The present disclosure is generally directed to devices, systems, and methods for surgical procedures, and more specifically, but not exclusively, surgical procedures involving collecting a tissue sample under suction with a medical waste collection assembly.
Certain surgical procedures include the removal of a tissue sample for evaluation. For example, a polypectomy procedure involves removal of a polyp from surgical site within the patient, such as the colon or the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus. Often the polyp is aspirated with suction applied at surgical site with a medical waste collection assembly. Retrieving the polyp once collected in the suction path is an area of particular interest and development. Many known systems and methods are associated with several shortcomings, including increased time and inconvenience during the surgical procedure, potential exposure to hazardous medical waste, inability to collect multiple tissue samples, among others. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved manifold and methods for collecting the tissue sample with the manifold and the medical waste collection assembly.
Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends from the sealing member and includes a base portion and opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity. The base portion defines porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. The base portion includes ribs disposed within the tissue collecting cavity.
A second aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends from the sealing member and includes a base portion and opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity. The base portion defines porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. The base portion includes a rib extending between the opposing side portions and dividing the tissue collecting cavity into pockets.
A third aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends from the sealing member and has a length greater than a width such that the basket is elongate. The basket includes a base portion and opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity. The base portion defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. The base portion includes a rib within the tissue collecting cavity. The rib is elongate and oriented on an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis.
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends from the sealing member and includes a base portion and opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity. The base portion is defined between an upper surface opposite a lower surface, and includes a rib extending upwardly from the upper surface by a distance sufficient to create a pocket that is a low pressure region as the tray is removed from within the sleeve.
A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends includes a proximal portion extending from the sealing member, opposing side portions coupled to the proximal portion, a base portion coupled to the opposing side portions, and a distal portion coupled to the base portion and the opposing side portions. The proximal portion, opposing side portions, the base portion, and the distal portion collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the base portion defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. A rib that defines at least two pockets disposed within the tissue collecting cavity and arranged in series between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The pockets are associated with low pressure regions as the tray is removed from within the sleeve.
A sixth of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A basket extends from the sealing member and includes a base portion and opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity. The base portion includes a rib dividing the tissue collecting cavity into pockets. The base portion defines porous features in each pocket. Each pocket includes groupings of the porous features in which the porous features are equally spaced apart from one another by a first distance. The groupings are spaced apart from one another by a second distance greater than the first distance.
A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A shelf portion extends from the sealing member and is sized and shaped complementary to the sleeve so as to be disposed within the sleeve when the sealing member is in sealing engagement with the opening. A basket includes a proximal portion extending from the shelf portion, opposing side portions coupled to the proximal portion, a base portion coupled to the opposing side portions, and a distal portion coupled to the base portion and the opposing side portions. The proximal portion, opposing side portions, the base portion, and the distal portion collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the base portion defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. A sealing edge of the proximal portion is coplanar with an upper surface of the shelf portion.
An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to collect a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum by being removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A shelf portion extends from the sealing member and being sized and shaped complementary to the sleeve so as to be disposed within the sleeve when the sealing member is in sealing engagement with the opening. A basket includes a proximal portion extending from the shelf portion, opposing side portions coupled to the proximal portion, a base portion coupled to the opposing side portions, and a distal portion coupled to the base portion and the opposing side portions. The proximal portion, opposing side portions, the base portion, and the distal portion collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the base portion defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample with the tissue collecting cavity. The proximal portion extends from the shelf portion by at least five millimeters such that, as the tray is beginning to be removed from the sleeve, ingress of air into the sleeve is prevented adjacent the proximal portion while ingress of air into the sleeve is permitted adjacent the base portion.
A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray is configured to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. The sealing member includes a resiliently flexible portion. A first control member extends from the sealing member, and a second control member extending from the sealing member and spaced apart from the first control member. A basket extends from the sealing member in a direction opposite the first and second control members. The basket defines porous features for collecting the tissue sample from a liquid drawn through the first suction path. The first and second control members are positioned opposite the resiliently flexible portion and configured to receive an input to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve.
A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray is configured to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. The sealing member includes an upper region and a lower region. A first control member extends from the upper region, and a second control member extends from the lower region and spaced apart from the first control member. A basket extends from the upper region in a direction opposite the first control member. The basket defines porous features for collecting the tissue sample, and no portion of the basket extends from the lower region of the sealing member. The first and second control members are configured to receive an input to pivot the lower region relative to the upper region to move the lower region of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve without disturbing the collected tissue sample.
An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray is configured to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. The sealing member includes an upper region and a lower region separated by a living hinge including a reduced thickness portion of the sealing member. A control member extends from the upper region. A basket extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the control member. The basket includes porous features for collecting the tissue sample. The control member is configured to receive an input to pivot the lower region relative to the upper region about the living hinge to move the lower region of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve.
A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray is configured to collect a tissue sample drawn under the influence of suction. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. A control member extends from the sealing member. A basket is coupled to the sealing member and includes a base portion, opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity, and porous features defined within the base portion for collecting the tissue sample. The basket has a first sectional profile defined by the base portion, the opposing side portions, and a boundary between an upper aspect of the opposing side portions. The basket further includes a necked region extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the control member. The necked region having a second sectional profile defined between a lower transition surface of the necked region and the upper aspect of the opposing side portions. The second sectional profile is smaller than the first sectional profile such that a void space is defined between the tissue collecting cavity and the sealing member.
A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening. The tray is configured to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path. The tray includes a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve. The sealing member includes a resiliently flexible portion. A control member extends from the sealing member and configured to receive an input to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve. A basket is coupled to the sealing member and includes a base portion, opposing side portions coupled to the base portion to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity, porous features within the base portion for collecting the tissue sample, and a foot including opposing rails extending along the base portion in a direction away from the tissue collecting cavity. The foot is configured to channel the second suction path.
In certain implementations, the tray may include at least two pockets, for example, four pockets. One of the pockets may be defined between the rib and said proximal portion, and/or between the rib and said distal portion. The basket may have a length greater than a width such that said basket is elongate and has a longitudinal axis, and the rib may be elongate and oriented on an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis. The rib(s) may be crescent-shaped. The porous features may be positioned between said ribs. There may be three ribs, and the ribs may be equally spaced apart from one another. More particularly, the three ribs may define four pockets of said base portion, and the porous features are within each of said four pockets. The three ribs may be parallel to one another. The base portion may be arcuate in shape and concave between said opposing side portions. The rib may be arcuate and contoured complementary to said arcuate shape of said base portion. The porous features may be arranged in at least two groupings. Each of the groupings may include at least two rows of said pores oriented longitudinally along said base portion. The ribs may separate the groupings. The above implementations may be included on any one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects of the tray.
A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a manifold for collecting a tissue sample through a suction tube. The manifold includes a housing having a sleeve defining an opening. The sleeve includes an inlet fitting defining an inlet bore opening into the sleeve. The manifold includes a tray. The tray may be any one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects of the tray.
A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of collecting a sample under influence of a vacuum from a medical waste collection assembly including a receiver. A suction tube is coupled to an inlet fitting of a manifold that defines an inlet bore. The manifold is positioned within an opening of the receiver. A tray is removably disposed within a sleeve in a first position such that (i) a sealing member of the tray is positioned in sealing engagement with an opening, (ii) a distal portion of the tray is positioned distal to the inlet bore, and (iii) a tissue collecting cavity of the tray opens towards the inlet bore. The medical waste collection assembly is operated with the tray in the first position, wherein the sample is drawn through a first suction path into the tissue collecting cavity. An input is provided to first and second control members to resiliently move the first and second control members towards one another. A lower portion of the sealing member moves away from the opening to provide a second suction path. The input to the first and second control members is maintained while moving the tray from the first position to a second position in which the sealing member moves away from the opening and a sealing edge of the tray remains in sealing engagement with an upper barrier defining the sleeve. The distal portion of the tray remains positioned distal to the inlet bore in the second position. The input to the first and second control members is maintained while moving the tray from the second position to a third position in which the sealing member moves further away from the opening and the sealing edge of the tray disengages the upper barrier defining the sleeve to provide a third suction path. The distal portion of the tray moves proximal to the inlet bore in the third position to eliminate the first suction path and provide a fourth suction path.
The aspiration of a tissue sample from within the patient may be facilitated with a medical waste collection assembly, for example, the Neptune 2® and Neptune 3® Waste Management Systems manufactured by Stryker Corporation (Kalamazoo, Mich.), and disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,621,898, 8,216,199, 8,740,866, 8,915,897, 9,579,428, and 9,782,524, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference. The medical waste collection assembly, in a broadest sense, includes a vacuum pump adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a proximal end of a suction tube. A distal end of the suction tube is coupled to an instrument positioned near the surgical site. As used herein, proximal refers to a direction towards a rear of the manifold 100 and the medical waste collection assembly when engaged with the manifold 100, and distal refers to a direction towards a front of the manifold 100 and the surgical site (see
The aspiration of semisolid and solid matter, including the tissue sample, must be captured or suitably filtered to avoid potential clogging of components of the medical waste collection assembly. The medical waste collection assembly includes a manifold receiver adapted to be removably engaged with a manifold 100. The medical waste collection assembly further includes a suction inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with an outlet opening of the manifold 100 when the manifold 100 is engaged with the manifold receiver. In one implementation, the manifold receiver may include a valve disc that is rotatable to align a bore with the suction inlet when the outlet opening engages and rotates a boss defining the bore, as disclosed within commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,615,037, 8,518,002, 8,915,897, and 9,579,428, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference. In another implementation, the manifold receiver may include an inlet mechanism that is translatable and includes a suction fitting configured to engage the outlet opening, as disclosed within commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,471,188, issued Nov. 12, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The manifold 100 is adapted to receive the suction tube to establish a suction path is established from the suction tube to the medical waste collection assembly through the manifold 100. The manifold 100, among other functions to be described, captures the semisolid and solid matter entrained within the stream being aspirated from the surgical site.
The housing 102 includes at least one inlet fitting 112a, 112b adapted to receive the suction tube. The inlet fitting(s) 112a, 112b defines a respective inlet bore 114a, 114b in fluid communication with the manifold volume 108. A valve 132 may be coupled to the housing 102 and configured to prevent backflow from the manifold volume 108. The valve 132 may be coupled to the cap portion 106. In particular, an inner or proximal surface of the cap portion 106 may include a coupler 107, such as a protrusion extending proximally. The valve 132 includes a coupler 137 complementary to the coupler 107 of the cap portion 106. The coupler 137 may be a slot sized to engage the protrusion with an interference arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, a suitable joining process such as adhesives, mechanical fastening, and the like, may be used to couple the valve 132 with the cap portion 106. The valve 132 may include a pair of flappers 135 with one flapper 135 configured to selectively cover a transfer bore 125 establishing communication between an accessory sleeve 113 to be described, and the manifold volume 108, and the other flapper 135 configured to selectively cover a second one of the inlet bores 114b. The valve 132 may be formed with elastic material(s) so as to resiliently deform in the proximal-to-distal direction under vacuum provided by the vacuum pump. Certain features of the valve 132 may be similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,715,037, issued Nov. 10, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The sealing of the proximal end of the inlet and transfer bores 114b, 125 prevent backflow from the manifold volume 108 to the accessory sleeve 113 and the inlet bore 114b, respectively, and thus possible egress of the waste material.
The manifold 100 may include a filter element 133 disposed within the housing 102 and in the suction path. The filter element 133, in a broadest sense, includes structures configured to capture or collect the semisolid or solid waste material entrained within the liquid waste material being drawn through the manifold 100 under the influence of the vacuum provided by the medical waste collection system. The filter element 133 includes porous features or apertures, for example, holes, pores, and/or slots, among others. In other words, the suction path is provided from the inlet bore 114a, 114b to the suction inlet of the receiver through each of the manifold volume 108, the filter element 133, and the outlet opening 109. The filter element 133 may form a basket-shaped structure. The filter element 133 may be disposed within the manifold volume, or be disposed in a location separate from the manifold volume 108. Shapes and configurations of the filter element 133 suitable for certain implementations of the manifold 100 are disclosed in commonly-owned International Publication No. WO 2018/170233, filed Mar. 15, 2018, and International Publication No. PCT/US2019/060732, filed Nov. 11, 2019, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference. Still further, the filter element 133 may be considered optional, and manifold designs that do not include a filter element 133 are contemplated.
Referring now to
The manifold 100 may include a first cover 151a and a second cover 151b configured to selectively cover the accessory opening 111 and the second inlet bore 114b, respectively. With reference to
The manifold 100 includes the aforementioned tray 176 configured to be removably positioned within the accessory sleeve 113. The tray 176 includes a basket 180 defining a tissue collecting cavity 182, and porous features 186 within the tissue collecting cavity 182. With the tray 176 positioned within the accessory sleeve 113, the porous features 186 are in the suction path to collect the tissue sample. The tray 176 further includes a sealing member 154 adapted to be in sealing engagement with the accessory opening 111 when the tray 176 is within the accessory sleeve 113. The sealing member 154 may include a shelf portion 155 and a flange portion 156. The shelf portion 155 extends distally from the flange portion 156 and includes an outer periphery sized to be slightly smaller than the accessory opening 111. Likewise, the outer periphery of the flange portion 156 is shaped complementary to the accessory opening 111. In particular, with the accessory opening 111 defined collectively by the upper, lower, and opposing side barriers 103, 122, 123, the outer periphery is adapted to snugly be positioned adjacent ends of each of the upper, lower, and opposing side barriers 103, 122, 123. The shelf portion 155 facilitates positioning the tray 176 within the accessory sleeve 113 and preventing loss of suction through the accessory opening 111. The flange portion 156 defines a sealing surface 157 with the sealing surface 157 adapted to contact a perimeter of the accessory opening 111. With the tray 176 within the accessory sleeve 113 and the sealing surface 157 contacting the accessory sleeve 113, suction is maintained through the suction path during operation of the medical waste collection assembly.
The sealing member 154 includes a resiliently flexible portion 160. The flexible portion 160 is configured to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member 154 away from the accessory opening 111 to provide a second suction path in a manner to be further described. As shown in
Referring now to
The tray 176 includes first and second control members 188a, 188b adapted to receive an input from the user. The first and second control members 188a, 188b extending from the sealing member 154 in a second direction opposite the basket 180. The second control member 188b may be spaced apart from the first control member 188a such that the first and second control members 188a, 188b are configured to be a grip pinched between fingers of the user. More specifically, the grip may be arranged to be pinched by the user to move the first control member 188a towards the second control member 188b for function to be described.
With reference to
The arrangement of the basket 180 is further configured to facilitate movement of the second control member 188b towards the first control member 188a with the first control member 188a remaining generally stationary (opposed to, for example, the first control member 188a towards the second control member 188b), and thus pivot the lower region 172 of the sealing member 154 away from the accessory opening 111. In particular, the basket 180 extends from the upper region 170, and no portion of the basket 180 may extend from the lower region 172. Since the basket 180 may be snugly disposed within the accessory sleeve 113, the pinching of the first and second control members 188a, 188a in view of the positioning of the flexible portion 160 results in the pivoting of the lower region 172 of the sealing member 154 away from the accessory opening 111 (see
The tray 176 may include a foot 131 extending from the base portion 184, and more particularly extending from the base portion 184 in a direction opposite the tissue collecting cavity 182. The foot 131 may be generally U-shaped and bound the porous features 186 within the base portion 184 when viewed in bottom plan. In certain implementations, the foot 131 may be opposing rails 136 extending from the base portion 184 near the side portions 185.
With concurrent reference to
Referring now to
Owing to the presence of the wall 198, for example, the ramped surface, the collected tissue sample settles on the base portion 184 at a position away from the sealing member 154. Further, as mentioned, the upper barrier 103 may be transparent, as shown in
The base portion 184 of the tray 176 may be arranged to rest upon or otherwise be supported by the shelf portions 147 such that the gap G is defined between an underside of the base portion 184 of the tray 176 and the upper surface of the trough 127. The gap G may be considered to be beneath the tray 176 (i.e., opposite the tissue collecting cavity 182 in the aforementioned convention). With the tray 176 positioned within the accessory sleeve 113, the gap G is in communication with the transfer bore 125 extending to the manifold volume 108. The orientation features 187 of the tray 176 may further serve as locating features to define a vertical position of the base portion 184 relative to the lower barrier 122, and hence at least partially influencing the size of the gap G. It is further noted that the upper aspect of the tray 176 is positioned adjacent to the upper barrier 103 with little distance therebetween.
Once it is desired to retrieve the collected tissue sample, the tray 176 may be slidably removed from the accessory sleeve 113 with the tissue sample disposed within the tissue collecting cavity 182. In known systems, the tissue specimen may encounter a fluid flow (and associated forces), and the tissue sample may undesirably be swept along the fluid flow and ejected from the tray. Known systems do not adequately address this issue. The manifold 100 of the present disclosure advantageously provides for generating a second suction path SSP located in a manner that the likelihood of inadvertent loss of the tissue sample is minimized. For example, the aforementioned gap G induces the second suction path to be beneath the tray 176. Further, the manifold 100 advantageously provides for the second suction path being of sufficient volume flow such that the first suction path may be temporarily limited or eliminated. In other words, the manifold 100 advantageously provides for “bleeding” or reducing suction through the first suction path, perhaps temporarily, without needing to remove the manifold 100 from the medical waste collection assembly and/or cease operation of the medical waste collection assembly.
In operation, should the user wish to reduce or eliminate the first suction path, the user provides an input to the first and second control members 188a, 188b. In particular, the user may pinch the first and second control members 188a, 188b. With particular reference to
The trough 127 extending to the accessory opening 111 is exposed to atmosphere, and the second suction path SSP is provided. The gap G may be at least partially defined by the trough 127, and the second suction path SSP, owing to fluid dynamics, is directed through the gap G without encountering the tissue collecting cavity 182 of the tray 176. As shown in
Owing to the lesser resistance of the fluid (e.g., the air) entering the second suction path SSP relative to the end of the suction tube disposed well upstream at the surgical site (as well as the density of the waste material in the suction tube relative to air), fluid dynamics dictate that the second suction path SSP becomes the primary suction path in the bleed configuration, and negligible suction may be maintained through the suction tube. Should the user wish to promptly reestablish the first suction path FSP as the primary (and only) suction path, the user simply releases the input provided to the first and/or second control members 188a, 188b. The resilient nature of the sealing member 154 as well as the second suction path SSP adjacent the sealing member 154 results in the sealing member 154 reengaging the accessory opening 111, and the manifold 100 reassumes the sealing configuration. Moving the manifold 100 between the sealing configuration and the bleed configuration may occur as many times as desired without undue difficulty and without needing to stop operation of the medical waste collection assembly.
Moreover, as mentioned, the second suction path SSP is located below the below the tray 176 (i.e., opposite the tissue collecting cavity 182 in the aforementioned convention). As a result, should the user wish to retrieve the tissue sample collected in the tissue collecting cavity 182, the user maintains the input to the first and second control members 188a, 188b while withdrawing the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113. Since the gap G is relatively larger than any distance between the upper aspect of the tray 176 positioned adjacent to the upper barrier 103, nearly an entirely of the second suction path SSP remains below the tray 176 as the tray 176 is removed. It is appreciated that the fluid flow of the second suction path SSP travelling above the tray 176 to be drawn into the tissue collection cavity 182 is lessened. As a result, the user may more confidently remove the tray 176 without risk of inadvertently losing the collected tissue sample.
The inadvertent loss of the collected tissue sample during removal of the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113 may be further minimized by ribs 200 disposed within the basket 180. Referring now to
The tray 176 includes the basket 180 defining the tissue collecting cavity 182, and the porous features 186 within the tissue collecting cavity 182. The tray 176 further includes the sealing member 154 adapted to be in sealing engagement with the accessory opening 111 when the tray 176 is within the accessory sleeve 113. The sealing member 154 includes the resiliently flexible portion 160 configured to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member 154 away from the accessory opening 111 to provide the second suction path. The flexible portion 160 may be the living hinge 174 configured to facilitate pivoting of the lower region 172 relative to the upper region 170. The first and second control members 188a, 188b may be pinched between fingers of the user to move the second control member 188b towards the first control member 188a with corresponding movement of the sealing surface 157 of the sealing member 154. 154. The basket 180 may include the necked region 192 to define the void space 194 between the tissue collecting cavity 182 and the lower region 172 of the sealing member 154.
The basket 180 includes the base portion 184, and the opposing side portions 185 (also referred to herein as sides) arranged to define the tissue collecting cavity 182. The porous features 186 are defined within the base portion 184. It is contemplated that the porous features 186 may be defined within the opposing side portions 185. Further, the basket 180 may include the distal portion 190 extending between the opposing side portions 185 and further defining the tissue collecting cavity 182. The tray 176 may include the foot 131 extending from the base portion 184, for example, the opposing rails 136 extending from the base portion 184 near the side portions 185. The opposing rails 136 may have the slot 138.
With the tray 176 removably disposed within the accessory sleeve 113, the gap G between the base portion 184 of the tray 176 and the lower barrier 122 such that the first suction path FSP is generated through the suction tube, the inlet bore 114a, the tissue collecting cavity 182, the transfer bore 125, and to the manifold volume 108 to the outlet opening 109. The tissue sample travelling through the first suction path is collected in the tray 176. Once it is desired to retrieve the collected tissue sample, the tray 176 may be slidably removed from the accessory sleeve 113 with the tissue sample disposed within the tissue collecting cavity 182. As previously described in detail, the manifold 100 provides for generating the second suction path SSP beneath the tray 176 to move the manifold 100 from the sealing configuration to the bleed configuration, shown in
The tray 176 is configured to be moved within the accessory sleeve 113 in the proximal-to-distal direction, more particularly inserted into the accessory sleeve 113 in the distal direction and removed from the accessory sleeve 113 in the proximal direction. During removal of the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113, the second suction path SSP facilitates removal of the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113 with minimal disruption of the collected tissue sample. While most of the air is directed through second suction path SSP without encountering the tissue collecting cavity 182 of the tray 176, some air may move above or around an upper edge 202 of the sealing member 154 to within the tissue collecting cavity 182.
The base portion 184 may include at least one rib 200 disposed within the tissue collecting cavity 182. In a most general sense, the rib 200 separates a portion of the tissue collecting cavity 182 near the base portion 184 into at least two pockets 204, at least one of which is a low pressure region as the tray 176 is removed from the accessory sleeve 113. With the pocket(s) 204 being low pressure regions, any air encountering the tissue collecting cavity 182 is less likely to be associated with force sufficient to dislodge or eject the collected tissue sample. It is further understood that the rib 200 may also provide a barrier to prevent movement of the collected tissue sample along the base portion 184 prior to, during, and after removal of the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113.
The base portion 184 may include at least two ribs 200 disposed with the tissue collecting cavity 182. The rib(s) 200 may extend between the opposing side portions 185. With continued reference to
In certain implementations, plural ribs 200 are provided. For example, the illustrated implementation shows the base portion 184 including three ribs 200a-200c defining four pockets 204a-204d. The subsequent disclosure is directed to three ribs 200a-200c, however, any number of ribs are contemplated. The ribs 200a-200c may be equally spaced from and/or oriented parallel to one another. The ribs 200a-200c may be generally linear and continuous in arrangement, or irregularly shaped (e.g., zigzag), discontinuous, or the like. The position and orientation of the ribs 200a-200c arrange the pockets 204a-204d in series between a proximal portion 206 to be described and the distal portion 190. In other words, the pockets 204a-204d are positioned in a generally side-by-side arrangement in the proximal-to-distal direction.
Referring again to
As to be further described with relation to the sealing edge 212, the influence of the ribs 200a-200c on the airflow AF is introduced with reference to
As previously mentioned, the porous features 186 are defined within the base portion 184, and the porous features 186 are in the suction path to collect the tissue sample. The porous features 186 may be arranged to further limit or prevent movement of the collected tissue sample along the base portion 184 prior to, during, and after removal of the tray 176 from the accessory sleeve 113. Referring again to
The porous features 186 may be arranged in groupings 214. As used herein, a grouping is defined to include more than two porous features equally spaced apart from one another by a first distance. The groupings 214 themselves are apart from one another by a second distance greater than the first distance. For illustration purposes,
Owing to the base portion 184 being arcuate and concave between the opposing side portions 185, the tissue sample TS is likely to descend to the center aspect 216 under the influence of gravity, as shown in
As previously described in detail, the flexible portion 160 of the sealing member 154, the necked region 172, and the gap G induce the second suction path SSP to be beneath the tray 176 when the manifold 100 is in the bleed configuration. The bleed configuration limits or eliminates the first suction path FSP when the upper region 170 of the sealing member 154 remains engaged with the accessory opening 111. Once the tray 176 is partially removed, however, such that the tissue collecting cavity 182 is exposed to the ambient (e.g., positioned proximal to the accessory opening 111), airflow AF may enter the tissue collecting cavity 182. The tray 176 of the present disclosure advantageous includes the sealing edge 212 configured to delay the onset of any airflow AF entering the tissue collecting cavity 182. The delayed onset of the airflow AF within the tissue collecting cavity 182, particularly in combination with the ribs 200a-200c and the second suction path SSP below the basket 180, prevents dislodging or ejecting of the collected tissue sample from the tray 176.
The sealing member 154 may include the shelf portion 155 extending distally from the flange portion 156, and the flange portion 156 includes the sealing surface 157. The shelf portion 155 includes the outer periphery sized slightly smaller than the accessory opening 111 so as to be positioned in sealing engagement with inner surfaces defining the accessory sleeve 113, one of which is a lower surface 218 of the upper barrier 103 (see
The proximal portion 206 includes the sealing edge 212. The sealing edge 212 may be considered the uppermost edge of the upright surface 220. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing edge 212 may be coplanar with an upper surface 222 of the shelf portion 155. In other words, the shelf portion 155 and the proximal portion 206 may be generally unitary in appearance, whereas otherwise the shelf portion 155 and the basket 180 may be discrete in appearance (but formed unitarily). The sealing edge 212 is spaced apart from the flange portion 156 so as to extend by a greater distance within the accessory sleeve 113 relative to the shelf portion when the tray 176 is removably positioned within the accessory sleeve 113. Referring to
The sealing edge 212 delays the onset of any airflow AF entering the tissue collecting cavity 182 as the tray 176 is removed from the accessory sleeve 113.
Once the sealing edge 212 is no longer in sealing engagement with the upper barrier 103, the inner surface 224 of the distal portion 190 of the tray 176 is no longer positioned distal to the distalmost aspect 226 of the inlet bore 114a. In other words, the distal portion 190 begins to cross the inlet bore 114a as the tissue collecting cavity 182 becomes exposed to the ambient. Among other advantages, the arrangement prevents the tissue sample TS from ejecting over the distal portion 190 should the tissue sample TS be moving within the tray 176. Furthermore, the distal portion 190 crossing the inlet bore 114a effectively eliminates the first suction path FSP and generates a fourth suction path XSP. The fourth section path XSP extends through the suction tube, the inlet bore 114a, the accessory sleeve 113 distal to the tray 176, the transfer bore 125, and to the manifold volume 108 to the outlet opening 109. The tray 176 may include a distal slot 230 within the foot 131 (see
In certain implementations, the cap portion 106 and the trunk 104 are removably coupled to one another. Referring to
The cap portion 106 and/or the trunk 104 may include indicia 150, 152 arranged to indicate whether the cap portion 106 and the trunk 104 are in a locked configuration in which the cap portion 106 is secured to the trunk 104, or an unlocked configuration in which the cap portion 106 may be decoupled from the trunk 104. More particularly, in the locked configuration, the keys 146 may be engaging the keyways 148 to prevent axial movement of the cap portion 106 relative to the trunk 104 as described above. The indicia 150 on the cap portion 106 may include a lock icon and an unlocked icon, as shown in
The removable coupling between the cap portion 106 and the trunk 104 may provide access to the manifold volume 108 within which the filter element 133 is disposed. Among other advantages, accessing the filter element 133 may allow the user to retrieve waste material collected within the filter element 133, most notably a polyp or tissue sample, for further examination and processing during certain surgical procedures. Commonly-owned International Publication No. WO 2013/090579, published Jun. 20, 2013, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a manifold including a tissue trap for collecting the polyp or the tissue sample. In certain implementations, the manifold 100, including the cap portion 106, may include further features to facilitate collection of tissue sample(s). When it is desired to decouple the cap portion 106 from the trunk 104, the aforementioned method steps are reversed, and the manifold volume 108 of the trunk 104 may be accessed.
In certain implementations, the cap portion 106 and the trunk 104 are rigidly connected through a suitable joining process, for example, spin welding, solvent bonding, adhesives, mechanical fastening, and the like. As previously mentioned, the housing 102 may be of unitary or monolithic construction such that there is no discrete head and trunk. Suitable manufacturing processes for forming the housing 102 may include injection molding, three-dimensional printing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, polymer casting, vacuum forming, blow molding, among others. Suitable materials for forming the housing 102 may include polymers, composites, metals, ceramics, and combinations thereof. The materials include sufficient anticorrosive properties to avoid degradation when exposed to the waste material and sufficient mechanical properties to maintain integrity under the vacuum levels to be provided by the medical waste collection system. The polymers of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE), polystyrene, polycarbonate, and poly(methyl methacrylate) may be particularly well suited for the manifold 100 in low-cost and disposable implementations.
Certain implementations may be described with reference to the following exemplary clauses:
Clause 1—A tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening and to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path, the tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the sealing member includes a resiliently flexible portion; a first control member extending from the sealing member; a second control member extending from the sealing member and spaced apart from the first control member; a basket extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the first and second control members, the basket defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample from a liquid drawn through the first suction path; and wherein the first and second control members are positioned opposite the resiliently flexible portion and configured to receive an input to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve.
Clause 2—The tray of clause 1, wherein the basket includes a necked region having a reduced sectional profile of the basket such that a void space is defined between the basket and the sealing member.
Clause 3—The tray of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the basket includes a base and opposing side portions coupled to the base to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the porous features defined within the base, wherein the base is arcuate in shape and concave between the opposing side portions.
Clause 4—The tray of any one of clauses 1-3, further including opposing rails extending along the base and configured to channel the second suction path.
Clause 5—The tray of clause 4, wherein each of the opposing rails defines a slot.
Clause 6—The tray of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the resiliently flexible portion includes a living hinge including a reduced thickness portion of the sealing member.
Clause 7—A tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening and to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path, the tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the sealing member includes an upper region and a lower region; a first control member extending from the upper region; a second control member extending from the lower region and spaced apart from the first control member; and a basket extending from the upper region in a direction opposite the first control member, the basket defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample, wherein no portion of the basket extends from the lower region of the sealing member, wherein the first and second control members are configured to receive an input to pivot the lower region relative to the upper region to move the lower region of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve without disturbing the collected tissue sample.
Clause 8—The tray of clause 7, wherein the basket includes a necked region having a reduced sectional profile of the basket such that a void space is defined between the basket and the lower region of the sealing member.
Clause 9—The tray of clauses 7 or 8, wherein the basket includes a base and opposing side portions coupled to the base to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the porous features defined within the base, the tray further including opposing rails extending along the base and configured to channel the second suction path.
Clause 10—The tray of clause 9, wherein each of the opposing rails defines a slot.
Clause 11—A tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening and to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path, the tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the sealing member includes an upper region and a lower region separated by a living hinge including a reduced thickness portion of the sealing member; a control member extending from the upper region; and a basket extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the control member, the basket including porous features for collecting the tissue sample, wherein the control member is configured to receive an input to pivot the lower region relative to the upper region about the living hinge to move the lower region of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve.
Clause 12—The tray of clause 11, wherein the basket includes a necked region having a reduced sectional profile of the basket such that a void space is defined between the basket and the sealing member.
Clause 13—The tray of clauses 11 or 12, wherein the basket includes a base and opposing side portions coupled to the base to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the porous features defined within the base, wherein the base is arcuate in shape and concave between the opposing side portions.
Clause 14—The tray of any one of clauses 11-13, further including opposing rails extending along the base and configured to channel the second suction path.
Clause 15—The tray of clause 14, wherein each of the opposing rails defines a slot.
