Irrigation system with tubing cassette

• US 5,628,731 A
• Filed: 12/12/1994
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Christmann, H. Aaron, Dodge, Larry H., Watts, James R., Egan, Thomas D., Dunberger, Ulf B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANOVER, PERRY
• Application Number:
  US08/354,500
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 604/34, 604/35, 604/30, 604/27, 604/65-67, 604/151-153, 604/250, 604/118-120, 128/DIG. 12, 417/474-477
• US Class Current: 604/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1253 by using two or more rollers as squeezing elements, the rollers moving on an arc of a circle during squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1284 Means for pushing the backing-plate against the tubular flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.

Claims

1. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump housing having a cassette-receiving passageway for releaseably receiving a cassette, a race mounted in the housing on one side of the cassette-receiving passageway, pumping means, mounted in the irrigation housing on the other side of the cassette-receiving passageway from the race, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and means for moving the race and the pumping means relative to one another between a release position, wherein both of the race and pumping means are positioned outside the cassette-receiving passageway, and an operating position, more closely spaced together than in the release position, wherein one of the race and pumping means is positioned within the cassette-receiving passageway;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the ends of the inflow line, the cassette having opposed through openings exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line and centering means, engaging the inflow line, for holding the exposed segment approximately across the center of the opposed through openings for direct pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line between the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position.

2. A tubing set according to claim 1 wherein the opposed through openings of the cassette constitutes a first pair of opposed through openings;

the tubing set further comprising an outflow line for draining irrigation fluid from the internal body irrigation site, the outflow line having inlet and outlet ends,

the cassette holding a portion of the outflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and having a outflow-regulating opening exposing a segment of the outflow line, whereby valve means mounted in the irrigation pump may be operable through the outflow-regulating opening of the cassette for squeezing the outflow line to regulate the flow of irrigation fluid through the outflow line.

3. A tubing set according to claim 2 further comprising alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the race, pumping means and valve means such that the first pair of opposed through openings of the cassette are aligned with the race and pumping means and the outflow-regulating opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means.

4. A tubing set according to claim 3 wherein the cassette comprises a box-like structure enclosing portions of the inflow and outflow lines, the box-like structure having first and second passageways containing the held portions of the inflow and outflow lines, respectively, and maintaining the exposed segment of the inflow line in alignment with the first pair of opposed through openings and the exposed segment of the outflow line in alignment with the outflow-regulating opening, the first and second passageways having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageways extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the inflow and outflow lines extend out from the first end of the box-like structure, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

5. A tubing set according to claim 4 wherein the alignment means includes the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure.

9. A tubing set according to claim 1 further comprising information-conveying means for conveying information about fluid pressure at the irrigation site to an irrigation pump, the information-conveying means including coupling means mounted in the cassette for bringing the information-conveying means into communication with the irrigation pump when the cassette in inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

10. A tubing set according to claim 9 wherein the information-conveying means comprises a pressure sensing line providing a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to a complementary fitting mounted in the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

12. A tubing set according to claim 1 wherein the exposed segment of the inflow line is formed of a different material than the other portions of the inflow line.

13. A tubing set according to claim 12 wherein the exposed segment of the inflow line is formed of silicone rubber material.

14. A tubing set according to claim 1 wherein the centering means comprises centering bosses in the cassette engaging the inflow line to hold the exposed segment of the inflow line approximately across the center of the opposed through openings of the cassette for direct pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line between the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position.

16. A tubing set according to claim 13 wherein the cassette comprises a box-like structure enclosing the held portions of the inflow and outflow lines, the box-like structure having first and second passageways containing the held portions of the inflow and outflow lines, respectively, and maintaining the exposed segment of the inflow line in alignment with the inflow-line-exposing opening and the exposed segment of the outflow line in alignment with the outflow-regulating opening, the first and second passageways having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageways extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the inflow and outflow lines extend out from the first end of the box-like structure, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

17. A tubing set according to claim 16 wherein the alignment means includes the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure.

18. A tubing set according to claim 17 wherein the alignment means further comprises opposite side surfaces of the box-like structure extending between the first and second ends, the opposite side surfaces including first and second side surfaces, rib-or-groove indexing means on the first side surface of the box-like structure for allowing the cassette to be inserted in a cassette-receiving passageway, having a rib-or-groove means complementary to the rib-or-groove indexing means of the cassette, of an irrigation pump in only one orientation in which the inflow-line-exposing opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means of the irrigation pump and the outflow-regulating opening is aligned with the valve means of the irrigation pump.

19. A tubing set according to claim 18 wherein the cassette has detent means for releaseably retaining the cassette in alignment longitudinally along the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump such that inflow-line-exposing opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means of the irrigation pump and the outflow-regulating opening is aligned with the valve means of the irrigation pump.

20. A tubing set according to claim 19 wherein the cassette has an opening on the opposite side of the outflow line from the outflow-regulating opening, which opening forms, together with the outflow-regulating opening, a second pair of opposed through openings, whereby a valve in an irrigation pump can controllably squeeze the exposed segment of the outflow line against a back support mounted in the irrigation pump on the opposite side of the cassette-receiving passageway from the valve.

6. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump housing having a cassette-receiving passageway for releaseably receiving a cassette, a race mounted in the housing on one side of the cassette-receiving passageway, pumping means, mounted in the irrigation housing on the other side of the cassette-receiving passageway from the race, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and means for moving the race and the pumping means relative to one another between a release position, wherein both of the race and pumping means are positioned outside the cassette-receiving passageway, and an operating position, more closely spaced together than in the release position, wherein one of the race and pumping means is positioned within the cassette-receiving passageway;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

an outflow line for draining irrigation fluid from the internal body irrigation site, the outflow line having inlet and outlet ends; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the ends of the inflow line, the cassette having a first pair of opposed through openings exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line for pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line by the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position;

the cassette holding a portion of the outflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and having a outflow-regulating opening exposing a segment of the outflow line, whereby valve means mounted in the irrigation pump may be operable through the outflow-regulating opening of the cassette for squeezing the outflow line to regulate the flow of irrigation fluid through the outflow line;

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the race, pumping means and valve means such that the first pair of opposed through openings of the cassette are aligned with the race and pumping means and the outflow-regulating opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means;

the cassette comprising a box-like structure enclosing portions of the inflow and outflow lines, the box-like structure having first and second passageways containing the held portions of the inflow and outflow lines, respectively, and maintaining the exposed segment of the inflow line in alignment with the first pair of opposed through openings and the exposed segment of the outflow line in alignment with the outflow-regulating opening, the first and second passageways having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageways extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the inflow and outflow lines extend out from the first end of the box-like structure, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

the alignment means including the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure; and

the alignment means further comprising opposite side surfaces of the box-like structure extending between the first and second ends, the opposite side surfaces including first and second side surfaces, rib-or-groove indexing means on the first side surface of the box-like structure for allowing the cassette to be inserted in a cassette-receiving passageway, having a rib-or-groove means complementary to the rib-or-groove indexing means of the cassette, in only one orientation in which the first pair of opposed through openings of the cassette are aligned with the race and pumping means and the outflow-regulating opening is aligned with the valve means.

7. A tubing set according to claim 6 wherein the cassette has detent means for releaseably retaining the cassette in alignment longitudinally along the cassette-receiving passageway such that the first pair of opposed through openings of the cassette are aligned with the race and pumping means and the outflow-regulating opening is aligned with the valve means.

8. A tubing set according to claim 7 wherein the cassette has an opening on the opposite side of the outflow line from the outflow-regulating opening, which opening forms, together with the outflow-regulating opening, a second pair of opposed through openings, whereby a valve of an irrigation pump can controllably squeeze the exposed segment of the outflow line against a back support of the irrigation pump mounted on the opposite side of the cassette-receiving passageway from the valve.

11. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump housing having a cassette-receiving passageway for releaseably receiving a cassette, a race mounted in the housing on one side of the cassette-receiving passageway, pumping means, mounted in the irrigation housing on the other side of the cassette-receiving passageway from the race, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and means for moving the race and the pumping means relative to one another between a release position, wherein both of the race and pumping means are positioned outside the cassette-receiving passageway, and an operating position, more closely spaced together than in the release position, wherein one of the race and pumping means is positioned within the cassette-receiving passageway;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the ends of the inflow line, the cassette having opposed through openings exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line for pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line by the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position; and

information-conveying means for conveying information about fluid pressure at the irrigation site to an irrigation pump, the information-conveying means including coupling means mounted in the cassette for bringing the information-conveying means into communication with the irrigation pump when the cassette in inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

the information-conveying means comprising a pressure sensing line providing a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to a complementary fitting mounted in the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

the fitting comprising a male connector on the cassette in fluid communication with the pressure sensing line, and an elastomeric seal on the male connector adapted to sealingly engage the complementary fitting of an irrigation pump.

15. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump housing having a cassette-receiving passageway for releaseably receiving a cassette, pumping means, mounted in the irrigation pump housing on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and valve means mounted in the irrigation pump housing on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway for regulating the flow of irrigation fluid draining from the surgical site;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

an outflow line for draining irrigation fluid from the internal body irrigation site, the outflow line having inlet and outlet ends; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and holding a held portion of the outflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof;

the cassette having an inflow-line-exposing opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the inflow line is held for pumping engagement by the pumping means of an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump; and

an outflow-regulating opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the outflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the outflow line is held for flow regulating engagement by the valve means of an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump; and

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the pumping means and valve means of the irrigation pump such that the inflow-line-exposing opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means and the outflow-regulating opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means.

