Patent Description:
The technical field generally relates to devices and methods for irrigating or suctioning fluid from a body lumen or cavity of a mammal such as a human.

In recent years, sinus surgeons have improved treatment of nasal and sinus conditions. For example, dilating sinus drainage pathways with balloon catheters has become a new standard of care in treating chronic and acute rhinosinusitis. Sinus surgeons have also begun to treat a broader array of nasal and sinus conditions in the comfort of the physician's office setting and under local anesthesia, rather than operating on those same patients in an operating room setting under general anesthesia.

These changes in sinus treatment have given rise to needs for improved sinus surgery tools. Document <CIT> discloses a combined aspiration and irrigation instrument comprising a handle portion through which are longitudinally located a suction tube and a wash solution tube in parallel relation. The forward end portion of the wash solution tube is of smaller diameter than the suction tube, and is disposed concentrically therein, terminating at a point spaced from a central outlet opening in the end of a tip and communicating with radial suction passages therein. Document <CIT> discloses an endoscopic surgical instrument for aspiration and irrigation of a surgical site. The device includes at least one rotatable trumpet valve to provide for variable orientation of the device during use. Connection ports for irrigation fluid and a suction means are provided which communicate with a single lumen cannula which transports both the irrigation fluid and the suction pressure to the surgical site. The single lumen cannula is provided with a sleeve means to vary the pressure of the irrigation fluid to provide for high pressure application of the irrigation fluid to perform hydrodissection.

The present invention includes articles for irrigating or suctioning fluid from a body lumen or cavity of a mammal (e.g., a human). According to the present disclosure, an irrigation and suction device is provided according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are recited in the dependent claims.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes an irrigation and suction device comprising an irrigation tube that defines an irrigation lumen; a reinforcement member arranged coaxially on the irrigation tube; a suction tube slidably mounted on the irrigation tube, wherein a suction channel extends down the length of the suction tube in an annular space defined between an inner wall of the suction tube and an outer wall of the reinforcement member; a handle secured to a proximal portion of the irrigation tube; and a slide member secured to the suction tube and slidably mounted within the handle. Advancing the slide member distally along the handle advances the suction tube along a length of the irrigation tube.

In examples not forming part of the invention, methods of using the irrigation and suction devices are described herein to suction or irrigate a body cavity or lumen of a patient. The methods can include providing an irrigation and suction device according to any of the examples of embodiments described herein, directing the irrigation tube through the nostril of the patient and to a desired location within the body cavity or lumen of the patient, and directing a fluid through the irrigation tube of the device or suctioning fluid through the suction tube of the device.

The present invention provides the devices and tools needed to allow for irrigation and suctioning of fluids within a mammalian body. The devices of the present invention include an irrigation tube that is malleable under the type of forces typically exerted by human fingers, which means a practitioner of the invention can readily shape the irrigation tube to better navigate torturous anatomy without the use of expensive or complicated shaping tools. The devices of the present invention also allow a practitioner to place irrigation spray ports and a suction tube at a desired location of the body with a single hand. That is, a practitioner can guide the irrigation tube and the suction tube to a desired location with a single hand, thereby freeing the user's other hand for other purposes, such as operating other surgical instruments (e.g., an endoscope).

The present invention enables a practitioner to irrigate the ducts, drainage pathways, or any other orifices in a mammalian body (e.g., from the sinus cavities and drainage pathways of a human body) with a fluid, suction or aspirate fluids or small solid particles from the same locations in the body, or both irrigate and suction simultaneously or sequentially from those same locations in the body.

The present invention relates to irrigation and suction devices that may be used to irrigate and suction fluid from a lumen or cavity (e.g., a nasal passageway or nasal sinus space).

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of one example of an irrigation and suction device <NUM> of the invention. The irrigation and suction device <NUM> includes a handle <NUM>, an irrigation tube <NUM>, a suction tube <NUM>, and a slide member <NUM>. Briefly, and as will be explained in further detail below, a practitioner of the invention can shape the irrigation tube <NUM> to better access tight anatomical passages, can irrigate anatomical sites with the irrigation tube <NUM>, can suction fluid from an anatomical site with the suction tube <NUM>, and can direct the suction tube <NUM> along the irrigation tube <NUM> by moving the slide member <NUM> in a direction that is parallel to the direction of arrow <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the irrigation and suction device <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> includes three body components in the form of distal cap <NUM> (also referred to as a retainer cap), main body <NUM>, and proximal cap <NUM>. The irrigation tube <NUM> (obscured by other components in <FIG>) extends through the main body <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, and a proximal portion of the irrigation tube <NUM> is secured to the proximal cap <NUM>. A proximal portion of the suction tube <NUM> is secured to a distal portion of the slide member <NUM>, with the suction tube <NUM> extending through an orifice defined by the distal cap <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the irrigation tube <NUM> assembled to the proximal cap <NUM>. The proximal cap <NUM> includes an irrigation port <NUM> and a suction port <NUM>, which are respectively coupled to an irrigation line <NUM> and a suction line <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>, but shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The irrigation tube <NUM> is hollow and defines an irrigation lumen extending along the length of the irrigation tube <NUM>. The proximal end of the irrigation tube <NUM> is secured to the proximal cap <NUM>. The irrigation lumen is in fluid communication with the irrigation port <NUM> of the proximal cap <NUM>. Two markers <NUM> are located on the outer surface of the distal portion <NUM> of the irrigation tube <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both of markers <NUM> are radiopaque.

The irrigation tube <NUM> is made from a material that is sufficiently malleable such that a practitioner of the invention is able to shape the distal portion <NUM> by hand or with only a small unpowered shaping tool. The irrigation tube may be sized as desired in order to facilitate the use of device <NUM> in a given part of the anatomy. For example, if the device <NUM> is to be used in the anatomy of the human nasal cavity, nasal sinuses, or Eustachian tubes, then it may be beneficial for the irrigation tube <NUM> to be made of a metallic hypotube (e.g., a stainless steel hypotube) having an inner diameter of between about <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters) to about <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of between about <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters) to about <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters). In further examples, the irrigation tube <NUM> may be made of SAE <NUM> stainless steel having an inner diameter of <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of about <NUM> inches (-<NUM> millimeters). The distal portion <NUM> or the entire length of irrigation tube <NUM> may also be annealed in order to impart the desired degree of malleability.

A reinforcing member is included to provide some or all of the length of the irrigation tube <NUM> with increased stiffness or rigidity. For example, and as best illustrated in <FIG> which shows a cut-away view along lines A- A in <FIG>, a reinforcement member in the form of reinforcement tube <NUM> is arranged coaxially on the irrigation tube <NUM>. The inner diameter of the reinforcement tube <NUM> is in contact or in approximate contact with the outer diameter of the irrigation tube <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the reinforcement tube <NUM> extends coaxially on the irrigation tube <NUM> from the proximal end of the irrigation tube <NUM> within the proximal cap <NUM><NUM> to the distal end <NUM> of the reinforcement tube <NUM> at or near the distal portion <NUM> of the irrigation tube <NUM>. In this way, the reinforcement tube <NUM> provides for increased stiffness or rigidity along the portion of the irrigation tube <NUM> that is proximal to distal portion <NUM>, while leaving the distal portion <NUM> more easily shaped by the hands of the user. While device <NUM> includes the reinforcing member <NUM> arranged on the outer side of irrigation tube <NUM>, a reinforcing member could in addition to, be arranged on the inner wall of the irrigation tube. The proximal end of reinforcement tube <NUM> may be textured or perforated so as to provide for better attachment of the reinforcement tube <NUM> to the proximal cap <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a close-up perspective view of a part of the distal portion <NUM> of the irrigation tube <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> includes a total of six irrigation or spray ports <NUM>, with three of the ports <NUM> arranged circumferentially in a first band <NUM> about the irrigation tube <NUM> and another three of the ports arranged circumferentially in a second band <NUM> about the irrigation tube <NUM>. The first band <NUM> of spray ports <NUM> is located at the very distal end of the irrigation tube <NUM>, while the second band <NUM> of spray ports <NUM> is located slightly proximal to the first location. The three ports <NUM> of each of the first and second bands <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged in an equidistance manner about the circumference of the irrigation tube <NUM> (i.e., at <NUM>° intervals), but the ports <NUM> of the first band <NUM> are off-set from the portions of the second band <NUM> in a gauche manner (i.e., the ports of the first band <NUM> are off-set from those of the second band <NUM> by about <NUM>°). The ports <NUM> have a tear-drop shape, with the narrow "tips" of the tear-drop shapes of the ports <NUM> of the first band <NUM> slightly truncated at the distal tip of the irrigation tube <NUM>. The tear-drop shape of the ports <NUM> provide a spray hole geometry that directs spray distally, with the "tail" of the tear-drop shaped holes causing streams of irrigation fluid to deflect forwards. While <FIG> illustrates a specific number of tear-dropped spray ports, the present invention is not so limited and the irrigation and suction devices of the present invention may include any number of irrigation ports of any desired shape and arranged in any desired pattern so as to provide an irrigation spray pattern suitable for a given application.

The distal end of the irrigation tube <NUM> includes an atraumatic tip, in the form of spherical member <NUM>. The atraumatic tip helps prevent or minimize tissue damage while a practitioner navigates a patient's anatomy with the device <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, rather than include a spherical member <NUM> the distal end of irrigation tube <NUM> may be rounded so as to provide an atraumatic tip.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the suction tube <NUM>, the distal cap <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, and the slide member <NUM>. The suction tube <NUM> includes a distal portion <NUM>, a proximal portion <NUM>, and a joinder portion <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> can be made from a flexible material, such as a polymeric material or a polymeric material reinforced with embedded mesh or wire (the reinforcement may be accomplished by laser cutting a coil or mesh from a distal portion of the tube used to form proximal portion <NUM>), that readily deforms as the suction tube <NUM> is tracked over the irrigation tube <NUM>. The proximal portion <NUM> can be made of a less flexible material (e.g., a stainless steel tube) that provides a desired amount of column or bending strength to the suction tube <NUM>. The joinder portion <NUM> may be the portion of the suction tube <NUM> where the flexible material of the distal portion <NUM> overlaps the less flexible material of the proximal portion <NUM>. For example, the portion of the less flexible material that extends into the joinder portion <NUM> may be textured (e.g., by grit blasting or laser cutting) so that it more easily adheres or bonds with the flexible material that extends into the joinder portion <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> and proximal portion <NUM> can be secured together at the joinder portion <NUM> by, for example, laminating the material of the distal portion <NUM> coaxially over or within the proximal portion <NUM>, use of an adhesive material, reflowing component materials, or interdigitating the proximal portion <NUM> into or within the distal portion. In some embodiments the flexible material of the distal portion <NUM> may extend well into or even along the entire length of the proximal portion <NUM> such that there is no discernable joinder portion <NUM>.

The proximal portion <NUM> extends through the distal cap <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and is secured to a distal end of the slide member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a cut-away side-view of the slide member <NUM> and the proximal portion <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM>. The slide member <NUM> defines an interior cavity <NUM> which is in fluid communication with a suction channel <NUM>. The suction channel <NUM> is defined by the proximal portion <NUM> but also extends through the distal portion <NUM> and the joinder portion <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM>. The slide member <NUM> also defines a suction vent <NUM> and a finger post <NUM>, with the suction vent <NUM> extending through the middle of the finger post <NUM> and at a right angle from the longitudinal axis of the main body of the slide member <NUM>. The suction vent <NUM> is in fluid communication with the cavity <NUM> and, in turn, the suction channel <NUM>.

The various portions of the suction tube <NUM> may be sized as desired to facilitate the use of the device <NUM> in a given part of the anatomy. For example, if the device <NUM> is to be used in the anatomy of the human nasal cavity, nasal sinuses, or Eustachian tubes, then it may be beneficial for (i) the distal portion <NUM> to have an inner diameter of between about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of between about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters), (ii) the joinder portion <NUM> to have an outer diameter of between about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters), and (iii) the proximal portion to have an inner diameter of between about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of between <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters). In further examples, the distal portion may have an inner diameter of about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters), the joinder portion may have an outer diameter of about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters), and the proximal portion may have an inner diameter of about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters) and an outer diameter of about <NUM> inches (~<NUM> millimeters). In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the proximal portion <NUM> is larger or smaller than the inner diameter of the distal portion <NUM>. Also, the outer diameter of the proximal portion <NUM> may be larger or smaller than the outer diameter of the distal portion <NUM>. It can, for example, be useful for the proximal portion <NUM> to have a larger inner diameter than the distal portion <NUM> so as to decrease the likelihood that the proximal portion <NUM> will become clogged by fluid or solids aspirated during use. In another example, it may be useful for the proximal portion <NUM> to have a larger outer diameter than the distal portion <NUM> so that the distal portion <NUM> can be more easily advanced into body lumens.

<FIG> also illustrates a side-view of a forward stop <NUM> and a distal prong <NUM>. As will be explained in further detail below, the distal prong <NUM> is a portion of the slide member <NUM> that is configured to resistantly engage the forward stop <NUM> of the distal cap <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the main body <NUM><NUM> of the handle <NUM>, while <FIG> illustrates a cut-away side view. The proximal end of the main body <NUM> includes two detents <NUM> that engage two complimentary prongs <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>) of the proximal cap <NUM>. The prongs <NUM> cooperate with the two detents <NUM> to provide a snap-fit between the main body <NUM> and the proximal cap <NUM>. The distal end of the main body <NUM> includes two prongs <NUM> that cooperate with two detents <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>) defined in the distal cap <NUM><NUM>, thereby securing the distal cap <NUM><NUM> to the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> also defines a slot <NUM>, which runs down a portion of the longitudinal length of the main body <NUM>. As will be explained further below, the slot <NUM> provides a defined track in which the slide member <NUM> may translate. The main body <NUM> also defines a suction chamber <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates a cut-away side view of the handle <NUM> fully assembled to the suction tube <NUM> and irrigation tube <NUM>. The proximal end of the irrigation tube <NUM> is secured within the lumen of the irrigation port <NUM> of the proximal cap <NUM>. Together, the irrigation tube <NUM> and the irrigation port <NUM> define an irrigation lumen <NUM> that extends from the irrigation port <NUM> to the spray ports <NUM>. The proximal end of the suction tube <NUM> is secured within the lumen of the slide member <NUM>. The slide member <NUM> is moveably constrained within the main body <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, with the finger post <NUM> extending through the slot <NUM>. The slide member <NUM> may translate along slot <NUM> along a direction that is parallel with the direction of arrow <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> defines a suction chamber <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the suction port <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> of the slide member <NUM>, and the suction channel <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM>. As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, the suction channel <NUM> extends down the length of the suction tube <NUM> in the annular space defined between the inner wall <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> and the outer wall <NUM> of the reinforcement tube <NUM>. The suction channel <NUM> can have an annular cross-sectional area - i.e., the area in the annular space lying between the inner wall <NUM> of the suction tube and the outer wall <NUM> of the reinforcement tube - of any size needed to provide a desired amount of suction. For example, the suction channel <NUM> may have an annular cross-sectional area of between about <NUM> square inches (~<NUM> square millimeters) to about <NUM> square inches (~<NUM> square millimeters). In a further example, the suction channel <NUM> may have an annular cross-sectional area of between about <NUM> square inches (~<NUM> square millimeters) to about <NUM> square inches (~<NUM> square millimeters). In a further example, the suction channel <NUM> may have an annular cross-sectional area of about <NUM> square inches (~<NUM> square millimeters).

<FIG> illustrates a cut-away view of the radial profile of the device <NUM> along lines C-C in <FIG>. The slide member <NUM> is arranged within the handle <NUM> with a relatively small clearance therebetween so that a tight fit is formed between the slide member <NUM> and inner wall of the handle <NUM>. This tight fit prevents an undesirable breach of the low pressure environment within the suction chamber <NUM> when a suction source is applied to the suction port <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> is defined between the inner wall of the slide member <NUM> and the outer wall of the reinforcement tube <NUM>. The irrigation tube <NUM> is positioned within and against the inner wall of the reinforcement tube <NUM>. The irrigation lumen <NUM> is defined within the irrigation tube <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the irrigation line <NUM> and suction line <NUM>. The irrigation line <NUM> can be secured to the irrigation port <NUM> while the suction line <NUM> may be secured to the suction port <NUM>. The irrigation line <NUM> and suction line <NUM> may be weakly adhered together such that a practitioner of the invention may delaminate one from the other during use.

<FIG> illustrates an adapter <NUM> for use with the irrigation line <NUM> or suction line <NUM>. Adapter <NUM> includes a barb fitting <NUM> on one side and two barb fittings <NUM> on the opposite side. Adapter <NUM> also includes a female Luer-type fitting <NUM>. The combination of the barb fitting <NUM>, the barb fittings <NUM>, and the Luer-type fitting <NUM> provides adapter <NUM> with the versatility to connect the irrigation and suction lines <NUM>, <NUM> with a wide variety of different suction and fluid sources. Alternative adapter designs are also encompassed by the present invention, such as the adapter <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> which includes one end with a barb <NUM> fitting and the opposite end with a Luer-type fitting <NUM>.

