Surgical aspirator cannula

• US 4,925,450 A
• Filed: 03/21/1988
• Issued: 05/15/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nestle SA
• Original Assignee: The Cooper Companies Incorporated
• Inventors: Beuchat, Charles E., Imonti, Maurice M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Application Number:
  US07/171,431
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 604/240, 604/247, 604/248, 604/119, 604/118, 604/242, 604/243, 604/902, 604/241
• US Class Current: 604/240
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7413 by changing the cross-section of the line
• 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 1/86 Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/04 Tools for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/902 Suction wands

Abstract

A surgical aspirator cannula including an elongated body member having a longitudinal aspiration conduit, and a valve assembly supported by the body member and operable to close off the aspiration conduit. The valve assembly includes a thumb switch pad and a plunger having a bore laterally therethrough. When the switch pad is depressed the bore is aligned with the aspiration conduit and suction pressure communicates with the cannula. By sliding it forward, the switch pad can be locked into this open position. When released the plunger is biased upward by a coil spring so that the bore is no longer aligned with the conduit and thereby closing it. A securing assembly removably secures the desired cannula to the forward end of the elongated body member. A generally tubular hub of the securing assembly is pressed fitted into the forward bore of the elongated body member. A ring lock encircles the hub and is rotatable with respect thereto. Forward slots in the hub assembly and the ring lock can be aligned and when aligned the radial pin of the cam lock of a cannula is inserted therein. When the ring lock is then turned the cannula via its locking pin is brought rearward towards and secured to the body member.

Claims

1. A surgical aspirator cannula comprising:

an elongated body member having a distal end and a proximal end,

said body member defining a longitudinal aspiration conduit passing therethrough between said distal end and said proximal end,

a securing means for securing a proximal end of an elongated cannula to said distal end to communicate the cannula proximal end with said aspiration conduit,

said proximal end being connectable to a source of vacuum,

a valve assembly positioned at least partially in said body member and in said aspiration conduit,

said valve assembly being positionable in a first valve position closing said conduit so that the source of vacuum is blocked relative to said distal end port, and in a second valve position opening said conduit so that the source of vacuum communicates with said distal end port,

a hand-operated switch means supported by said body member and operatively connected to said valve assembly for moving said valve assembly between said first and second valve positions,

said switch means being positionable in a first switch position wherein said valve assembly is in said first valve position and in a second switch position wherein said valve assembly is in said second valve position,

a biasing means for biasing said valve assembly into one of said first and second valve positions,

said switch means including a manually-movable switch pad,

said valve assembly including a piston disposed transversely to said aspiration conduit and having a bore extending transversely therethrough,

said piston closing said conduit when said valve assembly is in said first valve position,

said piston opening said conduit by having said bore aligned with said conduit when said valve assembly is in said second valve position, and

said biasing means biasing said piston relative to said conduit.

2. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said switch pad is positioned radially closer to the center line of said body member when in said second switch position than in said first switch position.

3. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said body member defines on its upper surface a longitudinal track in which said switch pad can slide.

4. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 further comprising a locking means supported by said body member for locking said switch means in said first switch position.

5. The aspirator cannula of claim 4 wherein said switch pad is movable longitudinally relative to said body member.

6. The aspirator cannula of claim 4 wherein said biasing means biases said switch pad radially out from said body member when in said first switch position.

7. The aspirator cannula of claim 4 wherein said locking means includes a grooved structure supported by said body member and into which said switch pad slides.

8. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said piston defines a groove extending generally longitudinally therealong and communicating the forward conduit portion of said conduit forward of said piston, when said valve assembly is in said first valve position, with the atmosphere, to vent any residual vacuum valve in said forward conduit portion and in a cannula secured to said body member by said securing means, after said valve assembly has been positioned in said first valve position.

9. The aspirator cannula of claim 8 wherein said groove is vertically disposed and is positioned on a forward surface of said piston.

10. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said elongated body member defines thereon a user hand grip portion, and said switch pad is positioned forward of said user hand grip portion and so as to be movable between said first and second switch positions by the thumb of a user'"'"'s hand that is grasping said user hand grip portion.

11. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said valve assembly includes a generally flat head member secured at the top of said piston, and along which said switch pad can slide.

12. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said body member defines a bore therein, said piston is disposed in said bore, and said bore is configured to provide a close tolerance fit with said piston and to thereby provide an effective seal therebetween.

13. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring positioned within said body member and having an upper end engaging a lower surface of said piston and a lower end biasing against said body member, and said coil spring biases said valve assembly to said first valve position.

14. The aspirator cannula of claim 13 wherein said piston defines at its lower end a spring seat, and further comprising a sealing member in said spring seat and surrounding said upper end of said coil spring.

15. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said piston includes a longitudinal groove on its outer surface and said body member includes a guide member projecting towards said piston and riding in said longitudinal groove as said valve assembly moves between said first and second valve positions.

16. The aspirator cannula of claim 15 wherein said guide member comprises at least one vlier ball screw.

17. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 further comprising a venting means connected to said valve assembly for automatically venting any residual vacuum in the forward portion of said conduit forward of said valve assembly when said valve assembly is positioned to said first valve position.

18. The aspirator cannula of claim 1 wherein said body member defines a forward bore at said distal end, and said securing means comprises a cannula hub member having a proximal hub end positioned in said forward bore, a distal hub portion, a hub bore passing therethrough and communicating with said conduit, a hub slot engaging a forward surface of said distal hub portion and extending rearwardly therefrom, and said securing means further comprises a ring lock member disposed about said distal hub portion, at least partially rotatable about said distal hub portion and including a ring lock slot engaging a forward surface thereof and extending generally rearwardly therefrom, and said ring lock slot, by twisting said ring lock member about said distal hub portion, being alignable with said hub slot to receive a locking pin of a cannula therein.

19. A surgical aspirator cannula comprising:

an elongated body member having a distal end and a proximal end,

said body member defining a forward bore at said distal end,

said body member defining an aspiration conduit passing generally longitudinally straight therethrough between said distal end and said proximal end,

said proximal end being connectable to a source of vacuum,

a valve assembly connected to said body member,

a securing means for securing a proximal end of a cannula to said distal end to communicate the cannula proximal end with said aspiration conduit,

said securing means including a cannula hub member having a proximal hub end positioned in said forward bore, a distal hub portion, a hub bore passing therethrough and communicating with said conduit, and a hub slot engaging a forward surface of said distal hub portion and extending rearwardly therefrom,

said securing means further including a ring lock member disposed about said distal hub portion, at least partially rotatable about said distal hub portion, and including a ring lock slot engaging a forward surface thereof and extending generally rearwardly therefrom, and

said ring lock slot, by twisting said ring lock member about said distal hub portion, being alignable with said hub slot to receive a locking pin of an elongated cannula therein.

20. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said ring lock slot is configured to draw the locking pin positioned therein rearwardly relative to said body member and to thereby secure the cannula to said body member as said ring lock member is rotated relative to said hub slot.

21. The aspirator cannula of claim 20 wherein said ring lock slot includes a longitudinal slot portion engaging said forward surface, and a lateral slot portion extending generally laterally relative to said longitudinal slot portion and from a rearward end thereof.

22. The aspirator cannula of claim 21 wherein said lateral slot portion defines an angle greater than ninety degrees with said longitudinal slot portion.

23. The aspirator cannula of claim 22 wherein said angle is ninety-five degrees.

24. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said ring lock member defines by its outer surface a truncated cone.

25. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said ring lock member has an outer lock surface defining a friction increasing means disposed to be accessible by a user'"'"'s fingers, and said friction increasing means comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs.

26. The aspirator cannula of claim 25 wherein said ring lock member includes a rear surface and a full rotation blocking slot on said rear surface.

27. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said proximal hub end is press-fitted into said hub bore.

28. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said ring lock member is rotatable more than an insubstantial amount and substantially less than three hundred and sixty degrees relative to said cannula hub member.

29. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said cannula hub member includes a preventing means for preventing said ring lock member from being slid forwardly thereof.

30. The aspirator cannula of claim 29 wherein said preventing means comprises an abutment structure at a forward end of said cannula hub member and projecting radially out therefrom.

31. The aspirator cannula of claim 30 wherein said abutment structure comprises an annular structure.

32. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said ring lock member is slid forwardly onto said cannula hub member before said proximal hub member is fitted into said hub bore.

33. The aspirator cannula of claim 19 wherein said valve assembly is positionable in a first valve position closing said conduit so that the source of vacuum is blocked relative to said distal end port and in a second valve position opening said conduit so that the source of vacuum communicates with said distal end port.

34. The aspirator cannula of claim 33 further comprising a hand-operated means supported by said body member and operatively connected to said valve assembly for moving said valve assembly between said first and second valve positions.

35. The aspirator cannula of claim 34 further comprising a venting means connected to said valve assembly for automatically venting any residual vacuum in the forward portion of said conduit forward of said valve assembly when said valve assembly is moved from said second to said first valve position.

36. A surgical aspirator cannula comprising

an elongated body member having a distal end and a proximal end,

said body member defining a longitudinal aspiration conduit passing therethrough between said distal and proximal ends,

said proximal end being operatively connectable to a source of vacuum,

said body member defining at said distal end a distal end port having a threaded opening,

a removable securing means for removably securing a proximal end of an elongated cannula to said distal end port so that a longitudinal passageway of the cannula communicates with said aspiration conduit,

said securing means comprising an adaptor having distal and proximal threaded male connectors and a nut secured between them, and an adaptor passageway extending therethrough, said proximal threaded male connector threadably engaging in said threaded opening by rotating said adaptor nut relative to said body member, a ferrule means fitting in said distal threaded male connector, and a cannula nut positionable around the cannula and when tightened causing said ferrule means to grip the cannula end and thereby secure the cannula to said distal end, and

said ferrule means comprising a cone-shaped first ferrule fitting into said distal threaded male connector and a second ferrule fitting into said first ferrule and have a distal rim which said cannula nut engages.

