Multifunctional devices

• US 20050119617A1
• Filed: 10/19/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Barbara L. Stecker, Eric C. Stecker, Philip P. Stecker
• Original Assignee: Barbara L. Stecker, Eric C. Stecker, Philip P. Stecker
• Inventors: Stecker, Eric C., Stecker, Barbara L., Stecker, Philip P.
• Application Number:
  US10/968,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119617A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/008 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/02 Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208

Abstract

The present invention relates to multifunctional devices for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, and more particularly to multifunctional devices with perforations that can be progressively exposed, or sealed-off, from the surgical cavity. The devices of the present invention allow for improved suction, irrigation, and drainage of fluids from the surgical cavity.

Claims

1. A multifunctional device, comprising;

a) an outer elongate member, wherein said outer elongate member comprises;

i) a plurality of openings defining a perforation section in said outer elongate member, and

ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said perforation section; and

b) an inner elongate member enclosed by at least a portion of said outer elongate member, said inner elongate member being moveable between;

i) a first position inside said outer elongate member that allows fluid movement through substantially all of said plurality of openings in said perforation section, and

ii) a second position inside said outer elongate member that prevents fluid movement through substantially all of said plurality of openings in said perforation section.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said perforation section is a non-enlargeable section.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

b) an inner utility member, wherein said inner utility member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said inner utility member is disposed inside said outer elongate member such that there is a gap between said inner utility member and said outer elongate member along the entire inner surface of said outer elongate member.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

c) a tissue manipulation tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said tissue manipulation tip is attached to said distal end of said inner utility member.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer elongate member comprises an outer tube, and wherein said inner elongate member comprises an inner tube.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said perforation section is an enlargeable section, and wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said elongate member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said perforation section, wherein said distal tip is attached to said perforation section, and wherein said distal tip is non-enlargeable.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an operating rod, wherein said operating rod is attached to said inner elongate member.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an operating lever, wherein said operating level is attached to said operating rod.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an operating lever, wherein said inner elongate member is attached to said operating lever.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle unit, wherein a portion of said outer elongate member is installed in a stationary manner inside said handle unit.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle unit, wherein a portion of said inner elongate member is installed in a stationary manner inside said handle unit.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner elongate member comprises a rib protrusion and said outer elongate member comprises a rib groove, and wherein said rib protrusion is configured to fit into said rib grove in order to align said inner and outer elongate members.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner elongate member comprises expandable tynes, wherein said expandable tynes are configured to expand outward unless constrained by said outer elongate member.

15. A multifunctional device, comprising;

a) an elongate member, wherein said elongate member comprises;

i) a plurality of openings defining a perforation section in said elongate member, and

ii) a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is adjacent to said perforation section; and

b) a sleeve member enclosing at least a portion of said elongate member, said sleeve member being moveable between;

i) a first position along said elongate member that allows fluid movement through substantially all of said plurality of openings in said perforation section, and

ii) a second position along said elongate member that prevents fluid movement through substantially all of said plurality of openings in said perforation section.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said perforation section is a non-enlargeable section.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

b) an inner utility member, wherein said inner utility member comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said inner utility member is disposed inside said elongate member such that there is a gap between said inner utility member and said elongate member along the entire inner surface of said elongate member.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising:

c) a tissue manipulation tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said tissue manipulation tip is attached to said distal end of said inner utility member.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein said elongate member comprises a tube.

20. A multifunctional device configured for performing at least one function at an internal site in a subject, comprising;

a) an elongate member comprising;

i) a plurality of openings defining an enlargeable section in said elongate member, wherein said enlargeable section is movable between a non-enlarged position, and an enlarged position, wherein said enlarged position forms a chamber in said elongate member,

ii) a partial distal tip, wherein said partial distal tip is adjacent to said enlargeable section, and wherein said partial distal tip is attached to said enlargeable section; and

b) an inner utility member, wherein at least a portion of said inner utility member is enclosed by said elongate member, and wherein said inner utility member comprises an operating rod and a cross member, and wherein said cross member is configured to combine with said partial distal tip to form a complete distal tip.