U.S. patent application number 16/369491 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-25 for systems and methods for tube management.
The applicant listed for this patent is LifeCell Corporation. Invention is credited to Aaron Barere, Evan J. Friedman, Christopher Locke, Benjamin A. Pratt, James Seddon.
Application Number | 20190224386 16/369491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57233901 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190224386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Locke; Christopher ; et
al. |
July 25, 2019 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TUBE MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure assist
with management of tubes and hoses during surgical procedures. The
systems, devices, and methods provide for the proper opening and
closing of tubes to facilitate performance of steps in a surgical
procedure.
Inventors: |
Locke; Christopher;
(Bournemouth, GB) ; Seddon; James; (Ferndown,
GB) ; Pratt; Benjamin A.; (Poole, GB) ;
Friedman; Evan J.; (West Orange, NJ) ; Barere;
Aaron; (Hoboken, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LifeCell Corporation |
Madison |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57233901 |
Appl. No.: |
16/369491 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15299966 |
Oct 21, 2016 |
10286122 |
|
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16369491 |
|
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|
|
62244398 |
Oct 21, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12M 45/02 20130101;
A61B 2018/00464 20130101; A61M 1/0001 20130101; A61B 2017/00792
20130101; A61M 1/0058 20130101; A61M 1/0094 20140204; A61M 39/28
20130101; A61M 1/0035 20140204; A61M 2202/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/00 20060101
A61M001/00; A61M 39/28 20060101 A61M039/28 |
Claims
1. A method of managing surgical conduits, comprising: providing a
plurality of tubes and a plurality of flow-restricting devices
within a body, each of the flow-restricting devices proximal to at
least one of the plurality of tubes; providing a multi-position
switch wherein flow in a first subset of the plurality of tubes is
restricted by the plurality of flow-restricting devices when the
multi-position switch is in a first position and flow in a second
subset of the plurality of tubes different than the first subset is
restricted by the plurality of flow-restricting devices when the
multi-position switch is in a second position; and switching from
the first position of the multi-position switch to the second
position of the multi-position switch.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow-restricting
devices includes contoured radial slots located on a tube
restrictor plate.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising a tube stabilizer
plate through which the plurality of tubes passes to stabilize the
tubes.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tube restrictor plate is
chosen from a set of rotatable discs having at least two discs with
differently contoured radial slots.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more flow-restricting
devices include a plurality of sliding blocks, a subset of the
plurality of sliding blocks being engaged to restrict flow within a
first subset of the plurality of tubes.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a
carry handle.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-position switch is
configured to allow switching in only one direction.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the multi-position switch further
comprises a ratchet mechanism to allow the multi-position switch to
move in only one direction.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises at
least one of a mixing blade or filter to facilitate tissue washing
or treatment.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the positions of the
multi-position switch correspond to process steps in a tissue
washing or processing procedure.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing a tissue
aspiration step of a tissue washing or processing procedure when
the multi-position switch is in a first position.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing a tissue
washing step of a tissue washing or processing procedure when the
multi-position switch is in a second position.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing a tissue
transfer step of a tissue washing or processing procedure when the
multi-position switch is in a third position.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/299,966, filed on Oct. 21, 2016, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/244,398, which was filed on Oct. 21, 2015, all of the above
applications being incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0002] Some surgical procedures require use of tubes, hoses, or
other conduits to transfer fluids, gases, and/or tissue products
between a patient and a treatment system or device, or among
systems and devices. Some surgical procedures are multi-step
processes requiring connection and disconnection of hoses from
input and output ports. For example, using some adipose tissue
transfer systems, surgical personnel may need to perform over one
hundred combined user actions and decisions. Some of these user
actions involve enabling and disabling a vacuum source or adding or
removing tissue or washing solutions to a tissue storage and
treatment container.
[0003] Keeping track of the state of tube connections in some
surgical procedures creates a burden on the practitioner. The user
effort needed to manage the tube connections is not negligible and
can increase the total time to perform procedures. Although
organizational technologies such as color-coding exist, they cannot
eliminate the burden of needing to assess the state of each
individual tube at multiple points throughout a procedure.
[0004] In an embodiment of the present invention, a tissue
treatment system includes a container and a tube management device.
The container includes an exterior wall surrounding an interior
volume for holding tissue and a filter for processing tissue. The
tube management device includes a tube restrictor plate having a
plurality of tube through-holes and a tube stabilizer plate having
a plurality of tube through-holes. A plurality of flow-restricting
devices is disposed on the tube restrictor plate adjacent to the
plurality of tube through-holes. The tube management device further
includes a multi-position switch. A plurality of tubes pass through
the tube through-holes. Moreover, setting the multi-position switch
to a first position causes the plurality of flow-restricting
devices to restrict the flow in a first subset of the plurality of
tubes to transfer tissue from a patient to the interior volume,
setting the multi-position switch to a second position causes the
plurality of flow-restricting devices to restrict the flow in a
second subset of the plurality of tubes to allow processing of the
tissue in the interior volume, and setting the multi-position
switch to a third position causes the plurality of flow-restricting
devices to restrict the flow in a third subset of the plurality of
tubes to allow transfer of the tissue out of the interior
volume.
[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of
managing surgical conduits is described. The method provides a
plurality of tubes and a plurality of flow-restricting devices
within a body, each of the flow-restricting devices proximal to at
least one of the plurality of tubes. The method also provides a
multi-position switch wherein flow in a first subset of the
plurality of tubes is restricted by the plurality of
flow-restricting devices when the multi-position switch is in a
first position and flow in a second subset of the plurality of
tubes different than the first subset is restricted by the
plurality of flow-restricting devices when the multi-position
switch is in a second position. The method also switches from the
first position of the multi-position switch to the second position
of the multi-position switch.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, a tube management
device includes a tube restrictor plate having a plurality of tube
through-holes and a tube stabilizer plate having a plurality of
tube through-holes. A plurality of flow-restricting devices is
disposed on the tube restrictor plate adjacent to the plurality of
tube through-holes. The tube management device also includes a
multi-position switch and a plurality of tubes that pass through
the pluralities of tube through-holes. Setting the multi-position
switch of the tube management device to a first position causes the
plurality of flow-restricting devices to restrict the flow in a
first subset of the plurality of tubes, setting the multi-position
switch to a second position causes the plurality of
flow-restricting devices to restrict the flow in a second subset of
the plurality of tubes, and setting the multi-position switch to a
third position causes the plurality of flow-restricting devices to
restrict the flow in a third subset of the plurality of tubes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a tissue treatment system according to
various embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a tube management device
according to various embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of a tube restrictor
plate and a tube stabilizer plate, which are components of a tube
management system according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a decision matrix for determining the
status of assorted system inputs in an exemplary tissue transfer
system as described in various embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative tube management
device according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the tube management device
displayed in FIG. 5 according to various embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of a tube restrictor plate and a tube
stabilizer plate of the tube management device of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a tube management device according to
various embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to certain exemplary
embodiments according to the present disclosure, certain examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0016] In this application, the use of the singular includes the
plural unless specifically stated otherwise. In this application,
the use of "or" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise.
Furthermore, the use of the term "including", as well as other
forms such as "included" and "includes", is not limiting. The
section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only
and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter
described. All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this
application including but not limited to patents, patent
applications, articles, books, and treatises are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose.
[0017] As used herein, "adipose tissue" refers to adipose tissue
obtained by any means including, for example, liposuction and/or
tumescent liposuction. In addition, the adipose tissue may be
substantially intact or may be altered by, for example, washing
with saline, antimicrobials, detergents, or other agents; the
addition of therapeutic agents such an analgesics, antimicrobials,
and anti-inflammatories; the removal of some cells or acellular
components; or disruption or alteration by the collection process
itself including, for example, during liposuction or tumescent
liposuction. The adipose tissue can be autologous tissue,
allogeneic tissue, or xenogenic tissue (e.g., porcine tissue).
[0018] As described above, some surgical procedures require use of
tubes, hoses, or other conduits to transfer fluids, gases, and/or
tissue products between a patient and a treatment system or device;
or among systems and devices. Multi-step procedures are not
uncommon and may require connection and disconnection of hoses from
input and output ports. For example, a system for adipose tissue
transfer and processing (e.g., adipose washing) can require over
one hundred combined user actions and decisions, including enabling
and disabling vacuum sources or adding or removing tissue or
washing solutions to a tissue storage and treatment container. The
maintenance and verification of tube connections during a medical
procedure can be non-trivial, especially when the procedure has a
time-sensitive component.
