The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical aspiration instrument, and, more particularly, relates to an aspiration instrument which prevents damage to soft body tissue during use.
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 are constructed to have a handle and a body that define a fluid passageway for removing fluid from the surgical site. The handles and bodies of yankauers are manufactured in a variety of configurations and sizes for numerous applications. Long bodied yankauers are used to aspirate fluids from deep within a body cavity, while narrow bodied, fine tipped yankauers are appropriate for more precise fluid removal. The proximal end of the yankauer handle is configured to operatively connect with a vacuum source. The yankauer may be connected to the vacuum source by tube, hose, or the like.
Yankauers used to aspirate fluids from within the body cavity may come in contact with internal organs and other delicate tissue. These tissues are extremely sensitive and any minor contact with a yankauer can result in bruising or other injury to the tissue. The actual contact between the yankauer and the tissue does not need to be forceful to cause injury. Many prior art yankauers are made of rigid materials, including biocompatible metals, PVC, and other hard plastics. The use of rigid yankauers increases the risk of injury to the body tissues.
In addition to damage caused by incidental contact with the yankauer while aspirating the body cavity, delicate tissue may also be injured when the suction for removing fluids actually suctions a portion of the tissue into the distal end of the yankauer. Separating the tissue from the distal end of the yankauer, without releasing the suction may cause tearing or other serious injury to the tissue. The rigid materials from which the yankauers are constructed only exacerbate the injury.
Vents formed near the distal end of the yankauer are employed to help reduce the suction when the opening in the distal end becomes completely obstructed by tissue. Rather than continuing to suction on the tissue, the vents operate to divert the suction through openings in the side wall of the distal end of the yankauer. While the vents help to minimize damage to the tissue, the vents also reduce the efficiency of the yankauer in removing fluids from the body cavity. In addition to vents, yankauers may also be constructed with a valve member. The most simple valve member is an opening in the side of the handle. In order for the yankauer to suction through the opening in the distal end the opening must be covered. In the event tissue is suctioned into the yankauer the opening can be uncovered and the tissue may be separated from the yankauer. A valve member allows an operator to quickly stop the tissue from proceeding any further into the yankauer and cause and further damage. Unfortunately, once the operator realizes the tissue has been suctioned into the yankauer, the tissue has already incurred injury. In other valve member designs, the suction through the distal end of the yankauer is stopped by merely obstructing, or sealing, the end from the vacuum source. Simply obstructing the suction does not release the suction that already holds the tissue, increasing the potential for injury to the tissue when it is separated from hold of the yankauer. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a yankauer that utilizes a compliant protective guard to minimize risk of injury to organs or other body tissue.
Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an aspiration instrument having a compliant protective guard for minimizing injury to internal organs and other soft tissue while removing fluids from the body cavity. The compliant protective guard may be constructed from foam, plastic or other like material, including polyethylene and polypropylene. A preferred embodiment of the protective guard takes the shape of a bell. The compliant guard may be connected with the aspiration instrument using adhesives, such as glue or epoxy, or with a snap or friction fit. The compliant guard may define a single opening in fluid communication with the yankauer. The compliant guard may also define a plurality of openings for removing fluids from the body.
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 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 is 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 may be configured with a valve member for controlling the suction delivered to the distal end of the yankauer. The valve member may be of any number of designs, including a slidable lever that operates to selectively obstruct passageway 19 through handle 12. Distal end 20 is configured to receive proximal end 24 of body member 14. Yankauers and yankauer handles are commonly known in the art and exist in various sizes and configurations. The subject matter of the present disclosure can be adapted to work with yankauer handles of all sizes and configurations.
Elongated body member 14 defines longitudinal axis “k” having passageway 21 therethrough 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 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 also be employed to fluidly connect the two components. 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. With reference to
Protective guard 16 is secured to distal end 26 of body member 14. Protective guard 16 is configured to prevent damage to sensitive organs when aspirating a body cavity using yankauer 10. Protective guard 16 may be formed from an elastomeric material, foam, gel, gel bladder or the like. In one preferred application, protective guard 16 may be adapted to substantially deform upon contact with tissue, organs, etc. to substantially minimize or eliminate undesired manipulation or movement of the organ site. Preferred guard 16 material includes polypropylene and polyethylene. Protective guard 16 may be connected with body member 12 using any conventional means, including mechanical fasteners, friction fittings, and adhesives, such as glue and epoxy.
Protective guard 16 defines aperture 30 for receiving fluids from a body cavity. Aperture 30 is in fluid communication with passageway 21 of body member 14. The diameter of aperture 30 may be larger, smaller or the same size as the diameter of distal end 26 of body member 14, depending on the intended application of yankauer 10. The size and configuration of aperture 30 can be modified to regulate the amount of suction at the site of aspiration.
Guard 16 defines a generally bell shaped form wherein the distal end of guard 16 is larger than the proximal end of guard 16. The bell shape of guard 16 provides an increased surface area about aperture 30. The increased surface area provided by guard 16, coupled with the compliant material from which the guard 16 is formed, minimizes the possibility of damage to soft tissues contacted while aspirating the surgical site with a guarded yankauer. Guard 16 may define a porous structure which enables fluids from the surgical site to pass through the guard without entering aperture 30.
Referring now to
In another embodiment, now referring 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.
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