Surgical liquid lance apparatus

• US 5,037,431 A
• Filed: 11/03/1989
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Original Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Inventors: Stoecker, William V., Summers, David A., Blaine, James
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Ralph A,
• Application Number:
  US07/431,374
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/43, 604/35, 604/131, 604/150, 604/151, 606/131, 606/159, 606/167
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

A hand-held surgical apparatus with supporting equipment comprising a mechanism for producing a pressurized jet of fluid which is sufficiently energetic to fragment diseased human and animal tissue without damaging adjacent healthy tissue. Preferably the apparatus includes a jet of fluid which impinges obliquely onto the operative area such that diseased tissue underneath overlying healthy tissue may be fragmented, especially finger-like extensions from tumorous growths of the skin. The jet rotated about a generally vertical axis such that the points of impact of the water from the jet upon the operative area describes circular patterns, thereby effectively and quickly distributing fragmenting energy over a wide operative area. A supporting vacuuming apparatus for aspirating effluent or expended fluid and fragmented tissue from the operative site. A surgical procedure for removing tumorous growths at the cutaneous surface includes the steps of impinging a growth on the skin with a jet of pressurized fluid using the apparatus.

Claims