Composite Irrigation/Aspiration Needle With Ball Tip

• US 20110015562A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Art Corporation (Terada Family)
• Original Assignee: Art Corporation (Terada Family)
• Inventors: Akahoshi, Takayuki
• Granted Patent: US 9,233,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• 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 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

An irrigation/aspiration needle has a rigid needle body over which an elastomeric sleeve is fitted. The elastomeric sleeve terminates in a smooth, relatively soft, rounded tip through which a passageway extends, communicating with a passageway in the sleeve which, in turn, communicates with passageways in the needle body and needle mount, forming a liquid flow path through the needle. The softness of the elastomeric sleeve and, particularly, the sleeve tip protects delicate eye tissue when the needle is used for aspiration from or irrigation of the eye during surgery.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, said instrument comprising:

a needle mount having a central passageway;

a needle having a needle body,

said needle body having proximal and distal ends,

said proximal end extending from said needle mount,

said needle body having a central passageway extending from said proximal end to said distal end,

said needle body central passageway communicating with said needle mount central passageway,

said needle passageway terminating at said distal end at a needle lip;

a hollow elastomeric sleeve having a central passageway

said sleeve passageway sized and shaped to allow said sleeve to fit over said needle lip and at least a portion of said needle body,

said sleeve terminating in a sleeve tip,

said sleeve tip having a curved surface,

said sleeve tip larger in diameter than said sleeve; and

a passageway formed through said sleeve tip whereby said tip passageway, said sleeve passageway, said needle passageway and said mount passageway define a flow path.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said tip passageway is formed at an angle to said needle passageway.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said tip passageway is curved.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said tip is substantially spherical in shape.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said sleeve extending past said lip is curved.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said needle body is curved and at least a portion of said sleeve extending past said lip is curved.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed from silicone.