# US 11,992,600 B1 · Fluid management device and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,600 B1 - Document ID: US11992600B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/088,282 - Filed: 2022-12-23 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-23 - Applicants: James R. Newkirk Agency, Inc. - Inventors: James Newkirk; Sylvan Fowles - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992600B1 ## CPC - A61M 1/87: {Details of the aspiration tip, not otherwise provided for} - A61M 1/7411: {by changing the size of a vent (in combination with changing the cross-section of the line A61M1/7413)} - A61M 1/743: {by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves (A61M1/7413 takes precedence)} - A61M 1/75: {Intermittent or pulsating suction (A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence)} - A61M 1/772: {operating alternately} - A61M 1/84: {Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32)} - A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece} - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - 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 fluid management device and system for controlling fluid at a surgical site. The device includes a flexible tube, an adapter, and a porous absorption element. The flexible tube includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a length therebetween. The length extends along a longitudinal axis. The distal end includes a distal opening configured to communicate fluid between the flexible tube and a surgical site. The adapter includes a first end coupled to the proximal end of the flexible tube and a second end configured to couple to a vacuum source or a fluid source. The porous absorption element is fixably coupled to a portion of the length of the flexible tube such that the porous absorption element encloses the distal end of the tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid management device for controlling fluid at a surgical site, comprising: a flexible tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length therebetween, wherein the length extends along a longitudinal axis and wherein the distal end comprises a distal opening configured to communicate fluid between the flexible tube and the surgical site; a dual flow adapter having a main port, a first branch, and a second branch, wherein the main port is coupled to the proximal end of the flexible tube and wherein the first branch is disposed at an acute angle relative to the main port, wherein the first branch is directly coupled to a vacuum source via an aspiration tube, and wherein the second branch is coaxial with the main port and is configured to be interchangeably coupled to one of a fluid source and an intermittent aspiration adapter configured to provide intermittent fluid aspiration through the flexible tube; and a porous absorption element fixably coupled to a portion of the length of the flexible tube such that the porous absorption element encloses the distal end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, further comprising the vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is in fluid communication with the flexible tube and configured to provide continuous aspiration from the surgical site. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fluid management device of claim 2, further comprising a continuous aspiration adapter disposed between the vacuum source and the aspiration tube, wherein the continuous aspiration adapter includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a center between the first end and the second end, the continuous aspiration adapter increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the center such that the diameter of the continuous aspiration adapter tapers from its center toward the first end and the second end, the second end of the continuous aspiration adapter coupled to the vacuum source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the intermittent aspiration adapter comprises a chimney valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the intermittent aspiration adapter comprises an elongate body having an interior surface for fluid communication, a first end, a second end, a middle section, and a center on the middle section, the intermittent aspiration adapter increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the middle section such that the diameter of the intermittent aspiration adapter tapers from the middle section toward the first end and the second end, the middle section including a uniform cross-sectional diameter and a valve extending orthogonally outwardly therefrom, the valve in fluid communication with the interior surface and including a distal end having an opening for selectively occluding to provide a controlled intermittent vacuum force and intermittent aspiration to a surgical site. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fluid management device of claim 4, wherein the intermittent aspiration adapter comprises an interior surface for fluid communication, a first end, a second end, a middle section, and a center on the middle section, the intermittent aspiration adapter extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis and increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the middle section such that the diameter of the intermittent aspiration adapter tapers from the middle section toward the first end and the second end, the middle section including a uniform cross-sectional diameter and a funnel valve extending orthogonally outwardly therefrom, the funnel valve in fluid communication with the interior surface and including an opening and a nipple closure, the nipple closure including a nipple configured to selectively occlude the opening to provide a controlled intermittent vacuum force and intermittent aspiration to a surgical site. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the second branch of the dual flow adapter includes a greater cross-sectional diameter than the first branch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid management device of claim 7, wherein the second branch includes an adapter extension portion tapering in diameter from the main branch towards an end of the adapter extension portion and defines varying thread sizes to accommodate connection with various ports or tubes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, further comprising the fluid source coupled to the second branch to deliver fluid to the surgical site through the flexible tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lateral openings configured to receive a flow of fluid therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, further comprising an end manifold coupled to the distal end of the flexible tube, the end manifold comprising a plurality of perforations configured to receive a flow of fluid therethrough. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the porous absorption element comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangular prism, a dome, a cone, a triangular spear, a cube, a pyramid, an elliptical sphere, and a circular sphere. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the porous absorption element is fixably coupled to the portion of the length of the flexible tube via at least one of a press fit, an adhesive, stitching, and a mechanical bond. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fluid management device of claim 1, wherein the porous absorption element comprises an antithrombotic material. ### Claim 15 A fluid management system for controlling fluid at a surgical site, the fluid management system comprising: a vacuum source configured to aspirate fluid from the surgical site, wherein the vacuum source comprises an aspiration tube directly coupled thereto such that the vacuum source provides continuous suction through the aspiration tube; a dual flow adapter having a main port, a first branch, and a second branch, wherein the first branch is disposed at an acute angle relative to the main port and is coupled directly to the aspiration tube, and wherein the second branch is coaxial with the main port and is configured to be interchangeably coupled to one of a fluid source and an intermittent aspiration adapter configured to provide intermittent fluid aspiration through the flexible tube; and a fluid management device coupled to the main port, the fluid management device comprising: a flexible tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length therebetween, wherein the length extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the distal end comprises a distal opening configured to communicate fluid to and from the surgical site; and an absorption element secured to a portion of the length of the flexible tube, wherein the absorption element encloses the distal end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fluid management system of claim 15, further comprising a continuous aspiration adapter coupled to each of the vacuum source and the aspiration tube, wherein the continuous aspiration adapter includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a center between the first end and the second end, the continuous aspiration adapter increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the center such that the diameter of the continuous aspiration adapter tapers from its center toward the first end and the second end, wherein the second end of the continuous aspiration adapter is coupled directly to the vacuum source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The fluid management system of claim 15, wherein the intermittent aspiration adapter includes an elongate body having an interior surface for fluid communication, a first end, a second end, a middle section, and a center on the middle section, the intermittent aspiration adapter increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the middle section such that the diameter of the intermittent aspiration adapter tapers from the middle section toward the first end and the second end, the middle section including a uniform cross-sectional diameter and a valve extending orthogonally outwardly therefrom, the valve in fluid communication with the interior surface and including a distal end having an opening for selectively occluding to provide a controlled intermittent vacuum force and intermittent aspiration to the surgical site, wherein the second end of the intermittent aspiration adapter is coupled to the vacuum source. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The fluid management device of claim 15, wherein the intermittent aspiration adapter comprises an interior surface for fluid communication, a first end, a second end, a middle section, and a center on the middle section, the intermittent aspiration adapter extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis and increasing in diameter from the first end and the second end toward the middle section such that the diameter of the intermittent aspiration adapter tapers from the middle section toward the first end and the second end, the middle section including a uniform cross-sectional diameter and a funnel valve extending orthogonally outwardly therefrom, the funnel valve in fluid communication with the interior surface and including an opening and a nipple closure, the nipple closure including a nipple configured to selectively occlude the opening to provide a controlled intermittent vacuum force and intermittent aspiration to a surgical site. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The fluid management system of claim 15, wherein the second branch comprises a cross-sectional diameter greater than the first branch. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The fluid management system of claim 15, further comprising the fluid source, wherein the fluid source is configured to deliver fluid to the surgical site and wherein the fluid source comprises one of fluid-filled bag and a syringe. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The fluid management system of claim 15, further comprising an end manifold coupled to the distal end of the flexible tube, wherein the end manifold comprises a plurality of perforations configured to receive a flow of fluid therethrough, wherein the absorption element encloses the end manifold.