# US 5,350,356 A · Endoscopic suction-irrigation instrument with insertable probe lockable in partially withdraw position > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,350,356 A - Document ID: US5350356A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/959,244 - Filed: 1992-10-09 - Granted: 1994-09-27 - Earliest claimed: 1992-10-09 - Assignees: Symbiosis Corporation - Inventors: Thomas O. Bales; Saul Gottlieb; Jurgen A. Kortenbach; Dana W. Ryan; Kevin W. Smith; Matthew S. Solar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350356A ## CPC - A61B 17/3203: Fluid jet cutting instruments - A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps} - A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy} - A61M 1/7415: {by deformation of the fluid passage} - A61M 3/0208: {before use} - A61M 3/022: {Volume; Flow rate} - A61M 3/0233: {characterised by liquid supply means, e.g. from pressurised reservoirs} - A61M 5/1418: {Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads} - A61B 18/148: {having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy} - A61B 2017/22074: {the instrument being only slidable in a channel, e.g. advancing optical fibre through a channel} - A61B 2017/32113: {with extendable or retractable guard or blade} - A61B 2018/00958: {for switching between different working modes of the main function} - A61M 1/772: {operating alternately} - A61M 2205/6081: Colour codes - 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 An endoscopic instrument is described having a fluid chamber, a cannula, a shell, a first locking mechanism, and a probe with a second locking mechanism. The fluid chamber has proximal and distal ends. The hollow cannula is coupled to the distal end of the fluid chamber. The port is located at the proximal end of the fluid chamber. The shell houses the fluid chamber, the port, and the first locking mechanism. The probe extends through the port, through the fluid chamber, and through the hollow cannula. In a first fully inserted position, the distal end of the probe extends past the distal end of the cannula. When the probe is partially withdrawn from the shell, the first locking means releasingly engages the second locking means on the probe. Different spring loaded mechanism are described, including one mechanism which is overcome by pulling on the handle of the probe, and another mechanism which requires an active release mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscopic instrument comprising: a) a fluid chamber having proximal and distal ends; b) a hollow cannula coupled to the distal end of said fluid chamber, said hollow cannula having a distal end; c) a port means at said proximal end of said fluid chamber; d) a probe means having a first locking means on an outer surface thereof, said probe means extending through said port means, said fluid chamber, and said hollow cannula in a first fully inserted position, with a distal end of said probe means extending past said distal end of said cannula; e) a shell housing said fluid chamber and said port means; and f) a second automatic locking means housed by said shell, said second automatic locking means for automatically engaging said first locking means of said probe means when said probe means is partially withdrawn to a second position of said probe means where said distal end of said probe means is within said cannula, said second automatic locking means being releasable to allow said probe means to be fully withdrawn from said cannula. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said second locking means is a spring biased. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 2, wherein said first locking means comprises a groove in an outer surface of said probe means, and said spring biased second locking means includes a movable pin substantially orthogonal to said probe means, and a spring which spring biases said movable pin into engagement with said outer surface of said probe means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 3, wherein: said groove comprises a first ramp of decreasing diameter as said first ramp extends distally, said first ramp terminating in a seat of relatively constant diameter, and said seat terminating in a sharply angled second ramp of increasing diameter as said second ramp extends distally. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 3, wherein: said groove comprises a first ramp of decreasing diameter as said first ramp extends distally, said first ramp terminating in a seat of relatively constant diameter, and said seat terminating in a step of increased diameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 4, wherein: said movable pin has an tapered mating end, said tapered mating end tapering from a longer length to a shorter length in the proximal direction of said probe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 5, wherein: said movable pin has an tapered mating end, said tapered mating end tapering from a longer length to a shorter length in the proximal direction of said probe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said first locking means comprises a deep groove or opening in an outer surface of said probe means, and said second locking means comprises a pin substantially orthogonal to said probe means which extends into said deep groove or opening to lock said probe in said endoscopic instrument. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 8, wherein: said second locking means further comprises a spring which spring biases said pin into said probe means, and a release mechanism for releasing said pin from said probe means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 9, wherein: said pin has a first flange, and said second locking means further comprises a lever means in contact with said first flange of said pin, said lever means for forcing said pin against said spring biasing of said spring out of locking contact with said probe means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 10, wherein: said shell comprises a seat for said spring, said spring sitting between said seat and said first flange of said pin, and said second locking means further comprises a plunger, said shell having a hole through which said plunger extends, said plunger contacting and actuating said lever means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said probe means has a third locking means on an outer surface thereof, said third locking means located proximal said first locking means, said second locking means releasingly engaging said third locking means of said probe means to define a fully engaged position of said probe means where said distal end of said probe means extends beyond said cannula.