Rigid arthroscope system

• US 8,226,548 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2007
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Psip2 LLC
• Original Assignee: Cannuflow Inc.
• Inventors: Kucklick, Theodore R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P
• Application Number:
  US11/774,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20090012362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,844 Days
• Field of Search: 600/128, 600/114, 600/153, 600/156, 600/158, 600/159
• US Class Current: 600/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00078 with stiffening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/317 for bones or joints, e.g. osteoscopes, arthroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

A reinforced arthroscope comprising external ribs to provide for a number of separate fluid channels, such as inflow, outflow and interstitial tissue drainage, when the arthroscope is slipped into a disposable external sheath. The arthroscope is constructed to be sufficiently rigid so as to penetrate and move within a joint without damaging the rod optics inside. The externality of the arthroscope channels allow for cleaning and sterilizing the scope between uses.

Claims

1. An arthroscope system comprising:

an arthroscope comprising a plurality of external ribs extending radially from and running longitudinally along the outer surface of the arthroscope, said external ribs integrally formed on the outer surface of the arthroscope;

an external sheath having an inner surface and a central lumen, said sheath characterized by a central portion;

wherein the external sheath has an internal diameter closely matching the external diameter of the arthroscope whereby the inner surface of the external sheath, in conjunction with the ribs, define a plurality of fluid channels longitudinally extending within the arthroscope system; and

apertures disposed on the central portion of the sheath in fluid communication with the fluid channels.

2. The arthroscope system of claim 1 further comprising:

a fluid manifold operably connected to the external sheath, said manifold comprising a plurality of fluid pathways communicating with the plurality of fluid channels;

a source of irrigation fluid operably connected to the manifold and at least one of the fluid channels;

a vacuum source operably connected to the manifold and at least one of the fluid channels.

3. The arthroscope of claim 1, wherein the external sheath further comprises an instrument introduction port operably connected to the sheath to allow instruments to pass through the fluid channels.