[0019] Various human and animal tissues can be used to produce
products for treating patients. For example, various tissue
products have been produced for regeneration, repair, augmentation,
reinforcement, and/or treatment of human tissues that have been
damaged or lost due to various diseases and/or structural damage
(e.g., from trauma, surgery, atrophy, and/or long-term wear and
degeneration). Fat grafting, including autologous fat grafting, can
be useful for a variety of clinical applications including facial
fillers, breast augmentation, buttock augmentation/sculpting,
augmentation of other tissue sites, correction of lumpectomy
defects, cranial-facial defect correction, and correction of
lipoplasty defects (divots).
[0020] To prepare tissue for autologous fat grafting, tissue
cleaning and processing must be performed. The process of grafting
typically involves steps such as removal of tissue from a patient
with a syringe or cannula. This tissue is pulled into a tissue
processing container where unwanted components of the tissue can be
separated and/or the tissue can be cleaned using various solutions.
A typical system might include meshes for filtration and
separation, cranks connected to mixing blades, and several input
and output ports. Once the tissue is sufficiently prepared, it must
be removed from the container and be injected or grafted back into
the patient. During transfer steps, vacuum devices help move the
tissue from location to location. However, it is desirable to
disconnect the vacuum pressure during processing steps. In
addition, the tissue-carrying tubes that are not in use during any
given step should be blocked to maintain the sterility of the
system.
[0021] Turning to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a tissue
treatment system 100 is shown. As shown, the tissue treatment
system 100 can include a container having an exterior wall 110
surrounding an interior volume. The interior of the container can
also contain filters, mixing blades, hoses, and other components to
enable washing and conditioning of tissue. The system 100 can
include a tube management device 101 to facilitate operation of the
system 100. Tubes can pass from the exterior of the system 100 to
the interior through ports 102 of the tube management device 101,
and tube restrictor devices (discussed below) within the tube
management device 101 can control which tubes are open and which
are blocked for a given system configuration. The system
configuration is determined by the setting of a multi-position
switch 103. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be provided
with a carry handle for convenient handling by a user.
[0022] As used herein, the terms "tube," "hose," "conduit," or
similar language will be used interchangeably and will be
understood to refer to any passageway having a lumen configured to
allow passage or fluids, gases, and/or tissue products
therethrough.
[0023] An exploded view of one embodiment of a tube management
device 101 is shown in FIG. 2. The tube management device 101 may
include ports 102a, 102b, 102c and a multi-position switch 103.
Tubes can pass through the ports 102a, 102b, 102c and then through
a tube restrictor plate 104 and a tube stabilizer plate 107 before
passing out of the device 101. Based on the position of the
multi-position switch 103, restrictor elements 105 on the tube
restrictor plate 104 can allow or obstruct flow through each of the
tubes. In some embodiments, the contents of the tube management
device 101 can be contained within an exterior wall 108 that forms
a body. In alternate embodiments, the components of the tube
management device 101 can be attached directly to the structure of
the container 110.
[0024] The ports 102a, 102b, 102c can have a variety of
configurations. In accordance with various embodiments, the ports
102a, 102b, 102c may be straight-walled or barbed; threaded or
unthreaded; and have no fittings, luer fittings, swaged fittings,
or any other type of connector suitable for a specific application.
Although the ports 102a, 102b, 102c are depicted as extending out
from the body of the tube management device 101, the ports may also
be threaded or unthreaded holes or recesses or may extend inward
from the surface into the body of the device 101. Although only
three ports are depicted in FIG. 2, any number of ports can be
chosen to match the number of tubes needed in a particular
application. Substances including, but not limited to, gases,
liquids, chemical solutions, and biological tissues can flow into
or out from the ports 102a, 102b, 102c depending upon the position
of the multi-position switch and the requirements of any particular
step of the medical procedure.
