Patent ID: 8475484

Claim:
A medical device comprising: (a) a torque tube operably connected at a proximal end to a drive system for rotation and at a distal end to a working head; (b) a sealing assembly comprising: (i) a housing enclosing at least a proximal portion of the torque tube and a sealing site; (ii) a stationary liner surrounding and spaced apart from the torque tube extending longitudinally from the sealing site along a portion of the torque tube and terminating at an intersect area located proximal to the distal end of the torque tube; (iii) a liquid flood space located between the liner and the torque tube; (iv) an infusion port providing application of liquid to the liquid flood space at the sealing site during operation of the device; and (c) a catheter terminating at a proximal end at a fixed joint at an aspiration site within the housing and being in a fixed relationship to the stationary liner, the catheter extending distally beyond the intersect area to enclose the liner and form an aspiration lumen extending between the aspiration site and the working head whereby, during operation of the medical device, liquid enters the liquid flood space formed by the liner at the sealing site and creates a liquid seal around the torque tube to prevent ingress of air, and the liquid exits the liquid flood space at the intersect area, where it directly enters the aspiration lumen.