Medical suction and irrigation device handpiece

• US 9,259,519 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fedenia, Adam S., Visconti, Peter L., Milella, Michael J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANDRY II, GERALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US11/526,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20070173760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,430 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/28, 604/30, 604/35, 604/36, 604/43
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/741 with means for varying suction manually
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7413 by changing the cross-section of the line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/76 Handpieces specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a medical device with a handpiece that provides enhanced comfort of use, maneuverability, and for a variety of hand-held options to the user. Embodiments of the invention include handpieces that include a grip panel comprised of a friction-enhancing material to facilitate gripping of the handpiece by an operator. In addition, embodiments of the invention include handpieces having a generally symmetrical configuration in order to facilitate grasping by an operator'"'"'s left or right hand.

Claims

1. A handpiece for a medical device, comprising:

an attachment structure defined at a front end of the handpiece and configured for removably coupling to a medical instrument; and

a housing comprising;

a top surface defining at least one hole for receiving at least one button for controlling a function of the medical device;

a bottom base;

an extension portion connected to the base and extending downwardly therefrom, the extension portion including a shoulder connected to the base by a narrowed neck portion located between the shoulder and the top surface of the housing; and

a rear protrusion located along a rear portion of the shoulder;

wherein an outer circumference of the narrowed neck portion is less than an outer circumference of the shoulder portion,

wherein the base, the shoulder, and the narrowed neck portion define a concave shaped surface capable of receiving an operator'"'"'s finger, and

wherein the shoulder has an underside surface having a generally concave shaped, curved surface.

2. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the rear protrusion includes wire retention structure extending upwardly from a top surface of the rear protrusion.

3. The handpiece of claim 2, wherein the wire retention structure comprises prongs configured to releasably engage a wire.

4. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the handpiece has a substantially symmetrical configuration relative to an imaginary plane that bisects the handpiece through the middle of the top surface, such that the handpiece accommodates an operator'"'"'s grip in the same manner regardless of whether an operator grasps the handpiece in a right hand or a left hand.

5. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein a front portion of the handpiece includes indentations located above the base on left and right sides of the handpiece.

6. The handpiece of claim 5, further comprising a medical instrument, and wherein a proximal portion of the medical instrument includes a rotatable element configured to control the angular orientation of the medical instrument, the rotatable element positioned to permit rotation by a finger of an operator'"'"'s hand positioned proximate an indentation.

7. The handpiece of claim 6, wherein the rotatable element comprises a rotatable collar including a plurality of fingertip tabs extending radially away from the collar.

8. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein a portion of an exterior surface of the housing includes a grip panel extending along a portion of a left side, a right side, or a back end of the housing, the grip panel being comprised of a material having a greater friction-enhancing property than a material of a portion of the housing adjacent the grip panel.

9. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the housing is configured to accommodate suction and irrigation tubing.

10. The handpiece of claim 9, wherein the at least one button comprises a suction control button and an irrigation control button.

11. The handpiece of claim 10, wherein the at least one button comprises an electrocautery actuation button.

12. The handpiece of claim 11, wherein the suction control button, the irrigation control button, and the electrocautery actuation button are located along substantially the same linear path along the top surface of the housing.

13. The handpiece of claim 11, wherein the suction and irrigation control buttons are located along a first linear path, and wherein the electrocautery actuation button includes two buttons located along a second linear path substantially perpendicular to the first linear path along the top surface of the housing.

14. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the width of the housing decreases toward a proximal end of the housing.

15. A handpiece for a medical device, comprising:

an attachment structure defined at a front end of the handpiece and configured for removably coupling to a medical instrument;

a housing comprising;

a top surface defining at least one hole for receiving at least one button for controlling a function of the medical device; and

a grip panel extending along a left side and a right side of the housing, and between a back end of the housing and a line extending through the at least one hole defined in the top surface of the housing toward a bottom surface of the housing, the grip panel being comprised of a material having a greater friction-enhancing property than a material of a portion of the housing adjacent the grip panel;

a rear protrusion located along a rear portion of the bottom surface;

wherein an exterior surface of the handpiece exhibits a substantially symmetrical configuration relative to an imaginary plane that bisects the handpiece through the middle of the top surface, such that the handpiece accommodates an operator'"'"'s grip in the same manner regardless of whether an operator grasps the handpiece in a right hand or a left hand.

