Patent Description:
During the performance of various medical procedures it frequently becomes necessary to remove material such as blood and bone chips during an orthopedic procedure, by suctioning. Conventional suction canisters connected to the suction instruments used in medical procedures have standard fittings for receiving suction tubing. Conventional suction tubing has an inner diameter typically within the range of <NUM> to <NUM> ( <MAT> to <MAT> inch). However, in many orthopedic procedures, the nature of the materials being removed by the suctioning are such that the materials clog the standard tubing, instruments, and fittings used for connecting suction tubing.

In a single standard hip or knee replacement (or revision) procedure, a surgeon may unclog the suction tubing up to <NUM> times. As mentioned above, the suction tubing can become clogged with a mixture of solid and liquid biological materials, such as blood, fat, bone chips, and coagulated blood. To unclog the suction system, the surgeon has to disassemble and reassemble the components of the system. Thus, unclogging the suction system is labor intensive and time consuming.

In some cases, the surgical procedure may require use of a small suction instrument. For example, a small suction instrument may be required for small incisions made at the beginning of a surgical procedure when the surgical site is small and the suction is used for liquid biological materials only. Currently, small and large suction instruments are components of their own separate suction systems. In other words, a surgeon must switch suction systems to use a different sized suction instrument.

Accordingly, there is a need for a suction system that minimizes clogging and allows the interchangeable use of small and large suction instruments. <CIT> discloses a suction system with the features in the preamble of present claim <NUM>. Other conventional suction systems are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention as defined in the appended claims is directed to a surgical suction system with adapters for interchanging instruments and connecting to a variety of vacuum systems and collection devices. According to one aspect, the suction system includes a Yankauer suction device having a distal tip with a first diameter, and a proximal end with exterior hose barbs (or, alternatively, threads) and a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The suction system also includes cannulated tubing having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the cannulated tubing is configured to mate with the exterior hose barbs of the Yankauer suction device. The suction system further includes an adapter having a distal end with exterior hose barbs and a proximal end. The exterior hose barbs of the adapter are configured to mate with the proximal end of the cannulated tubing.

According to another aspect, the suction system includes a Yankauer suction device having a distal tip with a first diameter, and a proximal end with exterior hose barbs and a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The suction system also includes cannulated tubing having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the cannulated tubing is configured to mate with the exterior hose barbs of the Yankauer suction device. The suction system further includes a first adapter having a distal end with exterior hose barbs and a proximal end. The exterior hose barbs of the adapter are configured to mate with the proximal end of the cannulated tubing. The suction system also includes a second instrument having a proximal end, which is configured to mate with a proximal end of a second adapter. The second adapter has a proximal end with exterior hose barbs, which are configured to mate with the distal end of the cannulated tubing. The Yankauer suction device and the second instrument are interchangeable. In a first configuration, the proximal end of the Yankauer suction device is connected to the distal end of the cannulated tubing. In a second configuration, the proximal end of the second instrument is connected to the distal end of the second adapter and the proximal end of the second adapter is connected to the distal end of the cannulated tubing.

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:.

Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, <FIG> shows an exploded side view schematic representation of the suction system <NUM>, according to an embodiment. The suction system <NUM> comprises a large bore suction instrument <NUM>, such as a Yankauer suction tool/device (hereinafter "large bore Yankauer"). The large bore Yankauer <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> with a distal tip <NUM> having a bore <NUM> extending therethrough, as shown in <FIG>. In the depicted embodiment, the bore <NUM> is relatively large in order to remove both liquid and solid biological materials (e.g., blood, fat, bone chips) from the surgical site. In one embodiment, the bore <NUM> has an inner diameter d1 of <NUM>; however, a bore <NUM> of an alternative size may be used as long as the inner diameter is sufficiently large to allow for the passage of both liquid and solid biological materials. Specifically, as used herein "large bore" is defined to include a broad range of bore sizes having a diameter within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, with the inner diameter d1 of the bore <NUM> preferably within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> extends from its distal tip <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> along a central longitudinal y - y axis. The proximal end <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> comprises exterior hose barbs <NUM>. Hose barbs <NUM> are understood by one of ordinary skill in the art as barb-like rings which allow for each push-connection and prevent easy disconnection to tubing. The exterior hose barbs <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM> are sized and configured to removably attach to cannulated flexible tubing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As also shown in <FIG>, a channel <NUM> extends along the central longitudinal y - y axis through the body <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> from the bore <NUM> at the distal tip <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM>. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the channel <NUM> is smallest at the distal tip <NUM> (i.e., d1 of bore <NUM> in <FIG>). For example, in one embodiment, the inner diameter of the channel <NUM> increases from the inner diameter d1 of the distal tip <NUM> to the inner diameter d2 (<FIG>) at the proximal end <NUM>. Increasing the inner diameter of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> from distal tip <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM> with the direction of suction f (<FIG>) provides extra space for flowing biological materials and minimizes clogs.

