RU2800899C2 - Device for arthroscopic shaver cleaning and method for arthroscopic shaver cleaning - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to medical equipment, namely to a method for cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/cutter. A method for cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr, in which the blade/burr remains sterile in a sterile surgical field during an arthroscopic operation, consists of the following steps: introducing an arthroscopic shaver cleaning device into a sterile surgical field of an arthroscopic operation, including a sleeve part and a fluid connection part environment; location in the sterile surgical field of the operation of the proximal part of the blade/cutter inside the sleeve part of the device for cleaning the arthroscopic shaver; supplying to the sterile surgical field of operation a fluid medium from a source of fluid medium through the fluid connection part to the proximal part; wherein the fluid flows from the proximal portion of the blade/cutter to the distal portion of the blade/cutter to clear blockages within the blade/cutter; distal end fluid exit is also monitored for contaminants, providing visual feedback that the obstruction has been cleared. In the second variant, a method for cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr, in which the blade/burr remains sterile in a sterile surgical field during an arthroscopic operation, consists of the following steps: introducing an arthroscopic shaver cleaning device into a sterile surgical field of an arthroscopic operation, including for fluid connection; location in the sterile surgical field of the operation of the proximal part of the blade/cutter inside the sleeve part of the device for cleaning the arthroscopic shaver; supplying to the sterile surgical field of operation a fluid medium from a source of fluid medium through the fluid connection part to the proximal part; wherein fluid flows from the proximal portion of the blade/cutter to the distal portion of the blade/cutter to clear blockages within the blade/cutter.

EFFECT: use of the inventions allows the surgeon to remove the instrument from the operation site, remove the blockage in the tip or lumen outside the operation site on a sterile field, in order to prevent the re-introduction of products that require removal, which the surgeon is trying to clean, where they may remain, block the view or re-clog the instrument.

13 cl, 5 dwg

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This international application claims priority under Ordinary US Patent Application No. 15/844,265, filed December 15, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] This patent application relates to arthroscopic razors, and in particular to arthroscopic razor cleaning devices and methods for cleaning arthroscopic razors.

KNOWN EMBODIMENTS

[0003] Arthroscopic razors are used to scrape and/or cut tissue or bone with a blade or burr (hereinafter individually and/or collectively referred to as "blade/burr") as part of arthroscopic surgery. The blade/burr is attached to the handle of an arthroscopic razor, which provides mechanical movement of the blade/burr and suction for subsequent removal of tissue and bone and removal of mobile bone fragments and dead tissue. This suction forces the removed tissue/bone toward the lumen (usually 2-4 mm in diameter) while the blade/burr continues to move. Occasionally, tissue, bone, and/or other dead tissue can become lodged in the lumen of the blade/burr. If this happens, the surgical assistant can remove the blade/burr from the handle of the arthroscopic razor, disassemble the blade/burr, and try to clear the blockage in the lumen. This can be done using any sharp instrument (such as a lumbar puncture needle) to scrape or remove the blockage, or by striking a hard surface within the surgical sterile field with the blade/burr to dislodge and remove the blockage. Disadvantages of such cleaning methods include: a significant investment in surgical team time, the need to disassemble blade/burr components, hazards, and the potential for damage to the arthroscopic razor. In addition, the blade/burr must be reassembled, reattached to the arthroscopic razor handle, and ensured that the clog has been cleared, resulting in significant additional time. If the blockage has not been removed, the procedure must be repeated.

[0004] Thus, there is a need in the art for an arthroscopic razor cleaning device and a method for cleaning an arthroscopic razor that reduces surgical team time, eliminates the need to dismantle the blade/burr, and provides a clearer indication that a clog has been cleared. In addition, there is a need in the art for an arthroscopy razor cleaning device and a method for cleaning an arthroscopic razor that provides a sterile and safe way to clear a blockage without risking damage to the arthroscopic razor.

SUMMARY OF KNOWN EMBODIMENTS

[0005] In one embodiment, a device for cleaning an arthroscopic razor blade/cutter is described, the cleaning device comprising: a sleeve portion configured to mate with a proximal portion of the blade/cutter; a fluid connection part operatively associated with the sleeve part and having a fluid passage through it and configured to direct the fluid supplied to the fluid connection part towards the proximal part of the blade/cutter.

[0001] In another embodiment, a method for cleaning an arthroscopic razor blade/cutter is described, which includes: providing an arthroscopic razor cleaning device comprising a sleeve portion and a fluid connection portion; positioning the proximal portion of the blade/cutter within the sleeve portion of the arthroscopic razor cleaner; and supplying fluid from the fluid source through the fluid connection portion to the proximal portion.

[0002] Other embodiments are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS

[0003] Embodiments and other features, advantages, and descriptions contained herein, including how to achieve them, will become apparent, and this invention will become more understandable in the course of consideration of the following various examples of embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where :

[0004] FIG. 1 is a side view of an arthroscopic razor and an arthroscopic razor cleaning device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0005] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an arthroscopic razor cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view of an arthroscopic razor cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 4 is a side view of an arthroscopic razor cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 5 is a method for cleaning an arthroscopic razor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In order to facilitate an understanding of the principles of the present invention, the following is a detailed description of the invention with examples of embodiments illustrated by the accompanying figures, and specific language will be used to describe them. However, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a cleaning device for an arthroscopic razor 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 10 in FIG. 1 includes a sleeve portion 12 configured to mate with a proximal arthroscopic razor blade/burr attachment portion 14. The proximal portion 14 of the blade/burr is the end connected to the handle of the arthroscopic razor, which is grasped by the surgeon, while the opposite distal end (not shown) of the blade/burr provides shaving functionality. The device 10 further includes a fluid connection portion 16 having a fluid passageway 18 extending through it and configured to direct fluid 20 toward the proximal portion 14. Although the fluid connection portion 16 is conical in the depicted embodiment, the shape of the fluid connection portion 16 is not critical, provided that the fluid connections 16 are configured to allow fluid to pass through. The sleeve portion 12 is shown mounted above the end 22 of the proximal portion 14 of the blade/cutter.

[0011] In the depicted embodiment, the fluid passage 18 is configured to direct fluid 20 toward the end 22 of the proximal portion 14 of the blade/cutter. Fluid 20 may be used in the form of water, saline, or any liquid intended for flushing or cleaning a surgical instrument as described herein, including a liquid and/or gaseous substance. The apparatus 10 of the embodiment includes a fluid source 28 coupled to fluid passage 18. In an embodiment, fluid source 28 is configured to pressurize fluid 20 and/or supply pressurized fluid 20 through fluid passage 18 to the proximal part 14 of the blade/cutter. In an embodiment, the pressurized fluid source 28 is a syringe. In another embodiment, the pressurized fluid source is a container containing some pressurized fluid. In one or more additional embodiments, pressurized fluid source 28 is any other vessel of fluid 20 that can be advanced through fluid conduit 18. In an embodiment not shown, fluid 20 can be supplied through an unpressurized fluid source, for example, a fluid capable of dissolving dead tissue in the proximal portion 14 without pressure may be supplied under gravity, for the purpose of giving one non-limiting example.

[0012] In an embodiment, fluid source 28 is configured to pressurize fluid 20 and/or deliver pressurized fluid 20 through fluid passage 18 to proximal portion 14 and into blade/burr lumen 26 starting at proximal end 22 and ending at the distal end of the blade/cutter. In such embodiments, fluid 20 flushes, dissolves, expels, or otherwise removes dead tissue and/or other objects from lumen 26 and displaces them from the distal end of lumen 26. The free exit of fluid 20 from the distal end of lumen 26 clearly indicates that that the obstacle has been removed.

[0013] Referring now to a sectional view of the embodiment of device 10 shown in FIG. 2 with reference to FIG. 1, where the sleeve portion 12 of the device 10 includes a locking element 24 configured to lock the proximal portion 14 of the blade/cutter to the device 10 during use. The device 10 according to one or more embodiments further includes a sealing portion 30 located between the blocking member 24 and the fluid connection portion 16. The sealing portion 30, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1 is configured to connect to a seal 33 located on the blade/burr so that fluid 20 passes through lumen 26 and then exits device 10. If fluid cannot pass through dead tissue lodged in lumen 26, seal 33 causes an increase in pressure within the fluid supplied to the device 10, and such pressure helps to expel dead tissue from the lumen 26 of the blade/cutter.

[0014] In the depicted embodiments, the fluid connection portion 16 includes a connector 32 configured to connect the fluid connection portion 16 to a pressurized fluid source 28. As best shown in an enlarged side view of the embodiment of device 10 in FIG. 3, connector 32 may include one or more radial supports 34 for connecting part of the fluid connection 16 to a source of pressurized fluid 28. In the embodiment in FIG. 3, connector 32 is a Luer-Lock connector, but one or more additional types of connectors may be used with or without supports 34.

[0015] According to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, connector 32 includes one or more screw threads (male threads as shown or female threads (not shown)) 36 for connecting part of the fluid connection 16 to a pressurized fluid source 28. In some embodiments, connector 32 may also include a tapered surface or other surface or structure that allows or facilitates connection of a portion of fluid connection 16 to a pressurized fluid source 28.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a method 100 for cleaning the blade/cutter gap 26. The method 100 includes creating, at step 110, a device 10 for cleaning an arthroscopic razor, consisting of a sleeve portion 12 and a fluid connection portion 16. arthroscopic razor. Method 100 includes supplying, at step 114, fluid 20 from fluid source 28 through fluid connection portion 16 toward end 22 of the blade/cutter. The fluid can be used to remove dead tissue in the lumen 26 so that the surgeon can use the blade/burrs later.

[0017] In certain embodiments, method 100 further includes sealing arthroscopic razor cleaner 10 against seal 33 in seal portion 30. Method 100 may further include pressurizing fluid 20 from fluid source 28 so that fluid the medium 20 could reach the proximal part 14 under pressure. Method 100 may further include exposing end 22 of proximal portion 14 to fluid 20. Method 100 may further include directing fluid 20 through end 22 of lumen 26. Method 100 may further include connecting sleeve portion 12 to fluid source 28 with a connector 32 of the fluid connection part 16.

[0018] It should be clear that the embodiments of device 10 and method 100 described herein provide for the removal of blockages in tissue, bone, and other dead tissue during arthroscopic surgery. The apparatus 10 and method 100 can reduce downtime by, for example, rapidly bringing pressurized fluid 20 to or against end 22 of lumen 26 and eliminating the need to disassemble the blade/cutter. In a non-limiting example, a device 10 including a pressurized fluid syringe 20 is conveniently stored, retrieved, and placed within a surgical sterile field in the event of blockages during use of an arthroscopic razor. In addition, embodiments of device 10 and method 100 described herein allow a sterile operating room environment to be maintained while fluid 20 safely flushes lumen 26 and removes blockage without risk of blade/burr damage.

[0019] Although the invention has been depicted and described in detail in the figures and in the above description, it should be considered as a non-limiting example. It should be understood, however, that only particular embodiments have been described, and that it is desirable to protect all changes and modifications related to the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A method for cleaning an arthroscopic razor blade/burr, during which the blade/burr remains sterile in a sterile surgical field during arthroscopic surgery, consisting of the following steps: introducing an arthroscopic razor cleaning device into a sterile surgical field of an arthroscopic operation, including a sleeve portion and a fluid connection portion; location in the sterile surgical field of the operation of the proximal part of the blade/cutter inside the sleeve part of the device for cleaning the arthroscopic razor; supplying to the sterile surgical field of operation a fluid medium from a source of fluid medium through the fluid connection part to the proximal part; wherein the fluid flows from the proximal portion of the blade/cutter to the distal portion of the blade/cutter to clear blockages within the blade/cutter; distal end fluid exit is also monitored for contaminants, providing visual feedback that the obstruction has been cleared. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the arthroscopic razor cleaner to the proximal portion of the blade/burr to the sleeve portion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of supplying a fluid comprises supplying a pressurized fluid. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing fluid to the proximal portion. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the fluid through a lumen formed in the proximal portion of the blade/cutter. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the sleeve portion to a fluid source with a fluid portion connector. 7. Method for cleaning the blade/burr of an arthroscopic razor, during which the blade/burr remains sterile in a sterile surgical field during arthroscopic surgery, consisting of the following steps: introducing an arthroscopic razor cleaning device into a sterile surgical field of an arthroscopic operation, including a sleeve portion and a fluid connection portion; location in the sterile surgical field of the operation of the proximal part of the blade/cutter inside the sleeve part of the device for cleaning the arthroscopic razor; supplying to the sterile surgical field of operation a fluid medium from a source of fluid medium through the fluid connection part to the proximal part; wherein fluid flows from the proximal portion of the blade/cutter to the distal portion of the blade/cutter to clear blockages within the blade/cutter. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising attaching the arthroscopic razor cleaner to the proximal portion of the blade/burr to the sleeve portion. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of supplying the fluid comprises supplying a pressurized fluid. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising introducing fluid to the proximal portion. 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing the fluid through a lumen formed in the proximal portion of the blade/cutter. 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising connecting the sleeve portion to a fluid source with a fluid portion connector. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring the exit of the fluid from the distal end for contaminants, which provides visual feedback that the obstruction has been cleared.

Images