SURGICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BIOFILM REMOVAL, INCLUDING A SHEATH FOR USE THEREWITH
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the system comprising:
- an irrigation duct in communication with a fluid source;
a nozzle communicating with the irrigation duct, the nozzle positioned to dispense the fluid directly at a target site;
an aspiration duct in communication with a vacuum source, the aspiration duct terminating at a distal inlet for aspirating fluid dispensed from the nozzle;
an endoscope having an elongated insertion tube defining a working end adapted to facilitate imaging the target site; and
a removable endoscope sheath for providing a barrier over at least a portion of the insertion tube during imaging;
wherein at least one of the irrigation duct and the aspiration duct is associated with the endoscope sheath.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for one or more of reducing, removing, or preventing growth of bacterial biofilms are provided, including an endoscopic procedure using a surgical instrument adapted to dispense a pressurized flow of irrigant through a nozzle to substantially remove a layer of bacterial biofilm.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the system comprising:
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an irrigation duct in communication with a fluid source; a nozzle communicating with the irrigation duct, the nozzle positioned to dispense the fluid directly at a target site; an aspiration duct in communication with a vacuum source, the aspiration duct terminating at a distal inlet for aspirating fluid dispensed from the nozzle; an endoscope having an elongated insertion tube defining a working end adapted to facilitate imaging the target site; and a removable endoscope sheath for providing a barrier over at least a portion of the insertion tube during imaging; wherein at least one of the irrigation duct and the aspiration duct is associated with the endoscope sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An endoscope sheath for use in removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the sheath comprising:
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an elongated, flexible outer sleeve adapted to receive an insertion tube of an endoscope, the outer sleeve defining a distal end maintaining a viewing window; and an irrigation duct formed as an elongated tube having a distal end maintaining a nozzle, the nozzle being secured adjacent the viewing window and oriented to direct a pressurized stream of fluid away from the viewing window and directly against a layer of bacterial bio film to mechanically remove the bacterial biofilm without substantially damaging an underlying structure of the target site.
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11. A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, comprising:
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providing a system for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site, the system including an endoscope having an insertion tube defining a working end, an irrigation duct connected to a nozzle, an aspiration duct having an inlet, and a removable endoscope sheath for covering the insertion tube, wherein at least one of the irrigation duct and the aspiration duct is part of the removable endoscope sheath; disposing the working end of the endoscope, the inlet of the aspiration duct, and the nozzle, respectively, proximate the target site, the target site including a layer of bacterial biofilm; imaging the target site with the working end of the endoscope; dispensing a flow of fluid through the nozzle, via the irrigation duct, toward the target site to mechanically remove a substantial portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm; and collecting the removed bacterial biofilm and the dispensed fluid with the inlet end of the aspiration duct. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification