Patent Publication Number: US-2023135403-A1

Title: Surgical device system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/273,462, filed on Oct. 29, 2021, entitled SURGICAL DEVICE SYSTEM, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to devices used in surgery and, more particularly, to flow paths through surgical devices. 
     Certain surgical devices, such as shavers, typically employ suction to remove fluid, tissue and other debris from a surgical site. Suction may also be employed to draw tissue into a surgical device such for cutting. The fluid, tissue and debris sucked into the surgical device travels through a channel and out of the surgical device for disposal. Sometimes the tissue and debris adhere to the side of the channel and, if enough tissue and debris builds up in the channel, then proper functioning of the device may be compromised. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method of improving fluid, tissue and debris flow through surgical devices that remedies the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a surgical device with a divertors or rifling along at least a portion of a suction pathway to improve fluid, tissue and debris flow. 
     In an implementation, a surgical device has a body with a proximal end and a distal end. A hollow cannula extends from the distal end of the body, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. An operative head may be positioned at the distal end of the cannula. A suction connector is in fluid communication with the hollow cannula, the suction connector being configured for connection to a suction source. The hollow cannula has at least one of the group consisting of diverters and rifling on at least a portion of an inside surface. 
     The operative head may have a radio frequency ablator. The operative head may have diverters on at least a portion of an inside surface. The operative head may have rifling on at least a portion of an inside surface. In an implementation, the body has a suction bore extending from the suction connector to a position near the hollow cannula, the suction bore being in fluid communication with the suction connector and the hollow cannula; and wherein the suction bore further comprises diverters along at least a portion of an inside surface. In an implementation, the body has a suction bore extending from the suction connector to a position near the hollow cannula, the suction bore being in fluid communication with the suction connector and the hollow cannula; and wherein the suction bore further comprises rifling along at least a portion of an inside surface. 
     In an implementation, the hollow cannula may have diverters on at least a portion of an inside surface and the diverters may have a round profile. The diverters may be straight, curved, or in a helical pattern. The diverters may also be in a double helix pattern. In an implementation, the hollow cannula has rifling on at least a portion of an inside surface. The rifling may be in a curved or a helical pattern. The rifling may also be in a double helix pattern. 
     In an implementation, a surgical device has a body with a proximal end and a distal end. A suction connector is coupled to the body, the suction connector being configured for connection to a suction source. A hollow cannula extends from the distal end of the body, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. An inner shaft is rotatably positioned within the hollow cannula, the inner shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel. An inner drive hub is coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, the inner drive hub being rotatably coupled to the body and in fluid communication with the suction connector. The channel has at least one of the group consisting of diverters and rifling on at least a portion of an inside surface. 
     In an implementation, a suction bore extends from the suction connector to a position near the inner hub, the suction bore being in fluid communication with the suction connector and the channel of the inner shaft. The suction bore may have diverters along at least a portion of an inside surface. The suction bore may also have rifling along at least a portion of an inside surface. 
     In an implementation, the channel may have diverters on at least a portion of an inside surface and the diverters may have a round profile. The diverters may be in a helical pattern. The diverters may be in a double helix pattern. In an implementation, the channel may have rifling on at least a portion of an inside surface and the rifling may be in a helical pattern. The rifling may also be in a double helix pattern. 
     In an implementation, a cutting head may be positioned at the distal end of the hollow cannula; and a blade may be positioned at the distal end of the inner shaft. As the inner shaft is rotated relative to the cannula, the blade cooperates with the cutting head to cut tissue in contact with the cutting head. The surgical device may be selected from the group consisting of: shavers, drills, burrs and rasps. 
     These and other features are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic side elevation view of a surgical device according to an implementation; 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevation cut-away view of a portion of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to an implementation; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to an implementation; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross sectional view of a channel of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to an implementation; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to another implementation; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross sectional view of a channel of the surgical device of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to another implementation; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross sectional view of a channel of the surgical device of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of a surgical device configured as an ablation device according to another implementation; 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic representation of a channel having a double helix pattern of divertors according to an implementation; 
         FIG.  11    is a side elevation cut-away view of a surgical device configured as a shaver according to an implementation; and 
         FIG.  12    is a side elevation cut-away view of a surgical device configured as a shaver according to an implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of the preferred implementations, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which show by way of illustration specific implementations in which the device may be practiced. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  to  10   , a surgical device  10  according to an implementation has a body  12 . The body  12  has a proximal end  14  and a distal end  16 . A cannula  18  may be coupled to the distal end  16  of the body  12 . The cannula  18  has a proximal end  20  and a distal end  22 . The cannula is hollow and has a channel  24  passing therethrough from the proximal end  20  to the distal end  22 . An operative head  26  may be coupled to the distal end  22  of the cannula  18 . The cannula  18  length may be varied depending on the desired application. In an implementation, the cannula  18  has a length of between about 50 mm and about 150 mm. 
     In an implementation, a power supply cable  28  may be coupled to the proximal end  14  of the body  12 . In an additional implementation, the surgical device  10  is battery powered and there may be no need for a power supply cable. A suction connector  30  may be located on the proximal end  14  of the body  12 . The suction connector  30  is in fluid communication with a suction source (not shown). The suction connector  30  is in fluid communication with a suction bore  32 . The suction bore  32  extends from the suction connector to an area near the proximal end  20  of the cannula  18 . The suction bore  32  is in fluid communication with the channel  24 . The suction source is therefore in fluid communication with the suction connector  30 , the suction bore  32  and the channel  24 . Suction may be used to extract material from a surgical field through the operative head  26 , through the channel  24  of the hollow cannula  18 , through the suction bore  32  and out through the suction connector  30 . 
     The operative head  26  may be configured as a cutting device such as, for example and without limitation, a mechanical cutter or a radio frequency ablation device. Additionally, the operative head  26  may be configured as a shaver. Additionally, the surgical device may be a simple suction device and the operative head may contain an opening for material to pass through. The body  12  may have an actuator  36  for triggering an action by the operative head  26 . Additionally, the body  12  may have a display  38  for displaying at least one condition of the device  10 . 
     In an implementation, divertors  40  are placed on an inner surface where fluid, tissue or debris are evacuated through the surgical device  10 . As used herein, the term “divertors” refers to protrusions extending from a surface  42 . As shown in, for example,  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the divertors  40  may be placed in a spiral (helical) pattern  44 . The divertors  40  may have a rounded profile  46 . In other implementations, the divertors may have a bladed profile  48 , such as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the divertors  40  may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cannula  18  to form a corrugated tube. Tissue may flow on the divertors  40  while fluid may be travel into grooves between the divertors. The geometry of the divertors  40  may be altered depending on, for example and without limitation, the likely fluids, tissue and debris expected to pass through the device as well as the amount of suction expected to be used. 
     In an implementation, the divertors  40  are placed inside the channel  24 , such as and without limitation in an area proximal to the distal end  22  of the cannula  18 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , the divertors  40  may also be places on an inner surface of the operative head  26 . The divertors  40  may also be placed in the suction bore  32 , such as, and without limitation, proximal to the suction connector  30 . 
     As fluid, tissue and debris contact the divertors  40 , rotation may be induced. The rotation may help to further break up tissue and debris to prevent clumping and blockages. The divertors  40  direct fluid, tissue and debris within a fluid path to prevent fluid, tissue or debris from adhering to the surface  42  of the fluid path. The size and configuration of the divertors  40  may change along the length of the fluid path. The divertors  40  may be machined into the fluid path. Additionally, the divertors  40  may be molded into the fluid path, such as when the fluid path is formed of metal, plastic or ceramic. Additionally, the divertors  40  may be on an insert that is placed in the fluid path. 
     In an implementation, rifling  50  is placed on an inner surface where fluid, tissue or debris are evacuated through the surgical device  10 . As used herein, the term “rifling” refers to grooves in the surface  42 . In an implementation, as shown in for example in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the rifling  50  is in a spiral (helical) pattern  52 . In an implementation, the rifling  50  has a substantially rectangular profile. In other implementations, the rifling  50  may have a rounded profile. In an implementation, as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the rifling  50  has a polygonal profile  54 . 