21. A tubing set according to claim 15 further comprising information-conveying means for conveying information about fluid pressure at the irrigation site to an irrigation pump, the information-conveying means including coupling means mounted in the cassette for bringing the information-conveying means into communication with the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

22. A tubing set according to claim 21 wherein the information-conveying means comprises a pressure sensing line providing a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to a complementary fitting mounted in an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

23. A tubing set according to claim 22 wherein the fitting comprises a male connector on the cassette in fluid communication with the pressure sensing line, and an elastomeric seal on the male connector adapted to sealingly engage the complementary fitting of the irrigation pump.

24. A tubing set according to claim 15 wherein the portion of the inflow line extending between the cassette and its outlet end constitutes an outlet segment, the portion of the outflow line extending between the cassette and its inlet end constituting an inlet segment;

the outlet segment of the inflow line, the inlet segment of the outflow line, and the pressure sensing line being detachable from the held portions of the inflow and outflow lines.

25. A tubing set according to claim 24 further comprising releaseable connecting means for connecting the outlet segment of the inflow line, the inlet segment of the outflow line, and the pressure sensing line to the cassette, the releaseable connecting means including one-way valve means in the outflow line to prevent backflow from the held portion of the outflow line into the inlet segment of the outflow line.

26. A tubing set according to claim 25 wherein the releaseable connecting means further comprises one-way valve means in the inflow line to prevent backflow from the outlet segment of the inflow line into the held portion of the inflow line.

27. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump having a cassette-receiving passageway in its housing for releaseably receiving a cassette, pumping means, mounted in the housing of the irrigation pump on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and a connector for receiving information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site from the tubing set;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

a pressure sensing line for transmitting information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and holding an end portion of the pressure sensing line;

the cassette having an opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the inflow line is held for pumping engagement by the pumping means of an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

coupling means on the cassette for bringing the pressure sensing line in communication with the connector of the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump; and

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the pumping means and connector of the irrigation pump such that the opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means and the coupling means of the tubing set is connected the connector of the irrigation pump.

28. A tubing set according to claim 27 wherein the cassette comprises a box-like structure enclosing the held portions of the inflow and pressure sensing lines, the box-like structure having a U-shaped passageway containing the held portion of the inflow line and maintaining the exposed segment of the inflow line in alignment with the opening, the U-shaped passageway having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageway extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the inflow line extends out from the first end of the box-like structure, the coupling means of the cassette being on the second end of the cassette, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

29. A tubing set according to claim 28 wherein the alignment means includes the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure.

32. A tubing set according to claim 27 wherein the pressure sensing line provides a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to the connector mounted in an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump.

34. A tubing set according to claim 27 wherein the opening of the cassette comprises a pair of opposed through openings through the cassette exposing opposite sides of the exposed segment of the inflow line, the cassette further comprising centering means, engaging the inflow line, for holding the exposed segment approximately across the center of the opposed through openings for direct pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line between the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position.

35. A tubing set according to claim 34 wherein the centering means comprises centering bosses in the cassette engaging the inflow line to hold the exposed segment of the inflow line approximately across the center of the opposed through openings of the cassette for direct pumping engagement of the exposed segment of the inflow line between the race and pumping means of an irrigation system when the race and pumping means are in their operating position.

30. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump having a cassette-receiving passageway in its housing for releaseably receiving a cassette, pumping means, mounted in the housing of the irrigation pump on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and a connector for receiving information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site from the tubing set;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

a pressure sensing line for transmitting information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and holding an end portion of the pressure sensing line;

the cassette having an opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the inflow line is held for pumping engagement by the pumping means of an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

coupling means on the cassette for bringing the pressure sensing line in communication with the connector of the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump; and

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the pumping means and connector of the irrigation pump such that the opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means and the coupling means of the tubing set is connected the connector of the irrigation pump;

the cassette comprising a box-like structure enclosing the held portions of the inflow and pressure sensing lines, the box-like structure having a U-shaped passageway containing the held portion of the inflow line and maintaining the exposed segment of the inflow line in alignment with the opening, the U-shaped passageway having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageway extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the inflow line extends out from the first end of the box-like structure, the coupling means of the cassette being on the second end of the cassette, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

the alignment means including the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure; and

the alignment means further comprising opposite side surfaces of the box-like structure extending between the first and second ends, the opposite side surfaces including first and second side surfaces, rib-or-groove indexing means on the first side surface of the box-like structure for allowing the cassette to be inserted in a cassette-receiving passageway, having a rib-or-groove means complementary to the rib-or-groove indexing means of the cassette, of an irrigation pump in only one orientation, in which the opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means of the irrigation pump and the coupling means of the cassette is aligned for connection with the connector of the irrigation pump.

31. A tubing set according to claim 30 wherein the cassette has detent means for releaseably retaining the cassette in alignment longitudinally along the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump such that opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means of the irrigation pump and the coupling means of the cassette is connected to the connector of the irrigation pump.

33. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation pump having a cassette-receiving passageway in its housing for releaseably receiving a cassette, pumping means, mounted in the housing of the irrigation pump on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway, for pumping irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site, and a connector for receiving information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site from the tubing set;

the tubing set comprising;

an inflow line for providing irrigation fluid to the internal body irrigation site, the inflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

a pressure sensing line for transmitting information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the inflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and holding an end portion of the pressure sensing line;

the cassette having an opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the inflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the inflow line is held for pumping engagement by the pumping means of an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

coupling means on the cassette for bringing the pressure sensing line in communication with the connector of the irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump; and

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation pump to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the pumping means and connector of the irrigation pump such that the opening of the cassette is aligned with the pumping means and the coupling means of the tubing set is connected the connector of the irrigation pump;

the pressure sensing line providing a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to the connector mounted in an irrigation pump when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation pump;

the fitting comprising a male connector on the cassette in fluid communication with the pressure sensing line, and an elastomeric seal on the male connector adapted to sealingly engage a female connector of the irrigation pump.

36. A tubing set for use in an irrigation system of the type comprising an irrigation control module having a cassette-receiving passageway in its housing for releaseably receiving a cassette, valve means mounted in the housing of the irrigation control module on a side of the cassette-receiving passageway for regulating the flow of irrigation fluid draining from the surgical site, and a connector for receiving information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site from the tubing set;

the tubing set comprising;

an outflow line for draining irrigation fluid from the internal body irrigation site, the outflow line having inlet and outlet ends;

a pressure sensing line for transmitting information about fluid pressure at the internal body irrigation site; and

a cassette holding a held portion of the outflow line between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and holding an end portion of the pressure sensing line;

the cassette having an opening exposing an exposed segment of the held portion of the outflow line, whereby the exposed segment of the outflow line is held for flow-regulating engagement by the valve means of an irrigation control module when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation control module;

coupling means on the cassette for bringing the pressure sensing line in communication with the connector of the irrigation control module when the cassette is inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation control module; and

alignment means on the cassette for alignment with cooperable alignment means in the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation control module to ensure that the cassette can only be inserted in the cassette-receiving passageway in the proper orientation relative to the valve means and connector of the irrigation control module such that the opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means and the coupling means of the tubing set is connected the connector of the irrigation control module.

37. A tubing set according to claim 36 wherein the cassette comprises a box-like structure enclosing the held portions of the outflow and pressure sensing lines, the box-like structure having a U-shaped passageway containing the held portion of the outflow line and maintaining the exposed segment of the outflow line in alignment with the opening, the U-shaped passageway having a generally U-shaped longitudinal axis and open ends at opposite ends of the passageway extending through a first end of the box-like structure such that the outflow line extends out from the first end of the box-like structure, the pressure sensing line extending out from the first end of the cassette, the coupling means of the cassette being on the second end of the cassette, whereby a second end of the box-like structure opposite the first end is adapted to be first inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation control module.

38. A tubing set according to claim 37 wherein the alignment means includes the second end of the box-like structure having a generally rectangular cross section, whereby the box-like structure is adapted to be received in a cassette-receiving passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section complementary to the second end of the box-like structure.

39. A tubing set according to claim 38 wherein the alignment means further comprises opposite side surfaces of the box-like structure extending between the first and second ends, the opposite side surfaces including first and second side surfaces, rib-or-groove indexing means on the first side surface of the box-like structure for allowing the cassette to be inserted in a cassette-receiving passageway, having a rib-or-groove means complementary to the rib-or-groove indexing means of the cassette, of an irrigation control module in only one orientation, in which the opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means of the irrigation control module and the coupling means of the cassette is aligned for connection with the connector of the irrigation control module.

40. A tubing set according to claim 39 wherein the cassette has detent means for releaseably retaining the cassette in alignment longitudinally along the cassette-receiving passageway of an irrigation control module such that opening of the cassette is aligned with the valve means of the irrigation control module and the coupling means of the cassette is connected to the connector of the irrigation control module.

41. A tubing set according to claim 36 wherein the pressure sensing line provides a fluid column for transmitting pressure from the internal body irrigation site, the coupling means comprising a fitting mounted on the cassette in communication with the pressure sensing line, the fitting being positioned for connection to the connector mounted in an irrigation control module when the cassette is inserted into the cassette-receiving passageway of the irrigation control module.

42. A tubing set according to claim 41 wherein the fitting comprises a male connector on the cassette in fluid communication with the pressure sensing line, and an elastomeric seal on the male connector adapted to sealingly engage a female connector of the irrigation control module.