Patent ID: 7794421
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. In a sleeve and surgical aspirator tip assembly, a junction defined between the sleeve and surgical aspirator tip assembly that allows airflow between the external environment and an interior of the sleeve; wherein the surgical aspirator tip assembly comprises a hollow neck section that has at least one opening in its distal end through which fluids and materials enter the aspirator tip assembly; and the junction comprises: (a) an elongate male coupling member extending from a proximal end of the hollow neck section and defining an internal channel in communication with an interior of the hollow neck section allowing gases, fluid, or materials to flow between the interior of the hollow neck section and the internal channel of the male coupling member, and wherein the male coupling member has a thickness extending between an exterior surface of the male coupling member and the internal channel of the male coupling member, wherein the male coupling member comprises at least one elongate groove extending longitudinally along an exterior portion of the male coupling member, the at least one elongate groove being of a depth less than the thickness of the male coupling member; (b) an elongated grip member extending from a proximal end of the male coupling member, the elongated grip member comprising at least one longitudinal groove extending along an exterior portion of the elongated grip member, wherein said at least one elongate groove of the male coupling member is in fluid flow communication with the at least one longitudinal groove of the elongated grip member; (c) a female coupling member formed in a proximal end of the sleeve; (d) wherein the male coupling member is received into the female coupling member to form a friction fit connection therebetween and secure the sleeve to the surgical aspirator tip assembly; and (e) at least one venting channel in communication with the interior of the sleeve and the external environment, said venting channel: