Electrically powered surgical irrigator

• US 6,685,667 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2000
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Felix, Augustus, Delk, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/668,178
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30-33, 604/151-153, 604/27, 604/29, 604/246, 604/247, 604/248, 604/249, 604/254
• US Class Current: 604/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0212 after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0258 by means of electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0266 Stands, holders or storage means for irrigation devices containers with storage means for cannula A61M3/0245
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/002 with electrical coupling to the indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/24 Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow wherein the change of pressure is caused by change of temperature H01H37/36

Abstract

A surgical irrigator comprises a pumping unit connected to a handpiece by means of elongated irrigation tubing. The pumping unit includes an impeller, batteries and a battery powered motor to drive the impeller. The handpiece includes an irrigation valve which, when depressed, opens the valve and permits irrigation liquid to flow to the surgical site. A flow sensing device is positioned at the outlet of the pumping unit. When the irrigation valve is opened, liquid flow through the flow sensing device under the influence of gravity causes a float to move with the liquid. A light source provides a light beam which is interrupted by movement of the float. This is detected by a photosensor which generates a signal to turn the motor on, causing the pump to operate.

Claims

1. A surgical irrigator comprising in combination, a pumping unit having an outlet, a handpiece, and tubing connecting the outlet of said pumping unit to said handpiece, said handpiece including an irrigation valve, said pumping unit including an impeller, batteries, upper and lower contacts for engaging the terminals of said batteries, and a battery powered motor for driving the impeller, an optical flow sensor for sensing liquid flow through said tubing when said irrigation valve is open, means responsive to said optical sensor for turning said motor on to drive said impeller, a manually operable switch for selectively moving at least one of the batteries out of electrical contact with one of its associated contacts, said manually operable switch including a rotatable arm and camming means responsive to rotation of said arm for moving said one battery.

2. A surgical irrigator according to claim 1, wherein said means for turning said motor on includes a detector responsive to said photosensor for connecting said motor to said batteries when said manually operable switch connects said batteries in circuit with said motor.

3. A surgical irrigator according to claim 1, wherein said impeller, batteries and battery powered motor are located in a housing having a deck which separates the impeller from the batteries and motor, and a printed circuit board attached to the deck in the same compartment as the batteries and motor, said light source, photosensor and means for turning said motor on being attached to said printed circuit board.

4. A surgical irrigator according to claim 1, further including a one-way valve connected between said inlet and a source of irrigation fluid for preventing liquid flow toward said source of irrigation fluid when the irrigation valve is closed.

5. A surgical irrigator for use with a source of irrigation liquid, comprising in combination, a pumping unit having an inlet and an outlet, outlet tubing connected to the outlet of said pumping unit, and a handpiece having an irrigation valve for initiating liquid flow through the pumping unit, said pumping unit including an impeller and an electrically powered motor for driving the impeller, the improvement comprising a flow sensor having a movable float for sensing liquid flow through said pumping unit when said irrigation valve is open, means responsive to movement of said float for turning said motor on to drive said impeller, and a one-way valve, located between said source of irrigation liquid and flow sensor applying a positive pressure to said float when the pumping unit is not operating so that the movement of the float is accelerated by said positive pressure when said irrigation valve is opened.

6. A surgical irrigator according to claim 5, wherein said flow sensor includes a float having a first position when the irrigation valve is closed and a second position when the irrigation valve is open.

7. A surgical irrigator according to claim 6, wherein said flow sensor includes a light source and a photosensor responsive to light from said light source, said float blocking the light path between the light source and photosensor in one of said positions.

8. A surgical irrigator according to claim 7, wherein said means for turning said motor on includes a detector responsive to said photosensor for connecting said motor to a source of electrical energy.

9. A surgical irrigator according to claim 5, wherein said one-way valve is connected between said inlet and said source of irrigation liquid.