Fluid handling assembly and associated tubing set and method for use in surgical procedures

Abstract

A fluid handling system for surgical procedures includes a console and a tubing set. The console displays a peristaltic pump and a pinch valve positioned one above the other. Two recessed bases are positioned to the left and right of the pump and valve. The tubing set includes an irrigation tube and an aspiration tube, each coupled to a pair of magnetic discs that can be positioned in a respective one of the recessed bases. When so positioned, the irrigation tube can be placed in operative engagement with the peristaltic pump, and the aspiration tube can be inserted into a slot in the pinch valve.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to moving fluids during surgical procedures. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fluid handling assembly comprising a console and a disposable tubing set. The present invention also relates to a tubing set for use with the console. The present invention also relates to a method comprising arranging tubing in association with a pump and a pinch valve. The method is particularly useful during ultrasonic surgery to flush and remove debris from a surgical site.

[0002] During ultrasonic surgery, the head of an ultrasonic vibrating probe is positioned so that pressure waves propagate into contact with the patient's tissue. This probe can be an ablation device, a debridement instrument, or an extraction instrument. Using an ultrasonic probe requires delivering an irrigant to the instrument and tissue to prevent temperatures from rising to levels that would cause necrosis. The cooling liquid must naturally be removed from the site to make way for other coolant. This removal requires extraction, which also removes entrained tissue particles.

[0003] The surgical set-up includes irrigation and extraction tubing, as well as a pump mechanism for moving the irrigant to the surgical site (e.g., via an ultrasound probe or a sheath surrounding the probe, and a suction or vacuum source connected to the extraction tubing). Technicians typically set up the fluid handling circuit prior to the surgical procedure. Occasionally, errors occur, such as mixing up the irrigation and extraction tubing, which prevents proper operation of the assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is directed to a tubing set and associated console that facilitate pre-operative preparation of a fluid handling system.

[0005] The present invention is also directed to providing such a tubing set and associated console that significantly reduces, if not eliminates, errors in setting surgical fluid handling components.

[0006] The present invention also contemplates an associated method of configuring a fluid handling assembly or system.

[0007] According to the present invention, a fluid handling system for surgical treatment includes a console and a tube set.

[0008] The console includes a housing (which has a panel), a peristaltic pump, a pinch valve, and a first base and a second base on the housing panel. The peristaltic pump is mounted to the housing and extends outward from the panel. More specifically, the pump includes a roller set and an anvil that are movably attached to the pump housing, the roller set being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the housing panel, and the anvil being movable from an intermediate position to a closed position for clamping the tube between the roller set and the curved inner surface of the anvil. The pinch valve is mounted to the housing panel and has a slot or gap between two jaws that are movable relative to each other to selectively restrict the flow through the tube inserted into the slot. The peristaltic pump and the pinch valve are separated from each other along a line. The base is disposed on opposite sides of the housing panel and the line.

[0009] The tube set (which is intended to be disposable rather than reusable) includes an irrigation tube, a suction tube, a first attachment element, and a second attachment element. The irrigation tube and the suction tube are each connected to both the first attachment element and the second attachment element. The first attachment element can be placed in a first base on the console housing panel, and the second attachment element can be placed in the second base. The irrigation tube and the suction tube are connected to both the first attachment element and the second attachment element so that at least when the attachment elements are spaced a distance from each other (the distance is approximately equal to the distance between the first base and the second base on the console panel), the irrigation tube and the suction tube extend between the first attachment element and the second attachment element in a spaced relationship from each other. The irrigation tube can be positioned to operate the engaging roller set and the anvil, and the suction tube can be inserted into the narrow slot of the clamping valve when the first attachment element is placed in the first base and the second attachment element is placed in the second base.

[0010] The console preferably also includes a first coupling element at the first base and the second base, and the first attachment element and the second attachment element include a second coupling element that cooperates with a corresponding one of the first coupling elements to releasably fasten the first attachment element and the second attachment element to the housing panel at the first base and the second base, respectively.

[0011] The coupling elements may comprise magnets.Other alternative coupling elements may take the form of snap-lock fasteners, adhesive layers, hook and loop fasteners or the like.

[0012] According to another feature of the present invention, the base is a recessed portion of different geometry in the console housing panel. The geometry of the first and second attachment elements corresponds to the geometry of the respective one of the recesses. Thus, at least one of the attachment elements (the second element) can only be placed in the second base and cannot be placed in the first base due to a size or shape mismatch.

[0013] According to an additional feature of the present disclosure, the first and second attachment elements are discs of different sizes, and the first and second bases have different sizes corresponding to the respective ones of the discs. The discs can be provided with finger grips on one side (outer side) to facilitate handling of the tube set during assembly of the fluid treatment system.

[0014] The console may also include a plurality of indicators, such as LED lights, that indicate successful placement of the first and second attachment elements in the first and second seats, respectively, and successful placement of the irrigation tubing between the roller set and the anvil of the peristaltic pump.

[0015] The console may also include an air bubble detector at the second mount. When the second attachment element is placed in the second mount, the air bubble detector is positioned juxtaposed to the irrigation tube. More specifically, the air bubble detector may be housed in a protrusion on the second mount that inserts into a hole on the rear or interior side of the second attachment element. The irrigation tube extends across the hole so that when the second attachment element is placed in the second mount on the console's housing panel, it automatically inserts into the slot on the protrusion. The air bubble detector may take the form of an ultrasonic sensor.

[0016] The panel is preferably a side panel of the housing, and the peristaltic pump and pinch valve are preferably positioned vertically above and below each other.

[0017] The present invention relates in part to a fluid handling tubing set for use in surgical interventions.The tubing set described above is usable with a console as described above.

[0018] Meanwhile, the present invention contemplates a console as described above.

[0019] The surgical method according to the present invention includes providing a tube set for carrying a fluid, the tube set including a first tube, a second tube, a first attachment element, and a second attachment element, the first tube and the second tube each being connected to both the first attachment element and the second attachment element. The first attachment element and the second attachment element have different geometric shapes. The method includes placing the first attachment element in a first base on a panel of a console and placing the second attachment element in a second base on the panel of the console, so that the first tube and the second tube extend between the first attachment element and the second attachment element in a spaced relationship from each other. Thereafter, operating the first tube to set a portion of the first tube to operate in engagement with a roller set and anvil of the console protruding from the panel, and operating the second tube to insert the second tube into a slot or gap of a pinch valve of the console protruding from the panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fluid handling system according to the present invention, particularly comprising a tube set and a console, showing the tube set spaced apart from position d for attachment to the console.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the system showing the tube system located on the console, with the irrigation tube between the anvil and the roller set of the peristaltic pump.

[0022] Figure 3 For similar Figure 2 , showing the cover of the peristaltic pump closed on the irrigation tube, and also showing the aspiration tube inserted between the jaws (or anvil and jaws) of the clamping solenoid valve on the console. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] A fluid handling system 10 for use in a surgical procedure includes a console 12 and a tubing set 14 .

[0024] The console 12 includes a housing 16 having a side panel 18. A peristaltic pump 20 is mounted to the housing 16 on the side panel 18 and includes a roller set 22 and an anvil 24 and a cover 26. The roller set 22 is held at its outer end by brackets 28 for rotation about an axis 130 oriented perpendicular to the panel 18. The cover 26 is hingedly mounted to the pump housing (not separately named) and is rotatable when opened from the housing. Figure 1 Rotate downward to the middle position shown Figure 3 In the closed position shown, the cover 26 moves the anvil 24 toward the roller set 22 such that the curved surface or face 30 of the anvil is placed adjacent to rollers 32 of the roller set 22 .

[0025] The console 12 also includes a solenoid-operated pinch valve 34 comprising two relatively movable jaws (not individually named) disposed inside a sleeve 36 mounted to the panel 18 and formed with a transverse slot 38 .

[0026] The console 12 also includes a first base 40 and a second base 42 molded into the side panel 18. The first base 40 and the second base 42 are in the form of circular or oval recesses of different geometric shapes. More specifically, the bases 40 and 42 can be of different shapes and / or different sizes. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 42 is larger than the base 40.

[0027] The peristaltic pump 20 and the solenoid pinch valve 34 are disposed above and below one another and thereby define a vertical line or plane 44. The bases 40 and 42 are disposed on the side panel 18 on opposite sides of the line or plane 44.

[0028] The tube set 14 includes an irrigation tube 46, a suction tube 48, a first attachment disk 50, and a second attachment disk 52. The irrigation tube 46 and the suction tube 48 are each coupled to both the first attachment disk 50 and the second attachment disk 52. The disks 50 and 52 can be formed by gluing two disk halves to each other, thereby sandwiching the tubes 46 and 48 between the two halves. The disks 50 and 52 are each provided with corresponding finger grips 54 and 56 in the form of rings or flanges on the outside or face (not named) to facilitate handling of the disks during the assembly process.

[0029] Typically, a technician grasping the finger grips 54 and 56 places the discs 50 and 52 in the recesses or seats 40 and 42. The attachment is of a quick release type due to the magnets 58 and 60 (or magnet and metal element) positioned adjacent to the seats 40 and 42 in the housing 16 and the magnetic counterparts 62 and 64 attached to the discs 50 and 52. Alternative coupling elements (such as snap-lock fasteners, adhesive layers, hook and loop fasteners, etc.) may be used in place of magnets.