During use of the irrigation and suction device <NUM>, a practitioner of the invention can connect a fluid source (e.g., water, saline, active bacterial culture, or a drug solution) to the device <NUM> at either the irrigation port <NUM> or to the proximal end of the irrigation line <NUM>. The practitioner can bend or manipulate the distal portion <NUM> of the irrigation tube <NUM> to place it into a shape that is more advantageous for negotiating the contours of the anatomy to place the distal tip of the irrigation tube <NUM> at the desired location within a body lumen or cavity. While holding the handle <NUM> with a hand, the practitioner can direct the distal tip of the irrigation tube <NUM> to the desired location. Once placed at the desired location, the practitioner can direct the fluid through the irrigation line <NUM> (if used), through the irrigation port <NUM>, through the irrigation lumen <NUM> and out of the spray ports <NUM> at the distal end of the irrigation tube <NUM>. In this way, the practitioner can use device <NUM> to access and irrigate the desired location with a patient's anatomy. The patient may be, for example, a human or other mammal.

The practitioner can also use the device <NUM> to suction fluid (e.g., blood, saliva, mucus, other body fluids, the fluid directed through the irrigation lumen <NUM>, or mixtures thereof) at or near the desired location. To accomplish this, the practitioner connects a suction source to the barb or Luer fitting of adapters <NUM> or <NUM>, to the proximal end of the suction line <NUM>, or to the suction port <NUM>. Since the suction channel <NUM>, cavity <NUM>, suction chamber <NUM>, and suction port <NUM> are all in fluid communication, attaching the suction source will create a vacuum that extends through each of those regions and provides a suction force at the distal tip <NUM> of the distal portion <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> as well as at the suction vent <NUM> of the slide member <NUM>. When a practitioner blocks the suction vent <NUM>, by, for example, placing a finger on the finger post <NUM> in a way that obstructs the suction vent <NUM>, it increases the suction force at the distal tip <NUM>. Any fluids that come close to the distal tip <NUM> will be drawn by the suction force into the suction channel <NUM>, through the device <NUM>, and out of the suction port <NUM> or proximal end of the suction line <NUM>. If the practitioner clears the block from the suction vent <NUM>, by, for example, removing his/her finger from obstructing the suction vent <NUM>, then the suction force at the distal tip <NUM> will diminish.

The practitioner may also irrigate anatomy with the irrigation fluid while simultaneously suctioning all or some of the irrigation fluid from the anatomy. This can be useful to prevent the anatomy from becoming "flooded" with irrigation fluid. The flow path of the irrigation fluid (e.g., the irrigation lumen <NUM> and/or spray ports <NUM>) and the return paths of the suction effluent (e.g., the suction channel <NUM>) may be sized such that the device's suction rate is <NUM> to <NUM> times that of its irrigation rate; namely, when fully engaged, the suction rate of the device may be between <NUM> and <NUM> times that of the irrigation rate of the device. In further embodiments, the suction rate of the device may be between <NUM> and <NUM> times that of the irrigation rate of the device. In some embodiments the suction rate of the device is twice as large as the irrigation rate. In further embodiments, the suction rate of the device is between <NUM> and <NUM> times as large as the irrigation rate.

The practitioner can also translate or move the position of the distal tip <NUM> along the irrigation tube <NUM> by using a finger to translate the slide member <NUM> using the finger post <NUM> along the slot <NUM> in the main body <NUM> of the handle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the device <NUM> in a state where the slide member <NUM> is fully retracted or pulled proximally within the slot <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a distal portion of the irrigation tube <NUM> showing the relative position of the distal tip <NUM> when the slide member <NUM> is pulled fully proximally within the slot <NUM>. The distal tip <NUM> (and any suction force that may be applied there) is fully pulled back from the position of the irrigation ports <NUM>. The markers <NUM> are fully exposed. In this position, most of the fluid ejected from the irrigation ports <NUM> will not be immediately suctioned up at the distal tip <NUM> but will instead have a relatively long time to contact and irrigate the desired anatomical locations.

<FIG> illustrates the device <NUM> in a state where the slide member <NUM> has been extended or advanced distally within the slot <NUM> to the point where the distal prong <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> has made contact with the forward stop <NUM> on the distal cap <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. At this position, the distal tip <NUM> has been advanced distally along the irrigation tube <NUM> to a position that is at or just proximal to the irrigation ports <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> now overlies the markers <NUM>. In this position, the distal tip <NUM> can be used to quickly suction up most of the irrigation fluid ejected from the irrigation ports <NUM> when a finger is held over the suction vent <NUM>, thereby reducing the likelihood that an undesirable amount of irrigation fluid will build up at the irrigation spot within the patient's anatomy.

