Irrigation suction catheter

• US 4,468,216 A
• Filed: 05/20/1982
• Issued: 08/28/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rudolph Muto
• Original Assignee: Rudolph Muto
• Inventors: Muto, Rudolph
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Application Number:
  US06/380,053
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/27, 604/28, 604/30, 604/35, 604/39, 604/40, 604/43, 604/128, 604/129, 604/165
• US Class Current: 604/43
• 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

An irrigation suction catheter comprises an elongated flexible outer tube having a proximal end connectable to a source of vacuum, a distal end having a suction inlet across the terminal tip and an aperture, near the proximal end opening to the atmosphere, but closable by the thumb or finger to close the suction circuit. Sleeved within the suction tube is an elongated flexible irrigation tube having a proximal end connectable to pressurized irrigation fluid, a distal end extending beyond the suction inlet, to form a projecting flexible tip with an irrigation discharge outlet at the terminus of the tip. A vortical circulation is set up by the irrigation outlet to guide dislodged debris into the suction inlet, when both suction and irrigation are applied simultaneously. The inner, flexible irrigation tube, with its projecting terminal tip may also be sleeved in the hollow bore of a fiber optic endoscope, or in a bronchoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope or other similar devices. The projecting distal end of the irrigation tube is easily bendable and free to move sidewise or axially within the annular suction inlet opening to dislodge particles and free the opening of plugging.

Claims

1. An irrigation suction catheter comprising:

a flexible, elongated suction tube of predetermined diameter and length having a distal end with a debris receiving suction inlet opening extending transversely across the terminal tip thereof, a proximal end connected by one branch of a Y coupling to a source of vacuum and a thumb operable aperture member located near said proximal end, between said vacuum source and said Y coupling for controlling the application of suction at said inlet opening and;

a flexible elongated liquid irrigation tube of predetermined diameter substantially less than the diameter of said suction tube, said liquid irrigation tube being sleeved within, and substantially coaxial with, said suction tube to form therebetween an annular suction passage, said liquid irrigation tube being of greater length than the length of said suction tube and having a distal end, with a liquid outlet opening extending transversely across the terminal tip thereof, said tip projecting a spaced distance in front of, and beyond, said suction inlet opening;

said projecting distal end of said irrigation tube forming an annular debris receiving suction inlet therearound and being freely bendable, and sidewise movable therein to clear said inlet of foreign material and avoid plugging of said annular opening and passage;

said liquid irrigation tube having a proximal end extending through the other branch of said Y coupling to a finger grip and thence to a source of liquid under pressure;

pressurized liquid discharge from said liquid outlet simultaneously with application of suction in said debris-receiving inlet creating a vortical circulation, in a cavity in which said catheter is inserted, to dislodge particles for suction removal.

2. A suction catheter as specified in claim 1 wherein:

said suction catheter includes a cap of elastomeric material fitting over the end of the other branch of said Y coupling and wherein said liquid irrigation tube and finger grip are slidably removable from within said suction tube when not desired for use in irrigation.

3. A suction catheter as specified in claim 1 wherein:

said finger grip has a forwardly projecting tapered nipple for slidably fitting within the other branch of said Y coupling to seal the same against admission of ambient air.

4. A suction catheter as specified in claim 1 wherein:

the projecting distal end of said liquid irrigation tube is axially movable within said suction inlet opening so that it can be manipulated by reciprocation of said finger grip relative to said Y coupling to disturb particles for vortical circulation and suction removal.

5. An irrigation suction catheter comprising:

an outer, elongated, suction tube having an inner, elongated, liquid irrigation tube coaxially and concentrically sleeved therewithin, said irrigation tube being of substantially less outside diameter than the inside diameter of said suction tube to form an annular suction passage therearound;

said irrigation tube being of greater length than said suction tube, said suction tube having an insertable, distal terminal end with a suction inlet extending transversely thereacrss and said irrigation tube having a distal end with a terminal, tip projecting a spaced distance beyond said suction inlet with an irrigation outlet extending transversely thereacross,

said distal end of said irrigation tube forming an annular, debris receiving suction inlet therearound and being freely bendabe, axially movable and sidewise movable therein to clear said inlet of plugging;

means for applying suction through said suction tube to said suction inlet and;

means for simultaneously discharging pressurized irrigation fluid from said irrigation outlet;

whereby a vortical circulation is achieved in the cavity in which said tips are inserted to dislodge debris for removal through said suction inlet and passage.

6. In a suction catheter of the type having an elongated flexible tube with a suction inlet in the terminal tip of the distal end, a proximal end connectable to a source of vacuum and a means for connecting said tube to atmosphere, near said proximal end the combination of:

an elongated flexible irrigation tube, of less outside diameter than the inside diameter of said suction tube, coaxially and concentrically sleeved within said suction tube to form an annular suction passage therearound;

said irrigation tube having a proximal end connectable to a source of fluid under pressure;

a finger grip near said proximal end and beyond the proximal end of said suction tube; and

having a distal end, which projects a spaced distance beyond the suction inlet of said suction tube to form a flexible, terminal irrigation tip with an irrigation discharge outlet extending transversely across the end of said tip;

said projecting distal end of said irrigation tube forming an annular debris-receiving suction inlet therearound and being freely movable sidewise therein, so that flexing of said terminal tip bends said distal end to continually clear said annular inlet of foreign particles.

7. An irrigation suction catheter comprising:

a flexible, elongated, outer, suction catheter tube of predetermined diameter, having a distal end opening and a proximal end;

a flexible elongated, inner, irrigation tube of predetermined diameter, substantially less than the diameter of said catheter, sleeved within said catheter, and having a distal end projecting beyond the distal end opening of said catheter, and a proximal end;

said projecting distal end being flexible, bendable and movable sidewise and axially within the distal end opening of said catheter to form an annular debris-receiving suction inlet therewithin and to keep said inlet free of plugging when manipulated from the proximal end thereof or flexed by contact in a cavity of the body.