U.S. patent application number 10/153420 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for aspirator sleeve and tip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Surgimark, Inc.. Invention is credited to Yarger, Richard J..
Application Number | 20030220611 10/153420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29400537 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030220611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yarger, Richard J. |
November 27, 2003 |
Aspirator sleeve and tip
Abstract
The present invention provides a coupling device for attaching a
sleeve (40) to a surgical aspirator tip (10) that allows airflow
between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve
(40). The coupling device includes a male member (26) attached to
the tip (10) and a female member (42) formed in the proximal end of
the sleeve (40). The male member (26) includes at least one
longitudinal groove (100). When the male member (26) is received
into the female member (42), at least one venting channel (80) is
defined between at least one longitudinal groove of the male member
(26) and the inner surface of the female member (42). Venting
channel (80) permits airflow between the external environment and
the interior of the sleeve (40).
Inventors: |
Yarger, Richard J.; (Yakima,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Assignee: |
Surgimark, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
29400537 |
Appl. No.: |
10/153420 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/122 ;
604/129; 604/540 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/86 20210501; A61M
1/84 20210501 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/122 ;
604/129; 604/540 |
International
Class: |
A61M 001/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A coupling device for attaching a sleeve to a surgical aspirator
tip that allows airflow between the external environment and the
interior of the sleeve; wherein the surgical aspirator tip
comprises a hollow neck section that has at least one opening in
its distal end through which fluids and materials enter the
aspirator tip; and the coupling device comprises: a) a male
coupling member attached to the proximal end of the hollow neck
section, wherein the male coupling member comprises at least one
groove traversing a portion of the male coupling member
longitudinally; b) a female coupling member formed in the proximal
end of the sleeve; c) wherein the male coupling member is received
into the female coupling member; and d) at least one venting
channel in communication with the interior of the sleeve and the
external environment is formed between at least one groove of the
male coupling member and the internal surface of the female
coupling member, allowing airflow between the external environment
and the interior of the sleeve.
2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the surgical aspirator
tip further comprises an elongated grip member attached to the
proximal end of the male coupling member.
3. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the elongated grip
member comprises at least one longitudinal groove.
4. The coupling device of claim 3, wherein the at least one groove
of the male coupling member is in communication with at least one
groove of the elongated grip member.
5. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the
grip member abuts the proximal end of the female coupling member
when the male and female members are coupled.
6. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the cross sectional area
of the distal end of the grip member is greater than the cross
sectional area of the proximal end of the male coupling member.
7. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the male coupling member
defines an internal channel in communication with the interior of
the hollow neck section allowing gases, fluid, or materials to flow
between the interior of the hollow neck section and the interior
channel of the tip coupling section.
8. The coupling device of claim 7, wherein an elongated grip member
defining an internal channel is attached to the proximal end of the
male coupling member so that the internal channel in the grip
member is in communication with the internal channel in the male
coupling member allowing gases, fluid, or materials to flow between
the internal channel in the male coupling member and the interior
channel of the elongated grip member.
9. The coupling device of claim 8, wherein a tube coupling member
defining an internal channel is attached to the proximal end of the
elongated grip member so that the interior channel of the tube
coupling member is in communication with the interior channel in
the elongated grip member allowing gases, fluid, or materials to
flow between the interior channel of the elongated grip member and
the interior channel of the tube coupling member.
10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein a tube having a first
and second end is operationally attachable by the first end to a
source of suction so that suction supplied by the source flows
through the tube and the second end of the tube is coupled to the
tube coupling member so that the suction flowing through the tube
enters the interior channel defined by the tube coupling
member.
11. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of
the female coupling member defining a portion of at least one
venting channel comprises at least one cross-hole in communication
with the interior of the venting channel and the external
environment.
12. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the male coupling
member is tapered.
13. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the female coupling
member is tapered.
14. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein a tip guard is attached
to the distal end of the hollow neck section.
15. A sleeve and aspirator tip combination comprising: a. an
elongated aspirator tip comprising (i) a neck comprising an
internal channel with at least one orifice located near the distal
end of the neck into which gases, fluid, and material may flow;
(ii) a tip coupling section defining an internal channel; and (iii)
at least one longitudinal groove; (iv) wherein the neck is
connected at its proximal end to the distal end of the tip coupling
section and the internal channel of the tip coupling section is in
communication with the internal channel in the neck allowing gases,
fluid, and material flowing through the interior channel in the
neck to flow into the interior channel in the tip coupling section;
and (v) a portion of at least one longitudinal groove traverses the
male coupling member from the distal end of the male coupling
member to the proximal end of the male coupling member; and b. a
tapered elongated sleeve comprising (i) a sleeve coupling section
comprising a generally tubular wall that defines an internal
receiving volume; and (ii) a plurality of orifices spaced from the
sleeve coupling section arranged along the sleeve to provide
communication between the external environment and the interior of
the sleeve; c. wherein the tip is coupled to the sleeve by
inserting the tip coupling section into the receiving volume of the
sleeve coupling section to form a coupled region; and d. at least
one venting channel is formed between the portion of at least one
groove traversing the tip coupling section and the tubular wall of
the sleeve coupling section allowing communication between the
external environment and the interior of the sleeve.
16. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 15, wherein
the elongated aspirator tip comprises an elongated grip member
attached to the proximal end of the tip coupling section.
17. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 16, wherein a
portion of at least one groove of the elongated aspirator tip
traverses a portion of the elongated grip member.
18. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 16, wherein
the distal end of the elongated grip member abuts the proximal end
of the sleeve coupling section when the tip and sleeve coupling
sections are coupled.
19. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 16, wherein
the cross sectional area of the distal end of the elongated grip
member is greater than the cross sectional area of the proximal end
of the tip coupling section.
20. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 16, wherein
the elongated grip member defines an internal channel and the
elongated grip member is attached to the proximal end of the tip
coupling section so that the internal channel in the elongated grip
member is in communication with the internal channel in the tip
coupling section.
21. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 20, wherein a
tube coupling member defining an internal channel is attached to
the proximal end of the elongated grip member so that the interior
channel of the tube coupling member is in communication with the
interior channel in the elongated grip member allowing gases,
fluid, or materials to flow between the interior channel of the
elongated grip member and the interior channel of the tube coupling
member.
22. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 21, wherein
tube having a first and second end is operationally attachable by
the first end to a source of suction so that suction supplied by
the source flows through the tube and the second end of the tube is
coupled to the tube coupling member so that the suction flowing
through the tube enters the interior channel defined by the tube
coupling member.
23. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 15, wherein
the tubular wall comprises at least one cross-hole in communication
with the external environment and interior of at least one channel
formed between at least one longitudinal groove of the tip coupling
section and at least one section of the tubular wall not contacting
a portion of at least one longitudinal groove.
24. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 15, wherein
the tip coupling section is tapered.
25. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 15, wherein
the sleeve coupling section is tapered.
26. The sleeve and aspirator tip combination of claim 15, wherein a
tip guard is attached to the distal end of the neck.
27. A surgical aspirator assembly comprising: a. an elongated
sleeve comprising: (i) a female coupling member formed in the
proximal end; and (ii) a plurality of apertures formed in a portion
of the sleeve spaced from the female coupling member; b. an
elongated aspirator tip comprising a handle member defining a
longitudinal internal channel said handle member comprising: (i) at
least one longitudinal groove; (ii) a male coupling member formed
in the distal end of the handle member; (iii) a grip section formed
in the medial section of the handle member; (iv) a tube coupling
member is formed in the proximal end of the handle member; and (v)
a hollow tubular neck member attached to the male coupling member
of the handle member so that the interior of the hollow tubular
neck member is in communication with the longitudinal internal
channel of the handle member; (vi) wherein the hollow tubular neck
member comprises at least one opening in the distal end of the
hollow tubular neck member to allow fluid and material to enter the
hollow tubular neck member; and (vii) a portion of at least one
longitudinal groove traverses the male coupling member
longitudinally; c. wherein the elongated sleeve is coupled to the
elongated aspirator tip by inserting the male coupling member into
the female coupling member forming a coupled region; and d. the
interior surface of the female coupling member is not in continuous
contact with the portion of at least one longitudinal groove
traversing the male coupling member forming at least one venting
channel therebetween that longitudinally traverses the coupled
region allowing air to flow between the exterior environment and
the interior of the sleeve.
28. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein the distal
end of the grip section abuts the proximal end of the female
coupling member when the male and female coupling members are
coupled.
29 The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein the
cross-sectional area of the distal end of the grip section is
greater than the cross sectional area of the proximal end of the
male coupling member.
30. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein a tube
having a first and second end is operationally attachable by the
first end to a source of suction so that suction supplied by the
source flows through the tube and the second end of the tube is
coupled to the tube coupling member so that the suction flowing
through the tube enters the interior channel defined by the tube
coupling member.
31. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein the female
coupling member comprises at least one cross-hole in communication
with the external environment and interior of at least one venting
channel.
32. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein the male
coupling member is tapered.
33. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein the female
coupling member is tapered.
34. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein a tip
guard is attached to the distal end of the hollow tubular neck
member.
35. The surgical aspirator assembly of claim 27, wherein a portion
of at least one longitudinal groove traverses a portion of the grip
section formed in the medial section of the handle member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to surgical aspirators and
surgical aspirator tip and sleeve combinations and more
particularly to surgical aspirator tip and sleeve combinations that
allow air to flow into the interior of the sleeve that is
independent of the inflow of gases, fluids, and materials through
the small holes in the sleeve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Surgical aspirators are used to remove fluids from the body
of the patient. A surgical aspirator typically includes a tip that
is inserted into a surgical site, wound, or other bodily orifice.
The tip is generally elongated in shape and may include a handle or
grip section to facilitate using the aspirator. The proximal end of
the tip is connected to a tube that is connected to a suction pump
that provides suction to the tip. The distal end of the aspirator
tip is inserted into the patient and has one or more openings into
which gases, fluids, and materials may flow.
[0003] Pieces of tissue and other debris may be suspended in the
fluids and can clog the aspirator. Openings in the tip of the
aspirator where the fluid first enters the device are particularly
vulnerable to clogging. One solution to this problem involves
covering the distal end of the aspirator tip with a sleeve formed
with a plurality of small holes that prevent the tissue from
reaching the opening of the aspirator tip while allowing the fluid
being evacuated to flow into the sleeve through the holes. However,
if the holes in the sleeve become clogged, suction is no longer
distributed uniformly among the remaining unclogged holes. This
condition may cause too much suction in a particular area that may
pull surrounding tissue into the holes of the sleeve causing injury
to the patient.
[0004] One solution to this problem involves including additional
orifices in the tip near the connection between the sleeve and tip.
Because these additional orifices are spaced from the wound, bodily
orifice, or surgical site the additional orifices are less likely
to become clogged with tissue or debris. However, these orifices
are vulnerable to being obstructed by the hands or fingers of the
user of the aspirator. These orifices may also be obstructed or
blocked by resting the aspirator tip and sleeve combination against
another object such as the patient's body, a table, or dressings
surrounding the surgical site.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for improved surgical aspirator tip
and sleeve combinations that allow air flow into the interior of
the sleeve that is independent of the inflow of gases, fluids, and
materials through the small holes in the sleeve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a coupling device for
attaching a sleeve to a surgical aspirator tip that allows airflow
between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve.
The coupling device includes a male member attached to the tip and
a female member formed in the proximal end of the sleeve. The male
member includes at least one longitudinal groove. When the male
member is received into the female member, at least one venting
channel is defined between at least one longitudinal groove of the
male member and the inner surface of the female member. The venting
channel provides communication between the interior of the sleeve
and the external environment and permits airflow between the
external environment and the interior of the sleeve.
[0007] In another aspect of the invention, the aspirator tip may
include a handle that abuts the sleeve. At least one groove of the
male member may be extended onto the handle so that air from the
external environment may flow through the grooves and into at least
one venting channel.
[0008] As a further aspect, the female member may include at least
one cross-hole in communication with both the interior of at least
one venting channel and the external environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the aspirator tip
including a male coupling member of the coupling device constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the distal end of aspirator
tip from a point located to the side of the distal end of the
aspirator tip wherein the neck has been omitted to better
illustrate the male coupling member of the coupling device
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the proximal end of sleeve
from a point located to the side of the proximal end of the sleeve
including a female coupling member of the coupling device
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the aspirator tip of FIG. 1
being received into the sleeve of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the sleeve of FIG. 3 coupled
to the aspirator tip of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the coupling device
constructed in accordance with the present invention from a point
located proximally and spaced from the coupling device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts the tip 10 of a surgical aspirator. The tip
10 generally includes a hollow tubular neck member 14 that may be
inserted into the wound, bodily orifice, or surgical site and an
elongated handle member 20. The handle member 20 defines a
longitudinal internal channel 30. The handle member 20 may include
a grip section or member 22 for gripping the tip 10, a tube
coupling member 24 that is used to attach the tip 10 to a tube 38
(depicted in FIG. 5) that in turn is connect to a source of suction
(not shown), and a male coupling member 26 for attaching a sleeve
40 (see FIGS. 46) to the tip 10. The handle member 20 may be
constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid, resiliently deformable
material that is adaptable for use in the medical arts. Preferably,
polymeric or resinous plastic is used. The tubular neck member 14
may be constructed from metals such as steel or from the same or
similar materials used to construct the handle member 20.
[0017] The proximal end of the tubular neck member 14 is attached
to the distal end of the handle member 20 so that the interior 15
of the tubular neck member 14 is in communication with the internal
channel 30 in the handle member 20. The distal end of the neck
portion 14 includes at least one opening or orifice 16 into which
gases, fluids, and materials can flow. A tip guard 17 open at its
distal end may be attached to the distal end of the tubular neck
member 14. Tip guard 17 may include additional orifices located
circumferentially about tip guard 17. In this manner, gases,
fluids, and materials may flow through these additional orifices
and into the opening 16 in the distal end of the neck portion 14.
Gas, fluid and material flow down the neck 14 and into the handle
member 20 of the tip 10. A suction tube 38 may be attached to the
tube coupling member 24 of the tip 10. The free end of the suction
tube 38 may then be attached to a source of suction (not shown),
such as a suction pump, to provide suction to the aspirator. In
this manner, suction supplied to the tube 38 flows through the
handle member 20, into the neck member 14, and out opening 16.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the male coupling member 26 includes an
outside surface 28. The male coupling member 26 may be formed in
the distal portion of the handle member 20 or attached to the
handle member 20 as a separate component. Alternatively, the male
coupling member 26 may be attached to the neck member 14 and not
attached to the handle member 20. The male coupling member 26 may
be between about [40 and 55 mm] long in the longitudinal .alpha.
direction.
[0019] In one embodiment, the male coupling member 26 is generally
tapered along its longitudinal axis .alpha. so that the
cross-sectional area of the proximal end is greater than the cross
sectional area of the distal end. In alternate embodiments, other
profiles where the cross-sectional areas of the proximal and distal
ends are approximately equal. Along its lateral axis, the proximal
end of the male coupling member 26 may be between about [4 and 20
mm] and the distal end may be between about [4 and 20 mm]. In one
embodiment, the proximal cross-sectional area of the male coupling
member 26 is less than the cross-sectional area of the distal end
of the grip member 22.
[0020] The cross-sectional shape of the male coupling member 26 may
remain constant or vary (as depicted in FIG. 2) along the
longitudinal axis .alpha.. The male coupling member 26, excluding
grooves 100, may have any cross-sectional shape, but preferably has
a cross-sectional shape that is generally round, ovoid, square,
rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or other closed shape. To aid
in attaching or removing the sleeve 40, the male coupling member 26
may also include ridges or grooves such as longitudinal grooves 102
(depicted in FIG. 2) spaced from grooves 100 along the
circumference of male coupling member 26.
[0021] Handle member 20 may include at least one groove 100
extending longitudinally along the outside surface of handle member
20. In one embodiment, grooves 100 extend from the distal to the
proximal end of male coupling member 26. Furthermore, grooves 100
may extend onto a section of the grip member 22 from its distal
end. Alternatively, separate grooves may be included in the grip
member 22 that are in communication or intersect with grooves 100.
Grooves 100 may be between 1 and 7 mm deep and 1 and 10 mm wide.
Grooves 100 may have any cross-sectional shape such as U-shaped,
V-shaped or other suitable groove shape.
[0022] Returning to FIG. 1, tube coupling member 24 may include a
tiered section that is coupled to the tube 38 (see FIG. 5) by
inserting one or more of the tiers having a smaller cross-sectional
area into the tube 38, however, any tube coupling mechanism may be
used. The tube 38 may be constructed from any tubular material
suitable for transmitting suction forces to a surgical aspirator
and gases, fluids and materials from a surgical site known in the
medical arts.
[0023] The grip member 22 is a generally elongated member and may
include grooves, ridges, other projections, or depressions that may
aid the user in gripping the tip 10. The grip member 22 is suitably
sized to be received into an average sized hand but larger or
smaller grip sections may be constructed for larger or smaller
hands respectively. Generally, the grip member 22 may be between
about [35 and 80 mm] long and have a cross-sectional width between
about [12 and 30 mm] and a cross-sectional height between about [12
and 30 mm]. The grip member 22 may also be tapered or include
contours along its longitudinal axis for a more comfortable
grip.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the sleeve 40 includes a female
coupling member 42 and a tapered distal section 44. The female
coupling member 42 can be formed in the sleeve 40 or attached to it
as a separate component. The female coupling member 42 includes a
wall 46 with an inside surface 48 that defines an internal
receiving volume V. The wall 46 also includes inwardly extending
longitudinal projections 50. In one embodiment, the inwardly
extending projections 50 traverse a longitudinal section of the
female coupling member 42. Preferably, the projections 50
longitudinally traverse a section of the female coupling member 42
that starts at its proximal end and terminates a predetermined
distance from the proximal end. Alternatively, the projections 50
may traverse the entire longitudinal length of the female coupling
member 42.
[0025] Referring to the embodiment of the present invention
depicted in FIG. 3, the female coupling member 42 is generally
tapered along its longitudinal axis .alpha.' so that the
cross-sectional area of the proximal end is greater than the
cross-sectional area of the distal end. In alternate embodiments,
other profiles may be used such that the cross-sectional areas of
proximal and distal ends are approximately equal. In yet another
embodiment, the female coupling member 42 is tapered or contoured
to approximate the taper or contour of the male coupling member 26.
Along its lateral axis, the proximal end of the female coupling
member 42 may be between about [8 and 24 mm] and the distal end may
be between about [8 and 24 mm].
[0026] The cross-sectional shape of the female coupling member 42
may remain constant or vary (as depicted in FIG. 3) along the
longitudinal axis .alpha.'. The female coupling member 42 may have
any cross-sectional shape but is preferably generally round, ovoid,
square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or other closed shape.
In an alternate embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the female
coupling member 42, excluding the projections 50, approximates the
cross-sectional shape of the male coupling member 26. The female
coupling member 42 may also include grooves or ridges along its
external surface as desired to aid in attaching or removing the
sleeve 40.
[0027] The tapered section 44 of the sleeve 40 is generally hollow
and includes a plurality of spaced orifices 62 that allow gases,
fluids, and materials to flow into the interior of the sleeve 40.
The orifices 62 are preferably round or ovoid but other shapes may
be used. The orifices 62 are sized to permit the inflow of gases,
fluids, and materials of a size that will not clog the opening 16
in the neck member 14 into the interior of the sleeve 40. However,
larger materials, such as body tissue, are unable to pass through
the orifices 62 and may clog them.
[0028] The tapered section 44 may be contoured to match the
contours present in the neck member 14. The tapered section 44 may
also be constructed from a material suitably flexible to conform to
the shape of an aspirator neck 14 member inserted therein. Suitable
materials to construct the tapered neck include rigid or
semi-rigid, resiliently deformable materials adaptable for use in
the medical arts such as polymeric or resinous plastic. The tapered
section 44 may also include ribs, ridges, and other projections as
well as grooves and depressions to lend structural support and aid
in conducting gases, fluids, and materials into the interior of the
sleeve 40.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sleeve 40 slides over
the neck 14 of the tip 10 so that the neck 14 of the tip 10 may be
completely encased by the sleeve 40. Generally, the sleeve 40 is
attached to the tip 10 at the handle member 20 by a coupling
device. The coupling device includes a tip coupling member such as
the male coupling member 26 and a sleeve coupling member such as
the female coupling member 42. The male coupling member may be
received into the receiving volume V see (FIG. 3) of the female
coupling member 42. A coupled region 70 is formed where the male
coupling member 26 is inserted into the female coupling member 42.
The inside surface 48 of the wall 46 of the female coupling member
42 contacts the outside surface 28 of the male coupling member 26.
Portions of the inside surface 48 of the female coupling member 42
do not contact the outside surface 28 of the male coupling member
26. Particularly, the sections of the inside surface 48 of the
female coupling member 42 adjacent to grooves 100 may not contact
the outside surface 28 of male coupling member 26. Consequently,
venting channels 80 are formed between the inside surface 48 of the
wall 46, the outside surface 28 of the male coupling member 26 as
depicted in FIG. 6. These venting channels 80 allow air to flow
between the external environment into the interior of the sleeve
40.
[0030] Along the coupling region 70, the cross-sectional area of
the male coupling member 26 is less than the corresponding
cross-sectional area of the female coupling member 42 directly
adjacent. In this manner, referencing to FIG. 6, the outside
surface 28 of the male coupling member 26 is not in constant
continuous contact with the inside surface 48 of the wall 46 of the
female coupling member 42. In the areas where the inside surface of
the female coupling member 42 is not in contact with the outside
surface 28 of the male coupling member 26, gaps or venting channels
80 are formed. Each individual venting channel may be in
communication with other venting channels, the external
environment, and/or the interior of the sleeve 40 as required to
provide communication between the external environment and the
interior of the sleeve 40.
[0031] With the sleeve 40 in place, the distal end of the tip 10
and sleeve 40 combination may be inserted into the wound, surgical
site, or bodily orifice to remove fluids therein. Suction flows
from the suction source (not shown) through the tube 38 and into
the handle member 20. Suction traverses the handle member 20 and
into the neck member 14. Suction travels up the neck and pulls
gases, fluids, and small materials into the opening 16. The gases,
fluids, and materials inside the sleeve 40 flow from the wound,
surgical site, or bodily orifice into the sleeve 40 through the
plurality of orifices 62 in the tapered section 44. When the
orifices 62 become clogged such that the flow of gases, fluids, and
materials into the interior of the sleeve 40 is restricted, air
flow is available to the sleeve through the venting channels 80.
Air provided by the venting channels may prevent uneven
distribution of suction forces over any unclogged orifices 62. If
the suction force is concentrated over too few orifices 62, the
tissue surrounding the wound, surgical site, or orifice could be
pulled into the orifices 62 in the sleeve 40 possibly causing
discomfort, pain, and injury to the patient.
[0032] In one embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the distal end
of the grip member 22 abuts the proximal end of the female coupling
member 42. In yet another embodiment, the distal end of the grip
member 22 abuts the proximal end of the female coupling member 42
and is of suitable size and shape to obstruct the venting channels
80. As mentioned above, longitudinal grooves 100, best seen in FIG.
6, may extend onto grip member 22 from the distal end. Air may flow
through the portion of grooves 100 located in handle member 22 into
the venting channels 80. This configuration may prevent both the
hands of the user and the distal end of the grip member 22 from
interfering with the air flow through the venting channels 80.
[0033] Cross-holes 60 may be formed in the portion of the wall 46
between the venting channels 80 and the external environment to
provide another means by which air may enter the venting channels
80. Because the handle 18 is not generally in contact with the
tissue or fluids at the surgical site, the portion of grooves 100
located in the handle member 22 and cross-holes 60 in the sleeve 40
are unlikely to become clogged with tissue. Therefore, a constant
airflow is available inside the sleeve 40 and particularly in the
area surrounding opening 16 in the tip 10. This airflow prevents
uneven distribution of suction to the holes of the sleeve 40.
[0034] As a non-limiting example, the tip 10 of the present
invention may be formed by injection molding. For illustrative
purposes, one non-limiting example of a method by which the tip 10
may be constructed will be provided herein.
[0035] A removable tip guard core may be inserted into the distal
end of the neck 14. The tip guard core and the neck 14 may then be
placed in the tip guard mold. The tip guard mold includes an upper
and a lower portion. Each portion of the tip guard mold contains a
portion of a mold cavity. Further, the mold may include inwardly
extending projections that extend into the mold cavity to form
additional openings in the tip guard 17.
[0036] Both portions of the tip guard mold are coupled together to
define the mold cavity therebetween. At least one inlet channel is
included in the mold to allow the inflow of material into the mold
cavity. An injection nozzle may inject material through the inlet
channel and into the mold cavity. The injected material fills the
mold cavity and surrounds a section of the tip guard core.
[0037] After the material injected into the mold cavity has cured,
the mold portions are separated and the neck 14 and newly formed
tip guard 17 are removed from the mold. Next, the tip guard core
may be removed from the distal end of the tip guard.
[0038] The handle member 20 is formed similarly to the tip guard
17. A handle member core is inserted into the proximal end of the
neck 14. The neck 14 and the handle member core are then placed
inside handle member mold. The handle member mold includes a top
portion and a lower portion each including a portion of the mold
cavity. When both portions are coupled together, the mold cavity is
defined therebetween. At least one inlet channel in communication
with the mold cavity and the external environment is defined in the
mold. An injection may then inject material through the inlet
channel into the mold cavity. The injected material fills the mold
cavity around a section of the neck 14 and the handle member
core.
[0039] After the injected material has had an opportunity to cure,
the handle member 20, neck 14, and the handle member core are
removed from the mold. The handle member core is then removed from
the proximal end of the handle member 20.
[0040] Both the tip guard core and the handle member core may be
composed of core materials known in the art such as hardened tool
steel or other suitable core material. Similarly, the molds may be
constructed from materials known in the art such as hardened tool
steel or other suitable mold material. The material injected may
include polymeric or resinous plastics.
[0041] In the process described above, both the handle member 20
and tip guard 17 are formed around the neck 14. Therefore, no
additional assembly is required. Further, a strong fluid tight bond
is formed between the neck 14 and both the tip guard 17 and the
handle member 20.
[0042] While one method of forming the tip is depicted in this
application, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that alternate equivalent methods are available. For example, both
the handle member 20 and the tip guard 17 could be molded within a
single mold at the same time. Furthermore, the tip guard core could
be inserted through the proximal end instead of the distal end.
[0043] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
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