GB2367750A - Surgical suction tip with multiple, interchangeable filter chambers - Google Patents

Abstract

Surgical suction tip comprising a tubular body 1 having an outlet 2 and two internal filter elements 12, 13 attached to proximal end plate 9. End plate 9 has an aperture 11 connected to outlet 2 which forms a seal. Filter elements 12, 13 are attached at the distal end to end plate 8. End plate 8 has an aperture 18 communicating with chamber 14 and further aperture 19 communicating with chamber 16. Central chamber 15 lies between chambers 14 and 16. Preferably nozzle 3 has a fluid inlet 4 and a connecting tube 5 which may direct fluid to either of chambers 14, 16 via apertures 18, 19. Nozzle 3 may have a spigot 7 passing through end plate 8 retained by spring 21. Nozzle 3 may be rotated allowing the user to select either filter chamber. May be used during surgery to allow a clean filter to be selected without removal or cleaning.

Description

DESCRIPTION This invention relates to surgical suction tips, such as used to remove waste matter from the body during Surgery.

In orthopaedic surgery, especially in knee or hip replacement surgery, it is necessary to lavage the wound site, and to clean out the centre of for example the femur prior to inserting the prosthesis. The excess fluid and accompanying waste matter such as bone fragments, clots, tissue residue and cement debris, is usually removed by utilising a tubular suction catheter connected to a vacuum source.

The suction apparatus typically comprises of a suction regulator connected to either pipeline suction, or a stand-alone suction pump, a receiver jar or jars and a length of tubing connected to the suction catheter.

If the material to be aspirated contains amounts of debris, the tubing system can easily become blocked, creating the need to either clean or replace the tubing system. This can be time consuming and inconvenient for the operating theatre staff.

It has been proposed to provide a surgical suction device incorporating a removeble filter element such as disclosed in patent number EPO 284322. However this device still necessitates the unwanted interuption of surgery, and the inconvenience of having to unscrew the end cap, remove a filter, replace it and dispose of the messy used filter in order to proceed with surgery. Furthermore it is possible for the assistant to drop the filter when under pressure to perform the changeover quickly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a surgical suction tip containing two independent, selectable filters, and being of a design, which allows only one filter to be in operation at one time. The second filter can be selected by the surgeon without the need for assistance and without having to remove or dispose of the first filter, thus providing uninterupted use and no mess.

The device comprises a tubular body having an outlet at the proximal end for filtered fluids, two filter elements attached in a parrallel fashion to a proximal and a distal end plate, the proximal end plate forming an internal seal at the proximal end of the body, and having an aperture communicating with the space between the filters, this aperture cummunicating with the outlet portion of the body.

The distal endplate forms a seal at the distal end of the body having an aperture communicating with the space above the top filter and the inner wall of the body, and having an aperture communicating with the space below the bottom filter and the inner wall of the body.

The nozzle portion at the distal end of the device accepts the insertion of the suction catheter. It is affixed to the body by a centrally located spigot which is securely fixed to the internal distal wall of the nozzle portion and passes through a hole in the distal end plate into the space between the two filters, the spigot having a larger diameter portion at the proximal end forming the retainer for a spring which exerts tension for the purpose of creating a seal between the nozzle section and the body, whilst allowing rotational movement. The inlet from the catheter extends in the form of a connecting tube internally and is designed such that when affixed in the starting position it communicates with either the top or bottom apertures in the distal end plate, (depending on which position is initially chosen. ) such that the aspirated material flows through the nozzle and the connecting tube into the space between the first filter and the inner wall of the body.

Solid matter is retained in the space, allowing fluids to pass through the first filter into the space between the two filters, through the aperture between the filters in the proximal end plate and out of the oulet into the suction tubing system.

When the space between the first filter and the inner wall of the body is full of solid matter, and the filter becomes blocked, the surgeon may select the second filter by extending the nozzle portion distally against the retaining spring tension and rotating the entire nozzle portion through 180 degrees, thus aligning the inlet and connecting tube with the aperture in the distal end plate which communicates with the space between the second filter and the inner wall.

It will be appreciated that the waste matter filtered out by the first filter will be retained in the space between the first filter and the inner wall thereby obviating the requirement to remove the filter.

