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US 6,196,967 B1Granted
Arthroscopic component joining system
AssigneeLinvatec Corporation
InventorsJoepert R. Lim, Phillip J. Berman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An arthroscopic or endoscopic component joining system for selectively and temporarily connecting instruments during closed surgical procedures. The system is modular and operable as a bridge system for connecting instruments to selected cannulas or as a sheath system for connecting a scope to a scope sheath. Various improvements provide for greater fluid flow through the components than is available with known systems of similar size.
Claims11
An arthroscopic system comprising:
- a first elongated instrument comprising a proximally situated first base member and a first elongated body extending axially and distally therefrom;
- a second elongated instrument comprising a proximally situated second base member and a second elongated tubular body extending axially and distally therefrom;
- a main body for joining said first instrument and second instrument, said main body having an axis, a distal end, a proximal end and an axially aligned throughbore open at both ends to receive said first elongated body therethrough, said main body comprising first connecting means at said proximal end for selective attachment to said first base member and second connecting means at said distal end for attachment to said second base member;
- said first connecting means comprising:
- a pair of diametrically opposed lever arms, each lever arm pivotably attached to opposing points on said main body and pivotable in a plane common to said lever arms;
- spring means attached to each said lever arm to bias each said lever arm radially;
- means on each said lever arm for engaging a predetermined portion of said first base member, when said first elongated body is within said throughbore, to prevent relative longitudinal motion between said first body and said main body;
- and
- said second connecting means comprising selectively detachable connection means connectable to a predetermined portion of said second base member to prevent relative longitudinal motion between said second body and said main body.
6 more elements
An arthroscopic component comprising:
- a main body having an axis, a distal end, a proximal end and an axially aligned throughbore, said throughbore comprising a distal fluid outflow channel;
- a fluid receiving chamber core interposed in said main body between its proximal and distal ends and axially aligned with said throughbore proximal to said distal fluid outflow channel, said fluid receiving chamber core comprising opposing transverse annular walls each having a diameter greater than that of said throughbore and spaced from each other by a plurality of longitudinally aligned, circumferentially spaced pins situated at a predetermined radial distance from said axis;
- a fluid chamber body selectively attachable to said main body, said fluid chamber body comprising:
- a fluid inlet port for communicating fluid to said fluid receiving chamber core;
- and
- an inwardly facing, longitudinally aligned annular wall for being situated between said opposing transverse annular walls to thereby define, in cooperation with said fluid receiving chamber core, a fluid receiving chamber.
3 more elements
An arthroscopic system comprising
- a first elongated instrument comprising a proximally situated first base member and a first elongated body extending axially and distally therefrom;
- a second elongated instrument comprising a proximally situated second base member and a second elongated tubular body extending axially and distally therefrom;
- a main body for joining said first instrument and second instrument, said main body having an axis, a distal end, a proximal end and an axially aligned throughbore open at both ends to receive said first elongated body therethrough, said main body comprising first connecting means at said proximal end for selective attachment to said first instrument and second connecting means at said distal end for attachment to said second instrument, wherein said throughbore comprises a distal fluid outflow channel and wherein said main body further comprises:
- a fluid inlet port for communicating fluid to said throughbore, said port inclined relative to said axis at a predetermined angle;
- a fluid receiving chamber axially aligned with said throughbore proximal to said distal fluid outflow channel, said fluid receiving chamber having a diameter greater than that of said throughbore;
- and
- a plurality of longitudinally aligned pins circumferentially spaced within said fluid receiving chamber at a predetermined radial distance from said axis.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.