Fluid flow control system and connecting fitting therefor

• US 4,832,685 A
• Filed: 10/06/1987
• Issued: 05/23/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CooperVision Incorporated (The Cooper Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Haines, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRUTER, JEROME
• Application Number:
  US07/105,978
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/27, 604/30-35, 604/50, 604/65-67, 604/118-120, 604/147-149
• US Class Current: 604/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members

Abstract

A fluid flow control apparatus specially adapted for use with an ultrasonic surgical tool which provides for irrigation of a surgical site and for aspirating fluid from the site comprises a source of irrigation fluid, comprises an irrigation fluid conduit or conducting the irrigation fluid to a surgical site, an aspiration fluid conduit for conducting fluid away from the surgical site, a suction pump connected to the aspiration fluid conduit for aspirating fluid from the surgical site, a pressure-sensitive control system for removing the source of suction from the aspiration conduit when a predetermined value of suction is exceeded, and a valve for controllably admitting irrigation fluid into the aspiration fluid conduit. A check valve in the irrigation conduit prevents a reverse surge when the irrigation fluid is admitted to the aspiration conduit.

Claims

1. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

a source of irrigation fluid,

an irrigation fluid conduit means for conducting irrigation fluid from said source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a controllable pump means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a pressure sensitive transducer means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for sensing a pressure in said aspiration fluid conduit means and generating a control signal for said pump means,

a pressure relief fluid conduit means connecting said source of irrigation fluid to said aspiration fluid conduit means for providing fluid communication between said source of irrigation fluid and said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a controllable valve means for controlling the fluid flow in said fluid pressure relief fluid conduit means, and

a control means for controlling said controllable valve means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controllable valve means is an electrically-controllable valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control means for said electrically-controllable valve is an electrical switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrical switch is a foot-actuated switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump means is a peristaltic pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a check valve means for preventing fluid backflow in said irrigation fluid conduit means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shut-off valve means in said irrigation fluid conduit means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a check valve means positioned in said irrigation fluid conduit means for preventing the backflow of fluid in said irrigation fluid conduit means towards said source of irrigation fluid into said aspiration fluid conduit means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a control valve positioned in said irrigation fluid conduit means between said source of irrigation fluid and said check valve means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control valve is a shut-off valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control valve is operated by a solenoid.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure relief fluid conduit means is directly connected to said irrigation fluid conduit means for supplying irrigation fluid to said aspiration fluid conduit means as needed.

13. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus including an aspiration fluid conduit for conducting fluid away from the surgical site, a suction pump for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit, a pressure relief fluid conduit for releasing fluid into said aspiration fluid conduit, and a transducer in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit and operatively connected to said suction pump, wherein the improvement comprises a connection fitting comprising:

a first tubular fluid conduit having a fluid connection at a first end connectable to said suction pump and a fluid connection fitting at a second end connectable to said aspiration fluid conduit,

a second tubular fluid conduit having one end in fluid communication with said first tubular fluid conduit,and another end connectable to said pressure relief fluid conduit,

said second tubular fluid conduit being arranged substantially at right angles to said first tubular fluid conduit,

a third tubular fluid conduit having one end in fluid communication with said second tubular fluid conduit,and another end connectable to said pressure relief fluid conduit, and

said third tubular fluid conduit being arranged generally at right angles to said second tubular fluid conduit and generally parallel to said first tubular fluid conduit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said fluid connection at said first end is a male fluid connection fitting.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said fluid connection at said second end is a female fluid connection fitting.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said another end of said second tubular fluid conduit is a male fluid connection fitting.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said another end of said third tubular fluid conduit is a male fluid connection fitting.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second fluid connection at said second end is a female fluid connection fitting.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said female fluid connection fitting defines a smooth internal conduit wall to reduce the chance of clogging with aspirated fragmented tissue.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first tubular fluid conduit comprises a first rigid tubular fluid conduit, said second tubular fluid conduit comprises a second rigid tubular fluid conduit, and said third tubular fluid conduit comprises a third rigid tubular fluid conduit.

21. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit mans for conducting irrigation liquid from a source of irrigation liquid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a suction means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a liquid pressure equalizing means for admitting irrigation liquid from the source of irrigation liquid to said aspiration fluid conduit means when a blockage occurs therein to vent the vacuum therein, and

a preventing means for preventing at least some of the irrigation liquid from flowing in said irrigation fluid conduit means generally away from the surgical site when said liquid pressure equalizing means is admitting the irrigation liquid into said aspiration fluid conduit means.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said preventing means comprises a check valve operatively positioned in said irrigation fluid conduit means.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said check valve is operatively positioned between the surgical site, and the connection of said liquid pressure equalizing means and said irrigation fluid conduit means, and said check valve prevents irrigation liquid from flowing from the surgical site to said connection.

24. A fluid controlled apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit means for conducting irrigation fluid from a source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a pump means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means, and

a transducer releasing means for releasing the pressure in said aspiration fluid conduit means to equilibrium, at the first indication of an occlusion of said aspiration fluid conduit means, by causing the introduction of venting liquid having the same pressure as that of the irrigation fluid in said irrigation fluid conduit means into said aspiration fluid conduit means.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said releasing means includes a transducer in communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means and operatively associated with said pump means, and a bacteria-retentive filter means for filtering the fluid flowing to said transducer.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said releasing means stops the vacuum effect of said pump means on said aspiration fluid conduit means at said first indication.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said releasing means includes a user operated and actuated switch means.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said releasing means includes a fluid conduit for providing fluid to said aspiration fluid conduit means, and a valve in said fluid conduit for controlling the flow of fluid from said fluid conduit into said aspiration fluid conduit means, and said switch means being operatively connected to said valve for opening said valve when the occlusion is detected.

30. The connection fitting of claim 27 wherein said fluid connection at said first end is a male fluid connection fitting.

31. The connection fitting of claim 30 wherein said fluid connection at said second end is a female fluid connection fitting.

29. For a fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, the fluid control apparatus including an aspiration fluid conduit for conducting fluid away from the surgical site, a suction pump for providing suction in the aspiration fluid conduit, a pressure relief fluid conduit for releasing fluid into the aspiration fluid conduit, and a transducer in fluid communication with the aspiration fluid conduit and operatively connected to the suction pump, a connection fitting comprising:

a first tubular fluid conduit having a fluid connection at a first end operatively connectable to the suction pump and a fluid connection fitting at a second end operatively connectable to the aspiration fluid conduit,

a second tubular fluid conduit having one end in fluid communication with said first tubular fluid conduit, and another end operatively connectable to the pressure relief fluid conduit,

said second tubular fluid conduit being arranged substantially at right angles to said first tubular fluid conduit,

a third tubular fluid conduit having one end in fluid communication with said second tubular fluid conduit, and another end operatively connectable to the pressure relief fluid conduit, and

said third tubular fluid conduit being arranged generally at right angles to said second tubular fluid conduit and generally parallel to said first tubular fluid conduit,

32. The connection fitting of claim 29 wherein said another end of said second tubular fluid conduit is a male fluid connection fitting.

33. The connection fitting of claim 29 wherein said another end of said third tubular fluid conduit is a male fluid connection fitting.

34. The connection fitting of claim 29 wherein said second fluid connection at said second end is a female fluid connection fluid.

35. The connection fitting of claim 29 wherein said first tubular fluid conduit comprises a first rigid tubular fluid conduit, said second tubular fluid conduit comprises a second rigid tubular fluid conduit, and said third tubular fluid conduit comprises a third rigid tubular fluid conduit.

36. A fluid controlled apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit means for conducting irrigation fluid from a source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a pump means for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a releasing means for releasing the pressure in said aspiration fluid conduit means to equilibruim, at the first indication of an occlusion of said aspiration fluid conduit means, by using a venting liquid having the same pressure as that of the irrigation fluid in said irrigation fluid conduit means, and

said releasing means including a transducer in communication with said aspiration fluid conduit means and operatively associated with said pump means, and a bacteria-retentive filter means for filtering the fluid flowing to said transducer.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said releasing means stops the vacuum effect of said pump means on said aspiration fluid conduit means at said first indication.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said releasing means includes a user operated and actuated switch means.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said releasing means includes a fluid conduit for providing fluid to said aspiration fluid conduit means, and a valve in said fluid conduit for controlling the flow of fluid from said fluid conduit into said aspiration fluid conduit means, and said switch means is operatively connected to said valve for opening said valve when the occlusion is detected.

40. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit for conducting irrigation fluid from a source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a suction means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit mans for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a liquid pressure equalizing means for admitting irrigation liquid from the source of irrigation fluid to said aspiration fluid conduit means when a blockage occurs therein to vent the vacuum therein,

said liquid pressure equalizing means includes a pressure equalizing conduit providing communication for the irrigation fluid from said irrigation fluid conduit means to said aspiration fluid conduit means,

said pressure equalizing conduit connects directly to said irrigation fluid conduit means so that the irrigation liquid can flow through at least a portion of said irrigation fluid conduit means to said aspiration fluid conduit means.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a check valve means operatively connected to said irrigation fluid conduit means at a location between the connection of said pressure equalizing conduit and said irrigation fluid conduit means, and the surgical site for preventing at least some of the irrigation liquid from flowing in said irrigation fluid conduit means towards the source of irrigation liquid when said liquid pressure equalizing means is admitting the irrigation liquid into said aspiration fluid conduit means.

42. A fluid control apparatus for use with a surgical irrigation and aspiration instrument adapted for irrigation and aspiration of a surgical site located in a small elastic chamber, said fluid control apparatus comprising:

an irrigation fluid conduit means for conducting irrigation fluid from a source of irrigation fluid to the surgical site,

an aspiration fluid conduit means for removing fluid from the surgical site,

a controllable pump means in fluid communication with said aspiration fluid conduit for providing suction in said aspiration fluid conduit means,

a pressure sensitive transducer means communicating with said aspiration fluid conduit means for generating a pump control signal for said controllable pump means proportional to the vacuum in said aspiration fluid conduit induced by said pump means,

said transducer senses a vacuum rise in said aspiration fluid conduit means, and

said pump control signal causes said controllable pump means to quickly shut off when the vacuum in said aspiration fluid conduit means exceeds a predetermined value.