[0030] The disks 50 and 52 have different geometries, i.e., different sizes and / or shapes, that conform to the geometries of the bases 40 and 42, respectively, such that the disks 50 and 52 can only be seated in the bases 40 and 42, respectively. This ensures that once the attachment disks 50 and 52 are seated on the panel 18, the irrigation tube 46 is located over the suction tube 48. The irrigation tube 46 and the suction tube 48 are coupled to the attachment disks 50 and 52 such that when the disks are placed in the bases 40 and 42, the tubes 46 and 48 extend between the disks in a spaced relationship with each other.

[0031] The disks 50 and 52 are spaced apart from each other by the length of the tubes 46 and 48, which lengths are approximately equal to (and slightly greater than) the distance between the bases 40 and 42. The disks 50 and 52 are held and manipulated by flanges or finger grips 54 and 56 to engage the housing side panels 18 in the recesses or bases 40 and 42. When the disks 50 and 52 are disposed in the bases 40 and 42, the flush tube 46 is placed on the roller assembly 22 in the gap between the anvil 24 and the bracket 28, as shown. Figure 2 Then, the cover 26 is rotated (where the cover 26 is pivotally mounted to the housing 16 via the anvil 24), thereby moving the anvil toward the roller set 22 and clamping the tube 46 between the anvil surface 30 and the rollers 32, as shown. Figure 3 As shown. Figure 3 As further shown, the suction tube 48 is inserted into the slot 38 of the pinch valve 34 .

[0032] The console 12 has indicator lights 66, 68, 70 that change from one color (such as red or blue) to another color (such as green) when the discs 50 and 52 are successfully seated in the bases 40 and 42 and the tube 46 is successfully or effectively positioned between the pump unit 22 and the surface 30 of the anvil block 24.

[0033] The console 12 may also include an air bubble detector 72 within the base 42. The bubble detector 72 preferably takes the form of an ultrasonic sensor with a transmitter element and a receiver element (not individually named) disposed in respective halves 74 and 76 of a slotted protrusion. During placement of the attachment or coupling disc 52 in the recess or base 42, the detector 72 is inserted into a hole 80 on the rear or interior side of the attachment disc 52. The irrigation tube 46 extends across the hole 80 to automatically be inserted into a slot (not named) defined between the receiver halves 74 and 76 of the detector 72 when the attachment disc 52 is placed in the base 42.

[0034] Panel 18 is preferably a side panel of housing 16, and peristaltic pump 20 and pinch valve 34 are preferably positioned vertically above and below one another. However, different configurations are possible. A fundamental feature is that the shape and / or dimensions of disks 50 and 52 and bases 40 and 42 eliminate incorrect positioning of tubes 46 and 48. When disks 50 and 52 are placed in recesses 40 and 42, it is impossible to position suction tube 48 on roller assembly 22 in the gap between anvil plate 24 and bracket or carrier plate 28. Only flush tube 46 can be positioned therein.

[0035] Prior to an ultrasonic surgical procedure, in which liquid irrigant or coolant is supplied to the ultrasonic instrument via tube 46 and removed from the surgical site via tube 48, tube set 14 is manipulated as described above to place a portion of tube 46 in operative engagement with roller set 22 and anvil plate 24, and a portion of tube 48 is inserted into the slot or gap 38 of pinch valve 34.

[0036] According to the present invention, tubing set 14 includes an irrigation tube 46 and an extraction or aspiration tube 48 connected in parallel to one another via a pair of spaced-apart fasteners (i.e., disks 50 and 52). The fasteners or attachment disks 50 and 52 include magnetic elements and have flat protrusions 54 and 56 that act as grippers for a technician to grasp between their index finger and thumb. Disks 50 and 52 are juxtaposed to the illustrated locations (recesses or bases 40 and 42) on the side panel 18 of the console 16, where they are secured to the console in a quick-release mode of attachment due to magnetic attraction. The console panel 18 features a known prior art peristaltic pump 20 and a known clamping solenoid valve 34 spaced apart from one another. Disks 50 and 52 are attached to the console 16 on opposite sides of an imaginary line 44 or plane, which extends from the position of the peristaltic pump 22 and the clamping solenoid valve 34, preferably positioned one above the other. After magnetic attachment, the irrigation tube 46 is inserted over the roller 32 of the pump 20, and the cover or capping type anvil 24 is pivoted into position so that the irrigation tube 46 is pressed between the pump roller 32 and the curved inner surface 30 of the anvil. The aspiration tube 48 is placed in the gap 38 defined between the jaws (not visible due to the sleeve 36) that clamp the solenoid valve 34. The tube set 14 simplifies the tube placement process, making it impossible to insert the aspiration tube 48 into the peristaltic pump 20.

