Abstract:
The invention relates to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation, comprising at least two connectors having a body comprising a channel for the passage of a fluid. The at least connectors comprise a tactile arrow-like portion that indicates a direction of flow of the fluid through the channel, whereby a tactile arrow-like portion of one of the at least two connectors indicates a direction of flow towards the medical instrument, and a tactile arrow-like portion of another one of the at least two connectors indicates a direction of flow away from the medical instrument.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation which comprises at least two connectors having a body comprising a channel for the passage of a fluid.  
         [0002]     Medical instruments for suction and irrigation are known and are sold for example by the applicant for use in laparoscopy.  
         [0003]     These instruments serve for example for the purpose of cleaning a viewing window of an endoscope of blood or other body fluids during an endoscopic examination or treatment, or of removing blood and body fluids from an operating site.  
         [0004]     It is thereby important that the connecting lines are always attached to the correct connectors, since otherwise for example body fluids get into the irrigation portion of an instrument for suction and irrigation that has to be kept sterile, and can possibly also contaminate the sterile irrigation fluid.  
         [0005]     Previously, visual information has been provided on such instruments in the form of arrows or lettering. However, this has the disadvantage that the surgeon may have to look up from the operating site and cannot detect with other senses whether a connector and a valve possibly attached to it is an irrigation connector or a suction connector.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, certain operations, in particular those in which fluorescence phenomena are used, are carried out in a dark operating theatre, which makes the detection of visual information much more difficult again.  
         [0007]     It is therefore one object of the invention to define a medical instrument for suction and irrigation having at least two connectors by means of which the direction of flow of a fluid through these connectors can be detected quickly and without visual information.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     According to the invention, this object is achieved by a medical instrument comprising at least two connectors having a tactile arrow-like portion that indicates a direction of flow of the fluid through the channel, whereby a tactile arrow-like portion of one of the at least two connectors indicates a direction of flow towards the medical instrument and a tactile arrow-like portion of another one of the at least two connectors indicates a direction of flow away from the medical instrument.  
         [0009]     A tactile arrow-like portion is understood here as meaning any construction by means of which by touch alone directional information can be conveyed. Examples of this are the arrangement of ribbed engravings provided transversely in relation to the direction of flow, which converge in one direction, similarly formed elevations, shapes in the form of an arrow, triangle, pyramid, cone or the like arranged on the connector in such a manner that they can be felt, or else a series of objects of decreasing size, such as for example a series of beads becoming smaller in the direction of flow.  
         [0010]     In an embodiment, the tactile arrow-like portion is arranged on the body, in particular the tactile arrow-like portion is formed by the body.  
         [0011]     As a result of this measure, the directional indicator is located directly at the connector and thereby makes a quick detection of the direction of flow possible. If the body forms the tactile arrow-like portion, this also makes production easier, since the tactile arrow-like portion can be formed directly during the production of the body.  
         [0012]     In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the at least two connectors comprises a valve.  
         [0013]     As a result of this measure, the function of opening and closing a flow through the connector is directly associated with the connector. There is consequently a link between the control of the flow and the information on the direction of the flow.  
         [0014]     In an embodiment of the aforementioned measure, the tactile arrow-like portion is arranged on the valve and, in particular, is formed by the valve.  
         [0015]     As a result of this measure, the directional information is directly accessible at the location at which the supply or removal of a fluid is initiated. During the process of taking hold of the valve in order to open or close it, the direction of flow of this valve is thereby detected almost automatically, which again contributes significantly to the safety of operating the instrument.  
         [0016]     In a further embodiment of the invention, the tactile arrow-like portion comprises at least a first region and a second region, the second region being arranged downstream of the first region in the direction of flow and having a smaller width than the first region in at least one plane along the direction of flow.  
         [0017]     It is hereby understood that the expressions “first region” and “second region” only serve to distinguish the two regions from each other and shall not be interpreted as indicating any particular order or preference.  
         [0018]     As a result of such an arrangement, a structure which tapers in the direction of flow and can be detected by touch is formed. In this embodiment the tactile arrow-like portion can be detected by touch particularly easily.  
         [0019]     In an embodiment of the aforementioned measure, the tactile arrow-like portion tapers continuously from the first region to the second region.  
         [0020]     In the case of a discontinuous taper, accurate information on the direction of flow cannot be obtained at certain locations. In the case of a continuous taper, by contrast, the directional information can be acquired by touch at any point of the tactile arrow-like portion in a simple way.  
         [0021]     In an embodiment of the aforementioned measure, the tactile arrow-like portion forms an arrow.  
         [0022]     The design of the tactile arrow-like portion as an arrow forms a particularly intuitive way of conveying information.  
         [0023]     In a further embodiment of the invention, the tactile arrow-like portion is formed by an engraving.  
         [0024]     An engraving has the advantage that it can be provided on a connector in a structurally simple manner. It also has the advantage that even already existing instruments can in this way be provided with a tactile arrow-like portion according to the invention in a simple manner.  
         [0025]     In a further embodiment of the invention, the tactile arrow-like portion is formed by an elevation.  
         [0026]     An elevation has the advantage that it can be formed during the forming of the connector in a simple manner in production engineering terms. This measure also has the advantage that elevations can be sensed by touch particularly easily.  
         [0027]     It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and still to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     The invention is now further explained in more detail by way of example on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first connector for a medical instrument for suction and irrigation;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a second connector for a medical instrument for suction and irrigation;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a third connector for a medical instrument for suction and irrigation;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a fourth connector for a medical instrument for suction and irrigation; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a medical instrument for suction and irrigation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     In  FIG. 1 , a connector is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0035]     The connector  10  comprises a body  12 , through which a channel  14  runs. Via this channel  14 , a fluid can be passed through the connector  10 .  
         [0036]     The body  12  comprises a first end  16 , at which a connecting piece  18  is arranged. With this connecting piece  18 , the connector  10  can be connected to a line for a fluid.  
         [0037]     The body  12  further comprises a second end  20 , at which the connector  10  can be connected to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation.  
         [0038]     Arranged between the first end  16  and the second end  20  is a tactile arrow-like portion  22 . This tactile arrow-like portion  22  comprises a first region  24  and a second region  26 . The first region  24  has a greater width than the second region  26  in a plane along the direction of flow, i.e. along the channel  14 . The tactile arrow-like portion  22  tapers continuously from the first region  24  to the second region  26 . As a result, the tactile arrow-like portion  22  has approximately the form of a triangle and, together with the body  12 , forms the shape of an arrow.  
         [0039]     Since the first region  24  is located here to the left of the second region  26 , it is indicated that the fluid is being passed through the connector  10  from the first end  16  in the direction of an arrow  28  to the second end  20 .  
         [0040]     In  FIG. 2 , a second connector is denoted by the reference numeral  30 .  
         [0041]     The connector  30  is of substantially the same construction as the connector IO and forms the component complementing the latter.  
         [0042]     The connector  30  comprises a body  32 , through which a channel  34  runs. Via this channel  34 , a fluid can be passed through the connector  30 .  
         [0043]     The body  32  comprises a first end  36 , at which a connecting piece  38  is arranged. With this connecting piece  38 , the connector  32  can be connected to a line for a fluid.  
         [0044]     The body  32  further comprises a second end  40 , at which the connector  30  can be connected to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation.  
         [0045]     Arranged between the first end  36  and the second end  40  is a tactile arrow-like portion  42 . This tactile arrow-like portion  42  comprises a first region  44  and a second region  46 . The first region  44  has a greater width than the second region  46  in a plane along the direction of flow, i.e. along the channel  34 . The tactile arrow-like portion  42  tapers continuously from the first region  44  to the second region  46 . As a result, the tactile arrow-like portion  42  has approximately the form of a triangle and, together with the body  32 , forms the shape of an arrow.  
         [0046]     In this case, the first region  44  is arranged on the right-hand side and the second region  46  is arranged on the left-hand side. As a result, a direction of flow from the second end  40  towards the first end  36  in the direction of arrow  48  is indicated.  
         [0047]     In  FIG. 3 , a third connector is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral  50 .  
         [0048]     The connector  50  comprises a body  52 , through which a channel not represented here runs.  
         [0049]     The body  52  comprises a first end  54 , at which a connecting piece  56  is arranged. By this connecting piece  56 , the connector  50  can be connected to a line for a fluid, for example a supply line for an irrigation fluid.  
         [0050]     The body  52  further comprises a second end  58 , at which the connector  50  is connected to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation, not shown here.  
         [0051]     Arranged between the first end  54  and the second end  58  is a valve  60 . This valve  60  comprises a valve body  62  and a cock  64 . The cock  64  has a lever  66 , by means of which the valve  60  can be operated. If the lever  66  is arranged parallel to the body  52 , the valve  60  is open, and a fluid can flow through the connector  50 . If the lever  66  is angled away from this position, the valve  60  is closed.  
         [0052]     The valve body  62  has a first region  68  and a second region  70 . The first region  68  has a greater width than the second region  70  in a plane running along the direction of flow and tapers continuously from the first region  68  to the second region  70 , giving the valve body  62  a substantially triangular form. This means here the valve body  62  forms the tactile arrow-like portion. It is indicated by this form that a fluid is flowing through the connector  50  from the first end  54  towards the second end  58 , that is to say in the direction of arrow  72 .  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 4 , a fourth connector is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral  80 .  
         [0054]     The connector  80  is of substantially the same construction as the connector  50  and forms the component complementing the latter.  
         [0055]     The connector  80  comprises a body  82 , through which a channel not represented here runs.  
         [0056]     The body  82  comprises a first end  84 , at which a connecting piece  86  is arranged. By this connecting piece  86 , the connector  80  can be connected to a line for a fluid, for example a suction line.  
         [0057]     The body  82  further comprises a second end  88 , at which the connector  80  is connected to a medical instrument for suction and irrigation, not shown here.  
         [0058]     Arranged between the first end  84  and the second end  88  is a valve  90 . This valve  90  comprises a valve body  92  and a cock  94 . The cock  94  has a lever  96 , by means of which the valve  90  can be operated. If the lever  96  is arranged parallel to the body  82 , the valve is open, and a fluid can flow through the connector  80 . If the lever  96  is angled away from this position, the valve  90  is closed.  
         [0059]     The valve body  92  comprises a first region  98  and a second region  100 . The first region  98  has a greater width than the second region  100  in a plane running along the direction of flow and tapers continuously from the first region  98  to the second region  100 , giving the valve body  92  a substantially triangular form. This means here the valve body  92  forms the tactile arrow-like portion. It is indicated by this form that a fluid is flowing through the connector  80  from the second end  88  towards the first end  84 , that is to say in the direction of arrow  102 .  
         [0060]     In  FIG. 5 , a medical instrument for suction and irrigation is denoted in its entirety by the reference numeral  110 .  
         [0061]     The instrument for suction and irrigation  110  comprises a shaft  11 . 2 , with which an irrigation fluid can be introduced into the body of a patient and fluids can be removed from the body by suction.  
         [0062]     Arranged at the proximal end of the shaft  112  is a handle  114 , which here has the form of a pistol grip. Arranged on this handle  114  are a first connector  116  with a first tactile arrow-like portion  118  and a second connector  120  with a second tactile arrow-like portion  122 .  
         [0063]     The two connectors  116  and  120  serve to connect the instrument for suction and irrigation  110  to a supply line for an irrigation fluid and a suction line and to introduce fluids into the body of a patient and removing them from it by suction via the shaft  112 .  
         [0064]     The first tactile arrow-like portion  118  tapers towards the handle  114 , thereby indicating that the supply line for the irrigation fluid is to be attached here. The second tactile arrow-like portion  122  tapers away from the handle  114 , thereby indicating that the suction removal line is to be attached here. Through this design, it can be detected immediately and intuitively which lines are to be arranged at the connectors. This can possibly even take place without looking.  
         [0065]     It is clear to a man of the art, that this tactile arrow-like portions  118  and  122  can be supplemented or replaced by other means detectable by touch such as engravings or elevations, for example, in the form of an arrow or one or more triangles indicating the direction of flow of a fluid through the connectors  116  and  120 .  
         [0066]     Also arranged on the handle  114  is the valve lever  124 . The valve lever  124  can be moved upwards and downwards. The valve lever  124  blocks or releases the flow of the flushing fluid.