Apparatus and method for dispensing and aspirating high viscosity materials

• US 5,328,459 A
• Filed: 05/06/1993
• Issued: 07/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aldo A. Laghi
• Original Assignee: Aldo A. Laghi
• Inventors: Laghi, Aldo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilkens, Frank
• Application Number:
  US08/058,507
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/27, 604/30, 604/31, 604/33, 604/35, 604/67, 604/82, 604/83, 604/151, 604/154, 604/155, 604/902, 128/DIG. 1, 128/DIG. 12, 128/655, 417/418, 222/326, 222/327, 222/389, 222/390, 222/135, 222/137, 222/145
• US Class Current: 604/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/67 Containers incorporating a piston-type member to create suction, e.g. syringes cupping glasses A61M1/08; with a flexible member creating suction A61M1/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/89 Suction aspects of liposuction surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0014 removed from the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/01 Motorized syringe

Abstract

High viscosity materials are dispensed or aspirated by an assembly of cartridges having plungers reciprocally mounted within them. A device for translating rotary motion into linear motion is connected to the output shaft of a small electric motor so that operation of the motor effects linear movement of the plungers. The assembly replaces hydraulic and pneumatic systems and enables better control of the dispensing or aspirating process. In a first embodiment, a single cartridge dispenses a high viscosity material. In additional embodiments, plural cartridges are employed. In the final embodiments, the apparatus is equipped with a suitable assembly of one-way valves and other auxiliary equipment so that it can be used to perform liposuction or aspiration procedures and irrigation of surgical sites.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing and aspirating high viscosity materials, comprising:

a pair of cartridges disposed in axial alignment with one another, each of said cartridges having an open proximal end and a nozzle formed in its distal end;

each cartridge of said pair of cartridges containing a thixotropic material;

said cartridges disposed with their respective open proximal ends in facing relation to one another and with their respective nozzles pointing away from one another;

a pair of movably mounted plungers, each plunger of said pair of plungers being disposed in alignment with an associated cartridge of said pair of cartridges and being reciprocal therewithin;

means for preventing radial expansion of each cartridge o f said pair of cartridges as said plunger drives high viscosity material through their respective nozzles;

said means for preventing radial expansion including a nonexpandable metallic sleeve member that ensleeves each cartridge of said pair of cartridges in closely spaced relation thereto;

a common plunger rod for interconnecting said plunger

means for imparting a reciprocating linear motion to said plunger rod so that each plunger oscillates within its associated cartridge when said apparatus is operating;

a drain bag for collecting aerosols of the type produced during a liposuction process;

a vacuum canister for collecting fatty material of the type produced during a liposuction process;

a fluid-carrying line means extending from a patient to said vacuum canister, from said vacuum canister to said apparatus, and from said apparatus to said drain bag so that liquid and gaseous fluid flows through said line means when said plungers are reciprocating within their associated cartridges;

a plurality of one-way valves disposed at predetermined positions in said line means for allowing air flow through said line means in a first direction, said first direction being from said patient toward said vacuum canister and toward said drain bag, said plurality of one-way valves preventing flow of fatty deposits and aerosols into said cartridges, and for blocking air flow through said line in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and

control means for controlling said apparatus;

whereby a liposuction procedure is performed by said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said line means has a leading end adapted to slice into fatty deposits so that a liposuction procedure may be performed in the absence of tools other than said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion includes a motor means and translating means associated with said motor means for translating rotary motion to linear motion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for independently controlling the number of revolutions of said motor means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion is a ball slide and screw assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion is an acme thread and nut assembly.

7. An apparatus for irrigating a surgical site, comprising:

a pair of cartridges disposed in axial alignment with one another, each of said cartridges having an open proximal end and a nozzle formed in tis distal end;

each cartridge of said pair of cartridges containing a thixotropic material;

said cartridges disposed with their respective open proximal ends in facing relation to one another and with their respective nozzles pointing away from one another;

means for preventing radial expansion of each cartridge of said pair of cartridges as aid plunger drives high viscosity material through their respective nozzles;

said means for preventing radial expansion including a nonexpandable metallic sleeve member that ensleeves each cartridge of said pair of cartridges in closely spaced relation thereto;

a pair of movably mounted plungers, each plunger of said pair of plungers being disposed in alignment with an associated cartridge of said pair of cartridges and being reciprocal therewithin;

a common plunger rod for interconnecting said plungers;

means for imparting a reciprocating linear motion to said plunger rod so that each plunger oscillates within its associated cartridge when said apparatus is operating;

an irrigation bag for holding irrigation fluid of the type having utility in irrigating surgical sites;

a fluid-carrying line means extending from a patient to said apparatus, and from said apparatus to said irrigation bag so that irrigation fluid flows through said line means when said plungers are reciprocating within their associated cartridges;

a plurality of one-way valves disposed at predetermined positions in said line means for allowing flow of said irrigation fluid through said line means in a first direction, said first direction being from said irrigation bag toward said patient, said plurality of one-way valves preventing flow of irrigation fluid into said cartridges, and for blocking flow of said irrigation fluid through said line in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and

control means for controlling said apparatus;

whereby an irrigation procedure is performed by said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion includes a motor means and translating means associated with said motor means for translating rotary motion to linear motion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes means for independently controlling the number of revolutions of said motor means.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion is a ball slide and screw assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for imparting said reciprocating linear motion is an acme thread and nut assembly.