     In an implementation, the rifling  50  is placed inside the channel  24 , such as and without limitation in an area proximal to the distal end  22  of the cannula  18 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , the rifling  50  may also be placed on an inner surface of the operative head  26 . The rifling  50  may also be placed in the suction bore  32 , such as, and without limitation, proximal to connection of the suction source  30 . The rifling  50  is used to exert torque and impart a spin to fluid, tissue or debris passing through the surgical device to prevent fluid, tissue or debris from adhering to the inner surface of the fluid path fluid for easier removal. 
     The rifling  50  may be machined into the fluid path. Additionally, the rifling  50  may be molded into the fluid path, such as when the fluid path is formed of metal, plastic or ceramic. Additionally, the rifling  50  may be on an insert that is placed in the fluid path. In an implementation, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the divertors  40  or the rifling  50  may be placed in a double helix pattern  56  to direct fluid/tissue and or dislodge and keep tissue from sticking to main inner lumen wall. 
     In an implementation, the surgical device  10  has both divertors  40  and rifling  50 . Additionally, the divertors  40  or rifling  50  may be coated, such as with hydrophobic coatings. The coatings may be made using physical vapor deposition (PVD). 
     A surgical device  100  according to an additional implementation, namely a surgical shaver, is shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   . As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12    the shaver  100  has a body  102 , with a proximal end  104  and a distal end  106 . A cannula  108  is coupled to the distal end  106  of the body  102 . The cannula  108  has a proximal end  110  and a distal end  112 . The cannula  108  is hollow. A cutting head  114  is coupled to the distal end  112  of the cannula  108 . An inner shaft  116  is rotationally positioned within the cannula  108 . The inner shaft  116  has a proximal end  118  coupled to an inner hub  120  and a distal end  122 . The inner hub  120  is rotatably mounted within the body  102 . The distal end  122  has a blade  124 . As the inner shaft  116  is rotated relative to the cannula the blade  124  cooperates with the cutting head  114  to cut tissue in contact with the cutting head. The inner shaft  116  is hollow and contains a channel  126 . Although a shaver with a cutting head  114  and blade  124  have been illustrated, the surgical device  100  may have other components on the distal ends of the cannula  108  and the inner shaft  116 , and may be configured for example, and without limitation, as drills, burrs, and rasps. 
     A power supply cable  128  may be coupled to the proximal end  104  of the body  102 . A suction connector  130  may be located on the proximal end  104  of the body  102 . The suction connector  130  is in fluid communication with a suction source (not shown). The suction connector  130  is in fluid communication with a suction bore  132 . The suction bore  132  extends from the suction connector to an area near the inner hub  120 . The suction bore  132  is in fluid communication with the inner hub  120  and the proximal end  118  of the inner shaft  116 . The suction source is therefore in fluid communication with the suction connector  130 , the suction bore  132  and the channel  126 . Suction is used to extract material from a surgical field through the cutting head  114 , through the channel  126 , through the suction bore  132  and out through the suction connector  130 . 
     In an implementation, divertors  134  are placed inside the channel  126 , such as and without limitation in an area proximal to the distal end  122  of the inner shaft  116 . Divertors  134  may also be paced on an inner surface of the suction bore  132 , such as and without limitation proximal to the inner hub  120 . Instead of, or in addition to, divertors  134 , rifling may be placed inside the channel  126 , such as and without limitation in an area proximal to the distal end  122  of the inner shaft  116 . Additionally, rifling ma also be placed on an inner surface of the suction bore  132 , such as and without limitation proximal to the inner hub  120 . 
     There is disclosed in the above description and the drawings, a surgical device system that fully and effectively overcomes the disadvantages associated with the prior art. However, it will be apparent that variations and modifications of the disclosed implementations may be made without departing from the principles described herein. The presentation of the implementations herein is offered by way of example only and not limitation. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.