Filtration device and system

A fluid filtration device having an outer cylindrical surface with a first diameter having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis arranged between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to fluid filtration in a medical environment, and more specifically to methods and devices for fluid filtration with a trocar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, provided is a fluid filtration device (100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000,1100) having an outer cylindrical surface with a first diameter having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis arranged between said outer cylindrical surface and said inner cylindrical surface. The longitudinal holes may be notches, and may be generally rectangular or generally triangular notches. The total number of longitudinal holes may be two, six, ten, twelve, or other similar number. The longitudinal holes may have a cross-sectional area equal to approximately one-half of the cross-sectional area between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface. The outer cylindrical surface may have a number of holes along the surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal holes may define a plurality of independent passages and/or channels passing through said device. Each channel may be optimized for a different function. One of the functions may be suction, one function may be irrigation, another function may be insufflation. The device may be configured to be inserted through a body wall into a surgical site. The device may be a cannula, and the cannula may be configured to spring open when pressed through an abdominal wall. The device may have a fiber optic guide for illumination. The device may contain a light or LED for illumination. The device may include a camera. The device may have a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and/or humidity sensor. The device may be telescopic and/or collapsible. One or more of the passageways/channels may have a fluid trap, filter, and or moisture absorber. The device may have a multiple instrument seal. The device may include a swivel, and the swivel may be a two-dimensional swivel. The device may use a skin substitute as part or a whole portion of the device. A portion of the cylindrical outer surface may be flexible. The device may contain a cooler or a heater.

The outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface may be non-parallel such that the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface have a cross section at one level forming a generally figure-eight shaped surface and a cross section at a second level where the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface are generally concentric. The cannula may be ionized to attached particles in a fluid, and the particles may be dust particles. The device may include a safety pressure relief valve.

In another aspect the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface do not circumscribe each other.

In another aspect, provided is a fluid filtration device having an outer rectangular prism surface having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis arranged between said outer rectangular prism surface and said inner cylindrical surface.

In another aspect, provided is a fluid filtration device having an outer surface with an oval-shaped cross section having a longitudinal axis, and an inner cylindrical surface with an inner diameter substantially centered about the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of longitudinal holes substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis arranged between said outer oval-shaped surface and said inner cylindrical surface.

One of the channels may be optimized for use with a smoke evacuation system. The device may have an adapter similar to a luer-lock adapter, or alternatively may have an adapter which is a straight hose connection, a push-to-lock type connector, and/or may have a cross section larger than a typical luer-lock connector to allow increased flow.

The device may also have a mechanical anchor to hold the device to an interior body wall. The device may have a ball and socket joint on a top portion to allow tool movement. The device may contain special nanotechnology based filtration media. The device may include a multi-lumen tubing. The multi-lumen tubing may be bi-lumen or tri-lumen tubing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1discloses a first embodiment100of a device and/or system for filtering a fluid. Fluid filter system100comprises an outer cylindrical surface105with a first diameter110having a longitudinal axis115, and an inner cylindrical surface120with an inner diameter125substantially centered about the longitudinal axis115, and a plurality of longitudinal holes130substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis arranged between said outer cylindrical surface105and said inner cylindrical surface120. As shown inFIG. 1, the holes130are in the form of rectangular-shaped cross section cutouts that span the length of the device.

Turning toFIG. 2, a second embodiment200of a device and/or system for filtering a fluid is shown. Device200has outer cylindrical surface205having a diameter207and inner cylindrical surface210having a diameter212. The inner cylindrical surface210borders a central opening215. The outer and inner cylindrical surfaces205,210are disposed parallel to a central, longitudinal axis220. A plurality of longitudinal holes225are disposed in the device200between in the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces210,205. In the example shown there are six longitudinal holes225that provide channels as will be described in greater detail below.

Turning toFIG. 3, a third embodiment300of a device and/or system for filtering a fluid is shown. Device300has an outer cylindrical surface305. Device300may be symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis307. An inner cylindrical surface310has notches cut out to form channels315. The notch forms a pair of side walls320and325that lead to a bottom wall330that is disposed in spaced apart relation to the outer cylindrical surface305. As a result, the device300has a first thickness335between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces305,310and has a second thickness337between the bottom wall330and the outer cylindrical surface305. The result is a series of channels disposed about the central longitudinal axis307and extending for the length of the device300.

InFIG. 4, a fourth embodiment400of a device and/or system for filtering a fluid is shown. Device400has outer cylindrical surface405and inner cylindrical surface410. The inner cylindrical surface410borders a central opening415. The outer and inner cylindrical surfaces405,410are disposed parallel to a central, longitudinal axis420. A plurality of longitudinal holes425are disposed in the device400between in the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces410,405. In the example shown there are six longitudinal holes425that provide channels as will be described in greater detail below.

Turning toFIG. 5, a fifth embodiment device500has an outer cylindrical surface505. The interior of the device is divided into three channels510,515, and520. The channels510,515, and520are separated by dividing walls525and530extending from a first side535to a second side540of the device500. The device500is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis545. The sides535and540have a first thickness550which is smaller than a second thickness555located at opposite ends560,565of the device500.

