JP6687583B2 - Medical / surgical cleaning unit with pump having bellows chamber and complementary chamber - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a medical / surgical irrigation unit having a pump having a bellows chamber and a complementary chamber for delivering irrigation fluid to a body part. More specifically, the cleaning unit of the present invention has features for adjusting the shape and configuration of the handpiece of the cleaning unit.

  In many surgical and medical procedures, irrigation units are utilized to deliver fluids to specific locations on or within the body of a person undergoing a medical procedure. For example, during orthopedic surgery, the lavage unit may be utilized to deliver pressurized pulses of water or saline to the exposed bone surface to cleanse the bone. In addition, there are some non-surgical procedures where it is equally desirable to apply a water pulse to a designated area of the individual's skin. Therefore, if an individual has one type of pressure ulcer or another type of skin disease, it is a common practice to use a cleaning unit to clean the affected area before applying a bandage etc. to the affected area. ing.

  A common type of medical / surgical cleaning unit includes a handpiece to which a tip assembly is selectively attached. Inside the handpiece there is often a small pump that periodically delivers a quantity of pressurized fluid. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid is delivered to the handpiece from an external pump. Fluid is discharged to a selected surface within the patient surface or within the patient through a discharge tube integrated with the tip assembly. These wash units deliver fluid in the form of pressurized pulses for two reasons. One of the reasons is that the fluid pulse hits the intended site quickly and leaves the site, which action facilitates the desired removal of debris from the site. Second, the discrete fluid pulse does not interfere with the observation at many sites where the observation can be disrupted when subjected to a continuous flow of pressurized fluid.

  Most cleaning units have a conduit through which the sterile fluid is discharged, as well as a conduit through which the discharged fluid and associated debris from the applied site is removed. Typically, the fluid is first drawn from the site through a suction tube (and also part of the tip assembly). The fluid or even any debris in the fluid stream then flows through a conduit that is integral with the handpiece. The handpiece suction conduit is connected to a second suction tube that is connected to a suction system separate from the irrigator. Thus, the irrigator facilitates many medical and surgical procedures because it provides the ability to clean the site of the patient and remove the debris generated by the cleaning process at essentially the same time. It will be easy to see why it will be a useful tool.

  Applicant's US Pat. Nos. 6,022,329 and 7,153,287, each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and US Provisional Application No. 61 / 733,989 (2012). Filed Dec. 6) discloses a single use cleaning unit. In these and other publications, the cleaning unit is sometimes referred to as an irrigator.

  During the procedure, the practitioner using the irrigation unit may desire to apply the unit to various compartments of the patient's tissue. These tissue compartments are often in various orientations and heights with respect to the floor. For example, at some point during the procedure, it may be desirable to hold the irrigation unit against tissue that is generally vertically oriented. At other times during the same procedure, it may be desirable to hold the cleaning unit against a generally horizontal tissue parallel to the floor. One of the drawbacks of some current cleaning units is that they are not ergonomically designed to hold in the various orientations in which they can be used.

  Some irrigators are configured with bellows pumps. The bellows of the pump are reciprocated by first drawing fluid into the pump chamber defined by the bellows and then out of the chamber. Irrigators with bellows pumps are often designed so that the flow into the bellows follows a path that includes two U-shaped turns. Fluid flowing through a wash unit containing these entrained conduits will inevitably undergo some pressure drop as a result of the flow through this bypassed flow path. This pressure drop reduces the efficiency with which the fluid is actually expelled from the irrigator. Further, it is necessary to provide a cleaning unit with a conduit configured with many of these bends to provide fluid to the bellows. The need to provide conduits with these shapes can contribute to the design complexity, size, and cost of providing wash units.

  The present invention relates generally to new and useful cleaning units. The irrigation unit of the present invention is designed to be ergonomically held in several different orientations by pressing against the tissue to which the unit is applied.

  The cleaning unit of the present invention includes a handpiece and tip assembly. The handpiece includes a handgrip and a body. There is a pump inside the handpiece. Also inside the handpiece is a motor connected to and powering the pump. The handpiece of the present invention is further configured such that the body is pivotally attached to the handgrip. Thus, the fuselage can be positioned with respect to the handgrip such that the body is generally axially aligned with the handgrip. The fuselage can further be positioned to project essentially vertically from the handgrip.

  In many versions of the invention, the cleaning unit is further designed so that the motor is located within the handgrip portion of the handpiece. The pump is located in the body. The gear that transfers the rotational movement output by the motor to the pump is mounted on the handpiece such that it rotates about an axis during which the body is pivoted.

  The tubing through which the irrigation fluid is fed to the pump and the line through which the suction is drawn are attached to the handpiece such that they are located around the exterior of the arc of the carcass pivoting. , Another feature of many cleaning units of the present invention.

  Some irrigators of the present invention further include a pump having a bellows with two tandem chambers. An irrigator with this feature is therefore configured such that the inlet line opening to the bellows is located essentially at the distal end of the bellows. The outlet opening is located at the proximal end. The bellows-containing irrigator is thus designed so that the inlet flow into the bellows follows an essentially linear path of travel. Irrigators constructed with this feature experience less pressure drop than fluid flowing through the irrigator where it passes through a U-shaped path of travel before entering the bellows.

  The invention is pointed out to have the peculiarities that fall within the scope of the claims. The above as well as additional features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a perspective view of the washing unit of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view of a washing unit. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cleaning unit with two of the handpiece shells removed to show the placement of components inside the handpiece. It is a top view inside the handgrip right shell. It is a perspective view of the exterior of a hand grip right shell. It is a perspective view inside the left shell. It is a perspective view of the exterior of a handpiece left side shell. It is a top view inside the fuselage right side shell. It is the figure which showed the exterior of the fuselage right side shell. It is a top view inside the fuselage left side shell. It is a perspective view of a handpiece lock button. It is a perspective view of the face gear inside a handpiece. It is a perspective view of the eccentric gear inside a handpiece. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bellows and a valve inside a handpiece. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve and bellows inside the handpiece. It is a perspective view of the yoke of a pump. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pump housing inside a handpiece. FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 17. FIG. 6 shows a conductive component inside a handpiece. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the handpiece when the body and the handgrip are arranged so that the body is aligned with the handgrip in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 5 shows the components inside the perimeter of the joint between the body and the handgrip when the body and the handgrip are longitudinally aligned. FIG. 7 shows an alternative pump that can be used in the handpiece. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the state of the pump of FIG. 21 when the pump is in two different phases that occur during cycle operation of the pump. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the state of the pump of FIG. 21 when the pump is in two different phases that occur during cycle operation of the pump. FIG. 7 illustrates a second alternative pump that can be used within the handpiece.

I. Basic Cleaning Unit Figures 1-3 show the basic components of a cleaning unit 50 of the present invention. The cleaning unit 50 includes a handpiece 52 (sometimes also referred to as a body) to which the tip assembly 80 is removably attached. Irrigation tube 54 runs from source of irrigation fluid 53 to handpiece 52. A suction tube 56 is fitted into the handpiece 52. Suction tube 56 extends proximal to both waste collection container 58 and suction source 60. (Here, "proximally" means in the direction toward the practitioner holding the handpiece 52 away from the patient to whom the tip assembly 80 is applied. "Distally" is remote from the practitioner. Also in the direction of the patient.) Inside the handpiece 64 is a pump 388 to which the distal end of the irrigation tube 54 is connected. The pump 388 is driven by the motor 340. The on / off state of the motor 340 is controlled by a trigger 534 pivotally mounted on the underside of the handpiece 64.

  The tip assembly 80 includes a rigid irrigation tube 82. The irrigation tube 82 shown only by a broken line in FIG. 19 is arranged inside the suction tube 84. A scattering shield 86 is detachably arranged so as to cover the suction tube 84. When the tip assembly 80 is attached to the handpiece 52, a first fluid communication path is established between the outlet port of the pump 388 and the irrigation tube 82. A second fluid communication path is established between the proximal end of the suction tube 84 and the suction tube 56 attached to and extending from the handpiece 52. The structure of tip assembly 80 is not part of the present invention.

  The handpiece 52 includes a proximally located handgrip 92. A body (barrel) 94 is pivotally mounted to the hand grip 92 and extends distally and forwardly from the hand grip 92. The body 94 is held by the lock button 320 in the orientation with respect to the handgrip 92 desired by the user of the cleaning unit 50. A motor 340 is mounted in the handgrip 92. The pump 388 is arranged in the body (barrel). Gears 348 and 368 are also disposed within handpiece 52. Gears 348 and 368 convert the mechanical energy output by the motor into motion that causes the pump to reciprocate. The tip assembly 80 is removably attached to the distal end of the barrel. Both irrigation tube 54 and suction tube 56 extend longitudinally through at least a portion of both handgrip 92 and body.

  Handgrip 92 includes right and left shells 102 and 142, respectively. Both shells 102 and 162 are single piece components formed from a plastic such as ABS or high impact polystyrene. The right shell 102 includes a base 104, as best seen in FIGS. The upper rim 106 is curved upward from the upper edge of the base 104. The proximal rim 108 curves upward from the proximal end of the base 104. The bottom rim 110 curves upward from the bottom edge of the base 104. It should be appreciated that the proximal rim 108 extends between the top rim 106 and the bottom rim 110. Several struts 112 project outward from the inner surface of the base 102. Each strut 112 is formed with a closed end hole (not specified) extending inward from the end of the strut.

  Webs 114, 116 and 118 extend outward from the inner surface of base 104. Web 114 is a web that extends vertically in the sense that it also extends downward from upper rim 106. The two closest webs 114 extend to the bottom rim 110. Webs 116 and 118 extend horizontally in the sense of generally extending vertically from the shell's proximal rim 108. Both webs 116 and 118 are located much closer to the upper rim 106, with the web 116 being closer to the rim 106. Both webs 116 and 118 intersect web 114. The web 118 extends outwardly beyond the web 116. The webs 114, 116 and 118 provide some structural rigidity to the right shell 102. Some of the webs 114 are further shaped to act as a support member against which the motor 340 is seated. The webs 114, 116 and 118 are further shaped to act as a support structure within the handgrip 92 against which the tandem assembly of irrigation tube 54 and suction tube 56 is pressed during installation. Therefore, the tube is seated against the upper surface of web 116.

  The right shell 92 is further formed so that the bottom rim 110 does not project above the entire bottom end of the base 104. The rim 110 is formed to define a notch 111 in the shell 92. Notch 111 extends distally in a forward direction from approximately half the distance along base 104. Notch 111 ends approximately 1 cm proximal to the distal end of the base. The struts 117 extend upwardly from the inner surface of the shell base 104 near the proximal end of the notch 111. The post 119 extends upward from the inner surface of the shell base 104 from a position slightly above the notch 111.

  An ear portion 122 having a generally circular shape is integrated with the right shell 92. The ear portion 122 is arranged in front of the shell base 102 and is spaced slightly outward from the base. A circular rim 124 extends outward from the inner surface of the ear 122 and surrounds the ear 122. The rim 124 is tapered in the sense that the inner and outer diameters of the rim increase with distance from the surface of the ear 122. The rim 124 is further formed with a groove 126 extending inwardly from the face of the rim. Two bosses (bosses 128 and 132) extend upward from the inner surface of the ear 122. One boss (boss 128) extends upward from the center of the ear portion 122. The second boss (boss 132) extends upward from a location near the inner peripheral edge of the rim 124. The boss 132 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the boss 128. Each boss 128 and 132 is formed with a closed end hole. The ear 122 is further formed to have four webs 130 (only one of which is identified). The web 130 extends radially outward from the boss 128. The webs 130 are equiangularly spaced from each other. Three of the webs 130 extend to the inner surface of the rim 124. The fourth web 130 extends between the boss 128 and the boss 132.

  The handgrip left shell 142 includes a base 144 that is essentially a mirror image of the right shell base 104. Three rims 146, 148 and 150 extend outward from the periphery of the inner surface of the base 144. The rim 146 engages the right shell upper rim 106. The rim 148 engages the right shell proximal rim 108. The rim 150 engages the right shell bottom rim 110. The left shell 142 is formed with a pillar 152 corresponding to the right shell pillar 112. Each strut 152 is formed with a pin 154 (one identified) protruding outward from the center of the strut. The pin 152 has a diameter that facilitates a press fit on the pin in a hole inside the right shell strut 112. Therefore, when the cleaning unit 30 is assembled, the left shell pin 154 is installed in the right shell strut 112 to hold the shells 92 and 142 together.

  The handgrip left shell 142 includes a vertically extending web 158 (only one identified). Web 158 is similar to right shell web 114 and performs the same functions as right shell web 114. The left shell 142 also includes horizontally extending webs 160 and 162. The web 160 corresponds in location and shape to the right shell web 116. The web 162 corresponds in location and shape to the right shell web 118.

  The handgrip left shell 142 also has struts 155 and 157. The struts 157 are essentially the same as the right shell struts 117. The struts 157 are essentially the same as the right shell struts 119.

  The ear portion 166 is integrated with the left shell base 144 and extends forward from the left shell base 144. The ear 166 is generally circular and is coaxial with the right shell ear 122 when the shells 102 and 142 are placed together. The ears 166 are wider than the ears 122 in lateral cross-sectional thickness. On the inner surface of the left shell 142, the ear 166 has a base surface 168 that is generally circular in shape. The base surface 168 is centered about an axis that extends laterally through the ears 166. The boss 170 projects outward from the center of the base surface 168. The boss 170 is formed with a closed end hole (not specified) centered on the center axis of the ear. An arcuate rib 172 also projects outward from the base surface 168. Ribs 172 are concentric with boss 170 and are spaced radially outward from boss 170. In the illustrated version of the invention, ribs 172 project above surface 168 by a greater distance than boss 170.

  The left shell ear 166 is further formed with a rim 174 extending around the base surface 168. The rim is located outwardly of the base and is radially outwardly spaced from the rib 172. A rib 176 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the rim 174. The rib 176 is concentric with the rim 174, which is concentric with the boss 170. Ribs 176 are disposed around the upper portion of rim 174. The ears 166 also have a concave surface 180 located closer to the outer surface of the left shell 142 with respect to the base surface 168. The concave surface is generally circular in shape and blocks all of the base surface 168, ribs 172 and rim 174. A boss 182 extends outwardly from the center of the concave surface 180. A closed end hole (not specified) extends inward from the center of the boss 182. The concave surface 180 and the boss 182 are arranged such that the axis about which the surface 180 and the boss 182 are centered when the shells 102 and 142 are positioned together is coaxial with the axis of the right shell boss 132. I am letting you. Ribs 184 further project upward from the concave surface 180. The ribs 184 are concentric with the boss 182 and are spaced apart from the boss in the radial direction. Ribs 184 have a lower height relative to concave surface 180 than boss 182.

  From the outside, the left shell ear 166 appears to have a generally circular base surface 188. The base surface 188 corresponds to the base surface 168 on the inside surface of the ear 166. A boss 190 projects outward from the base surface 188. A tube-shaped sleeve 192 projects outward from the base surface 188. The sleeve 192 is spaced apart from the boss 190 in the radial direction and extends above the boss 190. The left shell ear 166 is further identified as having a step 194 located outside the base surface 188. Step 194 is present due to the concave surface 180 on the inside surface of the ear 166. Step 194 blocks the arcuate section of base surface 188 and extends to the outer surface of sleeve 194. A circular inner ring surface 196 is disposed above the base surface 188 and step 194 and around the base surface 188 and step 194. The inner peripheral edge of the ring surface 196 is radially spaced from the sleeve 192. The ear 166 further includes teeth 198 extending inwardly from the inner peripheral edge of the ring surface 196. The teeth 198 project into the space above the ear base surface 188 and step 194.

  The outer portion of the ear 166 has an outer ring surface 204 that extends circumferentially around the inner ring surface 196. The outer ring surface 204 is located outside of the inner ring surface 196. A rim 202 is disposed between the inner ring surface 196 and the outer ring surface 204, respectively. The rim 202 extends outward of the outer ring surface 204.

  The left shell ear 166 has a first sidewall 206 extending inwardly from the outer surface 204. The sidewall 206 extends distally from the web 166 and curves around the distal front portion of the ear 166. The side wall 206 has a contour such that the cross section looks concave. The side wall 206 terminates in a second curved side wall (wall 208). In FIG. 6, only the edge of the side wall 206 is specified. The wall 208 is curved around the lower portion of the ear. The wall 208 has a cross-section that is either straight or convex.

  Handpiece body 92 includes a right shell 220 and a left shell 262, respectively. The right shell 220 described herein with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a foot 222 that is generally arcuate in shape. More specifically, the foot 222 has a diameter along its outer surface equal to the diameter of the rim 124 integral with the handgrip right shell ear 122. The outer surface of foot 222 is generally planar. An arcuate rib 224 extends outward from the outer surface of the foot 222. A rib 224 is arranged inward from the outer peripheral edge of the foot 222. The ribs 224 are positioned such that when the handpiece 30 is assembled, the ribs 224 are seated in and move within the grooves 126 formed in the rim 124. The foot 222 is formed with a centrally located opening 226. The foot 222 also has an arc-shaped slot 228. The slot 228 is located proximal to and below the opening 228. The slot 228 is positioned such that when the handpiece is assembled, the boss 132 integrated with the handgrip right shell ear 122 is aligned with the slot.

  Two skirts extend inwardly from the inner surface of foot 222. The two skirts extend from the outer peripheral edge of the foot. The first skirt (skirt 232) extends inwardly from the top of the foot 222. In cross section, the skirt 232 has a convex profile similar to that of the sidewall 206 of the handgrip left ear 166. The skirt 234 extends inwardly from the bottom of the foot 222. The skirt 234 has the same cross-sectional shape as the wall 208 integrated with the handgrip left ear 166. At the proximal end of the foot 222, the skirts are spaced from each other to define a gap (not specified) between the skirts. When the handpiece is assembled, the inner surface of skirt 232 is flush with the portion defining wall 206 of ear 166, while the inner surface of skirt 234 is flush with the portion defining wall 208 of ear 166. is there.

  A rib 235 extends inward from the inner surface of the foot 222. The ribs 235 extend upward from the inner surface of the skirt 234. The ribs 235 are curved around the perimeter of the slot 228 closest to the opening 226. The rib 235 is curved towards the gap between the skirts 232 and 234. The ribs 235 do not extend upwardly from the inner surface of the foot 222 by the same distance that the skirts 232 and 234 extend upwardly from the foot.

  In front of the foot 222, the shell 220 has a base 238. The base 238 has an outer surface located outside of the outer surface of the foot 220. Three rims project outward from the outer perimeter of the base 238 to project from the inner surface of the base. The upper rim 240 extends along the upper portion of the outer peripheral edge of the base. Note that the rim 240 is spaced from the skit 234 at the proximal end of the base. Therefore, there is a gap (the gap is not specified) between the skirt 234 and the rim 240. The distal end of rim 240 is curved down to rim 242. The rim 242 extends upward from the distal end of the base 238. The rim 242 is curved down to the bottom rim 244. The bottom rim 244 extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the base 238. The bottom rim 244 extends proximally along the base 238 and terminates in a skirt 234.

  A strut 246 similar to the strut 112 extends outward from the inner surface of the base 238. Several webs extend vertically through the shell 220 from top to bottom. At the proximal portion of the shell, three parallel webs 248 extend outward from the base and downward from the upper rim 240. The two most proximal webs extend over the entire inner surface over the foot 222. Webs 252 are longitudinally aligned with each web 248. The two most proximal webs 252 extend from the skirt 234 and extend outward from the inner surface of the foot 222. Each web 252 is spaced from a complementary web 248. The web 248 extends downwardly from the upper rim 240 to the common web 250. Web 250 is orthogonal to web 248. Web 252 extends upwardly from upper rim 244 to common web 254. Web 254 is orthogonal to web 252. Therefore, the webs 250 and 254 are parallel to each other. Each web 250 and 254 thus extends upwardly from the inner surface of foot 222 and an adjacent portion of base 238. The web 250 is arranged above the opening 226. The web 254 is disposed below the opening 226. Although not specified, the facing portions of webs 250 and 254 are formed with a stepped surface inwardly from the tallest portion of the web.

  Extending upward from the inner surface of the shell base 238 are three additional vertically extending webs 258. Web 258 is parallel to webs 248 and 252 and is located in front of webs 248 and 252. Each web 258 extends from the shell top rim 240 to the bottom rim 244. Webs 248 and 258 are formed with a recess (not specified) in which suction tube 56 is seated. The web 258 is further formed with a recess for receiving the pump housing 420 described below (FIG. 17).

  It can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 10 that the left fuselage shell 262 includes a flat circular foot 264. The skirt 266 tapers outwardly and inwardly from the foot 264. The skirt 266 is sized so that its free end has an outer diameter equal to the rim 174 of the handgrip left shell ear 166. The foot 264 also has a central opening 268.

  Shell 262 is further formed such that teeth 270 extend upwardly from the inner surface of foot 264. The teeth 270 are arcuately spaced from each other and extend outwardly from the portion of the shell defining the opening 268. Extending outwardly from the teeth 270 are four webs 272 (only two identified) spaced equiangularly. The web 272 extends from the foot 264 to a circular rim 274 that projects outwardly. The rim 274 can also be considered to be the base surface of the skirt 266. The rim 274 is formed with a circular groove 276 extending inwardly from the face of the rim. When the fuselage (barrel) shell 262 is positioned over the handgrip shell 142, the rib 202 integral with the handgrip shell 142 is seated in the fuselage (barrel) shell groove 276.

  The left fuselage shell 262 has a base 280 disposed anteriorly distal to the foot 264. More specifically, the base 280 extends forward from the skirt 266. The base 280 is thus located inward of the outer surface of the foot 264. Struts 282 with pins (not specified) extend outward from the inner surface of the base 280. When the handpiece 52 is assembled, the left shell strut 282 engages the right shell strut 246 to hold the shells 220 and 262 together. An upper rim 284 extends outward from the upper peripheral edge of the base 280. The shell 262 is shaped such that the proximal end of the rim 284 is spaced from the skirt 266. At the distal end of the base, the upper rim 284 is curved down to the distal rim 286. The distal rim 286 is curved down to the bottom rim 288. The proximal end of the bottom rim 288 ends a short distance (less than 0.5 cm) forward of the skirt 266.

  Six webs extend downwardly from the inner surface of the upper rim 284 and outwardly from the inner surface of the shell base 280. The two most recent webs (webs 292 and 294) extend toward the base 280 of the skirt 266 and terminate a short distance before the compartment that intersects the base 280 of the skirt 266. The remaining four webs (webs 296, 298, 300 and 302) extend to the bottom rim 288. Each of the webs 292, 294, 296, 298, 300 and 302 is formed with one or more indentations (not specified). These recesses facilitate placing either the irrigation tube 54 or the pump housing against the web 292, 294, 296, 298, 300 or 302.

  The distal ends of the handpiece are formed by the distal rims 242 and 286 of shells 220 and 262, respectively. The rim 242 is formed with a notch 304 (only one identified in FIG. 2). Notch 304 acts as an opening through which tip assembly 80 is attached to handpiece 50. Each of the shell bases 238 and 184 is provided with an opening 306 and a recess 308 (identified only in FIG. 9 for the shell 220). Opening 306 and recess 308 receive fastener components integral with tip assembly 80. The manner in which the tip assembly is removably attached to the handpiece 52 is not part of the present invention. Alternative features integrated with handpiece 52 and tip assembly may be used to facilitate this removable connection. Therefore, these features will only be considered below in a minimal degree.

  When the handpiece 52 is assembled, the fuselage (barrel) right shell foot 222 is positioned between the ears 122 and 166 of the handgrip shells 102 and 142, respectively. The handgrip left shell ear 166 is located between the feet 222 and 264 of the fuselage (barrel) shells 220 and 262, respectively. The handgrip ears 122 and 166 and the torso (barrel) feet 222 and 264 together form a joint 310 between the handgrip 92 and the torso (barrel) 94. The barrel 94 can pivot about joint 310. This makes it possible to selectively set the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis of the body (barrel) 94 with reference to the longitudinal axis of the hand grip 92.

  The lock button 320, which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 11, holds the barrel 94 in a selective angular orientation relative to the handgrip 92. Button 320 includes a circular head 322. The center of the head 322 is concave with respect to the outer peripheral edge in order to facilitate centering of the finger. A rim 324 extends circumferentially around the head 322. The components of the handpiece 52 are shaped to allow the button head 322 and rim 324 to fit around the handgrip left shell sleeve 192 and within the fuselage (barrel) left shell center opening 268. Radially outwardly from the rim 324, arcuately spaced teeth 326 extend. The teeth 326 are located below the button head 322. The teeth 326 are spaced from each other to allow engagement of both the handgrip left shell teeth 198 and the fuselage (barrel) left shell teeth 270. Around the arcuate section of the button 320, the set of teeth 326 is shorter than the other teeth 326. This short tooth 326 is positioned to cover step 194 when the button is fitted over the ear 166 of the handgrip left shell.

  A spring 330 (shown only in FIG. 2) is located between the ear boss 190 and sleeve 192 of the handgrip left shell. The spring 330 is pressed against the inner surface of the button head 322. Therefore, the spring 330 exerts a biasing force on the button 320, which causes the button to displace so that the button teeth 326 are normally seated between the body (barrel) teeth 270. This outward movement of the button is prevented by the button teeth 326 abutting the inner surface of the body (barrel) left shell foot 264.

  Button tooth 326 is always engaged with handgrip left shell tooth 198. Therefore, the engagement of the button teeth 326 with the body teeth 270 holds the body 54 in a fixed angular orientation with respect to the handgrip 52. This button is in the locked position. Button 320 is depressed to adjust the angular orientation of the body. The force of the fingers on the button 320 is sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 330. The inward displacement of button 320 moves button tooth 326 to disengage body tooth 270. When the button 320 is thus disengaged, it can be considered to be in the torso adjusted state. The angular orientation of the body 54 can then be adjusted. When the finger force on the button is released, spring 330 causes the button to return to the locked position.

  A motor 340 is arranged between the handgrip shells 102 and 142. More specifically, the motor is supported within the handgrip 92 between the right shell web 114 and the right shell web 158. A rotating shaft (not specified) extends forward from the body of the motor 340. A gear 344 (specified only in FIG. 30) for rotating by the shaft is fitted to the free end of the shaft. When the motor 340 is mounted on the handgrip 92, the gear 344 is disposed on the handgrip left shell ear 166 and the fuselage right shell foot 222.

  The gear 344 engages a face gear 348 also inside the handgrip 92. The face gear 348 includes a disc-shaped base 350 as seen in FIG. The teeth 352 extend upwardly from the base 350 so as to extend around the outer periphery of the base. A raised circular pedestal 354 extends upward from the center of the base 350. Inner and outer sleeves 356 and 359, respectively, extend upwardly from the exposed surface of pedestal 378. The pedestal 354 and the sleeves 356 and 359 are coaxial with the central axis that is the rotation axis of the gear base 350. The inner surface of the outer sleeve 359 is radially outwardly spaced from the inner sleeve 380. An arcuately spaced web 358 extends from the outer surface of the inner sleeve 356 to the adjacent inner surface of the outer sleeve 384. The coaxial through holes that extend through the inner sleeve 356 and the underlying pedestal 354 are not specified. The outer sleeve 359 is formed with gear teeth 362.

  The face gear 348 is positioned such that the toothless side of the base 350 is placed against the left shell boss 182. Pins 364 (identified only in FIG. 12) hold face gear 348 rotatably with respect to handgrip 92. Pin 364 extends through an axial hole that extends through pedestal 354 and inner sleeve 356. One end of the pin 364 is set in a hole integrated with the right shell boss 132. The opposite end of the pin 364 sits in a hole that is integral with the left shell boss 182. The face gear 348 is positioned so that the gear base 350 is adjacent to the left shell boss 182. Gear 344 engages face gear teeth 352 when handpiece 64 is assembled.

  The face gear 348 drives an eccentric gear 368 that is also rotatably arranged on the hand grip 92. Eccentric gear 368 (best shown in FIG. 13) is formed with a circular base 370. The base 370 is formed with a number of arcuately spaced through openings 372. The base 370 is also formed with a number of arcuately spaced recesses 374. The recess 374 is arranged inside the outer peripheral edge of the base. In the illustrated version of the invention, the recesses correspond to different arcs. Further, the recess 374 extending in a large arc intersects the plurality of openings 372. Teeth 376 project outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base 370. A cylindrical head 378 projects upward from the gear base 370. The central longitudinal axis of head 378 is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of base 370. The eccentric gear is further formed to have a through hole 380. The hole 380 extends through the center of the base 370 and the outer portion of the head 378 that extends so as to cover the rotation axis of the base 398. The hole 380 is thus centered on the axis about which the eccentric gear 368 rotates. The gear 368 is formed with two gaps 382. The void 382 extends through the head 378 and the portion of the base 398 below the head. The void 382 is symmetrical about the plane that bisects the hole 380.

  The pin 386 (identified in FIG. 2) holds the eccentric gear 368 rotatably with respect to the handgrip 92. One end of the pin 386 sits in a hole that is integral with the right shell boss 128. The opposite end of the pin 386 is seated in a hole that is integral with the left shell boss 170. It will thus be appreciated that the gear 368 is mounted on the handpiece 52 such that it rotates about an axis about which the body 94 rotates relative to the handgrip 92. Eccentric gear teeth 376 engage teeth 362 of face gear 348 when handpiece 52 is assembled.

  The eccentric gear 368 reciprocates the yoke 390 arranged in the handpiece joint 310. The yoke 390 as seen in FIG. 14 is part of the pump 388 and is a single piece component that includes a generally rectangular plate 392. The yoke 390 is oriented so that the longitudinal axis of the yoke is parallel to the longitudinal axis passing through the body 94. The overall width of the yoke is such that it allows the yoke to rest on and slide between webs 250 and 254 that are integral with the fuselage left shell 220. Two beams 394 extend outwardly from the side edges of the plate 392 and posteriorly beyond the proximal end of the plate 392. Beams 394 curve inwardly toward each other and meet posteriorly from the proximal end of the plate. Beam 394 or even beam 396 defines an oval opening 398. The long axis of the opening 398 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the plate 392. The opening 398 has a mirror axis whose width is sized to receive the eccentric gear head 378.

  The yoke 390 is further formed with tabs 402 extending vertically and outwardly from the plate 392 at the distal end of the frame. The tab 402 is formed with a U-shaped slot 404, the open end of which is located adjacent to the end of the frame towards the base 238 of the fuselage right shell 220. A bracket 406 extends from the proximal-facing surface of tab 402 to the surface of plate 392. An additional beam 408 (identifying only two of these) also projects upwards from the surface of the plate.

  When the handpiece 52 is assembled, the yoke 390 rests on the inner steps of the webs 250 and 254. An eccentric gear head 378 is arranged in the yoke opening 398.

  The yoke 390 drives a bellows 408, which is also part of the pump 388. Bellows 408 is a pump component that draws fluid through irrigation tube 54 and forces fluid through pump housing 420 and tip assembly 80. Bellows 408, described herein with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, is a cylindrical body 410 formed of a flexible thermoplastic and formed with circumferentially extending pleats (not specified). Have. Bellows body 410 has a proximal closed end. A button 414 extends outward from the closed end of the bellows body 410. A neck 412 having a smaller diameter than the button 414 connects the button to the closed end of the body 410. A lip 416 extends radially outwardly and circumferentially around the open end of the bellows body 410.

  When the irrigator 50 is assembled, the bellows-integrated neck 412 is positioned within the yoke slot 404. Button 414 is placed against the proximally facing surface of yoke tab 404. Bellows lip 416 is placed against the distally facing surface of one of web 258 and web 300 inside fuselage 92. Contact of this component prevents proximal movement of bellows 408. The back and forth movement of the yoke 390 causes similar expansion and contraction of the bellows body 410.

  Pump housing 420 is a component of pump 388 to which irrigation tube 54, suction tube 56 and bellows 408 are connected. Pump housing 420 is also a component inside the handpiece 52 to which irrigation tube 82 and suction tube 84 of tip assembly 80 are connected. The pump housing 420 is disposed inside the body 94 in front of the bellows 408. As best seen in FIGS. 17, 17A and 17B, pump housing 420 is formed from a single piece of molded plastic and includes a base 424. The base 424 includes an outer sleeve 426 having a generally constant diameter along the outer surface. A lip 428 projects radially outward from the proximal end of the sleeve 426. A ring 430 extends proximally and rearwardly from the lip 428. The ring 430 is disposed inside the outer peripheral edge of the lip 428. In the illustrated version of the invention, ring 430 has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of outer sleeve 426. The pump housing is further formed with a step 432 extending circumferentially around the ring along the outer surface of the ring. Thus, the outer diameter of the proximal portion of ring 430 is smaller than the outer diameter of the distal portion of the ring (the portion distal to step 432). Two flexible legs 434 extend rearward from the lip 428. The legs 434 are diagonally opposed to each other. Each leg 434 is formed with a foot 436 facing inward.

  Pump housing 422 is formed with an inner sleeve 438 coaxial with outer sleeve 426 and disposed within outer sleeve 426. Inner sleeve 438 extends distally from the proximal end of outer sleeve 426. Inner sleeve 438 terminates generally at an interface midway through the outer sleeve. The circular web inside the outer sleeve that extends to the inner sleeve is not specified. Sleeves 426 and 438 are dimensioned such that there is an annular gap (gap not specified) between the sleeves. A circular lip 442 projects inwardly from the sleeve at the proximal end of the inner sleeve 438.

  The outer sleeve 426 is further formed so that the three holes integrally extend through the sleeve. The first hole (hole 446) is defined by the inner wall of the inner sleeve 438. The second hole (hole 480) is located immediately in front of hole 446. The third hole (hole 482) forms a distal end opening into the outer sleeve 426. Sleeve 426 is formed such that hole 482 has a larger diameter than hole 480.

  Pump housing 422 is further formed to have a cylindrical neck 484. The neck 484 extends vertically and upwardly from the outer sleeve 426. The pump housing 484 is formed such that the neck 484 extends upward along an axis that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis through the sleeve 426 and laterally offset from the longitudinal axis through the sleeve 426. There is. Neck 484 is formed with a channel 486. As can be seen in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the channel 486 opens into an annular gap between the outer sleeve 426 and the inner sleeve 438.

  Housing neck 484 extends to head 490. The pump housing head 490 has a main compartment (not specified) formed from several sub-compartments that may be considered generally polygonal in shape. In the disclosed version of the invention, head 490 is formed with an opening 492 in a top position. Opening 492 is coaxial with neck channel 486. Opening 492 is present as a result of the injection molding process used to form pump housing 422. More specifically, the opening 492 is present as a result of the type of components that define the neck channel 486. During the process of manufacturing the handpiece 64, a cap (not shown) is fitted over the housing head 490 to close the opening 492.

  Pump housing 420 is formed so that the two fittings (fittings 496 and 504) extend proximally from the proximally facing surface of head 490. The fitting 496 is a fitting to which the distal end of the irrigation tube 54 is fitted. Housing 420 is formed with a closed end hole (not shown) that extends through fitting 496 and partially through head 490 to neck channel 486. This hole is a conduit through which irrigation fluid flows from the irrigation tube into pump housing base 424.

  A cylindrical nose 502 extends distally and forwardly from the housing head 490. The barrel tip 502 is formed with a cylindrical bore 512 extending proximally rearward from the distal front end of the barrel tip. The tip 502 and the bore 512 share a common longitudinal axis. Extending this axis will extend through housing head 490 between where fittings 496 and 504 extend from the head. The channel (not specified) acts as a fluid communication path through the head from fitting 502 to hole 512.

  When the handpiece 52 is assembled, the pump housing 420 is sandwiched between the body right shell web 258 and the body left shell webs 300 and 302. The distal end of irrigation tube 54 is attached to fitting 496. The distal end of suction tube 56 is attached to fitting 504.

  A duckbill valve 526 (visible in Figures 15 and 16) is seated within the bore defined by the housing bore 446. The valves 526 are arranged such that the open ends of the valves face the bellows 520. The lip of valve 526 is oriented towards tube hole 480. The valve 526 has a base 528 that extends radially outward from the valve around the open end of the valve. The base 528 is curved in cross section. The outer periphery of the valve base 528 extends to cover the proximal end of the inner sleeve 438 and the adjacent lip 442. Therefore, the base 528 forms an umbrella-shaped inlet valve into the bellows. More specifically, the inlet valve is arranged around the outer peripheral edge of the pump chamber defined by the bellows.

  An O-ring 524 (visible only in FIG. 15) is installed on the step 432 integrated with the ring 430. The O-ring 524 is pressed between the housing ring 430 and the bellows lip 416. The O-ring 524 contributes to the seal between the bellows 514 and the pump housing base 424. The housing leg 434 extends to cover the outer surface of the bellows ring 520. Housing foot 436 extends over bellows lip 416 to retain bellows 408 against pump housing 424.

  With reference to FIGS. 2 and 18, an understanding of how the energizing signal is selectively applied to the motor 340 may be obtained. Cables 532, shown in dashed line cylinders in FIG. 18, are typically bundled with an assembly that includes a pair of irrigation tube 56 and suction tube 66. The proximal end of the cable is connected to a power source 530 associated with the cleaning unit 50. This power supply 530 may take the form of a battery pack. Alternatively, the power supply may take the form of a device that converts two different potentials, AC voltage, into DC voltage. The exact structure of the power supply is not part of the construction of the cleaning unit 50 of the present application. In FIG. 18, the power supply 530 is shown in the form of four cells connected in series. A trigger 534 is pivotally attached to each of the right shell strut 117 and the left shell strut 115 by a pin (not shown). Flexible hand contacts 536 are also shown in the handgrip shells 102 and 162. Means for attaching the trigger 534 and contact 536 to the handgrip is not part of the present invention.

  Inside the cable 532 are several insulated wires. One wire (wire 538) extends from the power supply to a contact integral with the motor 340 (motor contact not shown). The second wire (wire 540) extends from the power source to contact 536. Inside the handgrip 92 is a conductive post 542. The struts 542 are positioned so that the contacts meet the struts when the contacts 536 are bent. Inside the handpiece handgrip 92 is an insulated wire 544. Wire 544 extends from strut 542 to the second terminal of motor 340.

  Normally, the trigger 534 is separated from the contact 536. The contacts 536 are spaced from the conductive posts 542. Therefore, the circuits of the motor 340 and the power supply 530 are open circuits. When the trigger 534 is pivoted, the trigger hits the contact 536 and bends the contact 536. When the contact 536 bends, it contacts the conductive post 542. Applying the contacts 536 to the stanchions acts as a switch to close the motor and power supply 530 circuits.

  The tip assembly 80 includes a connector 81 as best seen in FIGS. Connector 81 includes features that cooperate with torso opening 306 and recess 308 to releasably retain tip assembly 80 relative to handpiece 52. Connector 81 also includes a tubular member (not specified) seated within pump housing holes 482 and 512. A tubular member mounted within pump housing bore 482 establishes a fluid communication path from pump housing 422 to irrigation tube 82 integrated with tip assembly 80. A tubular member seated within the pump housing bore 512 establishes a fluid communication path from the tip assembly suction tube to the pump housing 422.

II. Operation The cleaning unit 50 of the present invention is prepared for use by attaching the tip assembly 80 to the handpiece 52. An irrigation tube 54 is connected to the irrigation fluid source 53. A suction tube 56 is connected to the container 58 and suction source 60. Cable 352 is connected to the power supply if necessary. Upon completion of these steps, the wash unit is ready for operation.

  The cleaning unit 50 is operated by pressing the trigger 534. As a result, the contact 536 abuts against the conductive strut 542, causing an energizing signal (energizing current) to flow to the motor 340. The resulting actuation of motor 340 causes the bellows 408 to reciprocate. During the phase of the bellows retracting of the cycle, irrigation fluid is drawn from irrigation tube 54 into the bellows. During the bellows compression phase of the cycle, irrigation fluid is discharged through the pump housing 420 and through the tip assembly irrigation tube 86.

  By depressing the lock button 320 at an arbitrary time point, it is possible to selectively set the angular orientation of the handpiece body 94 with respect to the handgrip 92. This is called the transition of the lock assembly from the set state to the adjusted state. Therefore, the practitioner can operate the handpiece as a pistol type unit as shown in FIG. 1, as a stick type unit as can be seen in FIG. 19 or with an intermediate shape between these two configurations. is there. Regardless of the angular orientation of the body 94, the eccentric gear 368 remains in a fixed position with respect to the face gear 348 and the yoke 390. This ensures that the motor 340 can still operate the pump regardless of the orientation of the body 94.

  Thus, the cleaning unit 50 of the present invention can be operated in the most ergonomically comfortable configuration for the particular procedure being performed. Although not always the case, if the tissue against which the unit 50 is intended is at or below the practitioner's waist, the unit is operated in a pistol configuration. When the tissue to which the unit is applied is above the waist position of the practitioner, many practitioners find it useful to operate the unit in any configuration closer to the stick configuration.

  It will be appreciated that when operating the cleaning unit 50 in the cane configuration, the practitioner will be free to hold the handpiece 52 by the handgrip 92, the body 94, the joint 310 or any combination of these components. When holding the handpiece in this manner, the practitioner will often use the thumb or index finger to push the trigger 534.

  The handpiece 52 of the present invention is further designed such that both the irrigation tube 54 and the suction tube 56 are located within the handgrip 92 and the body 94. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the body 94 with respect to the handgrip 92, these tubes do not become loose components that interfere with the handling of the cleaning unit 50. In response to the pivoting movement of the carcass, irrigation tube 54 and suction tube 56 are bent around the outer surface of the joint. The portions of these tubes 54 and 56 that are located within the fuselage remain stationary. Thus, even if the body 94 repeatedly pivots during the procedure, there is essentially no possibility that the tubes 54 and 56 will act to be lost from the pump housing 420.

  Another feature of the cleaning unit of the present invention is that the handgrip ears 122 and 166 and the body legs 222 and 264 are separated from the interior of the joint between the handgrip 92 and the body 94. There is essentially no possibility that a piece of cloth, a missing medical device or a curious finger will become trapped in this joint.

III. First Alternative Pump With reference now to FIG. 21, an alternative bellows 560 that can be incorporated into a cleaning unit, including the cleaning unit with pivotable handpiece 52 described above, will be described. . Bellows 560 receives irrigation fluid from irrigation tube 540, which is similar to tube 54. The distal end of tube 540 is attached to a tube shaped inlet fitting 552. This inlet fitting 552 (identified in Figure 22) is typically mounted stationary within the handpiece in which the bellows 560 is installed. Inlet fitting 552 continues into the proximal end of bellows 560.

  Bellows 560 itself extends between inlet fitting 542 and rigid outlet fitting 590. The outlet fitting 590 corresponds to the sleeve 426, lip 428, ring 430 and leg 434 of the pump housing 420 described above. Bellows 560 is formed from a flexible material. This material can be rubber, thermoplastics, polyethylene or polypropylene. At the proximal end, the bellows has a foot 562 that is L-shaped in cross section. The foot 562 is shaped to fit over the open distal end of the inlet fitting 542. An O-ring 544 disposed around the perimeter of inlet fitting 542 provides a seal between the fitting and lip 562. Extending forward from foot 562, bellows 560 has legs 564 that are generally tubular in shape. In front of the leg 564, the bellows has a proximal pleat section 566. The proximal pleat section 566 thus defines a complementary chamber (supply chamber 568) within the bellows 560. A tubular torso 570 is located in front of the proximal pleat compartment 566. The body 570 is formed with two spaced ribs 572 (only one identified) around the outer surface. The ribs 572 extend partially (if not all) circumferentially around the body 570.

  The torso 570 is open within the distal pleat compartment 574. Distal pleat compartment 574 defines a pump chamber 576. A tubular head 578 extends forwardly from the distal pleat section 574. A lip 580 extends forward and outward around the open end of the head 578. An L-shaped lip 580 in cross section extends around the open proximal end of the outlet fitting 590. An O-ring 588 disposed around the outer proximal end of outlet fitting 590 provides a seal between bellows 560 and the fitting.

  Inside the bellows is a proximal valve 582. The valve 582 is a one-way valve that allows only flow through and through the proximal and distal ends of the bellows within the valve. The proximal valve is located within the body 570 and between the chambers 568 and 576. Accordingly, valve 582 is an inlet valve to pump chamber 576. The proximal valve 582 may be a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve or a flapper valve. The cleaning unit of the present invention also has a distal valve 584. The distal valve may be located wholly or in part in an adjacent section of the end bellows head 578 or outlet fitting 590. Distal valve 584 is a one-way valve that only allows flow in the same direction that proximal valve 582 did. Distal valve 584 may have the same structure as one of the valves described above that form proximal valve 582. The distal valve 584 thus acts as an outlet valve from the pump chamber 576.

  Although not shown, either portion of valve 582 or 584 may be integrally molded with bellows 560. Alternatively, bellows 560 may have shaped internal features such as ribs that facilitate mounting to one or more bellows of valves 582 or 584. Further, in the illustrated version of the invention, the wall thickness of the bellows is shown to be constant along the length of the bellows. This is merely for ease of illustration. In versions of the invention where the bellows is molded as a single piece unit, the compartments of the bellows that define the supplemental (supply) chamber 568 and pump chamber 576 often have a reduced wall thickness. As such, the pleated sections 566 and 574 often have a thinner wall thickness as compared to the wall thickness of the legs 564, body 570 and head 578.

  The eccentric gear 602 and the yoke 608 reciprocate the bellows 560. Eccentric gear 602 (teeth not shown) is similar to eccentric gear 368 described above. The drive assembly for rotating the eccentric gear is not shown. This assembly can be the motor 340 and face gear 348 described above. The eccentric gear 602 has a cylindrical head 604. The eccentric gear 602 is configured such that the head 604 is centered with respect to an axis (indicated by point 605) offset from the axis (indicated by point 603) of rotation of the eccentric gear.

  The yoke 608 includes a generally rectangular frame 610. The center of the frame 610 is open. More specifically, the open space inside the frame has lateral dimensions that allow slip fitting of the eccentric gear head 604 within the space. The length of the empty space along the longitudinal axis is greater than the diameter of the eccentric gearhead. Two legs 612 extend distally and forwardly from opposite ends of the frame 610. Extending inwardly from each leg 612 adjacent the distal ends of the legs is a foot 614 (only one identified). A foot 614 extends between ribs 572 disposed around the outer surface of bellows 560. The yoke is mounted on the handpiece and is mounted for reciprocal movement back and forth along an axis parallel to the legs 612 within the handpiece.

  The irrigation unit including bellows 560 is used like a conventional irrigation unit. The unit is operated by energizing a motor inside the unit handpiece. The biasing of the handpiece causes rotation of the eccentric gear 602. The rotation of the eccentric gear causes the yoke 608 to reciprocate.

  As a result of the reciprocating movement of the yoke, bellows pleated sections 566 and 574 cyclically expand and compress. The first phase, which can be seen in FIG. 21A, can be considered to start with the position of the bellows state in FIG. 21 where the yoke legs 612 have moved distally and forward. This movement causes compression of the bellows distal pleated compartment 574. Pump chamber 576 has been pushed to its minimum volume. Due to the presence of valves 582 and 584, any fluid within chamber 576 is forced out of chamber 576 through outlet valve 584 and outlet fitting 590 and the handpiece attached tip assembly 80.

  The next phase of the cycle is the movement of the yoke from the distal extended state to the proximal retracted state. In the early part of this phase, the volume of the supply chamber 568 increases. Therefore, the pressure in supply chamber 568 will be small compared to the upstream pressure of irrigation supply tube 550 and inlet fitting 552. This pressure drop causes the fluid in tube 550 and fitting 552 to flow into supply chamber 568. As a result of continued movement of yoke 608, the proximal pleated compartment is compressed as seen in Figure 21B. The volume of supply chamber 568 drops to a minimum volume. Additionally, at this point, valve 584 prevents backflow of fluid from outlet fitting 590 into pump chamber 576. Thus, while the bellows 560 is moving, the fluid in the supply chamber 568 passes through the valve 582 and into the pump chamber 576. After the bellows 560 moves from the compressed proximal pleated section 566, the yoke 608 reciprocates the bellows back to the condition shown in FIG. 21A.

  It should be understood that the reciprocal movement of the yoke 608 reciprocates the valve 582 in addition to causing compression / expansion of the chambers 568 and 576.

  An advantage of the irrigation unit pump of the present invention is that the fluid flow exiting the irrigation supply tube 540 through the outlet fitting 590 follows a generally straight path from proximal to distal. The fluid need not flow through the curved conduit. The present invention eliminates frictional fluid flow losses due to the fluid having to follow a curved path of travel.

IV. Second Alternative Pump FIG. 22 shows a second alternative pump (pump 620) of the present invention. The pump 620 has the same bellows-like structure as the pump 560. Therefore, leg 564, body 570, head 578 and related components will not be described again. Pump leg 564, like pump 560, is connected to irrigation tube 550 by fitting 552. Pump head 578 is coupled to outlet fitting 590.

  Pump 620 has a proximal section (section 622) that is pleated or otherwise compressible between legs 564 and body 570. Proximal compartment 622 defines a pump chamber 624 of pump 620. The pump 620 has a distal section (section 628) between the body 570 and the head 578 that is pleated or otherwise compressible. Distal section 628 defines a supplemental chamber of pump 620, specifically outlet chamber 630.

  An inlet valve 634 is located between the irrigation tube and the pump proximal section 622. An outlet valve 638 is located between the proximal section 622 and the distal section 628. An outlet valve 638 is located between the outlet from pump chamber 624 and the inlet to outlet chamber 630.

  The eccentric gear 602 and yoke 608 reciprocate the bellows 620 in the same general manner as the bellows 560 reciprocate. During the reciprocal movement of bellows 560, valve 638 reciprocates with yoke 608. During the first phase of the reciprocating cycle, the yoke 608 moves in the direction of the eccentric gear 608. This causes compression of the pump compartment 622 forming the pump chamber 624. Inlet valve 634 prevents backflow of fluid in pump chamber 624 back towards inlet tube 550. Instead, the fluid enters outlet chamber 630 through outlet valve 638.

  In the second phase of the bellows reciprocating motion, the yoke 608 moves toward the outlet fitting 590. This causes compression of the bellows section forming the outlet chamber 630. Valve 638 prevents backflow of fluid in outlet chamber 630 into pump chamber 624. Fluid is thus forced out of the outlet chamber, through the outlet fitting and into the tip assembly.

  The bellows proximal section 622 and pump chamber 624 expand as the yoke 608 moves from the extended position (legs 614 away from the eccentric gear 602) to the retracted position (legs near the eccentric gear). Due to the compression just before compartment 622, the pump chamber is empty of essentially liquid fluid. Therefore, due to the volume expansion of the pump chamber 624, the pressure in the chamber drops to a lower level compared to the pressure in the inlet fitting 522. This pressure differential is sufficient to cause the irrigation fluid in inlet fitting 552 to open valve 634 and into pump chamber 624.

V. Alternative Embodiments The above description is for two versions of the cleaning unit of the present invention. Alternative cleaning units of the present invention may have other features than those previously described.

  For example, there is no requirement that all cleaning units of the present invention with pivotable body 94 should have the described bellows with tandem pump chambers 568 and 576. Similarly, there is no requirement that all versions of the invention with a pump chamber and a tandem complementary chamber should have a pivoting body 94.

  Similarly, there is no requirement that all versions of the invention with a pivoting body should have a pulse type pump as described above. In alternative versions of the invention, it may be desirable to provide a cleaning unit with another type of pump, such as a vane pump or a centrifugal pump. It is further desirable to design the wash unit 50 so that the pump motor is in the handgrip 92 and the pump unit is in the body 94, although this is not required in all versions of the invention. Similarly, the invention is not limited to cleaning units with electric drive motors. Alternative cleaning units of the present invention may have pneumatic or hydraulic units that provide mechanical energy for the operation of the pump.

  There is also no requirement that the eccentric gear 368 be the specific gear that is mounted on the handpiece to rotate about the pivot axis of motion. In an alternative version of the invention, face gear 348 is fitted. However, generally, one gear that transfers mechanical power from the handgrip mounted motor to the body mounted pump is mounted on the handpiece for rotation about a pivot axis of motion.

  Further, in some versions of the invention, the pump unit may be located remotely from the handpiece. In these versions of the invention, the irrigation line (and suction line, if provided) will extend through the body and through at least a portion of the handgrip.

  Similarly, some irrigation units of the present invention may not include a component to pull suction away from the site to which the irrigation fluid is applied. With these versions of the invention, the handpiece will not include a suction line.

  The present invention may incorporate alternative means other than the disclosed lock button to removably retain the body 94 in a fixed angular orientation relative to the handgrip. For example, the handgrip 92 and the body 94 may be assembled together such that the frictional contact between these components holds them in a fixed orientation relative to each other. An advantage of this configuration of the invention is that it obviates the provision of the disclosed lock button and spring. Alternatively, a releasable clamp may releasably hold the body 94 in a fixed angular orientation relative to the handgrip 92. When the clamps are in the adjusted state, the body is free to pivot. When the clamp is in the locked condition, one clamp component is pressed against another clamp component to prevent pivoting of the body 94 with respect to the handgrip 92. An advantage of this version of the invention is that it allows fine setting of the angular orientation of the fuselage 94.

  The means for integrally forming the body portion of the handpiece by the shell is not limited to press-fitting the column. Snap-fit components, fasteners or adhesives can be used to hold these body parts that form the components together.

  Further, irrigation tube 54 (and suction tube 56, if present) preferably extends out of the proximal end of handgrip 92, but this is not required. In some versions of the invention, these tubes may extend out of the handgrip 92 at a location distal to the proximal end of the grip. Similarly, in some versions of the invention, the irrigation and aspiration tubes may not even extend completely through the body 94. Similarly, in some versions of the invention, the tube (or tubes) extending between the fuselage and the grip may be placed within the joint rather than seated over the joint. A possible advantage of this version of the invention is that the tube (or tubes) disconnection by the curious fingers is prevented.

  Similarly, with versions of the invention, there is not necessarily a requirement that the irrigation and aspiration tubes bend when the barrel is pivoted. In some versions of the invention, separate irrigation and suction tubes may be placed in the body and handpiece. The bellows acts as a flexible connecting component between the tubes forming each tube pair. Further, in some versions of the invention, the tube may be fitted to the handpiece such that the compartment located within the tube's handgrip undergoes some movement as a result of the body's pivoting movement. In some versions of the invention the tube may undergo some combination of flexion and some movement (within the handpiece).

  Similarly, it may be desirable in some versions of the invention to mount a trigger assembly or other switch assembly on the fuselage that controls the operation of the unit. In some versions of the invention, it may be desirable to provide handpiece 52 with more than one trigger or other manually actuated switch. These switches are located at various positions on the handpiece. Each switch controls the open / closed state for one of several parallel conductive paths associated with the control circuit. The benefit of this version of the invention is that when the practitioner wishes to hold the handpiece in an unusual manner, there may be a trigger or switch to activate the unit near where the handpiece is held. Is. This eliminates the need for the practitioner to position his finger in an unusual position both to hold the handpiece as desired and to activate the cleaning unit.

  In some versions of the invention, the tip assembly may be integrated with the handpiece.

  Further, in versions of the invention that include pumps with tandem chambers 568 and 576, the bellows may not always be formed as a single piece unit. The materials for forming the chambers that define the compartments of the bellows may even differ from each other.

Although not further described, the actuator of the irrigator of the present invention may have some means for adjusting the characteristics of the energizing signal provided to the motor 340. This allows the practitioner to control the rate at which the irrigation fluid is expelled, as well as control the on / off state of the irrigator.
It is therefore the purpose of the appended claims to cover all such modifications and variations as come within the true spirit and spirit of the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[Embodiment 1]
A handpiece (52) including a proximally disposed handgrip (92) and a distally disposed torso (94), the handgrip (92) and the torso (94) being relative to the handgrip. A handpiece (52) integrally pivotably connected so that the angular orientation of the body can be selectively set.
An irrigation tube (54) extending from a source of irrigation fluid (53) to the handpiece (52);
A tip assembly (80) extending forward from the body (94) of the handpiece connected to the handpiece (52) to receive irrigation fluid for discharge from the irrigation tube (54);
A lock assembly (320, 330) attached to the handpiece for detachably holding the body (94) in an angle orientation with respect to the handgrip (92), the lock assembly comprising: An adjustment in which the angular orientation of the body (992) can be adjusted with the hand grip (92) as a reference from a locked state in which the angular orientation of the body (94) is fixed. A lock assembly (320, 330) including a button (330) that is pressed to transition to a state;
A cleaning unit (50) including.
[Embodiment 2]
A pump (388) is positioned within the body (94) for pumping irrigation fluid from the irrigation tube (54) and out through the tip assembly (80),
A motor (360) is disposed in the handgrip (92) to operate the pump, and mechanical energy output by the motor (360) in the handpiece is applied to the pump (388). There is at least one gear (368) arranged for transfer, said gear being adapted to rotate the handgrip (94) about an axis about which the body (94) pivots with respect to the handgrip (92). Rotatably attached to the body,
The cleaning unit (50) according to the first embodiment.
[Third Embodiment]
The pump (388) is a pulse pump, or a vane pump or a centrifugal pump,
The cleaning unit (50) according to the second embodiment.
[Embodiment 4]
The cleaning unit (50) according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the motor (360) is an electrically driven motor.
[Fifth Embodiment]
The irrigation tube (54) extends at least partially through the body (94) and remains stationary with respect to the body regardless of the angular orientation of the body with respect to the handgrip (92). The cleaning unit (50) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, which is attached to the handpiece so as to be retained.
[Sixth Embodiment]
A joint extends between the handgrip (92) and the body (94), and the irrigation tube (54) extends adjacent to and around the joint.
The cleaning unit according to claim 5.
[Embodiment 7]
The irrigation unit of embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the irrigation tube (54) extends out through the proximal end of the handgrip (92).
[Embodiment 8]
The cleaning unit (50) of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the tip assembly (80) is removably attached to the handpiece (52).
[Embodiment 9]
A cleaning unit (50) according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein a suction tube (56) extending through the handpiece (52) to a suction source extends.
[Embodiment 10]
The handgrip extends between the handgrip (92) and the body (94), and the inside of the handpiece (52) regardless of the angular orientation of the body with respect to the handgrip. The cleaning unit (50) of any one of embodiments 1-9, including structural features (122, 166, 222, 264) that prevent access to the space between the handgrip and the body.
[Embodiment 11]
The irrigation of any one of embodiments 1-10, further comprising at least one manually actuatable member (534) mounted to the handpiece to regulate the release of irrigation fluid from the handpiece. Unit (50).
[Embodiment 12]
The cleaning unit (50) of embodiment 11, wherein the actuatable member (534) is attached to the handgrip (92).
[Embodiment 13]
The handgrip (92) and the body (94) have features (122, 166, 222, 264) forming a joint (310) with an axis about which the body (94). ) Is pivotable with reference to the handgrip (92),
The lock assembly (320, 330) is attached to the handpiece such that the button (330) is centered about the axis of the joint about which the body (94) pivots. ing,
The cleaning unit (50) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12.
[Embodiment 14]
14. The cleaning unit of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the lock assembly (320, 330) includes a spring (330) that separates from the button and holds the button normally in the locked state. (50).
[Embodiment 15]
A handpiece (52) including a proximally disposed handgrip (92) and a distally disposed torso (94), the handgrip (92) and the torso (94) being relative to the handgrip. A handpiece (52) integrally pivotably connected so that the angular orientation of the body can be selectively set.
An irrigation tube (54) extending from a source of irrigation fluid (53) to the handpiece (52);
A pump (388) disposed within the body, the pump being configured to pump irrigation fluid from the irrigation tube;
A motor arranged in the handgrip,
At least one gear (368) disposed in the handpiece for transferring mechanical energy output by the motor (360) to the pump (388) to operate the pump, At least one gear is rotatably mounted to the handgrip or the body such that the body (94) rotates about an axis about which the body (94) pivots with respect to the handgrip (92). (368),
A tip assembly (80) extending forwardly from the body (94) of the handpiece connected to the pump to receive the irrigation fluid pumped from the pump;
A cleaning unit (50) including.
[Embodiment 16]
The cleaning unit (50) according to embodiment 15, wherein the pump (388) is a pulse pump.
[Embodiment 17]
The cleaning unit (50) according to embodiment 15 or 16, wherein the motor (360) is an electrically driven motor.
[Embodiment 18]
The irrigation tube (54) extends at least partially through the body (94) and remains stationary with respect to the body regardless of the angular orientation of the body with respect to the handgrip (92). 18. A cleaning unit (50) according to any one of embodiments 15 to 17, mounted on the handpiece in such a way that it is retained.
[Embodiment 19]
A cleaning unit according to embodiment 18, wherein a joint extends between the handgrip (92) and the body (94), and the irrigation tube (54) extends adjacent to and around the joint. .
[Embodiment 20]
20. A cleaning unit according to embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the irrigation tube (54) extends out through the proximal end of the handgrip (92).
[Embodiment 21]
21. The embodiment of any of embodiments 15-20, further comprising a lock assembly (320, 330) removably holding the body (94) in an angle orientation with respect to the handgrip (92). Cleaning unit.
[Embodiment 22]
The lock assembly adjusts the angular orientation of the body (992) based on the hand grip (92) from a locked state in which the angular orientation of the body (94) of the handpiece (52) is fixed. 22. A cleaning unit according to embodiment 21, including a button (330) that is pressed to transition to a possible adjustment state.
[Embodiment 23]
23. A cleaning unit according to any of embodiments 15-22, wherein the tip assembly (80) is removably attached to the handpiece (52).
[Embodiment 24]
24. A cleaning unit (50) according to any of embodiments 15-23, wherein a suction tube (56) extending through the handpiece (52) to a suction source extends.
[Embodiment 25]
The handgrip extends between the handgrip (92) and the body (94), and is disposed inside the handpiece (52) regardless of the angular orientation of the body with respect to the handgrip. 25. The cleaning unit (50) of any one of embodiments 15-24, including structural features (122, 166, 222, 264) that prevent access to the space between the handgrip and the body.
[Embodiment 26]
The irrigation of any one of embodiments 1-25, further comprising at least one manually actuatable member (534) mounted on the handpiece to regulate the release of irrigation fluid from the handpiece. Unit (50).
[Embodiment 27]
The cleaning unit (50) of embodiment 26, wherein the actuatable member (534) is mounted on the handgrip (92).

50 Wash Unit 52 Handpiece 53 Irrigation Fluid Source 80 Tip Assembly 92 Handgrip 94 Body 54,540,550 Irrigation Tube 320,330 Lock Assembly 360 Motor 368 Gear 388 Pump 420 Pump Housing 426 Sleeve 534 Operable Member 542,552 Inlet Fitting 560,620 Bellows 566 Proximal pleat compartment 568,630 Supplemental chamber (supply chamber)
574 Distal Pleat Compartment 576,624 Pump Chamber 590 Outlet Fitting

Claims (19)

A handpiece (52),
An irrigation tube (54,550) extending from an irrigation fluid source (53) to the handpiece (52);
A bellows (560, 620) defining a pump chamber (576, 624) and an outlet (590) located within the handpiece (52) to which the irrigation tube (54, 550) is connected. Pump (388), wherein the bellows draws fluid from the irrigation tubes (54,550) into the pump chamber (576,624) when the bellows is reciprocated, and then A pump (388) configured to discharge fluid from the pump chamber (576, 624) through an outlet (590);
Allowing fluid flow from the irrigation tube (54,550) to the pump chamber (576,624), and from the pump chamber (576,624) to the irrigation tube (54,550) An inlet valve (582, 634) for blocking
Outlet valves (584, 638) that allow fluid flow from the pump chambers (576, 624) to the outlet (590) and prevent fluid flow from the outlets to the pump chambers (576, 624). )When,
A motor (340) and linkage (602, 608) disposed within the handpiece (52) for reciprocating the bellows;
A tip assembly (80) extending forwardly from the handpiece (52) for receiving fluid discharged from the outlet (590) for discharge toward the tissue against which the irrigation unit is applied. A tip assembly (80) including
A cleaning unit (50) including:
The pump (388) is a complementary chamber located either between the irrigation tube (54, 550) and the pump chamber (576) or between the pump chamber (624) and the outlet (590). Further comprising a compartment (566, 628) formed from a compressible or flexible material defining (568, 630),
Thereby, when the supplemental chamber (568) is positioned between the irrigation tube (54, 550) and the pump chamber (576), the inlet valve (582) provides a generally straight path. Disposed between the supplemental chamber (568) and the pump chamber (576) arranged to define
And when the supplemental chamber (630) is positioned between the pump chamber (624) and the outlet (590), the outlet valve (638) defines a generally linear path. Being positioned between the pump chamber (624) and the supplemental chamber (630) that are positioned;
The linkage (602, 608) selectively compresses the bellows forming the pump chamber (576, 624) and the compartment forming the complementary chamber (568, 630). And the valve (582, 638) located between the pump chamber (576, 624) and the supplemental chamber (568, 630) reciprocates by the linkage during movement of the linkage. A washing unit (50), characterized in that it is connected to said pump in this way.   The handpiece (52) further includes a proximally-located handgrip (92) and a distally-located body (94), the pump (388) being adapted from the handpiece (52). Located in the body (94), the motor (340) is located in the handgrip (92) of the handpiece (52), and the linkage (602, 608) is in the handpiece (52). ) The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged in the body (94). The tip assembly (80) extends from a distally located body (94), and the body (94) is selectively angularly oriented with respect to the handgrip (92). The cleaning unit (50) according to claim 2 , wherein the cleaning unit (50) is pivotally mounted to the handgrip (92) so that the handgrip (92) can be set. The cleaning unit (50) of claim 2 , wherein the handgrip (92) extending proximally from the body (94) is fixedly attached to the body (94). The handpiece (52), the longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the handpiece (52) is configured to align longitudinally, wash unit of Claim 3 of the body (94) (50). The irrigation tube (54,550), the bellows (560,620), and the outlet (590) are located within the handpiece such that the distal end of the irrigation tube (54,550), the bellows and the outlet (590). The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged so as to be aligned substantially linearly. The pump (388) including the compartments forming the pump chambers (576, 624) and the compartments (566, 628) defining the supplemental chambers (568, 630) is a single piece unit. The cleaning unit (50) according to any one of 1 to 6 . A cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the bellows (560, 620) of the pump (388) are formed from a compliant material or pleats. Wherein the section of said pump to form a complementary chamber (568,630) (388) (566,628) is formed from a flexible material or pleated, in any one of claims 1 8 The cleaning unit (50) as described. The cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the motor (340) is an electrically driven motor. When the supplemental chamber (568) of the pump (388) is positioned between the irrigation tube (54, 550) and the pump chamber (576), the outlet valve (584) causes the pump chamber (584) to move. A cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , disposed between (576) and the outlet (590). When the supplemental chamber (630) is located between the pump chamber (624) and the outlet (590), the inlet valve (634) causes the irrigation tube (54, 550) and the pump chamber. is disposed between the (624), the cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 10 (50). It said tip assembly (80) is removably attached to the handpiece (52), the cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 12 (50). Wherein through the handpiece (52), the suction tube extends to a suction source (56) extends, the cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Further comprising at least one manually actuatable member mounted to the handpiece (52) to modulate the release of irrigation fluid from the handpiece (52) (534), one of claims 1 to 14 A cleaning unit (50) according to item 1. The cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the tip assembly (80) comprises:
An irrigation tube (82) having a proximal end and a distal end spaced from each other, the irrigation tube (82) receiving fluid discharged from the outlet (590), the fluid being the irrigation tube (82). An irrigation tube (82) discharged from the irrigation tube (82) through the distal end of
A connector (81) having a feature attached to the irrigation tube (82) and holding the irrigation tube (82) with respect to the handpiece (52) of the cleaning unit;
A cleaning unit (50) including.   The irrigation unit of claim 16, further comprising a suction tube (84), through which suction can be drawn from the site to which the distal end of the irrigation tube (82) is applied. (50).   18. A washing unit (50) according to claim 17, wherein the irrigation tube (82) is located inside the suction tube (84). 19. A cleaning unit (50) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a splash shield removably attached to cover the irrigation tube (82 ).

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