The unfiltered fluid now passes through the nozzle and connecting tube, through the second aperture in the distal end plate into the space between the second filter and the inner wall of the body. The waste matter remains in the space between the second filter and the inner wall. Fluid passes through the second filter into the space between the two filters, through the aperture in the proximal end plate and into the outlet.

Referring to the drawing, the surgical suction device comprises a body portion (1) having a proximal outlet (2).

The nozzle section (3) comprises a suction catheter connection point (4) extending in the form of a connecting tube (5), a fixing point (6) for the connecting spigot (7) and locates onto the body (1).

There is a proximal end plate (9) forming a circumferential seal in the body at (10) and having an aperture (11) with egress into the outlet portion (2) The filter elements (12) & (13) comprise flat rectangular plates with a plurality of holes in each, which locate and form a seal in the proximal and distal end plates (9) & (8) and also form a seal longitudinally along the length of the body (1) along both sides forming three distinct chambers, the two spaces (14) & (16) between the filters and the inner wall of the body, and the space (15) between the filters.

The distal end plate (8) forms a circumferential seal around the inner wall of the body at (17) and has an aperture (18), which communicates with the lower space (14) and an aperture (19), which communicates with the upper space (16). Also the distal end plate has a hole through which the spigot (7) is located.

The spigot (7) is fixed securely to the inner wall of the nozzle section (3) and forms a larger diameter (20) within the space (15) to act as a retainer for the spring (21).

The described device operates as follows: A length of tubing attached to the outlet (2) feeds to a container (not Shown) which is connected to the suction generator.

The suction generated exerts a suction effect in the suction catheter (not shown) which is connected to the nozzle section (3).

The fluid containing waste matter is drawn up the catheter into the nozzle and through the connecting tube (5).

The connecting tube (5) is communicating with the aperture (18) in the distal end plate (8) providing egress for the unfiltered fluid into the chamber (14).

Clearly the fluid and small particles of matter can pass through the filter (13) into the chamber (15) between the filters, through the aperture (11) in the proximal end plate (9), into the oulet (2) and thereafer through the tubing to the container.

Any larger particles such as bone chips and gelatinous matter cannot pass through the filter (13) but are retained in the chamber (14).

Once the chamber (14) contains enough waste material so as to reduce the suction effect and block the filter, the surgeon may grasp the nozzle section (3), release the said nozzle section from the body (1) by pulling against the tension exerted by the spring (21), moving the nozzle section axially by a small amount, and rotating through 180 degrees.

The connecting tube (5) in the nozzle section (3) is now in a position whereby the said connecting tube is in communication with the aperture (19) in the distal end plate (8).

The waste material previously filtered out is now retained safely in the chamber (14) to be disposed of when the operation is finished.

The unfiltered fluid now passes into the upper chamber (16), through the upper filter (12), through the aperture (11) in the proximal end plate (9) and into the outlet to the tubing system and suction container.

Claims (3)

1) A surgical suction tip comprising a tubular body section (1) having an outlet portion (2) and having 2 internal filter elements (12) & (13) provided with a plurality of apertures, the said filter elements being attached to a proximal end plate (9), the said end plate having an aperture (11) which communicates with the outlet portion (2) and which forms a seal around the internal wall of the body (1).

The filter elements (12) & (13) being attached at the distal end to a distal end plate (8).

The said distal end plate having an aperture (18) communicating with the chamber (14) between the filter (13) and the inner wall of the body (1), and an aperture (19) communicating with the chamber (16) formed between the filter (12) and the inner wall of the body (1), and forming a seal around the inner wall of the body (1).

The said filter elements within the body of the device defining 3 distinct chambers.

2) A surgical suction tip as claimed in claim 1 having a nozzle section (3) comprising an inlet for aspirated fluids (4) extending internally by means of a connecting tube (5) having the means to rotate the said nozzle section in order to position the connecting tube (5) in 2 alternative positions in order to direct fluid flow to either of 2 filter chambers (16) & (14) through the relevant aperture (18) or (19) in the distal end plate (8).

3) A surgical suction tip as claimed in claim 2 where the nozzle section (3) is located onto the body (1) by means of a spigot (7). The said spigot passing through a hole in the distal end plate (8) and forming a larger diameter head thereby retaining the spring (21) and where the said spring exerts an axial force on the nozzle section (3) in order to maintain a seal between the nozzle section (3) and the body (1) and whereby the said nozzle section can be rotated about the axis formed by the spigot.