# US 11,305,049 B2 · Suction instrument with varying inner diameter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,049 B2 - Document ID: US11305049B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/002,159 - Filed: 2018-06-07 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-07 - Assignees: Acclarent, Inc. - Applicants: Acclarent, Inc. - Inventors: Jetmir Palushi; Itzhak Fang; Ehsan Shameli; Henry F. Salazar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305049B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/24: for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00); Tongue scrapers - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61M 1/7411: {by changing the size of a vent (in combination with changing the cross-section of the line A61M1/7413)} - A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece} - A61B 2017/00738: {part of the tool being offset with respect to a main axis, e.g. for better view for the surgeon} - A61B 2017/246: {for cleaning of the nose} - A61B 2017/345: {for introduction into a natural body opening} - A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system - A61M 2206/10: Flow characteristics - A61M 2210/0618: Nose - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suction instrument, comprising: (a) a grip portion comprising a suction port and a plurality of distally facing step-down surfaces, wherein the grip portion defines a first lumen and a proximal step-down lumen terminating into a proximal end, wherein the proximal step-down lumen is in communication with the first lumen, wherein the first lumen has a first diameter, wherein the proximal step-down lumen has an array of diameters that decrease in size toward the proximal end due to the plurality of distally facing step-down surfaces, wherein at least one diameter in the array of diameters is smaller than the first diameter; and (b) a cannula extending distally from the grip portion, wherein the cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion, wherein the cannula comprises: (i) a proximal portion connected to the grip portion, wherein the proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen, wherein the first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area, and (ii) a distal portion terminating into an open distal end, wherein the distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen, wherein the second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the second cross-sectional area is located at the open distal end of the cannula. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the cannula further comprises a tapered interior surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suction instrument of claim 3, wherein the tapered interior surface extends between the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The suction instrument of claim 4, wherein the tapered interior surface defines the second lumen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the first cross-sectional area forms a circle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The suction instrument of claim 6, wherein the second cross-sectional area forms a circle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the cannula has a first thickness. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The suction instrument of claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the cannula has a second thickness. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The suction instrument of claim 9, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The suction instrument of claim 9, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the cannula includes a bent region located between the proximal portion and the distal portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The suction instrument of claim 12, wherein the bent region forms a 90-degree angle between the proximal portion and the distal portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the suction port comprises a barbed feature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The suction instrument of claim 1, wherein the first lumen comprises a third cross-sectional area. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The suction instrument of claim 15, wherein the third cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area. ### Claim 17 A suction instrument, comprising a cannula dimensioned for insertion into a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the cannula defines a lumen, wherein the cannula comprises: (a) a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the lumen, wherein the first portion of the lumen has a first diameter; and (b) a distal portion extending along an axis and terminating into an open distal end, wherein the distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the lumen located at the open distal end and a third portion of the lumen extending proximally from the second portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a radial step surface connecting the second portion with the third portion, wherein the radial step surface extends along a plane that is perpendicular relative to the axis of the distal portion, wherein the second portion of the lumen has a second diameter, wherein the third portion of the lumen has a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The suction instrument of claim 17, wherein the cannula further comprises a tapered interior surface extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The suction instrument of claim 18, wherein the tapered interior surface extends along a constant angle. ### Claim 20 A suction instrument, comprising a cannula dimensioned for insertion into a nasal cavity of a patient, wherein the cannula defines a lumen, wherein the cannula comprises: (a) a proximal portion, wherein the lumen associated with the proximal portion has a first diameter; (b) a distal portion extending along a long axis and terminating into an open distal end, wherein the lumen associated with the distal portion comprises a second diameter associated with the open distal end, a radial step-down surface located proximal relative to the second diameter and extending along a plane that is perpendicular with the long axis of the distal portion, and a third diameter located proximal relative to the radial-step down surface, wherein the second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter; and (c) a bent portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion.