Patent ID: 6176847
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A surgical irrigation system comprising:a manually moveable handpiece having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, said handpiece being adapted for use by a surgeon adjacent a fluid source located at a position spaced apart from and at a level that is higher than said handpiece;a flexible conduit extending from said fluid source to said handpiece to allow for feed of fluid to said handpiece;a flow sensor device supported adjacent said fluid source, said flow sensor device having an inlet port, an outlet port, fluid flow chamber, switch means sensitive to fluid flow capable of activating and deactivating a fluid accelerator in communication with the fluid source which causes increased fluid flow through said handpiece and to said surgical site; andhandpiece control means carried by said handpiece to open and close flow of said fluid from said handpiece, whereby initiation of gravity flow by said handpiece hydraulically activates said switch means associated with the fluid chamber causing said switch means to activate said accelerator to increase the fluid flow rate through said handpiece.