

[0050] 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.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A wiper body for an apparatus adapted to clean an imaging element of a surgical instrument, comprising: a first arcuate wiper edge segment having a first direction of curvature; and a second arcuate wiper edge segment having a second direction of curvature segment opposite the direction of curvature of the first arcuate wiper edge segment, wherein the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment to jointly define a cleaning edge of the wiper body.

2. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

3. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

4. The wiper body of claim 3 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

5. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

6. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

7. The wiper body of claim 6 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

8. The wiper body of claim 6 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

9. The wiper body of claim 6 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

10. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein:the cleaning edge is S-shaped; an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane; a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge; a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface..

11. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein: the first arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a first plane; and the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane.

12. The wiper body of claim 11 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

13. The wiper body of claim 11 wherein the cleaning edge extends contiguously along the between the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment.

14. The wiper body of claim 13 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

15. The wiper body of claim 11 wherein : the wiper body has a wiper control wire receiving side face; the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment; and the second plane is located between a rear face of the wiper body and the first plane.

16. The wiper body of claim 15 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

17. The wiper body of claim 15 wherein the cleaning edge extends contiguously along the between the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment.

18. The wiper body of claim 17 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

19. The wiper body of claim 11 wherein: the wiper body has a wiper control wire receiving side face; a longitudinal refence axis extends through the wiper control wire receiving side face; the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment; the first and second arcuate wiper edge segment each extend parallel to the longitudinal refence axis; the second plane is located between the longitudinal refence axis and the first plane; and the wiper body has a uniform cross-section profile along an entire length of the wiper body between the longitudinal refence axis and the cleaning edge.

20. The wiper body of claim 19 wherein: the cleaning edge is S-shaped; and an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

21. The wiper body of claim 18 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

22. The wiper body of claim 18 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

23. The wiper body of claim 22 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

24. The wiper body of claim 23 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

25. The wiper body of claim 23 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

26. The wiper body of claim 1 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat;the first arcuate wiper edge segment lies along the front surface; the second arcuate wiper edge segment the cleaning edge lies along the front surface; the first arcuate wiper edge segment is offset from the second arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the cleaning edge is stepped.

27. The wiper body of claim 26 wherein the second arcuate wiper edge segment is offset from and extends parallel to the second arcuate wiper edge segment.

28. The wiper body of claim 26 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

29. A device for cleaning an imaging element of a surgical instrument, comprising: a chassis adapted for having an endoscope engaged therewith to fixedly position an imaging element of the endoscope at a distal end portion of the chassis; a wiper control wire movably attached to the chassis for enabling rotational movement of the coupling element relative to the chassis; and a wiper body fixedly attached to an end portion of the coupling element at the distal end portion of the chassis whereby the rotational movement of the wiper control wire causes a corresponding sweeping movement of the wiper body relative to the distal end portion of the chassis, wherein the wiper body has a curved cleaning edge.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein: an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane;a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge; a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

33. The device of claim 29 wherein the cleaning edge includes: a first arcuate wiper edge segment having a first direction of curvature; and a second arcuate wiper edge segment having a second direction of curvature segment opposite the direction of curvature of the first arcuate wiper edge segment.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

35. The device of claim 33 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

36. The device of claim 33 wherein: an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane; a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge; a front surface of the cleaning body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

37. The device of claim 33 wherein the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment jointly define the cleaning edge.

38. The device of claim 33 wherein: the first arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a first plane; and the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane.

39. The device of claim 38 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

40. The device of claim 33 wherein : the wiper control wire extends through a wiper control wire receiving side face of the wiper body; the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment; and the second plane is located between a rear face of the wiper body and the first plane.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment jointly define the cleaning edge.

42. The device of claim 41 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; the first arcuate wiper edge segment lies along the front surface; the second arcuate wiper edge segment lies along the front surface; the first arcuate wiper edge segment is offset from the second arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the cleaning edge is stepped.

43. The device of claim 41 wherein an entire portion of the cleaning edge extends within a single plane.

44. The device of claim 40 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

45. The device of claim 40 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge; andthe cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

46. The device of claim 45 wherein the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends contiguously from the first arcuate wiper edge segment whereby the first arcuate wiper edge segment and the second arcuate wiper edge segment jointly define the cleaning edge.

47. The device of claim 40 wherein: the first arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a first plane; and the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends within a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane.

48. The device of claim 38 wherein: the wiper body has a wiper control wire receiving side face; a longitudinal refence axis extends through the wiper control wire receiving side face; the second arcuate wiper edge segment extends between the control wire receiving side face and the first arcuate wiper edge segment; the first and second arcuate wiper edge segment each extend parallel to the longitudinal refence axis; the second plane is located between the longitudinal refence axis and the first plane; and the wiper body has a uniform cross-section profile along an entire length of the wiper body between the longitudinal refence axis and the cleaning edge.

49. The device of claim 48 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

50. The device of claim 48 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

51. The device of claim 48 wherein: a front surface of the wiper body is flat; and the cleaning edge lies along the front surface.

52. The device of claim 1 wherein a width of the cleaning edge is uniform along an entire length of the cleaning edge.

53. The device of claim 52 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

54. The device of claim 51 wherein the cleaning edge is S-shaped.

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