Patent ID: 6193672
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A lavage for suction and removal of body tissues in a patient, the lavage comprising:a shield formed to include an opening,a cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable in a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior, the cannula being positioned to lie in the opening formed in the shield,an instrument coupled to the cannula,a shield actuator adapted to be engaged by a user, the shield actuator being coupled to the shield to move the shield relative to the cannula between a first position wherein the shield covers the instrument and a second position wherein the shield is spaced apart from the instrument,a valve connected to the cannula for independent actuation to control irrigation and vacuum within the cannula, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the shield, the cannula and valve being integrated into a rigid structure to be held in a user's hand such that movement of the rigidly coupled cannula and valve by the user's hand allows the distal end of the cannula to be accurately positioned at a specific location in the patient's body, and the valve and shield actuator beings operable by the hand of the user that moves the rigidly coupled valve and cannula to accurately position the distal end of the cannula in the patient's body.