# US 12,109,352 B2 · Ergonomic tubing attachment for medical apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,352 B2 - Document ID: US12109352B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/166,458 - Filed: 2023-02-08 - Published: 2023-06-22 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-20 - Assignees: Integra LifeSciences Enterprises, LLLP - Applicants: Integra LifeSciences Enterprises, LLLP - Inventors: Prakash Manandhar; Daniel J. Cotter; Robert A. Ketelhohn; Peter L. Gould; Todd Metivier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109352B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/774: {Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently} - A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece} - A61B 1/00131: {Accessories for endoscopes} - A61B 1/00135: {Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion} - A61B 1/0051: {with controlled bending of insertion part} - A61B 1/3132: {for laparoscopy} - A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)} - A61B 90/57: Accessory clamps - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands} - A61B 17/22012: {in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement (for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245)} - A61B 2017/22079: {with suction of debris} - A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means} - A61B 2017/320084: {Irrigation sleeves} - A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system - A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system - A61M 2209/082: Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An ergonomic attachment system for connecting an irrigation tube or an aspiration tube to a surgical handpiece that reduces surgeon wrist fatigue due to tubing twist. The tube is connected to the handpiece through a swivel joint which allows the tube to rotate circumferentially with respect to the handpiece and self-adjust to a neutral position to relieve the twist. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tubing attachment system comprising: a tubing clip having a frame having an internal frame surface, an external frame surface, and a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis, the frame including at least one locking protrusion extending inward from the internal frame surface, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion defines the frame opening, and wherein the tubing clip includes one or more tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame; wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a first contact surface facing inwardly that extends from a proximal end to a distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion, and wherein the first contact surface narrows the frame opening along the longitudinal axis in a direction from the proximal end to the distal free end; and wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tubing attachment system of claim 1, wherein the tubing clip has a plurality of the at least one locking protrusion disposed on the internal frame surface of the frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tubing attachment system of claim 1, wherein the one or more tube retaining arms form a channel configured to hold another tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tubing attachment system of claim 1, further comprising a tubing attachment component having a proximal end, a distal end, and an external surface, the tubing attachment component comprising a proximal end portion configured to attach to the tube, a distal end portion configured to attach to the handpiece, a throughbore extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a circumferential groove on the external surface between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; wherein the frame and the at least one locking protrusion are configured to fit in the circumferential groove and be rotatable in the circumferential groove about the tubing attachment component when an external force is applied and to frictionally lock the tubing attachment component in a desired rotational position in the absence of such external force; wherein the proximal end portion includes a conical body transitioning into a radially outwardly extending barb for securing the tube, and the distal end portion includes a fitting for engaging a corresponding fitting on the handpiece; and wherein the tubing attachment component further comprises a flange between the conical body and the fitting, and the flange forms a rail of the circumferential groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tubing attachment system of claim 1, in combination with a medical apparatus, wherein the medical apparatus is an ultrasonic surgical apparatus. ### Claim 6 A medical apparatus comprising: a handpiece and a tube, wherein the tube is connected to the handpiece through a swivel joint which allows the tube to rotate circumferentially with respect to the handpiece without axial displacement of the tube; and wherein the swivel joint further comprises: a tubing attachment component having a longitudinal throughbore and a circumferential groove on an external frame surface, wherein a bottom wall of the circumferential groove increases in depth towards the longitudinal throughbore; and a tubing clip having a frame with a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis and at least one locking protrusion having a first contact surface facing inwardly that extends from a proximal end to a distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion, wherein the first contact surface of the at least one locking protrusion contours to and frictionally engages the bottom wall of the circumferential groove of the tubing attachment component, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis; wherein the frame is received in the circumferential groove of the tubing attachment component and rotates about the tubing attachment component; and wherein the at least one locking protrusion allows the tubing clip and tubing attachment component to be fixed at a desired relative position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The medical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tubing clip includes a plurality of the at least one locking protrusion extending radially inward from an internal frame surface of the frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The medical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tubing attachment component further comprises a flange extending from the external frame surface of the tubing attachment component and defining a longitudinal extent of the circumferential groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The medical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tubing clip further comprises one or more arms extending outwardly from an external frame surface forming one or more channels for holding another tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The medical apparatus of claim 6, which is an ultrasonic surgical apparatus and wherein the tube is an irrigation tube or an aspiration tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The medical apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least one locking protrusion narrows the frame opening along the longitudinal axis in a direction from the proximal end to the distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion. ### Claim 12 A tubing attachment system comprising: a tubing clip having a frame having an internal frame surface, an external frame surface, and a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis, the frame including at least one locking protrusion extending inward from the internal frame surface, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion defines the frame opening, and wherein the tubing clip includes one or more tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame; a tubing attachment component having a proximal end, a distal end, and an external surface, the tubing attachment component comprising a proximal end portion configured to attach to the tube, a distal end portion configured to attach to the handpiece, a throughbore extending from the distal end to the proximal end, a circumferential groove on the external surface between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and a flange between the conical body and the fitting, wherein the flange forms a rail of the circumferential groove, and wherein the proximal end portion includes a conical body transitioning into a radially outwardly extending barb for securing the tube, and the distal end portion includes a fitting for engaging a corresponding fitting on the handpiece; and wherein the frame and the at least one locking protrusion are configured to fit in the circumferential groove and be rotatable in the circumferential groove about the tubing attachment component between one or more rotational positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tubing attachment system of claim 12, wherein the tubing clip includes one or more channels defined by the one or more tube retaining arms. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tubing attachment system of claim 13, wherein the one or more channels and the frame opening are parallel to each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The tubing attachment system of claim 12, wherein the at least one protrusion includes one or more first contact surfaces facing inwardly that extends from a proximal end to a distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The tubing attachment system of claim 15, wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes one or more second contact surfaces at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The tubing attachment system of claim 12, wherein the tubing clip includes a plurality of the at least one locking protrusion spaced circumferentially about the frame opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The tubing attachment system of claim 12, in combination with an ultrasonic surgical apparatus having a handpiece and a tube connected to the proximal end portion of the tubing attachment component.