37. The aspirator cannula of claim 36 wherein said cannula nut has a multi-sided circumferential surface, and said securing means comprises a cannula key having a body portion with a multisided opening therethrough and a pair of ears projecting from said body portion, said body portion fitting around said cannula nut such that when rotated by grasping and turning said ears the surface of said opening engages and turns said multi-sided circumferential surface.

38. The aspirator cannula of claim 36 wherein the proximal portion of the cannula end has a generally smooth circumferential surface and fits into said ferrule means.

39. The aspirator cannula of claim 36 wherein said cannula nut threads onto said distal male connector.

40. The aspirator cannula of claim 36 wherein said body member is formed at least in part of a clear material providing a window through which said conduit therein can be seen.

41. The aspirator cannula of claim 40 wherein said window is at the hand-grip area of said body member.

42. The aspirator cannula of claim 36 wherein said cannula nut is round and has a knurled outer circumferential surface.

43. A cannula member for a surgical aspirator cannula device, said cannula member comprising:

an elongated hollow cannula having a cannula distal portion and a cannula proximal end,

said cannula defining at said cannula distal portion at least one cannula opening in through which fatty tissue and the like can be aspirated,

a cannula lock, and

said cannula lock including a locking sleeve encircling said cannula proximal end and overmolded thereto, and a locking pin secured to said locking sleeve and projecting radially out therefrom.

44. The cannula member of claim 43 wherein said cannula opening is disposed on one side of said cannula.

45. The cannula member of claim 43 wherein said locking pin is disposed one hundred and eighty degrees relative to said cannula opening.

46. The cannula member of claim 43 wherein said cannula has a distal cannula tip and said cannula opening engages said distal cannula tip.

47. The cannula member of claim 43 wherein said at least one cannula opening comprises at least two longitudinally-spaced openings.

48. The cannula member of claim 43 wherein said opening defines a circle, an oval or a slot.

49. A surgical aspiration method comprising the steps of:

providing a surgical aspirator cannula having an elongated body member with a body member distal end, a cannula hub member at said body member distal end and having a hub slot, and a lock ring member at least partially rotatable about said cannula hub member and having a ring lock slot,

providing a cannula member including an elongated cannula having an aspiration opening at the distal portion thereof and a cannula lock at the proximal end thereof, said cannula lock including a radial cannula pin,

grasping said body member in one hand of a surgeon,

with said hub groove and ring lock slot aligned, inserting with one hand, which is in the sterile environment, of a medical personnel other than the surgeon, said radial cannula pin into said aligned slots, and

thereafter, twisting with the other hand of the surgeon said lock ring member relative to said body member to thereby secure said cannula to said body member.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein said twisting causes said cannula to be drawn further towards said body member.

51. A surgical aspirator cannula comprising:

an elongated body member having a distal end and a proximal end,

said body member defining a longitudinal aspiration conduit passing therethrough between said distal end and said proximal end,

a securing means for securing a proximal end of a cannula to said distal end to communicate the cannula proximal end with said aspiration conduit,

said proximal end being connectable to a source of vacuum,

a valve assembly positioned in said body member and in said aspiration conduit,

said valve assembly including an elongated member positioned at least partially in said body member and movable relative thereto,

said valve assembly being positionable by moving said elongated member to a first valve position closing said conduit so that the source of vacuum is blocked relative to said distal end port and to a second valve position opening said conduit so that the source of vacuum communicates with said distal end,

a hand-operated means supported by said body member and operatively connected to said valve assembly for moving said elongated member between said first and second valve positions, and

said valve assembly including a venting means for automatically venting any residual vacuum in the forward portion of said conduit forward of said valve assembly when said elongated member is moved from said second to said first valve position.

52. The aspirator cannula of claim 51 wherein said venting means comprises a groove on said elongated member and communicating said conduit forward portion with the atmosphere when said elongated member is in said first but not in said second valve position.

53. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said elongated member comprises a cylinder.

54. The aspirator cannula of claim 53 wherein said cylinder is rotatable relative to said body member.

55. The aspirator cannula of claim 53 wherein said cylinder is axially displaceable relative to said body member.

56. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said hand-operated means comprises a lever means squeezable towards said body member and operatively connected to said elongated member.

57. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said hand-operated means comprises a push button operatively connected to said elongated member.

58. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said hand-operated means comprises a rotatable knob.

59. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said hand-operated means comprises a switch pad movable longitudinally and laterally relative to said body member.

60. The aspirator cannula of claim 52 wherein said body member defines a chamber, said valve assembly includes a biasing means positioned in said chamber for biasing said elongated member, and said venting means vents through said chamber.