Irrigation pressurization system
AssigneeMidas Rex, L.P.
InventorsGary B. Gage, Glenn T. Carlson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical tool for resecting bone has a pneumatic motor within a tool body which rotates a coaxial tool implement. The tool implement is provided with irrigation fluid from a fluid reservoir. The reservoir and the motor are charged with pressurized air from a pressurized air source. A fluid control valve is located between the reservoir and the tool, and an air control valve is located between the air pressure source and the motor. The air control valve is controlled by a variable foot pedal or hand valve so that the speed of the motor is variably actuated by the foot valve.
Claims16
In a surgical tool having a tool implement rotated by a pneumatic motor and an irrigation fluid passage located adjacent to the tool implement, the improvement comprising:
- an air hose connected to the motor and adapted to be connected to a pressurized air source;
- a reservoir for containing irrigation fluid, the reservoir adapted to be pressurized by the air source;
- an irrigation fluid line connected between the reservoir and the fluid passage;
- and
- control means for automatically causing fluid to flow through the fluid passage when air pressure is supplied to the motor and interrupting fluid flow through the fluid passage when air pressure ceases to be supplied to the motor.
In a surgical tool having a tool implement rotated by a pneumatic motor and an irrigation fluid passage located adjacent to the tool implement, the improvement comprising:
- an air hose connected to the motor and adapted to be connected to a pressurized air source;
- a manually operated main valve connected to the air hose for varying air flow through the hose to the motor;
- a reservoir for containing irrigation fluid and being pressurized by the air source;
- an irrigation fluid line connected between the reservoir and the fluid passage;
- a pneumatically actuated secondary valve connected into the fluid line for dispensing fluid through the fluid passage;
- and
- an air line connected from the secondary valve to the air hose downstream of the main valve for delivering air pressure to the secondary valve to cause the secondary valve to open and close in unison with the main valve.
A method for controlling a surgical tool having a tool implement rotated by a pneumatic motor and an irrigation fluid passage located adjacent to the tool implement, comprising:
- (a) connecting an air hose between the motor and a pressurized air source to supply the motor with pressurized air;
- (b) connecting an irrigation fluid reservoir to the fluid passage;
- (c) connecting a fluid line between the reservoir and the air hose for pressurizing the reservoir with air pressure;
- and then
- (d) automatically causing fluid to be dispensed from the fluid passage when air pressure is delivered to the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.