WO2015059481A1

WO2015059481A1 - Tubing

Info

Publication number: WO2015059481A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/053165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerard Brooke
Original assignee: Gerard Brooke
Priority date: 2013-10-23
Filing date: 2014-10-23
Publication date: 2015-04-30
Also published as: GB201318755D0

Abstract

A Surgical evacuation tubing (1) is disclosed that comprises a fully flexible, thin film tube member (5); and a discrete resilient support frame (10) disposed within the tube. There is also disclosed a surgical evacuation tubing comprising a tube member, where at least part of an internal surface (13) of the tube member comprises a corrugated profile (15); and wherein a discrete resilient support frame is disposed within the tube member.

Description

TUBING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tubing and particularly to surgical evacuation tubing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical evacuation tubing is typically used for the extraction of material during surgery. For example, surgical evacuation tubing may typically be used for the extraction of surgical smoke or airborne contaminants (for example during electrosurgical procedures). Such tubing is typically used for low vacuum extraction.

Existing surgical evacuation tubing is resiliently flexible to enable positioning of the tubing during use but has a degree of rigidity to ensure that the tubing remains open and clear for evacuation. For example, tubing may be formed of semi rigid moulded plastic having a bellows type corrugated wall profile for increased flexibility. An alternative arrangement has for example been suggested in US2013/018486 A1 which discloses a flexible medical tube with a helical ridge formed in the walls of the tube.

The applicant has now recognised that while such existing flexible tubing may allow a sufficient degree of flexibility in bending of the tubing the tubing is generally overly resistant to torsion along its length. This may be particularly disadvantageous when the tubing is attached directly to a surgical device. For example, during use a surgeon may need to carefully position and manoeuvre the tip of a surgical device which may require twisting actions which existing tubing designs will resist.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least some of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides Surgical evacuation tubing comprising: a fully flexible, thin film tube member; and a discrete resilient support frame disposed within the tube.

The inner surface of the thin film tube member may be smooth.

The surgical evacuation tubing may for example be low vacuum tubing. By providing a separate resilient support frame embodiments of the invention enable the thickness of the tubing to be reduced so as to reduce the resistance to movement of the tube in use. In particular, fully flexible tubing may be selected which would is not self-supporting (and could not normally therefore be used for extraction since it would collapse).

The resilient support frame may comprise an elongate hollow support frame and may, for example, abutt the inner surface of the thin film tube member (for example along substantially the whole length of the tube). The resilient support frame may be unattached to the thin tube member. For example, the tube member may be able to slide relative to the support frame to maximise flexibility in use.

The resilient support frame may be helical. A helical support frame is particularly convenient in providing a frame which can extend along the length of the tubing providing support to the full length of the internal diameter of the thin film tube while providing minimal resistance to bending or twisting of the tubing. The resilient support frame may comprise a ribbon helix. Advantageously a ribbon helix allows the helix to conveniently define a central bore with the width of the ribbon portion aligned to support the internal wall of the thin film tubing.

The thin film tube member may comprises TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). The thin film tube member may be gossamer tubing. The tubing may have a thickness of less than about 0.5mm. The tubing may have a thickness of between 0.3 and 0.5mm.

The resilient support frame may comprise polyethylene.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided a surgical evacuation tubing comprising: a tube member, at least part of an internal surface of the tube member comprising a corrugated profile; and a discrete resilient support frame disposed within the tube member.

The surgical evacuation tubing may for example be low vacuum tubing. The combination of the internal corrugations and the separate resilient support frame enable the thickness of the thinner parts of the side walls of the tube member to be reduced, so as to reduce the resistance to movement of the tube in use. The corrugated profile may be defined by a plurality of ridges and the longitudinal direction of the ridges are generally aligned with the axial direction of the tubing. This provides the required rotational capability of the tubing. The corrugated profile may extend along at least part of the length of the internal surface of the tube member.

The corrugated profile may extend circumferentially substantially along the entire internal surface of the tube member.

The corrugated profile may extend axially substantially along the entire internal surface of the tube member.

The corrugated profile may comprises ridges having a triangular profile.

The corrugated profile may comprise troughs having a triangular profile.

The resilient support frame may comprise an elongate hollow support frame which abuts the corrugated region on the inner surface of the tube member. In particular, the support frame abuts the apec of the peak region of the ridges. The hollow elongate support frame may, for example extend along substantially the whole the length of the tube member.

The resilient support frame may be unattached to the tube member. For example, the tube member may be able to slide relative to the support frame to maximise flexibility in use.

The resilient support frame may be helical. A helical support frame is particularly convenient in providing a frame which can extend along the length of the tubing providing support to the full length of the internal diameter of the thin film tube while providing minimal resistance to bending or twisting of the tubing.

The resilient support frame may comprise a ribbon helix. Advantageously a ribbon helix allows the helix to conveniently define a central bore with the width of the ribbon portion aligned to support the internal wall of the thin film tubing. The thin film tube member may comprise TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), for example PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

The resilient support frame may comprise polyethylene.

The tube member may have a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm.

The tube member may have a thickness of between 0.3 and 0.5 mm. The thickness may be measured at the thinnest point in the wall of the tube member. For example it may be the thickness of the wall at the lower most point of a trough of the corrugated region.

According to a further aspect the invention there is provided an electrosurgical device comprising the above-mentioned surgical evacuation tubing. The electrosurgical device may, for example comprise a conduit for the extraction of surgical fumes and/or smoke in use, the surgical evacuation tubing being attached to the conduit.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination set out above, or in the following description or drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be performed in various ways, and an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic three dimensional view of tubing in accordance with a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the tubing of figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a view of the tubing of figure 1 showing the outer tubing and support frame in isolation;

Figure 4 is a three dimensional representation showing the internal arrangement of the tubing of figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a part cutaway perspective view of tubing in accordance with a second embodiment; and

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the tubing of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to figures 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present invention comprises low vacuum tubing 1 for use as evacuation tubing in surgical procedures. The tubing may for example be attached to an electrosurgical device 30 (represented schematically in figure 1 ) which may include an integrated orifice or conduit for the removal of smoke and/or other surgical gasses during use. The electrosurgical device is generally a handheld device and may for example have an elongate or "pen-like" profile such that it may easily be gripped (for example between the forefingers and thumb) by a surgeon in use. The other end of the tubing 1 will typically be attached to a vacuum device. It will be appreciated that in use a surgeon will be required to make dexterous and precise movements of the device 30 and, as such, the tubing 1 must be as flexible as possible without the extraction function being compromised.

As shown in the partial cut-away section of figure 1 (and figures 2 to 4), the tubing 1 comprises an outer thin film tube member 5 within which is disposed a supporting frame 10. The frame 10 is not rigidly attached to the tube member 5 but is positioned within the tube member 5 to provide support and maintain the opening of the tubing. The tube 5 is formed from a very thin walled film, for example gossamer TPE tubing having a thickness of between 0.3 and 0.5mm. The internal wall of the tubing is smooth. The tube 5 is fully flexible and does not, for example, need to be sufficiently stiff to maintain an open profile when a vacuum is passed through the inner bore 2 of the tubing 1 . Rather, the frame 10 provides an internal supporting skeleton for the tube 1 and acts to keep the bore 2 of the tubing 1 open in use. However, the frame 10 is formed from resilient flexible material such that it may readily deform during use to allow bending or twisting of the tube 1 . The frame 10 may, for example be formed from polyethylene.

It will be noted that the frame 10 of the preferred embodiment is in the form of a ribbon helix. In other words the frame 10 may have a tubular elongate profile with a helical cut 12 extending along the length of the frame 10. This arrangement provides a frame 10 which is flexible in respect of both bending and twisting. Further this arrangement may provide a good supporting surface for the tube member 5 and an unobstructed bore 2. In an undeformed state, the external diameter of the frame 10 is approximately equal to (and typically slightly less than) the internal diameter of the tube member 5. In an undeformed state, the internal diameter of the frame 10 is equal to the required bore diameter of the tubing 1 .

It can be appreciated that manufacturing limitations or practicalities may constrain the thickness of the side wall of the tubing that can be manufactured, and this is especially the case with vacuum tube diameters commonly used in surgical applications. When considering tubing conduits with small dimensions, for example having a diameter of approximately 12mm (½ inch) or 6mm (¼ inch), if the side wall of the tubing is too thick, the tube becomes too rigid and the required flexibility is lost. In contrast if the wall of the tubing is too thin, the walls start to buckle thereby occluding fluid flow through the tubing. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a tubing with the required flexibility, whilst maintaining the required throughput through the tubing.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a surgical evacuation tubing 1 a whereby the internal surface 13 of the tube member 14 comprises a corrugated profile 15 comprising a plularity of ridges 16 which define a series of peak 17 and trough 18 regions. The peak 17 and trough 18 regions are provided adjacent to each other such that the corrugated profile 15 extends circumferential ly substantially along the entire internal surface 13 of the tube member 14. The corrugated profile 15 is therefore defined by a plularity of ridges 16 and the longitudinal direction of the ridges 16 are generally aligned with the axial direction of the tubing 14. Therefore, the peak region 17 extends along the length of the tube 14 such that the peak 17 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 14. The trough 18 region similarly extends along the length of the tube 14 such that the trough 18 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The trough 18 and the peak 17 extend continuously along the entire length of the internal wall of the tube 14.

The corrugated profile 15 has the effect of providing thin sections of tubing 14 wall with a thicker section of wall arranged therebetween. The thicker section of tubing 14 wall increases the density of the wall of the tube member 14 making it more durable during the manufacture of the tubing 1 a, this is especially required when the diameter of the conduit 19 passing therethrough approaches the smaller diameters desirable for surgical applications, for example of between ½ inch to ¼ inch in diameter.

A frame 20 is disposed within the tube member 14 having the corrugated profile 15 whereby the frame 20 is not rigidly attached to the tube member 14, but is positioned within the tube member 14 to provide support and help to maintain the opening of the tubing 1 a. The frame 20 provides this support by abutting the corregated profile 15, for example by abutting the apex 17a of the ridges 16 which are located on the inner surface 13 of the tube member 14. The tube member 14 having the internal corrugations 15 is formed of TPE, for example PVC, but other materials having the same characteristics and flexible properties as PVC may be applied.

The tube member 14 is fully flexible at the trough region 18 but has a comparatively stiffer property at the peak region 17. However, the tube 14 does not, for example, need to be sufficiently stiff to maintain an open profile when a vacuum is passed through the inner bore or conduit 19 of the tubing 1 a. Rather, the frame 20 provides an internal supporting skeleton for the tube 14 and acts to keep the bore 19 of the tubing 1 a open in use. The trough region 18 does, however, ensure that there is a pathway through the tube member 14 in the case an open profile is not maintained.

The frame 20 is formed from resilient flexible material such that it may readily deform during use to allow bending or twisting of the tube 14. The frame 20 may, for example be formed from polyethylene. It will be noted that the frame 20 of the second embodiment is also in the form of a ribbon helix. In other words the frame 20 may have a tubular elongate profile with a helical cut 21 extending along the length of the frame 20. This arrangement provides a frame 20 which is flexible in respect of both bending and twisting. Further this arrangement may provide a good supporting surface for the internally corrugated tube member 14 and an unobstructed bore 19.

When considering the cross section of the tubing 1 a as shown in Figure 6, the corrugated profile comprises ridges having a triangular profile. Therefore, the peak 17 is terminated by a pointed apex 17a that provides a triangular form. Similarly, the corrugated profile comprises troughs 18 having a triangular profile. Alternatively, a castellated arrangement may be applied to the peak 17 and trough 18 of the ridge 16. As a further alternative, the trough 18 and peak 17 of the ridge 16 of the corrugated profile 15 may take a rounded appearance.

Referring to Figure 1 , in use the internally corrugated tubing 1 a may be used instead of the tubing for example the internally corrugated tubing 1 a may be attached to an electrosurgical device 30 which may include an integrated orifice or conduit for the removal of smoke and/or other surgical gasses during use. The electrosurgical device is generally a handheld device and may for example have an elongate or "pen-like" profile such that it may easily be gripped (for example between the forefingers and thumb) by a surgeon in use. The other end of the internally corrugated tubing 1 a will typically be attached to a vacuum device. It will be appreciated that in use a surgeon will be required to make dexterous and precise movements of the device 30. Under a negative vacuum, the internal corrugated surface of the tubing ensures that there is no occlusion to the flow.

In fact the tube member 14 provides the sealing effect of the surgical evacuation tubing 1 a and the corrugation profile 15 aids rotation about the length of the tubing 1 a since it provides weak point at the trough regions 18 of the side walls, whilst maintaining the spacing between the opposing walls of the tubing 1 a by the corrugation peaks 17. At the lower most point 18a of the trough 18, the tube member 14 has a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm or alternatively, the tube member 14 has a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

Ultimately, the arrangement may enable the thickness of the tube member 14 to be reduced further at the trough regions 18, whilst maintaining the structure of the side wall due to the thicker part of the walls provided by the peak regions 17 of the corrugated profile 15. Therefore, using this arrangement it is possible to make the tubing 1 a lighter, whilst also maintaining, and in some cases even improving, the rotational/torsional flexibility of the tubing 1 a, which is understandably a significant benefit to the surgeon.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, whilst Figure 5 shows the corrugated profile 15 extending along the entirety of the internal surface of the tube member 14, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the corrugated profile may be applied to only part of the internal surface of the tube member. For example, only a central axial region of the tubing may be corrugated to provide increased thickness (and less flexibility) at the ends which would be connected in use to a surgical device. Alternatively, or additionally, it may be possible to provide some circumferential sections of the tube member 14 with a plain bore and provide other sections with a corrugated profile so as to the particular balance between strength and flexibility required for a particular tubing 1 a size or application.

Claims

1 . Surgical evacuation tubing comprising: a fully flexible, thin film tube member; and a discrete resilient support frame disposed within the tube.

2. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the resilient support frame comprises an elongate hollow support frame which abuts the inner surface of the thin film tube member.

3. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimd in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner surface of the thin film tube member is smooth.

4. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient support frame is unattached to the thin tube member.

5. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resilient support frame is helical.

6. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient support frame comprises a ribbon helix.

7. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thin film tube member comprises TPE gossamer tubing.

8. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient support frame comprises polyethylene.

9. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thin tube member has a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm.

10. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the thin tube member has a thickness of between 0.3 and 0.5 mm.

1 1 . Surgical evacuation tubing comprising: a tube member, at least part of an internal surface of the tube member comprising a corrugated profile; and a discrete resilient support frame disposed within the tube member.

12. Surgical evactuation tubing as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the corrugated profile is defined by a plularity of ridges and the longitudinal direction of the ridges are generally aligned with the axial direction of the tubing.

13. Surgical evacuation tubing according to claim 1 1 or claim 12, wherein the corrugated profile extends along at least part of the length of the internal surface of the tube member.

14. Surgical evacuation tubing according to any of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein the corrugated profile extends circumferentially substantially along the entire internal surface of the tube member.

15. Surgical evacuation tubing according to any of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein the corrugated profile extends axially substantially along the entire internal surface of the tube member.

16. Surgical evacuation tubing according to any of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the corrugated profile comprises ridges having a triangular profile.

17. Surgical evacuation tubing according to any of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein the corrugated profile comprises troughs having a triangular profile.

18. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 claim 17,

wherein the resilient support frame comprises an elongate hollow support frame which abuts the corrugated profile on the inner surface of the tube member.

19. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 18, wherein the resilient support frame is unattached to the tube member.

20. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 19, wherein the resilient support frame is helical.

21 . Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in claim 20, wherein the resilient support frame comprises a ribbon helix.

22. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 21 , wherein the thin film tube member comprises TPE, for example PVC.

23. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 22, wherein the resilient support frame comprises polyethylene.

24. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 23, wherein, the tube member has a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm.

25. Surgical evacuation tubing as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 24, wherein, the tube member has a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

26. An electrosurgical device comprising surgical evacuation tubing as

claimed in any preceding claim.

27. Surgical evacuation tubing substantially as herein described.

28. An electrosurgical device comprising surgical evacuation tubing substantially as herein described.