Suction and irrigation handpiece and tip

A detachable suction and irrigation tip for use with an irrigation handpiece, the handpiece having a suction lumen and an irrigation lumen extending therethrough and a trigger for controlling flow of irrigation fluid, the irrigation lumen directing irrigation fluid to an irrigation site, the tip comprising:

• an irrigation tube for directing the irrigation fluid to the irrigation site;
• a connector for detachably connecting the irrigation tube to the handpiece to provide fluid communication therebetween and for sealing the suction lumen in the handpiece;
• and
• a suction tube for aspirating irrigation fluid from the irrigation site, the suction tube having a fluid bypass path within the detachable tip which channels aspirated irrigation fluid directly to a suction source so that aspirated fluid within the suction tube does not enter the suction lumen of the handpiece.

An apparatus for irrigating an irrigation site comprising:

• a handpiece having an irrigation lumen extending therethrough, a trigger for controlling flow of irrigation fluid and an interior;
• and a tip comprising:
• an irrigation tube;
• a suction tube for aspirating fluid from the irrigation site;
• and
• a connector for detachably connecting the irrigation tube to the handpiece;
• the suction tube being in communication with a bypass fluid path which bypasses the interior of the handpiece to prevent the aspirated fluid within the suction tube from entering the interior of the handpiece.

A method of irrigating an irrigation site and aspirating the irrigation liquid from the aspiration site comprising:

• providing a handpiece having an irrigation lumen extending therethrough, a trigger for controlling flow of irrigation fluid and a connector portion for connection to a connection portion of a discardable tip;
• connecting a detachable tip to the handpiece at the connector, the tip comprising an irrigation tube for directing irrigation fluid from the handle to the irrigation site and a suction tube for aspirating irrigation fluid from the irrigation site;
• directing irrigation liquid through the irrigation lumen in the handpiece and the irrigation tube of the tip against the irrigation site;
• aspirating spent irrigation fluid from the irrigation site through the suction tube of the tip and directing the aspirated irrigation fluid along a path that is disposed exteriorly of the handpiece;
• thereafter detaching the tip, including the irrigation tube and suction tube together from the handpiece and discarding them;
• and
• attaching an unused discardable suction and irrigation tip to the handpiece in readiness for another procedure.

A method of irrigating an irrigation site, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a handpiece defining a handpiece irrigation lumen and a handpiece suction lumen;
• (b) connecting the handpiece irrigation lumen to an irrigation fluid source;
• (c) detachably connecting a tip to the distal end of the handpiece, the tip having a tip irrigation tube in fluid communication with the handpiece irrigation lumen, a tip suction tube for aspirating fluid from the site and a bypass fluid path in fluid communication with the tip suction tube;
• (d) connecting the bypass fluid path to a suction source;
• and
• (e) covering the handpiece with a protective member to prevent the handpiece from becoming contaminated.

An apparatus for irrigating an irrigation site comprising:

• a handpiece having a lower end;
• a tip detachably connectible to the handpiece, the tip having a suction lumen for aspirating irrigation fluid from the irrigation site, the suction lumen communicating with a fluid bypass path associated with the tip by which aspirated irrigation fluid can be channeled directly to a suction source whereby the suction lumen does not communicate with the handpiece;
• and
• a flexible protective covering disposed about the handpiece to shield the handpiece from irrigation fluid or biological debris, the protective covering extending at least to the lower end of the handpiece.