Clause 16—A tray for collecting a tissue sample drawn under influence of suction, the tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening, the tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve; a control member extending from the sealing member; a basket coupled to the sealing member and including a base, opposing side portions coupled to the base to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity, and porous features defined within the base for collecting the tissue sample, wherein the basket has a first sectional profile defined by the base portion, the opposing side portions, and a boundary between an upper aspect of the opposing side portions; the basket further including a necked region extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the control member, the necked region having a second sectional profile defined between a lower transition surface of the necked region and the upper aspect of the opposing side portions, wherein the second sectional profile is smaller than the first sectional profile such that a void space is defined between the tissue collecting cavity and the sealing member.
Clause 17—The tray of clause 16, wherein the base is arcuate in shape and concave between the opposing side portions.
Clause 18—The tray of clauses 16 or 17, further including opposing rails extending along the base.
Clause 19—The tray of clause 18, wherein each of the opposing rails defines a slot.
Clause 20—A tray configured to be removably positioned within a sleeve having an opening and to collect a tissue sample drawn through a first suction path, the tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the sealing member includes a resiliently flexible portion; a control member extending from the sealing member and configured to receive an input to resiliently and pivotably move at least a portion of the sealing member away from the opening to provide a second suction path through the opening and the sleeve; and a basket coupled to the sealing member and including a base, opposing side portions coupled to the base to collectively define a tissue collecting cavity, porous features within the base portion for collecting the tissue sample, and a foot including opposing rails extending along the base in a direction away from the tissue collecting cavity, wherein the foot is configured to channel the second suction path.
Clause 21—The tray of clause 20, wherein each of the opposing rails defines a slot.
Clause 22—The tray of any one of clauses 1-21, wherein the basket further includes a wall collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the wall configured to position the tissue sample away from the sealing member so as to be visible through the sleeve when viewed from above.
Clause 23—The tray of any one of clauses 1-22, further including a distal end portion extending from the base and between the opposing side portions, wherein the distal end portion includes additional porous features.
Clause 24—A manifold for collecting a tissue sample through a suction tube, the manifold including: a sleeve including an upper barrier that is at least partially transparent; a tray including: a sealing member configured to be positioned in sealing engagement with the opening when the tray is removably positioned within the sleeve; a control member extending from the sealing member; and a basket extending from the sealing member in a direction opposite the control member, the basket including a base that is opaque and defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample, opposing side portions extending from the base, and a wall extending downwardly away from the sealing member, wherein the base, the opposing sides, and the wall collectively define a tissue collecting cavity with the wall configured to position the tissue sample away from the sealing member so as to be visible through the upper barrier when viewed from above.
Clause 25—The manifold of clause 24, wherein the wall is a ramp that slopes downwardly away from the sealing member so as to cause the tissue sample to descend towards the base.
Clause 26—The manifold of clause 24 or 25, wherein the sleeve includes shelf portions defining a trough therebetween, wherein the second suction path extends through the trough.
Clause 27—A manifold for collecting the tissue sample through a suction tube, the manifold including: the tray of any one of clauses 1-22; and the sleeve.
Clause 28—A method of collecting a sample under influence of a vacuum from a medical waste collection assembly including a receiver, said method comprising: coupling a suction tube to an inlet fitting of a manifold that defines an inlet bore; positioning the manifold within an opening of the receiver, wherein a tray is removably disposed within a sleeve in a first position such that (i) a sealing member of the tray is positioned in sealing engagement with an opening, (ii) a distal portion of the tray is positioned distal to the inlet bore, and (iii) a tissue collecting cavity of the tray opens towards the inlet bore; operating the medical waste collection assembly with the tray in the first position, wherein the sample is drawn through a first suction path into the tissue collecting cavity; providing an input to first and second control members to resiliently move the first and second control members towards one another, wherein a lower portion of the sealing member moves away from the opening to provide a second suction path; maintaining the input to the first and second control members while moving the tray from the first position to a second position in which the sealing member moves away from the opening and a sealing edge of the tray remains in sealing engagement with an upper barrier defining the sleeve, wherein the distal portion of the tray remains positioned distal to the inlet bore in the second position; and maintaining the input to the first and second control members while moving the tray from the second position to a third position in which the sealing member moves further away from the opening and the sealing edge of the tray disengages the upper barrier defining the sleeve to provide a third suction path, wherein the distal portion of the tray moves proximal to the inlet bore in the third position to eliminate the first suction path and provide a fourth suction path.
Clause 29—The method of clause 28, wherein the steps of providing the input to first and second control members and the moving of the tray from the first position to the second position are performed simultaneously.
The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/937,931, filed Nov. 20, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/008,026, filed Apr. 10, 2020, the entire contents of each is hereby incorporated by reference. This application is related to International Application No. PCT/US2019/032911, filed May 17, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/059288 | 11/6/2020 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63008026 | Apr 2020 | US | |
62937931 | Nov 2019 | US |