Irrigation system
First Claim
1. An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling pressure and flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, said system comprising:
- (a) fluid source means for providing a supply of irrigating fluid;
(b) pump means for pumping irrigation fluid, said pump means including a pump, adjustable pump drive means for driving said pump at preselected flow rates, first conduit means communicating said fluid source means with said pump, and second conduit means communicating said pump to an irrigation site to deliver the full flow of irrigating fluid thereto at said preselected flow rate;
(c) outflow conduit means in fluid receiving communication with said irrigation site and defining a fluid flow discharge for said irrigation fluid;
(d) adjustable flow controlling valve means for selectively varying fluid flow discharge through said outflow conduit means for regulation of positive fluid pressure at said irrigation site;
(e) pressure sensing means for measuring pressure at said irrigation site and sensing of pressure variations directly within said site;
(f) pressure control means, responsive to said pressure sensing means, for selectively adjusting said adjustable flow controlling valve means for maintaining pressure at said irrigation site within predetermined parameters independently of said pump drive means and the flow rate developed thereby; and
(g) manual means for adjusting the pump drive means, and thereby selecting a flow rate, independently of said pressure sensing means and said predetermined parameters.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation system for use in arthroscopic surgery including a variable RPM pump for introducing irrigation fluid from a fluid supply to a body irrigation site, a pressure control valve in the outflow from the irrigation site, a pressure sensor and associated controller for sensing pressure at the site and adjusting the pressure control valve for maintenance of the pressure within predetermined parameters, an override controller responsive to an inability to maintain pressure within the set parameters and responsive thereto to vary the flow rate of the pump, and associated display and signal components. The flow rate and pressure are individually and independently controllable.
199 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling pressure and flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, said system comprising:
-
(a) fluid source means for providing a supply of irrigating fluid; (b) pump means for pumping irrigation fluid, said pump means including a pump, adjustable pump drive means for driving said pump at preselected flow rates, first conduit means communicating said fluid source means with said pump, and second conduit means communicating said pump to an irrigation site to deliver the full flow of irrigating fluid thereto at said preselected flow rate; (c) outflow conduit means in fluid receiving communication with said irrigation site and defining a fluid flow discharge for said irrigation fluid; (d) adjustable flow controlling valve means for selectively varying fluid flow discharge through said outflow conduit means for regulation of positive fluid pressure at said irrigation site; (e) pressure sensing means for measuring pressure at said irrigation site and sensing of pressure variations directly within said site; (f) pressure control means, responsive to said pressure sensing means, for selectively adjusting said adjustable flow controlling valve means for maintaining pressure at said irrigation site within predetermined parameters independently of said pump drive means and the flow rate developed thereby; and (g) manual means for adjusting the pump drive means, and thereby selecting a flow rate, independently of said pressure sensing means and said predetermined parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. Method of delivering a supply of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site and independently and selectively maintaining the flow and pressure parameters within predetermined limits comprising the steps of:
-
(1) establishing ingress and egress communication conduits with the selected body site; (2) introducing irrigation fluid into and out from said site through said conduit, and establishing positive pressure Parameters within preselected limits within said site; (3) monitoring (measuring) the pressure of said irrigation fluid within said site and independently controlling said pressure by controlling the egress of said irrigation fluid out from said site and selectively adjusting said pressure and said flow independently of each other.
-
Specification