Abstract:
Several embodiments of a disposable surgical tool for quickly and easily connecting tubing to implantable components are disclosed. A method for using the novel tool for connecting tubing to components, such as a pump, a reservoir, a connector, etc., is also described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/660,442 filed Mar. 10, 2005; and of provisional patent application No. 60/660,491 filed Mar. 10, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to surgical devices and methods. More specifically, the present invention pertains to devices and methods for connecting tubing to components.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Certain surgical procedures, such as a penile implant, include the placement of a system of interconnected components within a body. Components in such systems may include a cylinder, reservoir, pump, etc. Some such components, such as a balloon, may be configured for selective inflation and/or deflation by an operator. Typically, a system may include an inflatable/deflatable component interconnected to a fluid-filled reservoir, a pump, and a valve assembly. During use, the pump may be actuated and fluid transferred from the reservoir into the component, causing the component to inflate. Later, a valve assembly may be operated deflating the component by transferring the fluid from the inflated component back into the reservoir.  
         [0004]     An implantable system may include a multitude of tubing interconnecting several components. Typically, the tubing may be inserted into a strain relief component and the open end of the tubing connected to the component. In prior art examples, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,721 to Mikulich et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,611 to Cowan, among others, a straight bore is extended through a strain relief and into the inflatable/deflatable component.  
         [0005]     The points of connection between the tubing and the components may be a source of complication, such as leakage, disconnect, etc., and may also pose sterilization challenges in certain environments. Additionally, portability and handling of the connection tools for effecting the connections may also pose a challenge due to the weight and size of the connection tool.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for connection tools and methods which ease such surgical procedures.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     In one aspect, the present invention discloses a surgical device and method for connecting tubes to components, such as a pump, a reservoir, a connector, etc.  
         [0008]     While multiple embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed, still other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the present invention. As will be realized, the embodiment are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art tool for connecting a tube to a component;  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a method of using the tool of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate different embodiments of a device of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate an elongate member in detail;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a collet dispenser and magazine; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an elongate member including a collet dispenser and magazine having collets loaded therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art device  10  for connecting tubing to a component. As shown, device  10  includes two arms or handles  12  and  14 , tubing connecting portion  16  including jaws  17 , and stop member  18  to prevent connecting portion  16  from closing all the way or to close only up to a predetermined position.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a method for connecting two tubing segments or tubes to each other using a prior art device, such as device  10 . The first step of the method is to place a collet over the tubing, such as sliding collet  22  onto tubing  20  as shown in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2B  shows tubing connector  28  for connecting tubing segments  24  and  30  to each other at their respective open ends  34  and  38 . Tubing connector  28  is shown having ports  36  and  40  through which tubing  24  and  30 , respectively, will be connected. Tubing  24  includes collet  26  proximate open end  34 , and tubing  30  includes collet  32  proximate open end  38 . Next, open end  34  is slid over port  36  until open end  34  touches wall  42  in connector  28 . Similarly, open end  38  of tubing  30  is pushed over port  40  until open end  38  also touches wall  42 . Then collet  26  and  32  are slid over tubing  24  and  30  towards the edges of connector  28 . Jaws  17  of tubing connecting portion  16  are placed around collet  26  and  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , and handles  12  and  14  of device  10  are squeezed together until closure stop  18  on handle  14  touches opposite handle  12 . Thus tubing  24  and  30  are connected and device  10  removed.  
         [0017]     Alternate embodiments of a device for connecting tubing to components or tubing connectors such as connector  28  are illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3A  illustrates device  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device  300  may include first and second elongate members  302  and  304 , respectively, each having distal end  306  and proximal end  308 . Each first and second elongate members  302  and  304  may include inside surface  310 , a generally vertical surface, outside surface  312 , also a generally vertical surface, top surface  314 , a generally horizontal surface, and bottom surface  316 , also a generally horizontal surface. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, first and second elongate members  302  and  304  may be hingedly connected at distal edge  307  along their inside surface  310 .  
         [0019]     Top surface  314  may include recess  318  proximate of distal end  306 . Recess  318  may extend into first and second elongate members  302  and  304  to first stop position  320  and thereafter extend towards distal end  306  from first stop position  320  to second stop position  322 . The width of recess  318  may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing, such as tubing  20 , so that the tubing may enter elongate members  302  and  304  through second stop position  322  on outside surface  312 , slide through a collet housed proximate second stop position  322  within each of first and second elongate members  302  and  304 , and exit first and second elongate members  302  and  304  on their inside surface  310 . Also, having the width of recess  318  slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing may ease the removal of the tubing through top surface  314  after the tubing has been securely connected to a component.  
         [0020]     Each of first and second elongate members  302  and  304  may also include opening  324  on inside surface  310 . Opening  324  may be centered proximate the center of first stop position  320  and may be slightly larger than a collet so that the collet may be dispensed out of elongate members  302  and  304  through opening  324 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3B  illustrates device  350  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Device  350  may include first and second elongate members  352  and  354 , respectively, each having distal end  356  and proximal end (not shown). Each first and second elongate members  352  and  354  may include inside surface  360 , outside surface  362 , top surface  364 , and bottom surface (not shown). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, first and second elongate members  352  and  354  may be hingedly connected at distal end  356  using third elongate member  357 .  
         [0022]     Top surface  364  may include recess  318  proximate of distal end  356 . Recess  318  may extend into first and second elongate members  352  and  354  to first stop position  320  and thereafter extend towards distal end  356  from first stop position  320  to second stop position  322 . The width of recess  318  may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing, such as tubing  20 , so that the tubing may enter elongate members  352  and  354  through second stop position  322  on outside surface  362 , slide through a collet housed proximate second stop position  322  within each of first and second elongate members  352  and  354 , and exit first and second elongate members  352  and  354  on their inside surface  360 . Also, having the width of recess  318  slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing may ease the removal of the tubing through top surface  364  after the tubing has been securely connected to a component.  
         [0023]     Each of first and second elongate members  352  and  354  may also include opening  324  on inside surface  360 . Opening  324  may be centered proximate the center of first stop position  320  and may be slightly larger than a collet so that the collet may be dispensed out of elongate members  352  and  354  through opening  324 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3C  illustrates device  380  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. Device  380  may include first and second elongate members  382  and  384 , respectively, each having distal end  386  and proximal end  388 . Each first and second elongate members  382  and  384  may include inside surface  390 , outside surface  392 , top surface  394 , and bottom surface  396 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, first and second elongate members  382  and  384  may be hingedly connected at distal end  386  using thin elongate strip of material  387 .  
         [0025]     Top surface  394  may include recess  318  proximate of distal end  386 . Recess  318  may extend into first and second elongate members  382  and  384  to first stop position  320  and thereafter extend towards distal end  386  from first stop position  320  to second stop position  322 . The width of recess  318  may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing, such as tubing  20 , so that the tubing may enter elongate members  382  and  384  through second stop position  322  on outside surface  392 , slide through a collet housed proximate second stop position  322  within each of first and second elongate members  382  and  384 , and exit first and second elongate members  382  and  384  on their inside surface  390 . Also, having the width of recess  318  slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing may ease the removal of the tubing through top surface  394  after the tubing has been securely connected to a component.  
         [0026]     Each of first and second elongate members  382  and  384  may also including an opening (not shown) on inside surface  390 . The opening may be centered proximate the center of first stop position  320  and may be slightly larger than a collet so that the collet may be dispensed out of elongate members  382  and  384  through the opening.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate some of the features of embodiments of an elongate member in detail.  
         [0028]     Outside surface  408  of elongate member  400  is illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The proximal end of elongate member  400  may be in the general direction of numeral  410  and the distal end in the general direction towards numeral  412 . Top surface  404  may include recess  418  proximate of the distal end (not shown). Recess  418  may extend into elongate member  400  to first stop position  414  and thereafter extend towards the distal end from first stop position  414  to second stop position  416 . The width of recess  418  may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing, such as tubing  20 , so that the tubing may enter elongate member  400  through second stop position  416  on outside surface  408 , slide through a collet housed proximate second stop position  416  within elongate member  400 , and exit elongate member  400  on inside surface  448  (see  FIG. 4B ). Also, having the width of recess  418  slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing may ease the removal of the tubing through top surface  404  after the tubing has been securely connected to a component.  
         [0029]     Inside surface  448  of elongate member  400  is illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The proximal end of elongate member  400  may be in the general direction of numeral  410  and the distal end in the general direction towards numeral  412 . Top surface  404  may include recess  418  proximate of the distal end (not shown). Recess  418  may extend into elongate member  400  to first stop position  414  and thereafter extend towards the distal end from first stop position  414  to second stop position  416 . The width of recess  418  may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing, such as tubing  20 , so that the tubing may enter elongate member  400  through second stop position  416  on outside surface  408  (see  FIG. 4A ), slide through a collet housed proximate second stop position  416  within elongate member  400 , and exit elongate member  400  on inside surface  448 . Also, having the width of recess  418  slightly larger than the outside diameter of a tubing may ease the removal of the tubing through top surface  404  after the tubing has been securely connected to a component.  
         [0030]     Elongate member  400  may also including opening  471  on inside surface  448 . Opening  471  may be centered proximate the center of first stop position  414  and may be slightly larger than a collet so that the collet may be dispensed out of elongate member  400  through opening  471 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of hollow elongate member  480  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. Hollow elongate member  480  may include outside surfaces  482 ,  486 ,  488  and  484 , and channel  490  configured for receiving and housing at least one (one or more) collet. Channel  490  may be further configured for slideably receiving collet tool  500  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0032]     An embodiment of collet tool  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Collet tool  500  includes collet magazine  504  and collet dispenser  502 . Collet magazine  504  may be open at one end, closed at the opposite end, and configured for housing at least one collet. Collet magazine  504  may be further configured to be slideably received by collet dispenser  502  with the open end of collet magazine  504  inside collet dispenser  502 . Collet dispenser  502  may be open at one end for receiving collet magazine  504 , and additionally include at least one flexible flap  506  at its other end for metering collet ejection. Furthermore, collet dispenser  502  may be configured to be slideably placed in channel  490  of elongate member  480  (see  FIG. 4C ). In use, at least one collet may be loaded into collet magazine  504  through its open end followed by sliding collect magazine  504  into collect dispenser  502 , with the open end of collet magazine  504  inside collet dispenser  502 . The open end of collet magazine  504  may be positioned proximal of at least one flexible flap  506  such that one collet may exit collet magazine  504  through its open end and rest against the inside surface of at least one flexible flap  506 . Next collet magazine  504  may be pushed into collet dispenser  502  for dispensing one collet  623  (see  FIG. 6 ) out through at least one flexible flap  506  on collet dispenser  502 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the instant invention with collet tool  500  placed within hollow elongate member  600 . Collet tool  500  may be paced within the channel of hollow elongate member  600  through the opening at proximal end  610 . At least one collet  622  may be placed inside collet tool  500  and dispensed one at a time into elongate member  600  by collet dispenser  502 . In use, at least one flexible flap  506  of collet tool  500  may be positioned inside elongate member  600  and proximate second stop position  618 . The open end of collet magazine  504  may be pushed towards at least one flexible flap  506  ejecting one collet  623  out through at least one flexible flap  506 .  
         [0034]     In use, the device of the present invention may include placing one collet  623  proximate second stop position  618  and retracting collet tool  500  past first stop position  620 . Next, the open end of tubing  20  may be inserted through the outside surface of elongate member  600 , into collet  623  placed at second stop position  618 , and out through the inside surface of elongate member  600 . The open end of tubing  20  may be pushed into or over a port of the component. The assembly may be retracted to first stop position  620  whereat the elongate members may be squeezed towards one another, forcing the collets to fixedly attaching tubing  20  to the component. The tubing of the connected assembly may be removed through the recess in elongate member  600 .  
         [0035]     Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary embodiments presented hereinabove without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. For example, while the disclosed embodiments refer to particular features, the scope of the instant invention is considered to also include embodiments having different combinations of features that do not include all of the features described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the scope and intent of the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof.