Medical device with high pressure quick disconnect handpiece

• US 20030088259A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HydroCision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: HydroCision, Inc.
• Inventors: Greeley, Roger, Ettinger, Mark C., Connor, Brian G., Staid, Kevin P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,923,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32037 for removing obstructions from inner organs or blood vessels, e.g. for atherectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/035 the sealing rings having two lips parallel to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 19/0218 comprising only sealing rings

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.

Claims

1. A medical device having a high pressure fluid connection comprising:

a first lumen adapted for fluid flow;

a second lumen adapted for fluid flow and arranged at least partially within the first lumen; and

a gasket positioned between the first lumen and the second lumen and constructed and arranged such that the pressure of the fluid flowing though the connection creates fluid impermeable seals between the gasket and the first lumen and between the gasket and the second lumen.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing though the connection seals the gasket against an inside surface of the first lumen and against an outside surface of the second lumen.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the gasket is maintained in its longitudinal position by a cap.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the force resulting from the pressure on the gasket has a component that is normal to the axis of at least one of the first and second lumens.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the gasket has a top surface facing in a direction upstream of the fluid flowing through the connection and the top surface contains a channel.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the channel has an open top and a closed bottom and at least part of the open top is wider than at least part of the closed bottom.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first and second lumens are concentric to each other.

8. A gasket for a high-pressure connector in a surgical instrument or system, the gasket comprising:

an annular member surrounding a high pressure tube admitted into a chamber;

an inner rim on the annular member that seals tightly against the high pressure tube when pressure is applied to the chamber; and

an outer rim on the annular member that seals tightly against an inner wall of the chamber when pressure is applied to the chamber.

9. A medical device having a quickly changeable connection between a high pressure fluid source and a handpiece, wherein the connection comprises:

a thin tube having a lumen in fluid connection with a first fluid pathway extending through the handpiece;

a chamber, the chamber having a first opening receiving the thin tube and a second opening in fluid connection with a second fluid pathway;

a gasket in the chamber, the gasket having a base disposed adjacent to the first opening, and a passage through the base surrounding the thin tube, wherein the gasket has a first rim contacting the wall of the chamber and a second rim contacting the thin tube; and

a latching mechanism to maintain the tube in the gasket.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the chamber is formed by a cap and a stem.

11. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the gasket has a Durometer rating in the range of about 45 to about 95.

12. The medical device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the rims of the gasket projects in a radial direction.

13. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the assembled device can withstand a pressure of at least about 5,000 psi without leaking.

14. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the assembled device can withstand a pressure of at least about 10,000 psi without leaking.

15. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the assembled device can withstand a pressure of at least 20,000 psi without leaking.

16. The medical device of claim 9, wherein each of the components of the device is sterile.

17. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein the liquid is sterile.

19. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the fluid flows from the high pressure fluid source to the handpiece through the connection.

20. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the fluid flowing through the handpiece forms a fluid jet that is used for at least one of cutting tissue, debriding wounds, lavage, disinfection, washing of tissue surfaces, and providing driving power to devices.

21. The medical device of claim 9, wherein each of the handpiece and the high pressure fluid source carries a portion of the latching mechanism.

22. The medical device of claim 21, wherein the latching mechanism can be operated with one hand.

23. The medical device of claim 9, further comprising a connector housing the chamber, wherein the handpiece and connector have corresponding keying features and the thin tube is recessed within the body of the handpiece.

24. A system for quickly changing handpieces attached to a high pressure fluid source, the system comprising:

at least one handpiece carrying a portion of a latching mechanism and one of a connecting tube and a chamber having an aperture leading to a gasket;

a high pressure fluid source carrying a complementary portion of a latching mechanism and the other of a connecting tube and a chamber having an aperture leading to a gasket;

wherein the gasket has an inner rim and an outer rim and the inner and outer rims engage the connecting tube and the wall of the chamber, respectively, when the connecting tube is inserted in the chamber and pressure is applied to the chamber.

25. A gasket for use in the system of claim 24, wherein the inner and outer rims project inwardly and outwardly, respectively, with respect to the base.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the handpiece is adapted to be used in a medical procedure.

27. In a medical instrument for performing surgery using a high pressure fluid jet for cutting, washing, lavage, or to power a rotary device, the improvement comprising a handpiece that is readily connected and disconnected from a source of high pressure fluid, wherein the means of connection is formed by:

an inlet tube connected to the handpiece;

a gasket with inner and outer rims projecting inwardly and outwardly, respectively, with respect to the base;

a chamber for holding the gasket, the chamber connected to the source of high pressure fluid and having an aperture in alignment with the hole in the gasket, the projections of the inner and outer rims of the gasket being adapted to seal the joints between the gasket and an inner wall of the chamber and between the gasket and the inlet tube; and

wherein the connection may be made by inserting the inlet tube through the aperture in the chamber and the hole in the gasket, and wherein the connection may be maintained by the engagement of reversible latching means, the latching means being constructed and arranged to maintain the tube within the aperture and the gasket until the latching means is released from engagement.

28. A method for ensuring accurate mating of at least one tube in a handpiece with a corresponding gasket in a connector, the method comprising:

providing corresponding keying features on the handpiece and the connector, and

providing a sufficient depth of travel of the connector within the handpiece before contact between the tube and the gasket to ensure angular alignment between the tube and the gasket.

29. A high-pressure fluid connection in a surgical instrument or system, the connection comprising:

a chamber containing a high pressure fluid from a fluid source, the chamber having an inner surface;

a tube communicating with the chamber for conducting the fluid to the surgical instrument or system, the tube having an outer surface and a central axis; and

a gasket surrounding the tube and coupling the tube to the chamber to provide a seal between the inner surface of the chamber and the outer surface of the tube, the gasket comprising;

a central channel for receiving the tube; and

an annular channel surrounding the central channel, the annular channel being formed by inner and outer side walls that are disposed at an acute angle with respect to the central axis of the tube and wherein the inner and outer side walls extend away from one another from a closed end to an open end.

30. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 wherein the inner side walls of the annular channel face the central channel and pressure from the fluid source forces the inner side walls toward the outer surface of the tube.

31. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 wherein pressure from the fluid source forces the outer side walls toward the inner surface of the chamber.

32. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 wherein the open end of the gasket faces into the interior of said chamber.

33. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 further comprising a cap having a central hole in registration with said central channel through which said tube passes, said cap being affixed to said chamber and covering the closed end of the annular channel of the gasket.

34. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 wherein the central channel of the gasket is formed by a wall that is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the central axis of the tube and that flares radially outwardly extending from the closed end of the annular channel to the open end of the annular channel.

35. The high pressure fluid connection of claim 29 wherein the gasket includes an outer side wall that flares radially outwardly extending from the closed end of the annular channel to the open end of the annular channel.

36. A method for conducting a surgical procedure requiring the use of a high pressure fluid jet applied to more than one exchangeable handpiece, the method comprising:

providing a handpiece that is reversibly connectable to a source of high pressure fluid, wherein the reversible connection is made by the insertion of a tube into a chamber containing a gasket that has an inner rim, an outer rim, and a passage for the tube, wherein the gasket deforms as a result of the pressure of the fluid sufficiently to block the passage of fluid out of the chamber except via the tube; and

maintaining the connection between the handpiece and the source of high pressure fluid by a releasable latch.