As stated above, the proximal end <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> is sized and configured to mate with or otherwise connect to the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> comprises a pair of flared ends <NUM>, <NUM>, one at a distal end <NUM> of the flexible tubing <NUM> and one at a proximal end <NUM> of the flexible tubing <NUM>, respectively. The flared ends <NUM>, <NUM> are portions of the flexible tubing <NUM> wherein the flexible tubing <NUM> is tapered or otherwise has a changing inner diameter. The flared ends <NUM>, <NUM> accommodate connections between the flexible tubing <NUM> and instruments and/or connectors, and are configured and/or structured to prevent pinching or kinking of the tube adjacent to the flared end (conventional tubing without the flared ends kink or pinch at a section adjacent the connected ends of the tube). Accordingly, other dimensions and configurations of the flexible tubing <NUM> may be used as long as the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> are suitable for stable connection to the instruments and/or connectors.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, an inner diameter of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> increases toward the distal end <NUM>, creating the first flared end <NUM> and increases in the opposite direction toward the proximal end <NUM>, creating the second flared end <NUM>. As the inner diameter of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> increases toward both the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, the inner diameter of the flexible tubing <NUM> is smallest at a central portion <NUM> of the flexible tubing <NUM> between the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> extends to distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> and has an inner diameter d3, which is greater than the inner diameter d1 of the bore <NUM> at the distal tip <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the inner diameter d1 of the first bore is <NUM> and the inner diameter d3 of the central portion <NUM> of the flexible tubing <NUM> is <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, d3 > d2 > d1 such that the inner diameter of the suction system <NUM> increase with the direction of suction f (<FIG>). In another embodiment, the inner diameter d3 of the central portion <NUM> is <NUM>/<NUM> inch, which is larger than the inner diameter of tubing generally used with Yankauer suction devices. A relatively large inner diameter of the flexible tubing <NUM> increases flow in the direction of suction f (<FIG>), which minimizes clogging.

Still referring to <FIG>, the first flared end <NUM> of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> is sized and configured to removably receive the proximal end <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> shows that the first flared end <NUM> engages or catches on each of the barbs <NUM> on the proximal end <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM>. The second flared end <NUM> of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> is sized and configured to removably receive a flexible adapter <NUM> (also in <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the flexible adapter <NUM> comprises a distal end <NUM> with exterior hose barbs <NUM>. The exterior hose barbs <NUM> are sized and configured to mate with or otherwise connect to the second flared end <NUM> of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In the depicted embodiment, the second flared end <NUM> engages or catches on each of the barbs <NUM> on the distal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there are shown various views schematic representations of the flexible adapter <NUM>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> shows a perspective side view of the flexible adapter <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the flexible adapter <NUM> has exterior hose barbs <NUM> on its distal end <NUM>, as described above. In one embodiment, the exterior hose barbs <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> match or are substantially similar to the exterior hose barbs <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM>. <FIG> shows a perspective back (proximal) view schematic representation of the flexible adapter <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show a bore <NUM> extending from a proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>. <FIG> also shows the bore <NUM> extending therethrough. When assembled, the suction system <NUM> comprises a pathway for biological materials from the distal tip <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>. The pathway includes the bore <NUM> and channel <NUM> in the large bore Yankauer <NUM>, the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM>, and the bore <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> also show various views schematic representations of the flexible adapter <NUM>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> shows a side view schematic representation of the flexible adapter <NUM>, while <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view schematic representation of the flexible adapter <NUM> of <FIG>. In the depicted embodiment, as described above, the bore <NUM> extends from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>. In one embodiment, the smallest inner diameter of the flexible adapter <NUM> is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the bore <NUM> of the distal tip <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM>. For example, the smallest inner diameter of the flexible adapter <NUM> is <NUM>, while the inner diameter d1 of the bore <NUM> of the distal tip <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> is <NUM>.

In the present invention, the inner diameter d4 at the distal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter d5 at the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>. The largest inner diameter of the suction system <NUM> is the inner diameter d5 at the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> such that the inner diameter of the suction system <NUM> increases from the distal tip <NUM> of the large bore Yankauer <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM>. An increasing inner diameter of the suction system <NUM> in the direction of suction f (<FIG>) allows for biological materials of varying sizes and consistencies to pass through the suction system <NUM>, increasing flow to the proximal end <NUM> and minimizing clogs.

