Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from surgical cutting instruments

• US 20060264995A1
• Filed: 02/15/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sapphire Medical, Inc. (Tornier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sapphire Medical, Inc. (Tornier Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fanton, Gary S., Ashley, John E.
• Application Number:
  US11/354,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20060264995A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00561 creating a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32008 preventing clogging of suction channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/741 with means for varying suction manually
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7415 by deformation of the fluid passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/76 Handpieces specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/83 Tube strippers, i.e. for clearing the contents of the tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1403 Flushing or purging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/225 Flush valves, i.e. bypass valves for flushing line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for facilitating removal of obstructions from a surgical cutting instrument during a surgical procedure. The apparatus of the present invention is configured to interrupt flow in aspiration tubing when obstructions are detected in the cutting instrument. The apparatus then causes compression of the aspiration tubing to flush fluid towards the cutting instrument, thereby unclogging the instrument in a fast and efficient manner without the need to remove the instrument from the surgical site.

Claims