When advanced to the position shown in <FIG>, the distal prong <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> is pressed against the forward stop <NUM> of the distal cap <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. If the practitioner presses firmly, he/she can force the distal prong <NUM> past the forward stop <NUM> to advance the distal tip <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> further distally along the irrigation tube <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the device <NUM> when the slide member <NUM> has been fully advanced distally such that the distal prong <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> has been forced past the forward stop <NUM> of the distal cap <NUM>, thereby placing the distal tip <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> distally past or adjacent to the spherical member <NUM> of the irrigation tube <NUM>. In this way, the forward stop <NUM> and distal prong <NUM> provide tactile "force feedback" to the practitioner such that he/she can readily tell if the distal tip <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> is at or proximally adjacent to the irrigation ports <NUM> or whether the suction tube <NUM> has been advanced so far that all of the irrigation tube <NUM> is contained within the suction tube <NUM>. In the fully advanced position shown in <FIG>, the entire irrigation tube <NUM> is contained within the suction tube <NUM>. In this position, most or all of any irrigation fluid ejected from the irrigation ports <NUM> will be aspirated by the distal tip <NUM> of the suction tube <NUM> when a finger is held over the suction vent <NUM> and device <NUM> may be used in a manner similar to a simple suction device.

In some embodiments, the irrigation and suction device of the present invention includes irrigation spray channels that provide a more forward-facing spray pattern than what might be achieved by only directing irrigation fluid through the ports <NUM> of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. For example, <FIG> illustrates a close-up perspective view of a part of a distal portion <NUM> of an irrigation tube <NUM><NUM> that includes a plurality of forward-facing spray ports in the form of spray channels <NUM>. Three spray channels <NUM> extend through, and are entirely defined by, spherical member <NUM>. The spray channels <NUM> are in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen extending within the irrigation tube <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a close-up perspective view of another embodiment where the spherical member <NUM> is not a compete sphere but has instead has had one or more portions of its outer surface skived or otherwise removed in order to define spray ports in the form of spray channels <NUM>. Like the spray channels <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the spray channels <NUM> shown in <FIG> form a flow path for irrigation fluid but the flow path only passes along an outer surface of the spherical member <NUM> instead of completely through the spherical member <NUM>. As such, only a portion of the spray channels <NUM> are defined by the spherical member <NUM>. The spray channels <NUM> may be useful for projecting a spray of irrigation fluid out of the side of the distal end of the irrigation tube <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the irrigation and suction device of the present invention includes two or three of: i) spray ports formed in distal portion of an irrigation tube <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, ii) spray ports that pass through the atraumatic tip, as illustrated in <FIG>, and iii) spray ports that pass along an outer surface of an atraumatic tip member, such as the spray channels <NUM> that pass along the outer surface of spherical member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. By including two or more different kinds of spray ports in a single device, the irrigation and suction device of the present invention may provide a desired spray pattern of irrigation fluid.

It shall be understood that any numerical ranges explicitly disclosed in this document shall include any subset of the explicitly disclosed range as if such subset ranges were also explicitly disclosed; for example, a disclosed range of <NUM>-<NUM> shall also include the ranges <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, or any other numerical range that falls between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitoiy, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times.

Claim 1:
An irrigation and suction device (<NUM>) for irrigating and suctioning fluid from a body lumen or a body cavity of a mammal comprising:
an irrigation tube (<NUM>) that defines an irrigation lumen (<NUM>);
a reinforcement member (<NUM>) arranged coaxially on the irrigation tube (<NUM>);
a suction tube (<NUM>) slidably mounted on the irrigation tube (<NUM>), wherein a suction channel (<NUM>) extends down the length of the suction tube (<NUM>) in an annular space defined between an inner wall (<NUM>) of the suction tube (<NUM>) and an outer wall (<NUM>) of the reinforcement member (<NUM>);
a handle (<NUM>) secured to a proximal portion of the irrigation tube (<NUM>); and
a slide member (<NUM>) secured to the suction tube (<NUM>) and slidably mounted within the handle (<NUM>), wherein advancing the slide member (<NUM>) distally along the handle (<NUM>) advances the suction tube (<NUM>) along a length of the irrigation tube (<NUM>).