Referring back to <FIG>, the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> is configured to interface the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> with a suction collection canister, other container, or existing instruments having a relatively small diameter (as described in detail below, and as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). For example, the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> can be connected to a port on a collection canister, such as a collection canister on a cart (e.g., portable vacuum system). In another example, the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM> is configured to interface with a flexible adapter <NUM> which is fixed (permanently or removably) to a port <NUM> on a pour spout adapter <NUM> for a collection canister, as shown in <FIG>. As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the pour spout adapter <NUM> connects to a suction collection canister (not shown) so that biological material removed by the suction system <NUM> can be poured from the collection canister without removal of its lid (or other covering). In another embodiment, the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> is configured to connect to a port for a wall vacuum. The proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> can be connected to a port in any of the examples described above as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in <FIG>, the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> has one or more flats <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the flats <NUM> are spaced and extend along the length of the flexible adapter <NUM>. The flats <NUM> are configured and/or structured to prevent the flexible adapter <NUM> from rolling off the instrument table or other surface when the flexible adapter <NUM> (or suction system <NUM>) is not in use. In an embodiment, the flats <NUM> extend in a direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis y - y extending through the flexible adapter <NUM>.

Turning back to <FIG>, an additional flexible adapter <NUM>' can be used to connect a small bore Yankauer <NUM>' with the first flared end <NUM> (i.e., distal end <NUM>) of the cannulated flexible tubing <NUM>. As mentioned above, the flexible adapter <NUM>' can be used to connect the flexible tubing <NUM> to a smaller instrument (relative to the large bore Yankauer <NUM>). It is important to note that when the additional flexible adapter <NUM>' is used, it is the same as the flexible adapter shown in <FIG>; however, the distal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> is the same as the proximal end <NUM>' of the additional flexible adapter <NUM>' and the proximal end <NUM> of the flexible adapter <NUM> is the same as the distal end <NUM>' of the additional flexible adapter <NUM>'. In other words, in one embodiment, the additional flexible adapter <NUM>' is a rotated configuration (<NUM>°) of the flexible adapter <NUM> in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the distal end <NUM>' of the flexible adapter <NUM>' connects to a proximal end <NUM>' of the small bore Yankauer <NUM>' (or other small instrument) and the proximal end <NUM>' of the flexible adapter <NUM>' connects to the first flared end <NUM> of the flexible tubing <NUM>. Thus, the flexible adapter <NUM>' and connected small bore Yankauer <NUM>' can be interchanged with the large bore Yankauer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The small bore Yankauer <NUM>' can be used to suction or remove liquids from surgical areas, such as small incisions. The ability to quickly interchange the large bore Yankauer <NUM> with a smaller instrument <NUM>' allows the user to select the instrument (e.g., large bore Yankauer <NUM> or small bore Yankauer <NUM>') based on factors, such as the size of the surgical site and the biological materials that are being removed from the surgical site.

Claim 1:
A suction system (<NUM>), comprising:
a Yankauer suction device (<NUM>) having a distal tip (<NUM>) with a first diameter (d1) and a proximal end (<NUM>), the proximal end (<NUM>) having a second diameter (d2), wherein the second diameter (d2) is greater than the first diameter (d1);
cannulated flexible tubing (<NUM>) having a distal end (<NUM>) and a proximal end (<NUM>), the distal end (<NUM>) configured to mate with the proximal end (<NUM>) of the Yankauer suction device (<NUM>);
a first adapter (<NUM>) having a distal end (<NUM>) and a proximal end (<NUM>), the distal end (<NUM>) configured to mate with the proximal end (<NUM>) of the cannulated tubing (<NUM>); and
a channel (<NUM>) extending from the distal tip (<NUM>) of the Yankauer suction device (<NUM>) to the proximal end (<NUM>) of the Yankauer suction device (<NUM>),
wherein the channel (<NUM>) has an inner diameter increasing with the direction of suction (f) from the first diameter (d1) of the distal tip (<NUM>) to the second diameter (d2) of the proximal end (<NUM>),
characterized in that an inner diameter (d4) at the distal end (<NUM>) of the first adapter (<NUM>) is smaller than an inner diameter (d5) at the proximal end (<NUM>) of the first adapter (<NUM>), and the inner diameter (d5) at the proximal end (<NUM>) of the first adapter (<NUM>) is the largest inner diameter of the suction system (<NUM>).