Multi-head suction assembly for use in surgical procedures

A suction assembly for use in a surgical procedure. The assembly includes a plurality of suction head attachments. Each of the suction head attachments has a base segment, a tip segment and a suction conduit that extends through the base segment and the tip segment. The base segment of each of the suction head attachments has a common configuration. However, the tip segment of each of the suction head attachments has a unique configuration. The assembly also includes a single handle element. A coupling mechanism is disposed at a first end of the handle element. The coupling mechanism is adapted to selectively engage the base segment of any of the plurality of suction head attachments. The handle element also connects to a suction source. As the handle element connects to one of the suction head attachments, the handle element interconnects the suction head attachment to the suction source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
In general, the present invention relates to suction devices used to 
evacuate and clean surgical sites within the body that are exposed during 
a surgical procedure. More particularly, the present invention relates to 
suction devices that are used during the different stages of a total hip 
arthroplasty procedure. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The medical field is replete with different types of suction devices that 
are used to evacuate and/or irrigate sections of the human body exposed 
during surgical procedures. Many of the suction instruments are generic in 
design and are used by surgeons in a wide variety of procedures. Such 
generic suction devices include Yankauer instruments, Poole instruments, 
Frazier instruments, sigmoidoscopic instruments and the like. Other 
suction devices are specifically designed for use in a single type of 
surgical procedure and have few applications outside of that surgical 
procedure. 
The amount of suction required in a surgical procedure is directly 
proportional to the amount of blood and debris released within the 
surgical cavity by that surgical procedure. The removal of blood and 
debris from a surgical cavity is important in order to prevent the many 
different complications that may occur if the surgical cavity is not 
properly evacuated prior to the cavity being closed. 
Few traditional operations create more debris during the coarse of the 
operation that does a total hip arthroplasty, wherein the hip joint is 
replaced. In the course of a traditional total hip arthroplasty, a femoral 
neck osteotomy is performed, wherein the neck of the femur is removed. A 
reamer is then used to ream the femoral canal to make space for the 
femoral prosthetic device. Likewise, the acetabular socket in the hip is 
reamed to make space for an acetabular cup. As the femoral canal and the 
acetabular socket are reamed, a great deal of debris is generated. The 
debris is a mixture of blood with large and small pieces of bone and bone 
marrow. 
The reaming of the femoral canal and the acetabular socket are typically 
performed with dedicated reamers that are designed to remove as much 
material as is possible from the cavity being reamed. An example of a 
femoral canal reamer is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,747 to Richelsoph, 
entitled Device For Removing Cancellous Bone. Examples of acetabular 
socket reamers are shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,165 to Salyer, entitled 
Acetabular Reamer Cup and U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,653 to Kudla, entitled 
Reamer For Shaping Bone Sockets. 
Although dedicated prior art reaming devices for the femoral canal and the 
acetabular socket do remove much of the debris created by the reaming 
procedure, they do not remove all the debris. Consequently, prior to the 
placement of a prosthetic device into a reamed cavity, a surgeon will 
typically suction the reamed cavity. By sectioning the reamed cavity, the 
surgeon hopes to remove any small fragments of bone or other debris that 
my be detrimental to the patient if left in place. Although surgeons rely 
upon specialized instruments to ream the femoral canal and the acetabular 
socket, they typically do not use specialized instruments to clean the 
femoral canal and acetabular sockets after they have been reamed. Rather, 
surgeons commonly rely upon manual wiping and general purpose suction 
devices to complete the cleaning task. 
As the femoral canal and acetabular socket are reamed, debris adheres to 
the walls of the reamed surfaces. Accordingly, to properly clean the 
reamed surfaces, the reamed surfaces must be wiped while the debris is 
being evacuated. The simultaneous wiping and suctioning of debris takes a 
significant portion of the surgeon's time and adds significantly to the 
length and cost of the surgical procedure. 
The shape of a reamed femoral canal is very different from the shape of a 
reamed acetabular socket. Consequently, wiping implements and suction 
implements that are useful for the femoral canal are typically not proper 
for use within the acetabular socket. As a result, a surgeon must change 
implements and connect different suction devices to the suction source. 
This also adds to both the length and the cost of the surgical procedure. 
A need therefore exists for a suction system that is specifically designed 
to assist a surgeon in a total hip arthroplasty, wherein the suction 
system more effectively cleans the surgical cavities and reduces the time 
required for the surgical procedure. This need is met by the present 
invention as described and claimed below. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a suction assembly for use in a surgical 
procedure. The assembly includes a plurality of suction head attachments. 
Each of the suction head attachments has a base segment, a tip segment and 
a suction conduit that extends through the base segment and the tip 
segment. The base segment of each of the suction head attachments has a 
common configuration. However, the tip segment of each of the suction head 
attachments has a unique configuration. 
The assembly also includes a single handle. A coupling mechanism is 
disposed at a first end of the handle element. The coupling mechanism is 
adapted to selectively engage the base segment of any of the plurality of 
suction head attachments. The handle element also connects to a suction 
source. As the handle element connects to one of the suction head 
attachments, the handle element interconnects that suction head attachment 
to the suction source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Although the present invention system can be used by a surgeon in many 
different types of surgery, such as in a shoulder joint replacement, the 
present invention system is especially well suited for use in a total hip 
replacement procedure. Accordingly, by way of example, the present 
invention system will be configured for use in a total hip arthroplasty in 
order so set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. 
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a suction assembly 10 is 
shown in accordance with the present invention. The suction assembly 10 is 
comprised of a handle element 12 and a plurality of specialized suction 
head attachments 14, 16, 18 that can be selectively attached to the handle 
element 12. As will later be explained, the various suction head 
attachments provided can be adapted to the needs of a specific surgical 
procedure. Accordingly, as a surgeon is performing that specific surgical 
procedure, the surgeon needs only to replace the suction head attachment 
on the handle element 12. Time is therefore not wasted on connecting 
different suction instruments to the operating room suction source at 
different points in the operation. The reduction is surgical time and 
surgical instruments significantly reduces the cost of the surgery and 
reduces the amount of time the patient is anaesthetized. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, three separate suction head attachments 14, 
16, 18 are shown. However, it will be understood that any number of 
different suction head attachments can be provided depending upon the 
surgical procedure being performed and the preferences of the surgeon. The 
embodiment of the suction assembly 10 set forth in FIG. 1 is designed for 
use in a total hip arthroplasty. The shown example contains an 
intermedullary brush suction head attachment 16, an acetabular brush 
suction head attachment 18 and at least one general purpose suction head 
attachment 14. In FIG. 1, the general purpose suction head attachment 14 
shown has the general shape of a Yankauer instrument. However, depending 
upon the preferences of the surgeon, the general purpose suction head 
attachment 14 can be formed to simulate most any prior art suction device, 
such as a Poole instrument, a Frazier instrument, a sigmoidoscopic 
instrument or the like. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of an acetabular brush suction head 
attachment 18 is shown. The acetabular brush suction head attachment 18 is 
used by a surgeon in a total hip arthroplasty to clean the acetabular 
socket after the acetabular socket has been reamed and before a prosthetic 
acetabular cup is set into the socket. The acetabular brush suction head 
attachment 18 has a head section 20 that contains a generally 
hemispherically shaped surface 21. The radius of the generally 
hemispherically shaped surface 21 is preferably either equal to or smaller 
than the radius of the reamer used to ream the acetabular socket. 
A plurality of bristles 22 radially extend from the generally 
hemispherically shaped surface 21 of the acetabular brush attachment 18. 
The bristles 22 are preferably plastic and are placed far enough apart to 
allow blood and bone debris to freely flow between bristle clusters. After 
the acetabular socket has been reamed on a total hip arthroplasty, the 
head section 20 of the acetabular brush attachment 18 is placed into the 
reamed socket. As the acetabular brush attachment 18 is moved, the 
bristles 22 move across the reamed surfaces of the acetabular socket and 
remove debris from the walls of the acetabular socket. Since the generally 
hemispherically shaped surface 21 of the head section 20 mimics the shape 
of the reamed acetabular socket, most every surface of the acetabular 
socket is contacted as the acetabular brush attachment 18 is moved across 
the acetabular socket. Consequently, the acetabular socket is cleaned in a 
very rapid and efficient manner. 
A suction conduit 24 passes through the acetabular brush attachment 18. The 
suction conduit 24 extends into the head section 20 of the acetabular 
brush attachment 18. In the shown embodiment, a suction aperture 26 is 
present at the apex of the generally hemispherically shaped surface 21. 
The suction aperture communicates with the interior of the head section 20 
and the suction conduit 24. As the generally hemispherically shaped 
surface 21 of the acetabular brush attachment 18 moves across the reamed 
acetabular socket, the debris loosened by the brush bristles are evacuated 
into the suction conduit 24, through the suction aperture 26. Provided the 
acetabular brush attachment 18 is adequately manipulated, the suction 
aperture 26 at the apex of the generally hemispherically shaped surface 21 
will pass over most all surfaces of the reamed acetabular cavity. 
Consequently, all debris loosened by the bristles 22 is evacuated through 
the suction canal 24 and the reamed acetabular socket is rapidly and 
effectively cleaned. 
Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of an acetabular brush 23 is 
shown. Features that are the same as the previous embodiment will be 
identified with the same reference numerals. 
In the shown embodiment, a plurality of apertures 25 are disposed in the 
generally hemispherically shaped surface 21 of the head section. Each of 
the apertures 25 leads into the interior of the head section 20, which 
communicates with the suction conduit 24. As such, as the generally 
hemispherically shaped surface 21 of the head section 20 is brought into 
contact with a reamed acetabular socket, debris is suctioned into the 
interior of the suction head 20 through the various apertures 25. Once in 
the suction head, the debris is evacuated through the suction conduit 24. 
The embodiment of FIG. 3 also differs from the embodiment of FIG. 2 in that 
the embodiment of FIG. 3 has flexible nubs 27 protruding from the exterior 
of the generally hemispherically shaped surface 21 rather than traditional 
brush bristles. The nubs 27 can be plastic, elastomeric or any other 
flexible protrusion. The purpose of illustrating the nubs 27 is to make it 
clear that the acetabular brush of the present invention can have any 
flexible protrusions extending from its exterior that are capable of 
freeing debris from the surfaces of the reamed acetabular socket. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, a clearer view of the intermedullary brush 
attachment 16 is shown. In a total hip arthroplasty procedure, a femoral 
neck osteotomy is performed, wherein the neck of the femur is removed. 
Once the neck of the femur is removed, a femoral canal is created using an 
awl and/or a reamer. During the reaming procedure, the interior surfaces 
of the femoral canal become contaminated with loose debris. 
The intermedullary brush attachment of FIG. 4 contains an elongated linear 
shaft 30 that defines an internal suction conduit 32. The suction conduit 
32 is open at the tip 34 of the intermedullary brush attachment 16, 
thereby providing a passage for debris to pass into the suction conduit 
32. Bulbous flanges 36, 38 are disposed on the brush shaft 30 at both the 
tip of the shaft 30 and at a point proximate the middle of the shaft 30. 
The purpose of the bulbous flanges 36, 38 is to limit the exposure of air 
and material to the entrance of the suction conduit 32, when the 
intermedullary brush attachment 16 is passed into a reamed femoral canal. 
By limiting the flow of air into the suction conduit 32, the degree of 
suction provided for the removal of debris directly in front of the mouth 
of the suction canal is improved. 
Bristles 40, or some other flexible projections, radially extend from the 
brush shaft 30 in between the two bulbous flanges 36, 38. The brush 
bristles 40 extend to a diameter D, which is slightly larger than the 
internal diameter of the reamed femoral canal. As the intermedullary brush 
attachment 16 is introduced into the reamed femoral canal, the bristles 40 
loosen debris from the interior surfaces. The loosened debris falls to the 
bottom of the femoral canal, wherein the debris is evacuated through the 
mouth of the suction conduit 24. 
Referring back to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the acetabular brush 
attachment 18, the intermedullary brush attachment 16 and the general 
purpose suction head attachment 14 all share an identically configured 
base section 42. The base section 42 of all the suction head attachments 
14, 16, 18 are adapted to be received by the handle element 12. 
Accordingly, the different suction head attachments 14, 16, 18 can be 
added to the handle element 12 or removed from the handle element 12 as is 
desired. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the handle element 12 has two 
ends and defines a 44 conduit that extends through the handle element 12 
between the two ends. A tube connector hub 46 is located at the first end 
of the handle element 12. The tube connector hub 46 connects to a suction 
tube (not shown) that leads to a medical waste collection basin within the 
operating room. 
A pneumatic interconnect mechanism 48 is disposed at the second end of the 
handle element 12. In the shown embodiment, the pneumatic interconnect 
mechanism 48 is a female threaded coupling that is adapted to receive a 
male threaded coupling 50 that extends from the base 42 of the suction 
head attachments. Once the threaded male coupling is received by the 
pneumatic interconnect mechanism 48, the conduit 44 within the handle 
element 12 intercommunicates with the suction conduit within the suction 
head attachment, thereby providing suction to the suction head 
attachments. 
In the prior art record, there are numerous different types of pneumatic 
interconnect mechanisms. Such mechanisms span from simple threaded 
couplings to complex quick-disconnect valves. Any such prior art pneumatic 
interconnect mechanism can be adapted for use in the present invention 
suction assembly and the present invention should not be considered 
limited to the one exemplary interconnect mechanism 48 shown. 
The exterior of the handle element 12 is preferably contoured so that it 
can be firmly grasped and manipulated with a bloodied surgical glove. The 
shown embodiment contains fluting 52 on the exterior of the handle element 
12. However, knurling and other contouring features may also be used. A 
vent aperture 53 may optionally be added to the handle element 12. The 
vent aperture 53 is a hole that extends into the handle element 12, 
thereby interconnecting the interior of the handle element 12 to the 
ambient air surrounding the handle element 12. If a vent aperture is 
present, a surgeon can place his/her finger over the vent aperture 53 and 
selectively control the degree of negative air pressure contained within 
the handle element 12. For example, if a surgeon completely covers the 
vent aperture 12, full suction will be experienced through the aperture(s) 
in the suction head attachment. If a surgeon either partially of fully 
uncovers the vent aperture 12, air will be sucked into the handle element 
through the vent aperture 12 and the suction experienced at the 
aperture(s) of the suction head will be proportionally less. 
Returning to FIG. 1, it will be understood that in a total hip arthroplasty 
procedure, surgeons create a skin incision, dissect the soft tissue and 
dislocate the hip to be replaced. This initial surgical procedure can be 
done in one of many different ways. Such an initial surgical procedure 
does not require any special suction instruments. Accordingly, a surgeon 
may attach a general purpose suction head attachment 14 to the handle 
element 12 and use the suction assembly 10 in the same manner as he/she 
would use any prior art suction system. 
After the hip joint is dislocated and exposed, a femoral neck osteotomy is 
performed and a femoral canal is created using a tapered awl and/or a 
reamer. Once the femoral canal is created, a surgeon alters the suction 
assembly 10 by removing the general purpose suction head attachment 14 and 
replacing it with the intermedullary brush attachment 16. Once the 
intermedullary brush attachment 16 is in place, the surgeon can use it to 
properly and quickly clean the femoral canal prior to the placement of a 
femoral prosthetic device into that canal. 
After the femoral prosthetic device has been set into place, the surgeon 
can direct his/her attention to the acetabulum. First, the acetabular 
socket is reamed with a series of reamers until the reamed socket is at a 
desired size. Once the reaming procedure is complete, the acetabula socket 
must be cleaned. To clean the acetabular socket, the surgeon alters the 
suction assembly 10 by connecting the acetabular brush attachment 18 to 
the handle element 12. Once the acetabular brush attachment 18 is 
connected, it can be used to properly and quickly clean the acetabular 
socket prior to the placement of an acetabular cup into that socket. 
Once the prosthetic devices are set in place, the surgeon closed the 
incision. Again, the surgeon may decide to alter the suction assembly 10 
by placing a general purpose suction head attachment 14 onto the handle 
element 12. 
By providing a single suction assembly that can be altered to the needs of 
a surgeon, a more efficient operation procedure can be maintained. The 
surgical team no longer has to waste time and energy connecting and 
disconnecting different suction devices to the limited number of suction 
tubes available in an operation room. Furthermore, by providing a suction 
system that provides suction heads specifically adapted to a specific 
surgical procedure, the required cleaning, sectioning and irrigating tasks 
can be performed in a more effective and rapid manner. 
It will be understood that a person skilled in the art can make alternate 
embodiments of the present invention using functionally equivalent 
components that have not been specifically described. For example, 
alternate suction heads of different sizes and shapes can be used. All 
such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this 
disclosure as defined by the appended claims.