SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF CLEANING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a shaft comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a wall extending from the distal end to the proximal end and having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
wherein at least a first portion of the shaft includes openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall and provide flow communication from an exterior of the shaft to an interior of the shaft;
wherein at least one transverse cross-sectional plane and at least one longitudinal cross-section plane through the portion of the shaft including openings each intersect multiple openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises a shaft comprising a distal end a proximal end, a wall extending from the distal end to the proximal end and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. At least a first portion of the shaft may include openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall and provide flow communication from an exterior of the shaft to an interior of the shaft. At least one transverse cross-sectional plane and at least one longitudinal cross-section plane through the portion of the shaft including openings may each intersect multiple openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The surgical instrument may include a manifold in flow communication with an interior of the shaft. The surgical instrument may include a flexible sleeve located inside the interior of the shaft.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a shaft comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a wall extending from the distal end to the proximal end and having an exterior surface and an interior surface; wherein at least a first portion of the shaft includes openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall and provide flow communication from an exterior of the shaft to an interior of the shaft; wherein at least one transverse cross-sectional plane and at least one longitudinal cross-section plane through the portion of the shaft including openings each intersect multiple openings that penetrate the interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22-45. -45. (canceled)
Specification