Patent Application
20080125696
The present disclosure relates generally to surgical aspiration devices, and more particularly, relates to an aspiration device which is flexible and selectively extendable.
Aspiration instruments, sometimes known as yankauers, are necessary surgical tools used to remove fluids, such as blood, from a patient's body during surgical procedures. Conventional yankauers incorporate a handle and a body that define a fluid passageway for removing fluid from the surgical site. The proximal end of the yankauer handle is connected to a vacuum source through a tube, hose, or the like. Yankauer handles may have a molded or ribbed gripping surface for improved handling and control of the yankauer.
Yankauer bodies are manufactured in a variety of configurations and sizes for a number of applications. Long bodied yankauers are used to aspirate in a remote body cavity, while narrow bodied, fine tipped yankauers are appropriate for more precise fluid removal. Aspirating fluid around sensitive organs and other body tissue is a delicate task. A yankauer with a relative short body provides increased control of the yankauer tip while aspirating fluids. A curved bodied yankauer may be necessary to aspirate fluid from a given cavity which is otherwise inaccessible or obstructed by other body organs.
During a surgical procedure, a yankauer may be required to aspirate fluids from a range of variously configured areas at different layers within the body cavity. Initially, a yankauer may be required to aspirate blood at the incision site. As the surgery progresses into the body cavity, fluid may collect in less convenient locations for aspirating. Maneuvering around delicate organs and other internal structures presents challenges to the operator. Any number of variously configured conventional yankauers may be necessary to effectively aspirate the body cavity during a surgical procedure. In the operating room, reducing the number of yankauers needed to perform a surgical procedure would reduce costs, in terms of number of devices needed, and save operating time. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a yankauer body that is selectively adjustable to meet the various needs presented during a surgical procedure. Specifically, it would be beneficial for a yankauer to be capable of extension and retraction. It would further be beneficial for the yankauer to be able to be flexed or angulated.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an aspiration instrument for removing fluids from a body cavity. The aspiration instrument includes an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal conduit therethrough for passage of fluids. The elongated member includes a flexible and extendable portion adapted to be selectively adjusted to vary the length of and orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member. A handle may be connected to the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle defines a longitudinal lumen in fluid communication with the longitudinal conduit of the elongated member. Preferably, the handle and elongated tubular body are monolithically formed. Alternatively, the elongated member is adapted for releasable attachment to the handle.
In one preferred embodiment, the flexible and extendable portion includes a general bellows configuration. The flexible and extendable portion may include a soft pliable material such as a soft metal or a soft polymer, and may be adapted to assume an arcuate configuration. The flexible and extendable portion may extend along at least a major portion of the length of the elongated member.
The elongated member may include at least one longitudinal rail adjacent the flexible and extendable portion. The at least one rail is adapted to increase stability of the flexible and extendable portion. At least one flange may be mounted adjacent one end of the flexible and extendable portion and adapted to receive the at least one rail. Preferably, a pair of flanges are mounted adjacent each end of the flexible and extendable portion and adapted to receive the at least one rail. The at least one rail is longitudinally fixed relative to one of the flanges and is adapted to move relative to the other flange to permit varying of the length and orientation of the flexible and extendable portion relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member.
A sleeve may be positionable about at least the flexible and extendable portion. The sleeve is adapted to releasably retain the flexible and extendable portion in an initial contracted position.
In another preferred embodiment, an aspiration kit is provided. The aspiration kit includes a handle and at least first and second elongated members for releasable attachment to the handle. Each of the first and second elongated members defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal conduit therethrough for passage of fluids. Each of the first and second elongated members include a flexible and extendable portion adapted to be selectively adjusted to vary the length of and orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective elongated member. The flexible and extendable portion of the first elongated member is preferably greater in length than the flexible and extendable portion of the second elongated member when in an extended position. An aspiration tip is associated with at least one of the first and second elongated members and defines an opening in fluid communication with the longitudinal conduit. The aspiration tip may be releasably connectable to the one of the first and second elongated members.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be better appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals illustrate similar components throughout the several views,
Handle 12 of yankauer 10 defines lumen or passageway 19 extending completely therethrough for the passage of fluids. Handle 12 defines proximal end 18, distal end 20 and middle portion 22, therebetween. Proximal end 18 of handle 12 is configured to be operably connected to a vacuum source “v”. In the preferred embodiment, proximal end 18 includes a standard male connection or barbed port to frictionally receive a hose, tube or the like. Alternatively, proximal end 18 may incorporate a luer connector to connect the tubing to handle 12. Middle portion 22 of handle 12 defines an elongated tubular section. Middle portion 22 is configured for gripping and handling of yankauer 10, and may include serrations or ribs on its outer surface to facilitate engagement of the user. Middle portion 22 of handle 12 may be configured with longitudinal fins as disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/536,545, incorporated herein by reference. Middle portion 22 of handle 12 is configured with a valve member 23 for controlling the suction delivered to distal end 20 of yankauer 10. Valve member 23 may be of any number of designs. As shown, valve member 23 includes a slidable lever that operates to selectively obstruct passageway 19 through handle 12.
Elongated body member 14 defines passageway 21 therethough in fluid communication with passageway 19 of handle 12 for the removal of fluids from the body cavity. Body member 14 has proximal end 24 and distal end 26. Distal end 26 of body member 14 defines an axial opening 27 for receiving fluids from the operative site. Proximal end 24 of body member 14 is configured to be operably connected with distal end 20 of handle 12. Mechanical fasteners may be employed to fluidly connect body member 14 and handle 12. In one preferred embodiment, proximal end 24 is frictionally received by distal end 20 of handle 12, and is secured in place with an adhesive or mechanical fastener. In the alternative, as discussed hereinabove, handle 12 and body member 14 may be a single monolithically formed unit. Distal end 26 of body member 14 may include one or more apertures 29 for venting the suction received from vacuum source “v”. All known connection and body member configurations, with and without vents, have been contemplated by this disclosure and are adaptable for use with the disclosed subject matter.
Body member 14 further defines selectively adjustable portion 28 defining a bellows or an accordion-like configuration. The accordion-like configuration permits adjustable portion 28 of body member 14 to be selectively extendable. The accordion-like configuration also allows body member 14 to be selectively flexed or angulated relative to longitudinal axis “x” to adapt the shape of the yankauer to the body cavity being aspirated. Adjustable portion 28 may be used in a fully extended position of
The preferred embodiment of body member 14 is manufactured using blow molding, however, all other processes of manufacture have been contemplated by this disclosure. Body member 14 may be constructed of plastic, or other like. Body member 14 may comprise soft metallic material or soft polymeric material. Body member 14 may also be disposable.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In a retracted position, adjustable portion 228 is completely contained within sleeve 230 (
In an extended position, adjustable portion 228 is only partially contained within sleeve 230. Sleeve may include a seal 235a for preventing fluid from entering sleeve 230. Any type of seal is envisioned including septum seals, duckbill seals, slit seals, etc. Alternate embodiments of sleeve 230 are contemplated by this disclosure, including a partially encasing sleeve, as well as a flexible sleeve.
Referring now to
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims append hereto.
