Patent ID: 6048339
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A surgical instrument comprising:a rigid stem section defining a longitudinal axis of said surgical instrument, said rigid stem section having a central passage for aspirating human tissue through said rigid stem section; anda flexible stem section extending from said rigid stem section, said flexible stem section having a central passage for aspirating human tissue through said flexible stem section;said flexible stem section having a distal end portion defining a suction opening of said surgical instrument, said suction opening communicating with said central passage of said flexible stem section;said flexible stem section comprising a bendable outer tubular member and a bendable inner tubular member compressible within said outer tubular member, said outer tubular member having a neutral axis of bending, said inner tubular member having a neutral axis of bending spaced apart from the neutral axis of bending of said outer tubular member;said flexible stem section being movable between a plurality of orientations relative to said axis in response to relative compressing movement between said inner and outer tubular members;said bendable outer tubular member being made from a resilient material having a plurality of slots defining a series of relatively movable links, each one of said slots having a circumferential extent of less than 360 degrees, the neutral axis of bending of said bendable outer tubular member being located generally at the material of said outer tubular member which is not cut away at said slots;said bendable inner tubular member comprising a coiled spring having a neutral axis of bending located on said longitudinal axis of said surgical instrument;wherein said distal end portion of said flexible stem section includes an annular lip on said outer tubular member that extends radially inward from an inner side surface of said outer tubular member, said lip having an annular, radially extending, axially inner side surface that defines said suction opening.