Wedge coupling

Abstract

A wedge coupling for coupling a tubing to a housing is disclosed. The wedge coupling includes a base having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a portion of the tubing therethrough and a plurality of prongs disposed on the base and around an inner periphery of the opening. The plurality of prongs are configured to slidably engage the housing and to deflect inwardly to secure the tubing to a nozzle adapter disposed within the housing.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handle assembly;   a probe extending distally from the handle assembly, the probe configured to be energized for treating tissue;   a first coupling assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly, including:
 a first housing including a first funnel-shaped inner surface, a first nozzle adapter connected to the first funnel-shaped inner surface, an a first housing base from which the first nozzle adapter extends, the first nozzle adapter configured to permit passage of cooling fluid therethrough for cooling the probe, the first housing base including at least one first trough defined therein; 
 a first tube configured to slide into the first funnel-shaped inner surface and over the first nozzle adapter; and 
 a first wedge coupling including a first base and a first plurality of prongs, the first base having a first opening defined therein configured to receive a portion of the first tube therethrough, the first plurality of prongs disposed on the first base around an inner periphery of the first opening, the first plurality of prongs configured to slidably engage the first housing and to deflect inwardly to secure the first tube to the first nozzle adapter, 
 wherein the at least one first trough is configured to accommodate spreading of the first tube when the first tube is coupled to the first housing. 
   
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , further including:
 a second coupling assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly, including:
 a second housing including a second funnel-shaped inner surface, a second nozzle adapter connected to the second funnel-shaped inner surface, an a second housing base from which the second nozzle adapter extends, the second nozzle adapter configured to permit passage of cooling fluid therethrough for cooling the probe, the second housing base including at least one second trough defined therein; 
 a second tube configured to slide into the second funnel-shaped inner surface and over the second nozzle adapter; and 
 a second wedge coupling including a second base and a second plurality of prongs, the second base having a second opening defined therein configured to receive a portion of the second tube therethrough, the second plurality of prongs disposed on the second base around an inner periphery of the second opening, the second plurality of prongs configured to slidably engage the second housing and to deflect inwardly to secure the second tube to the second nozzle adapter, 
 wherein the at least one second trough is configured to accommodate spreading of the second tube when the second tube is coupled to the second housing. 
   
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the first tube is an inflow tube, the first nozzle adapter is an inflow nozzle adapter, and wherein the first coupling assembly is configured to permit the inflow of cooling fluid, and   wherein the second tube is an outflow tube, the second nozzle adapter is an outflow nozzle adapter, and wherein the second coupling assembly is configured to permit the outflow of cooling fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein the first housing defines a first axis and the second housing defines a second axis disposed in side-by-side relation and parallel orientation relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 17 , wherein the first housing and the second housing share a common housing portion disposed between the respective axes thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 18 , wherein the first wedge and the second wedge are each configured to contact the common housing portion upon insertion of the respective first and second wedges into the respective first and second housings. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the probe is configured to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the probe is configured to apply microwave energy to tissue to treat tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the probe includes a radiating portion and a jacket disposed about the radiation portion, and wherein cooling fluid is configured for circulation through the jacket for cooling the probe. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the first housing base includes a first plurality of concentrically-spaced troughs defined therein. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the first funnel-shaped inner surface includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a transitional portion having sloping walls at a first predetermined angle. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 24 , wherein each prong of the plurality of first prongs includes a tapered portion at a distal end thereof, the tapered portion having a tooth-shaped feature configured to engage the first tubing. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 25 , wherein the tapered portion is tapered at a second predetermined angle that is larger than the first predetermined angle thereby providing for deflection of each prong of the first plurality of prongs upon insertion into the first housing. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , further including a plurality of first box clips coupled to respective ones of each of the first plurality of prongs, wherein each box clip of the plurality of first box clips is configured to deflect upon insertion into the first housing and to interface with a corresponding window defined within the first housing. 
     
     
         28 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handle assembly;   a probe extending distally from the handle assembly, the probe configured to be energized for treating tissue;   an inflow tube configured to supply cooling fluid to the probe;   an outflow tube configured to remove cooling fluid from the probe;   an inflow coupling assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and configured to operably couple the inflow tube with the handle assembly, the inflow coupling assembly including:
 an inflow housing; 
 an inflow base having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a portion of the inflow tube therethrough; and 
 a plurality of prongs disposed on the inflow base and around an inner periphery of the opening, the plurality of prongs configured to slidably engage an inner surface of the inflow housing and deflect inwardly to secure the inflow tube to the inflow housing; and 
   an outflow coupling assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and configured to operably couple the outflow tube with the handle assembly, the outflow coupling assembly including:
 an outflow housing; 
 an outflow base having an opening defined therein and configured to receive a portion of the outflow tube therethrough; and 
 a plurality of prongs disposed on the outflow base and around an inner periphery of the opening, the plurality of prongs configured to slidably engage an inner surface of the outflow housing and deflect inwardly to secure the outflow tube to the outflow housing. 
   
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 28 , wherein the inflow housing defines an inflow axis and the outflow housing defines an outflow axis disposed in side-by-side relation and parallel orientation relative to the inflow axis. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the inflow housing and the outflow housing share a common housing portion disposed between the respective axes thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the inflow and outflow bases are each configured to contact the common housing portion upon insertion of the respective inflow and outflow bases into the respective inflow and outflow housings.