Suction and irrigation apparatus with anti-clogging capability

Abstract

A handheld tool for providing irrigation and/or suction is provided. In certain embodiments, the tool has a single cannula for providing both suction and irrigation, while in others there are separate suction and irrigation cannulas. In some embodiments, flush water is supplied by actuating a flush button which both pinches closed a suction hose and opens a flush hose. If present, the irrigation cannula may be opened by actuating an irrigation button. In certain embodiments, the irrigation and/or flush button may be provided with blade tips to pinch closed the irrigation or flush hoses in cooperation with a blade extending from the tool housing.

1 . A handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures comprising:
 a housing, for substantially enclosing at least one valve assembly, said at least one valve assembly including a suction terminal for fluid connection to a source of suction, said at least one valve assembly including an irrigation terminal for fluid connection to a source of pressurized irrigation fluid, said at least one valve assembly including an outlet terminal for connection to a cannula, said cannula extending outwardly from said housing, said valve assembly including a flush button, said flush button constructed and arranged to selectively shut off flow of said suction through said cannula and allow flow of said pressurized irrigation fluid through said cannula upon movement of said flush button in a first direction, whereby movement in a second direction restores flow of said suction through said cannula and stops flow of said pressurized irrigation fluid through said cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 1  wherein said suction terminal of said at least one valve assembly includes an open port in fluid communication with an outside atmosphere and extending to a position outside of said housing, flow of said atmosphere through said open port into said suction terminal regulated by covering portions or all of said open port. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said open port is regulated by a finger digit of an operator, whereby volume and vacuum intensity is regulated. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said open port is regulated by a cover moveable by an operator, whereby volume and vacuum intensity is regulated. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 1  wherein progressive movement of said flush button in a first direction causes progressive restriction of said suction while simultaneously providing progressive flow of said pressurized irrigation fluid, and movement of said flush button in a second direction causes progressive flow of said suction while simultaneously providing restrictive flow of said pressurized irrigation fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 5  wherein said suction terminal and said irrigation terminal are constructed from a resilient and flexible material whereby said flush button is constructed and arranged to pinch said suction terminal while simultaneously releasing a pinched area of said irrigation terminal during movement of said flush button in a first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 6  wherein said suction terminal and said irrigation terminal are constructed from a resilient and flexible material whereby said flush button is constructed and arranged to pinch said irrigation terminal while simultaneously releasing a pinched area of said suction terminal during movement of said flush button in a second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 1  wherein said at least one valve assembly includes a suction manifold and an irrigation fluid manifold, said manifolds fluidly connected for simultaneous operation through movement of said flush button. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said open port in fluid communication with an outside atmosphere includes a check valve, said check valve positioned and oriented to allow air from the atmosphere to flow into said suction terminal while preventing liquid from exiting through said open port. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said irrigation fluid is directed into a suction channel extending through said cannula and said suction terminal at least partially in the direction of the traveling suction 
     
     
         11 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  including an irrigation cannula, fluidly connected to said irrigation terminal, an irrigation valve connected between said irrigation terminal and said irrigation cannula, said irrigation valve operable to allow said pressurized fluid to flow through said irrigation cannula. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 11  including an irrigation button, said irrigation button operably connected to said irrigation valve for operation thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 12  wherein said cannula and said irrigation cannula are arranged in a side by side arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 13  wherein said cannula and said irrigation cannula are formed as one piece but divided to have separate lumens. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 13  wherein said cannula and said irrigation cannula are coaxial with respect to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 13  wherein said outer cannula is said irrigation cannula. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said housing is formed from multiple pieces, secured together to function as a single piece. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 2  wherein said housing is formed from a top half and a bottom half, secured together to function as a single piece. 
     
     
         19 . A handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures comprising:
 a housing, for substantially enclosing a valve assembly, said valve assembly fluidly connected to a source of vacuum at a first terminal and a source of pressurized liquid at a second terminal, said valve assembly including an outlet terminal in fluid communication with a cannula, said valve assembly having a first position whereby vacuum is allowed to flow through said valve assembly and said cannula, said valve assembly having a second position whereby said vacuum is stopped and said pressurized liquid is allowed to flow into said cannula for flushing said cannula.   
     
     
         20 . The handheld tool for providing irrigation and suction for surgical procedures of  claim 1  wherein said first terminal of said valve assembly includes an open port in fluid communication with an outside atmosphere and extending to a position outside of said housing, whereby flow of said atmosphere through said open port into said suction terminal regulated by covering portions or all of said open port.