16. The handpiece of claim 15, the handpiece further comprising:

a bottom base; and

an extension portion connected to the base and extending downwardly therefrom, the extension portion including a shoulder connected to the base by a narrowed neck portion;

wherein the base, the shoulder, and the narrowed neck portion define a concave shaped surface capable of receiving an operator'"'"'s finger.

17. The handpiece of claim 16, wherein the rear protrusion is located along a rear portion of the shoulder.

18. The handpiece device of claim 17, wherein the rear protrusion includes wire retention structure extending upwardly from a top surface of the rear protrusion.

19. The handpiece of claim 18, wherein the wire retention structure comprises prongs configured to releasably engage a wire.

20. The handpiece of claim 15, wherein a front portion of the handpiece includes indentations located above the base on left and right sides of the handpiece.

21. The handpiece of claim 20, further comprising a medical instrument, and wherein a proximal portion of the medical instrument includes a rotatable element configured to control the angular orientation of the medical instrument, the rotatable element positioned to permit rotation by a finger of an operator'"'"'s hand positioned proximate an indentation.

22. The handpiece of claim 21, wherein the rotatable element comprises a rotatable collar including a plurality of fingertip tabs extending radially away from the collar.

23. The handpiece of claim 15, wherein a rear portion of the housing is configured to accommodate suction and irrigation tubing.

24. The handpiece of claim 23, wherein the at least one button comprises a suction control button and an irrigation control button.

25. The handpiece of claim 24, wherein the at least one button comprises an electrocautery actuation button.

26. The handpiece of claim 25, wherein the suction control button, the irrigation control button, and the electrocautery actuation button are located along substantially the same linear path along the top surface of the housing.

27. The handpiece of claim 25, wherein the suction and irrigation control buttons are located along a first linear path, and wherein the electrocautery actuation button includes two buttons located along a second linear path substantially perpendicular to the first linear path along the top surface of the housing.

28. The handpiece of claim 15, wherein the width of the housing decreases toward a proximal end of the housing.

29. The handpiece of claim 16, wherein the shoulder has an underside surface having a generally concave shaped, curved surface.

33. The handpiece of claim 15, wherein the grip panel extends to a point below the at least one hole.

30. A handpiece for a medical device, comprising:

a right half and a left half configured to be coupled together to form a housing, an exterior surface of the right half being a substantially mirror image of an exterior surface of the left half, the right half and the left half when coupled together defining a first hole in a top surface of the housing for receiving a button of the handpiece, a second hole in a back end of the housing for receiving a tube, and a third hole in a front end of the housing for receiving a medical instrument,

the housing further comprising;

a bottom base;

an extension portion connected to the base and extending downwardly therefrom, the extension portion including a shoulder connected to the base by a narrowed neck portion located between the shoulder and the top surface of the housing; and

a rear protrusion located along a rear portion of the shoulder;

wherein an outer circumference of the narrowed neck portion is less than an outer circumference of the shoulder portion, and

wherein the base, the shoulder, and the narrowed neck portion define a concave shaped surface capable of receiving an operator'"'"'s finger.

31. A handpiece for a medical device, comprising:

a right half and a left half configured to be coupled together to form a housing, an exterior surface of the right half being a substantially mirror image of an exterior surface of the left half, the right half and the left half when coupled together defining a first hole in a top surface of the housing for receiving a button of the handpiece, a second hole in a back end of the housing for receiving a tube, and a third hole in a front end of the housing for receiving a medical instrument,

the housing further comprising;

a grip panel extending along a portion of a left side and a right side of the housing, and between a back end of the housing and a line extending through the at least one hole defined in the top surface of the housing toward a bottom surface of the housing, the grip panel being comprised of a material having a greater friction-enhancing property than a material of a portion of the housing adjacent the grip panel; and

a rear protrusion located along a rear portion of the bottom surface.

32. The handpiece of claim 31, wherein the handpiece accommodates an operator'"'"'s grip in the same manner regardless of whether an operator grasps the handpiece in a right hand or a left hand.

34. The handpiece of claim 31, wherein the grip panel extends to a point below the at least one hole.