Abstract:
A pistol grip suction device comprises a hollow body member having first leg joining second leg at elbow, the legs being generally tubular and disposed approximately 90 degrees apart; a push rod extending through push rod aperture at elbow, the push rod extending into hollow second leg, the push rod having a button on proximal end outside the body, and valve on distal end inside the body; a valve seat disposed within second leg around push rod; valve mounted on the push rod through the valve seat, the suction port having a diameter at least two times the diameter of push rod through suction port; a spring biasing push rod into extended position with respect to second leg such that valve bears against valve seat and closes suction port, wherein a force against button greater than biasing force of spring displaces valve from valve seat and opens suction port.

Description:
RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty. 
    
    
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120, this application claims the benefit of and priority to prior filed co-pending non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/672,271, filed Mar. 30, 2015, entitled “Pistol Grip Suction Flow Valve”, and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to surgical devices, and more particularly, to a pistol grip suction device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During surgery, it is often necessary to suction out accumulated fluids, such as pooled blood. A suction wand is used for such fluid removal wherein the tip of the wand is placed at the spot of the pooled fluid and the surgeon or nurse uses an appropriate control mechanism to open and close a valve associated with the suction wand. The wand is connected to a vacuum source so that when the valve is open, suction is induced through the wand and the fluid is suctioned out of the area of interest. Once the fluid is removed, the valve is closed, inhibiting further suction through the wand. Often the wand is dual-equipped so that the wand is also fluid-flow connected to an irrigation fluid, allowing irrigation of the surgery site as needed. 
     Such suction control mechanisms are of great assistance during surgery as removal of the fluid with or without prior irrigation is required in order to allow the surgeon to see the surgery site. However, the problem with current suction systems is that the systems are large, bulky, complex, and have an awkward inline grip so that using the device is tricky and not very comfortable for the surgeon or the surgical nurse. Additionally, some current suction systems are non-disposable so that such systems carry the attendant costs of having to be autoclaved between surgeries. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of existing suction and irrigation devices. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention a suction device includes a hollow body member having a first leg joining a second leg at an elbow, the first leg and the second leg being generally tubular and disposed at approximately 90 degrees from each other; a push rod extending through a push rod aperture at the elbow, the push rod extending into the hollow second leg of the body, the push rod having a button on a proximal end outside the body, and a valve on a distal end inside the body; a valve seat disposed within the second leg around the push rod, the valve seat oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second leg, the valve seat having a circular suction port extending therethrough; a valve mounted on the push rod, the valve having a diameter larger than a suction port through the valve seat, the suction port having a diameter at least two times the diameter of the push rod that extends through the suction port; a spring biasing the push rod into an extended position with respect to the second leg such that the valve bears against the valve seat and thereby closes the suction port, wherein a force against the button which is greater than the biasing force of the spring displaces the valve from the valve seat and opens the suction port. 
     Such a device provides several advantages. First, the 90-degree arrangement of the first and second legs forms a pistol grip-type human interface, which is very easy and natural to hold, aim, and control. In addition, the button on the end of the push rod for actuating the valve is within easy reach of the user&#39;s thumb, which is also very easy and natural to control. Further, the diameter of the push rod being so much smaller than the diameter of the suction port of the valve seat permits the valve and pushrod to move laterally, e.g. to the side of the suction port and second leg, to minimize the interference of the size of the push rod within the suction port, so that blood clots or other pieces which are suctioned, e.g. from the surgical site, may pass through the suction port more freely without restricting the suction port. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the suction device further comprises an irrigation port through the wall of the second leg on the same side of the valve seat as the valve. This arrangement provides an advantage in that, when the valve is closed, the irrigation port is not under the influence of the suction source, and an irrigation fluid, e.g. saline solution, may be delivered from the irrigation port, e.g. Luer Lock or Luer taper, to the surgical site via the suction wand without interference to allow for the introduction into or evacuation of the intraabdominal cavity without suction acting on it. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the face of the valve includes a generally complementary profile to that of the valve seat. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it may permit the valve to seal the suction port more effectively, and it may encourage the valve to center itself on the valve seat for a more-complete seal. For example, a flat-faced valve may be paired with a flat valve seat; a tapered-faced valve may be paired with a correspondingly-angled valve seat; or a rounded valve may be paired with a correspondingly rounded valve seat. In another example, because the suction port is circular, the device may function properly with valves having a variety of configurations, e.g. flat, tapered, rounded, or other configurations which are symmetric or have a uniform diameter around the push rod. 
     According to other embodiments, the valve seat and valve may have a variety of different configurations to promote sealing of the valve, e.g. the valve seat may have a planar face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second leg that bears the face of the valve under the influence of the biasing spring; the valve seat may have an inwardly-tapered face that draws the valve into a centered position on the suction port under the influence of the biasing spring; the circumference of the valve may include a rounded edge that generally complements a rounded groove around the suction port of the valve seat; and/or the valve may be a ball or hemisphere that bears against a valve seat having a planar, tapered, or rounded configuration to seal the suction port. Each of these configurations is advantageous in that they may promote effective and complete sealing of the suction port, may promote the centering of the valve within the suction port of the valve seat, and may promote fluid flow through the second leg and suction port. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the push rod is movable within the suction port to contact the edges of the suction port. This arrangement is advantageous in that it may increase the increase the effective area of the suction port when the push rod is in contact with one edge of the suction port, which may allow larger pieces to be drawn through the suction port, and such an arrangement may increase the diameter of the suction port to reduce resistance and allow larger particulate matter to be drawn through the suction port. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the suction device may further comprise a suction wand which may be removably attached to the second leg opposite the push rod aperture. Various types and sizes of wands may be attached, depending on the particular needs of the surgery. 
     There are numerous addition advantages to the invention. The claimed arrangement creates a parallel flow along the central axis of the device, i.e. inside the second leg and along/around the push rod, which enables the pistol-grip configuration, making for much more intuitive and ergonomic use. The valve on the end of the push rod may lie on the valve seat in the middle of the second leg of the device. This valve may allow for continued pressurization at one side of the valve, e.g. for irrigation, and suction on the other side of the valve when the valve is in a closed position. The suction port may be larger than the norm in order to allow for movement of the push rod to the top, bottom or side of the suction port in order to provide an increased diameter of the suction port. The seal between the valve and the valve seat does not need to be perfect, and the spring may need to just strong enough to draw the valve toward the valve seat, because the force of suction draws those parts closer together to effect a seal. The external spring may provide additional stabilization of the push rod to ensure the valve is in a closed position, and the button on the end of the push rod may be deflected to induce lateral motion of the push rod and valve inside the second leg. The push rod aperture, which passes through the elbow, may be just big enough to allow the push rod to pass through the wall of the elbow, or the push rod aperture may be made large enough to allow the push rod to be deflected, i.e. side-to-side play, by manipulating the button on the proximal end of the push rod, e.g. with the user&#39;s thumb. There is only one moving part in the device, and no complex seals. The tapered suction connection may allow for generic suction tubing connections, and a modular threaded second leg may allow the use of generic suction cannula connections. 
     The device may be used in various surgical procedures, e.g. laparoscopic surgery. In a laparoscopic procedure, the abdominal cavity is filled with carbon dioxide and the pressure is increased to 15 mm Hg above atmospheric, which provides room to work in the abdomen. The device may allow for the removal of fluids/blood by opening up a valve and introducing suction. A cannula at the end of the device allows for directed suction and without the loss of the insufflating gas. An irrigation port on distal side of the device, i.e. on the same side of the valve seat as the valve, allows introduction of other fluids/interventions when the valve is in the closed position. 
     This device is unique in that known prior art devices use a valve where the direction of flow is perpendicular to the valve and not parallel. This forces the user to hold the device in a manner which is not comfortable for prolonged, controlled use, i.e. similar to a trumpet. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pistol grip suction device connected to a suction hose, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pistol grip suction device connected to a suction hose, according to an embodiment of the invention: 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pistol grip suction device with the suction wand removed, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a pistol grip suction device with the suction port open, according to an embodiment of the invention: 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a pistol grip suction device with the suction port open, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a pistol grip suction device with the suction port closed, according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a pistol grip suction device with the suction port open and push rod deflected to bottom of suction port, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the sequence of operations as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following examples illustrate particular properties and advantages of some of the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, these are examples of reduction to practice of the present invention and confirmation that the principles described in the present invention are therefore valid but should not be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , it is seen that pistol grip suction control device of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a body member  12  that has a first leg  14  and a second leg  16  that is joined to the first leg  14  at an elbow  18 . The elbow  18  may be approximately 90 degrees, as illustrated, or the elbow may be any other angle or configuration which enhances the grip or handling qualities of the device. As illustrated, a suction hose  20  may be removably connected to the end of the first leg  14 . The hose  20  may provide a flow of fluid through the device when the other end of the hose is connected to a vacuum source in typical fashion. The first leg  14  may include a standard taper to allow common and standard suction hoses or other suction equipment to be attached. A suction wand  22  or other standard suction accessories may be threadably  23  or otherwise attached to the distal end  38  of the second leg  16 . When attached to the second leg  16  of the device  10 , the suction wand  22  may be placed at a surgery site S (see  FIG. 2 ) for suctioning fluid and/or particulate matter therefrom and/or irrigating the surgery site S with an appropriate irrigation fluid, as more fully described below. 
     A valve  24 , such as the illustrated choke valve  24 , may be disposed within the second leg  16  such that a push rod  26  is connected to the valve  24 , with the push rod  26  extending out from the proximal end  37  of the second leg  16  at the elbow  18 , through the push rod aperture  29 . An appropriate button  28  may be located on the end of the push rod  26 . The push rod  26  may be spring-loaded such that a spring  30  abuts the outer surface of the second leg  16  at the elbow  18  around the push rod aperture  29 , and the spring  30  may also abut the underside of the button  28 . In a normally relaxed state, the push rod  26  is maximally extended out from the second leg  16  through the push rod aperture  29  via the bias of the spring  30 , such that the valve  24  is in a closed position against the valve seat  25  so that fluid does not flow past the valve  24  and through the suction port  27  in the valve seat  25 . 
     As the push rod  26  is depressed into the second leg  16 , against the force of the spring  30 , the valve  24  is displaced away from the valve seat  25  so that fluid may flow through the suction port  27 , as depicted in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 . When the push rod  26  is released, the spring  30  biases the push rod  26  back to its normally relaxed, fully extended state, thereby once again terminating flow through the suction port  27 . 
     An irrigation port  32 , which may include a Luer lock or Luer taper, may be located on the second leg  16  of the body member  12  such that a Luer lock or Luer taper equipped syringe  34  or other source of irrigation fluid may be removably attached to the irrigation port  32  for supplying irrigation fluid to the surgical site S. The irrigation port  32  may be closed with an irrigation port cap  36  when not in use. The irrigation port  32  may be located on the distal end  38  of the second leg  16  such that the valve seat  27  is between the irrigation port  32  and the first leg  14 . This arrangement ensures that, when the suction port  27  is closed, any suction from the first leg  14  will not disturb the flow of irrigation fluid from irrigation port  32  into surgery site S. 
     In order to use the pistol grip suction and irrigation device  10  of the present invention, a wand  22  may be attached to the distal end of the second leg  16  while the end of the first leg  14  is fluid flow connected to a vacuum source via suction hose  20 . The vacuum source may be activated. As the surgeon or nurse needs suction at a particular site S, the end of the wand  22  is placed at the site S. The user grips the pistol grip suction and irrigation device  10  in pistol grip fashion by wrapping his or her fingers around the first leg  14 . The user can then use his or her thumb on the gripping hand to depress the button  28  of the push rod  26  as needed. When suction is required, the user depresses the button  28  of the push rod  26  a desired amount in order to get the desired amount of suction at the end of the wand  22 . When suction is no longer required, the button  28  of the push rod  26  is released, allowing the push rod  26  to return to its normally relaxed state via the bias of the spring  30 , thereby closing the suction port  27  and terminating suction. If irrigation of the site S is required, with the suction port  27  closed, then the fluid-bearing syringe  34  or other source of irrigation fluid is inserted into the irrigation port  32  and locked in place, and the fluid is discharged into the irrigation port  32  in a fashion such that the irrigation fluid flows through the wand  22  to the surgical site S. Thereafter, the syringe  34  may be removed and the irrigation port  32  capped, allowing for further suctioning, as needed. 
     Although the pistol grip suction control valve  10  may be cleaned and sterilized after use, due to its simple and straightforward construction, it may be viewed as being more cost effective and safer to simply dispose of the unit after usage and use a new pistol grip suction device  10  for a subsequent surgery. 
     The body member  12 , the push rod  26 , the valve  24  and the spring  30  may be made from any appropriate biocompatible plastic or surgical steel or other similar material, or combinations of materials. 
       FIGS. 4-7  illustrate sectional views of various internal arrangements of the pistol grip suction device  10 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an arrangement of the device  10  wherein the face  42  of the valve seat  25   a  is inwardly tapered. The valve seat  25   a  may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the second leg  16 . When the spring  30  biases the pushrod  26  and valve  24   a  against the valve seat  25   a , the inwardly tapered surfaces will tend to center the valve  24   a  on the valve seat  25   a , which closes the suction port  27  of the valve seat  25   a . As illustrated, however, the button  28  is depressed such that the valve  24   a  is not against the valve seat  25   a , and the suction port  27  is open. The suction source (not depicted) creates a flow (see arrows) and draws fluids through the suction wand  22 , into the distal side of the second leg  16 , past valve  24   a , through suction port  27  into proximal side  37  of second leg  16 , into first leg  14 , and toward the suction source. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an arrangement of the device  10  wherein the face  41  of valve  24   b  is general flat but with a rounded edge  39  that generally complements a rounded groove  40  around the suction port  27  of the valve seat  25   b . By ‘generally complements’ it is understood that the rounded feature of the valve  24   b  and the groove of the valve seat  25   b  are not necessarily an exact match, but are close enough to promote the positive sealing and closure of the device  10  such that there is no fluid flow through the suction port  27 . The valve seat  25   b  may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the second leg  16 . Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the spring  30  biases the pushrod  26  and valve  24   b  against the valve seat  25   b , the rounded surfaces will tend to center the valve  24   b  on the valve seat  25   b , which closes the suction port  27  of the valve seat  25   b . As illustrated, however, the button  28  is depressed such that the valve  24   b  is not against the valve seat  25   b , and the suction port  27  is open. The suction source (not depicted) creates a flow (see arrows) and draws fluids through the suction wand  22 , into the distal side of the second leg  16 , past valve  24   b , through suction port  27  into proximal side  37  of second leg  16 , into first leg  14 , and toward the suction source. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an arrangement of the device  10  wherein the valve  24   c  is a ball that mates with the suction port  27  of the valve seat  25 . By ‘generally complements’ it is understood that the ball valve  24   c  and the valve seat  25  are not necessarily an exact match, but are close enough to promote the positive sealing and closure of the device  10  such that there is no fluid flow through the suction port  27 . The valve seat  25  may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the second leg  16 . Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , when the spring  30  biases the pushrod  26  and valve  24   c  against the valve seat  25 , the rounded surfaces will tend to center the ball valve  24   c  on the valve seat  25 , which closes the suction port  27  of the valve seat  25 . As illustrated, the button  28  is not depressed such that the ball valve  24   c  is not against the valve seat  25 , and the suction port  27  is closed such that there is no fluid flow through the suction port  27 . Instead, a syringe  34  is coupled to the irrigation port  32  and irrigation fluid (see arrows) is being delivered into the distal side of the second leg  16 , and into the suction wand  22 , toward the surgery site S. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an arrangement of the device  10  wherein push rod  26  is deflected toward the bottom of the suction port  27  such that it bears against the valve seat  25   a . The deflection of the push rod  26  effectively creates a suction port  27  having an opening capable of allowing larger particular matter to pass through the suction port  27 . The valve seat  25   a  may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the second leg  16 . As illustrated, the button  28  is depressed inward to unseat valve  24   a  from the valve seat  25   a , and the button  28  is pressed slightly upward such that push rod  26  is forced downward against the valve seat  25   a . In this configuration, the suction port  27  offers the largest possible opening. The suction source (not depicted) creates a flow (see arrows) and draws fluids through the suction wand  22 , into the distal side of the second leg  16 , past valve  24   a , through suction port  27  into proximal side  37  of second leg  16 , into first leg  14 , and toward the suction source. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of one or more embodiments thereof and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.