US 5,514,089 AGranted

Irrigator/aspirator surgical probe and valve assembly

AssigneeBirtcher Medical Systems, Inc.

InventorsHarold J. Walbrink, Roger F. Etherington, Charles E. Beuchat, Vincent J. Burgess, Kent D. Richards

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An irrigator/aspirator surgical probe for laparoscopic surgery includes a rotatable handle assembly and a probe assembly having an electrosurgical electrode. The handle assembly has two valves, one for controlling the flow of irrigation fluid and one for controlling the flow of aspiration fluid. One of the valves can be locked at any selected setting with a locking lever. Fine adjustment of the valve is achieved in the locked position. The handle assembly further includes a valve body and valve members which are easily removable and disposable. The valve members in the valve body are made of an elastomeric material to provide effective sealing and inherent self return. The probe assembly can be rotated relative to the handle assembly as needed to reduce operator fatigue. The probe can be rotated in the probe assembly to position the electrode.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A surgical probe by which to apply irrigation or aspiration fluid from one of a source of irrigation or aspiration fluid to a surgical site, comprising:

an elongated probe tube through which the irrigation or aspiration fluid flows to and from the surgical site;
a handle connected to the probe tube by which to hold the probe with finger pressure and manipulate the probe tube at the surgical site by the handle during a surgical procedure;
means within the handle defining a fluid communication path extending through the handle and communicating with the probe tube at one end of the communication path;
means for connecting the other end of the communication path to the source of irrigation or aspiration fluid;
a valve assembly located within the handle and connected in the communication path between the ends of the communication path to control the flow of fluid through the communication path to and from the probe tube;
the valve assembly including a moveable valve member located within the communication path;
the valve member moveable between a closed position where the fluid flow in the valve assembly and through the communication path is terminated and an open position where the fluid flow in the valve assembly and through the communication path is established;
the valve assembly further including means applying a biasing force on the valve member to bias the valve member normally into the closed position, the biasing force resisting movement of the valve member into the open position
an actuator connected to the valve member and extending to the exterior of the handle by which to apply finger pressure to overcome the biasing force and move the valve member to the open position;
and
a locking device connected to the handle and selectively moveable by finger pressure into engagement with the actuator to hold the valve member in an open position and to reisit the biasing force tending to move the valve member to the normally closed position.

8 more elements

A surgical probe by which to apply irrigation or aspiration fluid from one of a source of irrigation or aspiration fluid to a surgical site, comprising:

an elongated probe tube through which the irrigation or aspiration fluid flows to and from the surgical site;
a handle connected to the probe tube to allow manipulation of the probe by the handle during a surgical procedure;
a valve assembly located within the handle and operative for controlling the flow of fluid through the probe tube, the valve assembly including means adapted for connecting the valve assembly to the source of irrigation or aspiration fluid;
the valve assembly including a valve member normally biased into a closed position to terminate the flow of fluid through the probe tube, said valve member selectively moveable from the closed position to an open position to establish the flow of fluid through the probe tube;
a locking device connected to the handle and selectively moveable independently of the movement of the valve member into a holding position where the valve member is restrained against further movement from the position the valve member occupied when the locking device was moved into the holding position, the locking device also selectively moveable independently of the movement of the valve member into a free position where movement of the valve member is not inhibited by the locking device;
and
the locking device including a portion which protrudes to the exterior of the handle and which is contactable by finger pressure to move the locking device between the holding and the free positions.

4 more elements

A surgical probe by which to apply irrigation or aspiration fluid from one of a source of irrigation or aspiration fluid to a surgical site, comprising:

an elongated probe tube through which the irrigation or aspiration fluid flows to and from the surgical site;
a handle connected to the probe tube to allow manipulation of the probe by the handle during a surgical procedure;
a valve assembly located within the handle and operative for controlling the flow of fluid through the probe tube, the valve assembly including means adapted for connecting the valve assembly to at least one source of irrigation or aspiration fluid;
the valve assembly including a valve member moveable between a closed position where the fluid flow within the probe tube is terminated and an open position where the fluid flow is established to the source of irrigation or aspiration fluid;
a locking device connected to the handle and selectively moveable between a holding position where the valve member is held in the position it occupied when the locking device was moved into the holding position and a free position where movement of the valve member is not inhibited by the locking device;
the locking device including a tab-like portion which protrudes to the exterior of the handle and which is contactable to move the locking device between the holding and the free positions;
a shaft connected to the valve member and operative for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions, the shaft extending from the valve assembly;
and wherein:
the locking device contacts the shaft in the holding position to maintain the position of the shaft.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/195,689Filed 16 Feb 1994 · division
Priority: 9 Oct 1992
Granted: 7 May 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 18/1482
Probes or electrodes therefor: having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
A61M 1/774
Suction-irrigation systems: handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
A61B 2018/00196
Moving parts: reciprocating lengthwise
A61B 2018/1861
Using microwaves: with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter