Patent ID: 8657840
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument comprising: a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end, a window disposed at a side of the tubular body near the distal end; and a suction conduit attached to and slidably disposed over the tubular body before the surgical instrument is inserted into a patient, the suction conduit being slidably movable along the tubular body between a retracted position, at which the suction conduit does not cover the window of the tubular body, and an extended position at which the suction conduit covers the window of the tubular body and a distal end of the suction conduit is located distally beyond the window of the tubular body, the suction conduit including a suction inlet at the distal end of the suction conduit, the distal end of the suction conduit is open to form the suction inlet, and the distal end of the suction conduit is located proximal of the window of the tubular body when the suction conduit is in the retracted position, wherein the tubular body is configured such that when the suction conduit is in the extended position, a first gap exists between an inner surface of the suction conduit and a distal-most edge of the window and a second gap, smaller than the first gap, exists between the inner surface of the suction conduit and an outermost surface of the tubular body on a side of the tubular body opposite from the window, such that fluid flows through the suction inlet, the first gap and the window when a vacuum is applied through an internal bore of the tubular body.