[0025] The position of the multi-position switch 103 can be used to
switch among different device configurations. In some embodiments,
the multi-position switch 103 is a rotating body or knob and the
rotational angle of the body determines the switch state. In
accordance with various embodiments, the multi-position switch 103
may be any mechanical or electronic switch (including rotational or
linear throw switches) that, through appropriate linkages, can
alter the state of openness of tubes passing through the device. In
some embodiments, the multi-position switch 103 can include
non-slip grips or similar features to facilitate easier operation
by a user, in particular by a user wearing surgical gloves. The
positions of the multi-position switch 103 may correspond to steps
in a procedure. For example, the steps in a procedure might include
liposuction/tissue extraction, hold and mix, irrigation, and
vacuum/clear steps.
[0026] The tube restrictor plate 104 can block or allow flow
through tubes that pass through the tube through-holes of the plate
through the use of flow-restricting devices. In accordance with
various embodiments, and as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tube
restrictor plate 104 may be provided with flow-restricting devices
105 in the form of contoured radial slots. The slots 105 can have a
slot width that varies according to the desired action of the slot
upon a tube for each angular position of the tube restrictor plate
104. For example, each slot 105 may include two slot widths that
correspond to unrestricted flow in a tube and complete blockage of
flow in a tube. Alternatively, each slot may have a range of widths
corresponding to different levels of flow restriction.
[0027] In FIG. 3, a tube restrictor plate 104 is shown overlaid
upon a tube stabilizer plate 107 with slots 105a, 105b, 105c
indicated. The example embodiment of a tube restrictor plate 104
shown in FIG. 3 illustrates tube through-holes in the form of
contoured radial slots 105a, 105b, 105c suitable for a tube
management device 101 having a multi-position switch 103 with three
positions. The contoured radial slots 105a, 105b, 105c of the tube
restrictor plate 104 are overlaid in this top view on the tube
through-holes 115a, 115b, 115c of the tube stabilizer plate 107. In
this figure, the position of tube restrictor plate 104 with respect
to tube stabilizer plate 107 places slots 105a, 105b, 105c in the
first position over tube through-holes 115a, 115b, 115c. Activation
of the multi-position switch can cause the tube restrictor plate
104 to rotate in the direction shown by the arrow while the tube
stabilizer plate 107 stays in place. As a result, the radial slots
can advance to the second or third position as needed. In
accordance with various embodiments, the system 100 can be provided
with a plurality of tube restrictor plates 104 having different
arrangements of slots 105a, 105b, 105c intended for different
procedures having different steps. In these embodiments, the user
may choose one of the plurality of tube restrictor plates 104 to
place within the body 108 of the device 101 depending upon the
application.
[0028] The tube restrictor plate 104 may have locating features 106
that can interlock with the multi-position switch 103. The locating
features 106 can help the user align the tube restrictor plate with
the multi-position switch 103 and within the tube management device
101 so that the contoured radial slots 105a, 105b, 105c are
properly in-line with their respective ports 102a, 102b, 102c. In
addition, the locating features 106 can match with complementary
features on the multi-position switch so that the switch's position
reflects the proper tubing state within the tube management device
101. In some embodiments, the locating features 106 can fix the
multi-position switch 103 to the tube restrictor plate 104 such
that they move in concert when the switch is rotated.
[0029] The tube management device 101 can have a tube stabilizer
plate 107. The tube stabilizer plate 107 may have tube
through-holes 115 to allow tubes to pass therethrough. In some
embodiments, the diameter of each of the tube through-holes 115 in
the tube stabilizer plate 107 may be equal or approximately equal
to the outer diameter of the corresponding tube that passes through
the hole 115 to provide a secure fit around the outside of each
tube without compression. The tube stabilizer plate 107 can hold
the tube in position so that activation or movement of the tube
restrictor plate 104 cannot twist, reorient, or move the tubes.
[0030] As discussed above, the system 100 can be used to operate
surgical systems, such as adipose tissue transfer systems.
Accordingly, an exemplary decision matrix 400 for an adipose tissue
transfer process is shown in FIG. 4. The decision matrix may be
used to determine the open/closed status of any tubes in the system
during any steps of an adipose transfer procedure. In some
embodiments, a tissue treatment system 100 similar to that shown in
FIG. 1 can have 4 tube inputs that are either open or blocked
during a given step of a medical procedure. In a liposuction or
aspiration 402 step, the tube to the liposuction cannula and the
vacuum tube may be open while the irrigation tube and vent tube are
closed. In a hold and mix or washing 404 step, all 4 inputs can be
blocked. In an irrigation or transfer 406 step, the tube to the
liposuction cannula and the vacuum tube may be closed while the
irrigation tube and the vent tube can be open. In a vacuum/clear
408 step, the tube to the liposuction cannula and the irrigation
tube may be closed while the vacuum tube and the vent tube can be
open.
[0031] An alternate embodiment of a tube management device 501 is
shown in FIG. 5. The tube management device 501 can include ports
502 and a multi-position switch 503. Tubes can pass from the ports
502 through a tube restrictor plate 504 and a tube stabilizer plate
507 before passing out of the device 501. Based on the position of
the multi-position switch, restrictor elements 505 on the tube
restrictor plate 504 can allow or obstruct flow through each of the
tubes. The contents of the tube management device 501 can be
contained within an exterior wall 508 that forms a body.
[0032] As with the previously discussed embodiments, the ports can
have a variety of configurations. For example, the ports 502 may be
straight-walled or barbed; threaded or unthreaded; and have no
fittings, luer fittings, swaged fittings, or any other type of
connector demanded by application-specific requirements. Although
ports 502 are depicted in this embodiment as extending out from the
body of the tube management device 501, the ports may also be
threaded or unthreaded recesses or holes or may extend inward from
the device surface into the body of the device 501. Although only
three ports are depicted in FIG. 5, any number of ports can be
chosen to match the number of tubes needed in a particular
application. Substances including, but not limited to, gases,
liquids, chemical solutions, and biological tissues can flow into
or out from the ports 502 depending upon the position of the
multi-position switch and the requirements of any particular step
of the surgical procedure.
[0033] The positions of the multi-position switch 503 can be used
to switch among different device configurations. In some
embodiments, the multi-position switch 503 is a rotating body or
knob and the rotational angle of the body determines the switch
state. In accordance with various embodiments, the multi-position
switch 503 may be any mechanical or electronic switch (including
rotational or linear throw switches) that, through appropriate
linkages, can alter the state of openness of tubes passing through
the device. In some embodiments, the multi-position switch 503 can
include non-slip grips or similar features to facilitate easier
operation by a user, in particular by a user wearing surgical
gloves. The positions of the multi-position switch 503 may
correspond to steps in a procedure. For example, the steps in a
procedure might include liposuction/tissue extraction, hold and
mix, irrigation, and vacuum/clear steps.
[0034] The tube restrictor plate 504 can block or allow flow
through the tubes that pass through the tube through-holes 516 of
the plate through the use of flow-restricting devices. The tube
restrictor plate 504 may include an external ring 504a that is
rotatably engaged with a central portion 504b. Tubes can pass
through the tube restrictor plate 504 through tube through-holes
516 adjacent to flow-restricting devices. In accordance with
various embodiments and as depicted in FIG. 5, the tube restrictor
plate 504 may be provided with flow-restricting devices in the form
of a contoured central hub 512 on the central portion 504b and
sliding blocks 505 that force the tubes against the hub 512 via the
integrated springs 514 attached to the external ring 504a. The
sliding blocks 505 may be shaped as flat plates, cylinders, ovals,
spheres, ovoid configuration, or any other shape that meets
application-specific requirements. In some embodiments, the
contoured central hub 512 may have an equal number of recesses to
the number of ports 502, and each tube may pass through a tube
through-hole 516 adjacent to a recess of the contoured central hub.
When a sliding block 505 attached to an integrated spring 512 is in
line with a recess of the contoured central hub 512, the force of
the spring may extend the sliding block and force it against a
tube. In some embodiments, the central portion 504b of the tube
restrictor plate 504 may be fixedly attached to the tube stabilizer
plate 507. As the multi-position switch 503 changes from one
position to another, the external ring 504a of the tube restriction
plate 504 may rotate while the central portion 504b containing the
contoured central hub 512 does not rotate relative to the tube
stabilizer plate 507.
[0035] In accordance with various embodiments, the external ring
504a may be provided with a one-way ratcheting mechanism 509. The
teeth of the ratcheting mechanism can engage with a pawl 511
positioned on the central portion 504b of the tube restriction
plate 504 such that rotation of the external ring 504a is allowed
in one direction but prevented in the opposite direction. Although
the pawl 511 is depicted as being located on the central portion
504b in this embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art that the pawl could be attached at other points
throughout the tube management device 501 such as the interior of
the multi-position switch 503 or the tube stabilizer plate 507.
[0036] The tube management device 501 can also include a tube
stabilizer plate 507. The tube stabilizer plate 507 may have tube
through-holes 515 to allow tubes to pass through. In some
embodiments, the diameter of each of the tube through-holes 515 in
the tube stabilizer plate 507 may be equal to the outer diameter of
the corresponding tube that passes through the hole to provide a
secure fit around the outside of each tube without compression. The
tube stabilizer plate 507 can hold the tube in position so that
activation or movement of the tube restrictor plate 504 cannot
twist, reorient, or move the tubes.
[0037] Another embodiment of a tube management device is shown in
FIG. 6. The tube management device 601 can include ports 602 and a
multi-position switch 603. The device 601 can include a tube
stabilizer plate 607 and a tube restrictor plate 604 containing
flow restriction devices. The components of the device 601 can be
enclosed within a body 608.
[0038] The ports 602 are the connection between the tube management
device 601 and the exterior world. In accordance with various
embodiments, the ports 602 may be straight-walled or barbed;
threaded or unthreaded; and have no fittings, luer fittings, swaged
fittings, or any other type of connector demanded by
application-specific requirements. Although the ports 602 are
depicted in this embodiment as extending out from the body of the
tube management device 601, the ports may also be threaded or
unthreaded holes or may extend inward from the device surface into
the body of the device 601. Although only three ports are depicted
in FIG. 6, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art
that any number of ports 602 can be chosen to match the number of
tubes needed in a particular application. Fluids including, but not
limited to, gases, liquids, chemical solutions, and biological
tissues can flow into or out from the ports 602 depending upon the
position of the multi-position switch and the requirements of any
particular step of the medical procedure.
[0039] The positions of the multi-position switch 603 can be used
to switch among different device configurations. In some
embodiments, the multi-position switch 603 is a rotating body or
knob and the rotational angle of the body determines the switch
state. In accordance with various embodiments, the multi-position
switch 603 may be any mechanical or electronic switch (including
rotational or linear throw switches) that, through appropriate
linkages, can alter the state of openness of tubes passing through
the device. In some embodiments, the multi-position switch 603 can
include non-slip grips or similar features to facilitate easier
operation by a user, in particular by a user wearing surgical
gloves. The positions of the multi-position switch 603 may
correspond to steps in a procedure. For example, the steps in a
procedure might include liposuction/tissue extraction, hold and
mix, irrigation, and vacuum/clear steps.
[0040] The tube restrictor plate 604 may include an external ring
604a that is rotatably engaged with a central portion 604b. Tubes
may pass through tube through-holes 616 adjacent to
flow-restricting devices. In accordance with various embodiments
and as depicted in FIG. 6, the tube restrictor plate 604 may be
provided with flow-restricting devices in the form of a contoured
central hub 612 on the central portion 604b and sliding blocks 605
that force the tubes against the hub 612 via the integrated springs
614 attached to the external ring 604a. The sliding blocks 605 may
be shaped as flat plates, cylinders, ovals, spheres, eggs, or any
other shape that meets application-specific requirements. In some
embodiments, the contoured central hub 612 may have an equal number
of recesses to the number of ports 602, and each tube may pass
through a tube through-hole 616 adjacent to a recess of the
contoured central hub. When a sliding block 605 attached to an
integrated spring 612 is in line with a recess of the contoured
central hub 612, the force of the spring may extend the sliding
block and force it against a tube. As the multi-position switch 603
changes from one position to another, the external ring 604a of the
tube restriction plate 604 may rotate while the central portion
604b containing the contoured central hub 612 does not rotate
relative to the tube stabilizer plate 607. In accordance with
various embodiments, the sliding blocks 605 and integrated springs
614 can be placed at different radial depths using spacers
604c.
[0041] The tube management device 601 can have a tube stabilizer
plate 607 in some embodiments. The tube stabilizer plate 607 may
have tube through-holes 615 to allow tubes to pass through. In
preferred embodiments, the diameter of each of the tube
through-holes 615 in the tube stabilizer plate 607 may be equal to
the outer diameter of the corresponding tube that passes through
the hole to provide a secure fit around the outside of each tube
without compression. The tube stabilizer plate 607 can hold the
tube in position so that activation or movement of the tube
restrictor plate 604 cannot twist, reorient, or move the tubes.
[0042] A top view of the tube restrictor plate 604 overlaid on tube
stabilizer plate 607 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG.
7. In accordance with various embodiments, the tube restrictor
plate 604 can have slots 613 to allow the tubes to change position
with respect to the contoured central hub 612 of the central
portion 604b and the associated flow-restricting devices. In this
way, a single embodiment of the tube restrictor plate 604 can be
used in more than one configuration. When a tube is in an "in"
position, the tube passes near a recess of the contoured central
hub 612 and can be closed by sliding blocks 605 attached to spacers
604c extending from the external ring 604a. When a tube is in an
"out" position, the tube passes near an extended portion of the
contoured central hub 612. In this position, the tube can be closed
by sliding blocks 505 that are attached by integrated springs 614
directly to the external ring 604a. In a preferred embodiment,
sliding blocks 605 attached directly to the external ring 604a
without spacers 604c cannot reach tubes adjacent to recesses of the
contoured central hub 612.
[0043] In accordance with various embodiments, the external ring
604a may be provided with a one-way ratcheting mechanism 609. The
teeth of the ratcheting mechanism can engage with a pawl 611
positioned on the central portion 604b of the tube restriction
plate 604 such that rotation of the external ring 604a is allowed
in one direction but prevented in the opposite direction. Although
the pawl 611 is depicted as being located on the central portion
604b in this embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art that the pawl could be attached at other points
throughout the tube management device 601 such as the interior of
the multi-position switch 603 or the tube stabilizer plate 607.
[0044] A method of managing surgical conduits is also envisioned by
the inventors. The method includes providing several tubes and
several flow-restricting devices within a body where each of the
flow-restricting devices is proximal to at least one of the tubes
and providing a multi-position switch wherein the flow in a first
subset of the tubes is restricted by the flow-restricting devices
when the switch is in a first position and flow in a second subset
of tubes different than the first subset is restricted by the
flow-restricting devices when the switch is in a second position.
The method concludes by switching from the first position of the
multi-position switch to the second position.
[0045] The step of providing several tubes and several
flow-restricting devices within a body where each of the
flow-restricting devices is proximal to at least one of the tubes
may include, but is not limited to, passing tubes through ports 102
and past flow-restricting devices 105 in a tube management device
101 as described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3.
[0046] The step of providing a multi-position switch wherein the
flow in a first subset of the tubes is restricted by the
flow-restricting devices when the switch is in a first position and
flow in a second subset of tubes different than the first subset is
restricted by the flow-restricting devices when the switch is in a
second position may include, but is not limited to, providing a
multi-position switch 103 in a tube management device 101 as
described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3.
[0047] The step of switching from the first position of the
multi-position switch to the second position may include, but is
not limited to, switching a multi-position switch 103 from a first
position to a second position as described above in connection with
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0048] An exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a tube
management device 801 is shown in FIG. 8. The tube management
device 801 may include ports 802a, 802b, 802c and a multi-position
switch 803. Tubes 812 pass through the ports 802a, 802b, 802c and
then through a tube restrictor plate 804 and a tube stabilizer
plate 807 before passing out of the device 801. Based on the
position of the multi-position switch 803, restrictor elements 805
on the tube restrictor plate 804 can allow or obstruct flow through
each of the tubes 812. In some embodiments, the contents of the
tube management device 801 can be contained within an exterior wall
808 that forms a body.
[0049] The ports 802a, 802b, 802c can have a variety of
configurations as described previously with respect to FIG. 2. In
accordance with various embodiments, the ports 802a, 802b, 802c may
be straight-walled or barbed; threaded or unthreaded; and have no
fittings, luer fittings, swaged fittings, or any other type of
connector suitable for a specific application. Although the ports
802a, 802b, 802c are depicted as extending out from the body of the
tube management device 801, the ports may also be threaded or
unthreaded holes or recesses or may extend inward from the surface
into the body of the device 801. Although only three ports are
depicted in FIG. 8, any number of ports can be chosen to match the
number of tubes 812 needed in a particular application. Substances
including, but not limited to, gases, liquids, chemical solutions,
and biological tissues can flow into or out of tubes 812 passing
through the ports 802a, 802b, 802c depending upon the position of
the multi-position switch and the requirements of any particular
step of a medical procedure.
[0050] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the position of
the multi-position switch 803 can be used to switch among different
device configurations. In some embodiments, the multi-position
switch 803 is a rotating body or knob, and the rotational angle of
the body determines the switch state. In accordance with various
embodiments, the multi-position switch 803 may be any mechanical or
electronic switch (including rotational or linear throw switches)
that, through appropriate linkages, can alter the state of openness
of the tubes 812. In some embodiments, the multi-position switch
803 can include non-slip grips or similar features to facilitate
easier operation by a user, in particular by a user wearing
surgical gloves. The positions of the multi-position switch 803 may
correspond to steps in a procedure. For example, the steps in a
procedure might include liposuction/tissue extraction, hold and
mix, irrigation, and vacuum/clear steps.
[0051] The tube restrictor plate 804 can block or allow flow
through the tubes 812 as they pass through the plate through the
use of flow-restricting devices. Similar to the embodiments
depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tube restrictor plate 804 may be
provided with both flow-restricting devices and tube through-holes
in the form of contoured radial slots 805. In alternative
embodiments, the flow-restricting devices can be similar to those
described above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6.
The slots 805 can have a slot width that varies according to the
desired action of the slot upon a tube 812 for each angular
position of the tube restrictor plate 804. For example, each slot
805 may include two slot widths that correspond to unrestricted
flow in a tube 812 and complete blockage of flow in a tube 812.
Alternatively, each slot may have a range of widths corresponding
to different levels of flow restriction.
[0052] The tube restrictor plate 804 may have locating features 806
that can interlock with the multi-position switch 803. The locating
features 806 can help the user align the tube restrictor plate 804
with the multi-position switch 803 and within the tube management
device 801 so that the contoured radial slots 805 are properly
in-line with their respective ports 802a, 802b, 802c. In addition,
the locating features 806 can match with complementary features on
the multi-position switch so that the switch's position reflects
the proper tubing state within the tube management device 801. In
some embodiments, the locating features 806 can fix the
multi-position switch 803 to the tube restrictor plate 804 such
that they move in concert when the switch is rotated.
[0053] The tube management device 801 can have a tube stabilizer
plate 807. The tube stabilizer plate 807 may have tube
through-holes 815 to allow tubes to pass therethrough. In some
embodiments, the diameter of each of the tube through-holes 815 in
the tube stabilizer plate 807 may be equal or approximately equal
to the outer diameter of the corresponding tube that passes through
the hole to provide a secure fit around the outside of each tube
without compression. The tube stabilizer plate 807 can hold the
tube in position so that activation or movement of the tube
restrictor plate 804 cannot twist, reorient, or move the tubes.
[0054] The tubes 812 of tube management device 801 can be made of
any material that meets application-specific requirements. The
tubes 812 may be made of, for example but not limited to, PVC,
high-density polyethylene, nylon, latex, silicone, polyurethane,
TYGON.RTM., or any non-reactive tubing or hose. As depicted in FIG.
8, the tubes 812 may extend out of the ports 802a, 802b, 802c or
may terminate within or below the ports 802a, 802b, 802c. The tubes
812 may be permanently attached to the tube management device 801,
for example, at the ports 802a, 802b, 802c or body 808, or the
tubes 812 may be removable and/or replaceable. In accordance with
various embodiments, the tubes 812 may be disposed of after each
procedure and replaced with new tubes 812 to allow for reuse of
tube management device 801 for multiple procedures.
[0055] While the present invention has been described herein in
conjunction with preferred embodiments, a person of ordinary skill
in the art can effect changes, substitutions or equivalents to the
systems and methods described herein, which are intended to fall
within the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.
* * * * *