Patent ID: 8075520

Claim:
A pump and vacuum free arthroscopic fluid flow device for controlling fluid flow rate and direction into and out of a joint comprising at least one fluid reservoir, a first conduit extending from said at least one fluid reservoir, wherein the first conduit has a Y-junction, a first and second lines extending from the Y-junction, the first line leads from the Y-junction to an arthroscope, at least one pump and vacuum free fluid rate and flow direction controller, the fluid rate and flow direction controller having a first port, a second port and a third port, wherein the fluid rate and flow direction controller controls the flow of fluid between the second port and the first port and the fluid rate and flow direction controller controls the flow of fluid between the second port and the third port, the second line of the first conduit extending between the Y-junction and the first port of the fluid rate and flow direction controller, a second conduit extending from the second port of the fluid rate and flow direction controller, and a fluid port cannula attached to the second conduit, a third conduit connected to gravity drainage and extending from the third port of the fluid rate and flow directional controller, the at least one fluid rate and flow direction controller is a valve including a slider device movable between a first position, a second position and a third position to enable various flow rates to be achieved, wherein a first mode of operation is provided when the slider is placed in the first position allowing fluid flow between the first conduit and the second conduit and preventing fluid flow from the second conduit to the third conduit, a second mode of operation is provided when the slider is placed in the second position allowing a desired amount of fluid flow from the second conduit to the third conduit and preventing a desired amount of fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit, and a third mode is provided when the slider is placed in the third position preventing all fluid flow through the at least one fluid rate and flow direction controller.