InFIG. 6, a sixth embodiment device600is shown. Device600has an outer cylindrical surface605. The inside surface610of the device600is formed from a plurality of peaks615,617,619,621,623,625,627,629,631,633disposed opposite from flat surfaces640,642,644,646,648,650,652,654,656, and658. Device600may be symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis676.

Turning toFIG. 7, a seventh embodiment device700is shown. The device700has an outer cylindrical surface705. The inside surface710is defined by a plurality of alternating peaks715and valleys720. The peaks715and valleys720are formed by the convergence of angled surfaces725and730that form triangular shaped notches in the inner surface710of the device700. The device700is also symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis750.

InFIG. 8, an eighth embodiment device800has a rectangular shape in cross-section. A first side surface805is disposed opposite from a second side surface810. A third side surface815is disposed opposite from a fourth side surface820. The device800is provided with a central round opening825that leads to a longitudinal channel A pair of square or rectangular openings830and835are disposed on opposite sides of the central opening825.

InFIG. 9, a ninth embodiment device900has an outer cylindrical surface905. A central longitudinal channel910is bordered by an inner cylindrical surface915. On opposite sides of the channel910, a pair of crescent shaped longitudinal channels920and925are disposed in the device900.

Turning toFIG. 10, a tenth embodiment device1000has an oval-shaped outer surface1005. The oval-shaped outer surface1005extends from a first endpoint1010to a second endpoint1015disposed opposite from the first endpoint1010. In a mid-portion1020of the device1000, a central longitudinal channel1025is bordered by an inner cylindrical surface1030that extends along the length of the device1000. On opposite sides of the central channel1025, a pair of channels1035and1040are formed in the device1000. In cross-section, the channels1035and1040have a “D” shape formed by a straight wall1050,1055; an upper curved portion1060,1065; and a lower curved portion1070,1075. The “D” shaped channels formed on either side of the central channel1025are mirror images of each other.

As shown inFIGS. 1-10, the longitudinal holes are notches with a generally rectangular or triangular cross section. In the embodiments shown, the number of longitudinal holes is two, six, ten, twelve, and alternatively may be another similar number. The longitudinal holes shown may have a cross-sectional area equal to approximately one-half of the cross sectional area between the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface.

The longitudinal holes define a plurality of independent passages or channels passing through the device100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000and1100. Each channel is optimized for a different function. One of the channels may be used for suction, another for insufflation, and in embodiments with more than two longitudinal holes, another channel may be configured for irrigation. The embodiments are configured to be inserted through a body wall into a surgical site. The device longitudinal portion is generally a cannula, and the cannula may be configured to spring open when pressed through an abdominal wall. The device may have a fiber optic guide for illumination. The device100,200,300,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000and1100also may have a light in the form of an LED for illumination. The first embodiment100also may include a camera, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a humidity sensor. In other embodiments, the device may be telescopic and/or collapsible.

In other embodiments, one or more of the passageways/channels may have a fluid trap, filter, and/or moisture absorber. The device may have a multiple instrument seal. Other embodiments may contain a swivel, and the swivel may be a two dimensional swivel. The device may use a skin substitute as part of or as a whole portion of the device. A portion of the cylindrical outer surface may be flexible. Additional embodiments may contain a cooler or a heater.

In additional embodiments, the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface may be non-parallel such that the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface have a cross section at one level forming a generally figure-eight shaped surface and a cross-section at a second level where the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface are generally concentric. The cannula may be ionized to attached particles in a fluid, and the particles may be dust particles. The device may include a safety pressure relief valve.

InFIG. 11, in device1100the outer cylindrical surface and the inner cylindrical surface may be nonparallel such that the first cylindrical surface1105and the second cylindrical surface1110have a cross section at one level forming a generally figure-eight shaped surface.

FIG. 12andFIG. 13provide side view and side sectional views respectively of a first form of the outer cylinder of the embodiments. InFIG. 12, a fluid filtration device1200has an outer cylindrical surface1205. At the bottom of the figure a reduced diameter section1210terminates at a bottom opening1215. The device1200may be configured to be inserted through a body wall into a surgical site. The device1200may be a cannula, and the cannula may be configured to spring open when pressed through an abdominal wall. Turning toFIG. 13, the device1200has an outer cylindrical wall1220. An inner passageway1230is bordered by an inner cylindrical surface1240on an inner cylindrical wall1250. A space between the inner wall1250and the outer wall1220is divided by a third wall1260. The third wall1260divides the space into two sections1270and1280.

FIG. 14is a side view of a second form of the outer cylinder of the embodiments which contains a plurality of openings1410on the outer cylindrical surface1405. The openings1410on the outer cylindrical surface1405communicate with one of the channels formed by one of the longitudinal holes shown inFIG. 1. The device1400has an outer cylindrical surface1405that may be provided with a plurality of openings1410disposed along the length of the device1400toward the bottom portion1420. The device1400may have an inner cylindrical surface1470. A longitudinal channel1480is formed between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces1470,1405. The openings1410provide a fluid passageway along arrows1440when the end1450of the device1400is covered by tissue or the like that may come into contact with the end1450of the device1400and block the flow of fluid into the device1400.

Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the filtration device has been shown and described, and several modifications discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.