Flexible tube having a tapered diameter portion for use with endoscopic irrigation instruments

• US 5,549,547 A
• Filed: 05/24/1994
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Solar, Matthew S., Slater, Charles R., Cohen, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/248,523
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30, 604/280, 604/19, 604/21, 604/27, 604/28, 604/31, 604/32-34, 604/35, 604/43, 604/48, 604/51, 604/53, 604/54, 604/246, 604/247, 604/248, 604/249, 604/86
• US Class Current: 604/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00958 for switching between different working modes of the main function
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7413 by changing the cross-section of the line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/7415 by deformation of the fluid passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/772 operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0233 characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads

Abstract

An endoscopic irrigation instrument includes a fluid chamber, a cannula coupled to a distal end of the fluid chamber, a tapered irrigation tube which couples at its proximal end to a fluid source and which couples at its distal end to an irrigation port of the fluid chamber, and a pinch valve which controls the flow of fluid from the irrigation source to the fluid chamber and hence through the cannula to the surgical site. The tapered irrigation tube is arranged so that it has a first relatively larger constant inner diameter and relatively larger wall thickness on its proximal end until it tapers down in both inner diameter and wall thickness at a location slightly proximal the pinch valve. By the time the tapered irrigation tube passes the pinch valve in the endoscopic instrument, the tapered irrigation tube is at a second relatively smaller constant inner diameter and a relatively smaller wall thickness. The tapered irrigation tube thus enables greater fluid flow, pinch valve control at the thin distal end, and tube reliability at both high and low fluid pressures.

Claims

1. An endoscopic irrigation instrument for use with a pressurized source of irrigation fluid, comprising:

a) a flexible irrigation tube having a proximal end having a first inner diameter, a distal portion having a second inner diameter smaller than said first inner diameter, and a portion of tapered inner diameter which tapers from said first inner diameter to said second inner diameter, with said proximal end being coupled to the irrigation source;

b) a pinch valve means located adjacent said distal portion of said flexible irrigation tube, said pinch valve means for pinching said flexible irrigation tube and controlling flow of the irrigation fluid through said irrigation tube at a location of said flexible irrigation tube other than where said flexible irrigation tube has said first inner diameter;

c) a fluid chamber which receives said distal portion of said flexible irrigation tube; and

d) a cannula having a proximal end coupled to said fluid chamber.

2. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said proximal end of said irrigation tube has a first wall thickness and said distal portion of said irrigation tube has a second wall thickness, wherein said second wall thickness is smaller than said first wall thickness.

3. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said distal portion of said irrigation tube includes a portion of constant inner diameter, said constant inner diameter being said second inner diameter, and

said pinch valve means pinches said irrigation tube at a location of said irrigation tube where said irrigation tube has said second inner diameter.

4. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 3, further comprising:

e) a shell including substantially circular opening means of a third diameter for receiving said irrigation tube, wherein

said proximal portion of said irrigation tube has a first outer diameter and said distal end of said irrigation tube has a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter, and said third diameter is smaller than said first outer diameter and greater than said second outer diameter.

5. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 4, wherein:

said third diameter is chosen and said irrigation tube is arranged such that a first distance between said opening and said fluid chamber is substantially equal to a second distance between a distal end of said irrigation tube and a location on said irrigation tube where said irrigation tube has an outer diameter equal to said third diameter.

6. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 4, further comprising:

an integral plastic tubing having a separate irrigation conduit and a separate suction conduit,

wherein said irrigation tube extends through said irrigation conduit of said plastic tubing.

7. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 6, wherein:

said circular opening means includes a connector means for receiving said integral molded tubing, with said separate suction conduit and said separate irrigation conduit both terminating at said connector means, and said integral plastic tubing extending through said circular opening means, and said endoscopic irrigation instrument further includes a suction tube coupled to said connector means and to said fluid chamber, and a second pinch valve means for pinching off said suction tube.

8. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 1, further comprising:

an integral plastic tubing having a separate irrigation conduit and a separate suction conduit,

wherein said irrigation tube extends through said irrigation conduit of said plastic tubing.

9. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 1, further comprising:

e) a shell including substantially circular opening means of a third diameter for receiving said irrigation tube, wherein

said proximal portion of said irrigation tube has a first outer diameter and said distal end of said irrigation tube has a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter, and said third diameter is greater than said second outer diameter and smaller than said first outer diameter.

10. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 9, wherein:

said third diameter is chosen and said irrigation tube is arranged such that a first distance between said opening and said fluid chamber is substantially equal to a second distance between the distal portion of said irrigation tube and a location on said irrigation tube where said irrigation tube has an outer diameter equal to said third diameter.

11. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 9, further comprising:

an integral plastic tubing having a separate irrigation conduit and a separate suction conduit,

wherein said irrigation tube extends through said irrigation conduit of said plastic tubing.

12. An endoscopic irrigation instrument according to claim 11, wherein:

said circular opening means includes a connector means for receiving said integral plastic tubing, with said separate suction conduit and said separate irrigation conduit both terminating at said connector means, and said integral plastic tubing extending through said circular opening means, and said endoscopic irrigation instrument further includes a suction tube coupled to said connector means and to said fluid chamber, and a second pinch valve means for pinching off said suction tube.