[0037] Discs 50 and 52 may be provided with RFID tags or chips (not shown) that may be set by a transmitter in housing 16 to prevent reuse of tubing set 14 (primarily to ensure sterility).

[0038] Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and applications, given the present teachings, those skilled in the art may create additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, the phase shift may be varied, for example, where the vibration modes have different frequencies. Therefore, it should be understood that the drawings and description herein are provided by way of example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting its scope.

Claims

1. A fluid processing system for surgical treatment, comprising: A console and a tube set, the console comprising: a housing having a panel; a peristaltic pump mounted to the housing and extending outwardly from the panel, the peristaltic pump comprising a roller set and an anvil plate each movable relative to the panel; a pinch valve mounted to the housing, the pinch valve having a gap between two jaws movable relative to each other, the peristaltic pump and the pinch valve being disposed above and below each other to define a vertical line; and The first base and the second base on the panel are arranged on opposite sides of the vertical line; The tube group includes: flushing tubes; Suction tube; a first attachment element; and a second attachment element; the first attachment element and the second attachment element have different geometric shapes such that the first attachment element can be seated in the first seat and the second attachment element can be seated in the second seat; the irrigation tube and the suction tube are each coupled to both the first attachment element and the second attachment element such that a portion of the irrigation tube and a portion of the suction tube extend between the first attachment element and the second attachment element in a spaced relationship from each other; when the first attachment element is seated in the first seat and the second attachment element is seated in the second seat, the portion of the irrigation tube is positioned vertically along the panel above the portion of the suction tube; the portion of the irrigation tube extending between the first and second attachment elements being configured to operatively engage the roller set and the anvil block when the first attachment element is seated in the first seat and the second attachment element is seated in the second seat to enable the irrigation tube to be used to deliver irrigation to a surgical site; and When the first attachment element is seated in the first base and the second attachment element is seated in the second base, the portion of the aspiration tube extending between the first attachment element and the second attachment element is inserted into the gap of the clamping valve so that the clamping valve can selectively restrict flow through the aspiration tube to control aspiration from the surgical site.

2. The fluid handling system of claim 1 , wherein the console further comprises a first coupling element at the first base and the second base, and wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element comprise a second coupling element that cooperates with a respective one of the first coupling elements to releasably secure the first attachment element and the second attachment element to the panel at the first base and the second base, respectively.

3. The fluid treatment system of claim 2, wherein the first and second attachment elements are discs of different sizes, the first and second bases having different sizes that coincide with respective ones of the discs.

4. The fluid treatment system of claim 3, wherein the disc and finger grippers are disposed on one side.

5. The fluid treatment system of claim 2, wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element comprise magnets.

6. A fluid processing system according to claim 1, wherein the console further comprises a plurality of indicators indicating that the first attachment element and the second attachment element are successfully positioned in the first base and the second base, respectively, and that a portion of the flushing tube is successfully positioned between the roller assembly and the anvil of the peristaltic pump.

7. The fluid treatment system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of indicators are lights.

8. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the console further comprises an air bubble detector at the second seat, the air bubble detector positioned juxtaposed to the flush tube when the second attachment element is seated in the second seat.

9. The fluid treatment system of claim 8, wherein the air bubble detector is an ultrasonic sensor.

10. The fluid handling system of claim 1, wherein the first and second mounts are recessed portions in the panel having different geometries, the geometries of the first and second attachment elements corresponding to the geometries of respective ones of the recesses.

11. The fluid treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the panel is a side panel of the housing, the peristaltic pump and the pinch valve being positioned vertically above and below one another.

12. A fluid handling tubing set for surgical intervention, the fluid handling tubing set being used with a console, the console comprising: a housing having a panel; a peristaltic pump mounted to the housing and extending outwardly from the panel, the peristaltic pump comprising a roller set and an anvil plate movably attached to the panel; a pinch valve mounted to the housing, the pinch valve having a gap between two jaws movable relative to each other, the peristaltic pump and the pinch valve being disposed above and below each other to define a vertical line; and The first base and the second base on the panel are arranged on opposite sides of the vertical line; The fluid processing tube assembly comprises: flushing tubes; Suction tube; a first attachment element; and a second attachment element; the irrigation tube and the suction tube are each coupled to both the first attachment element and the second attachment element such that a portion of the irrigation tube and a portion of the suction tube extend between the first attachment element and the second attachment element in spaced relationship to each other; the first attachment element and the second attachment element have different geometries such that the first attachment element is seated in the first seat and the second attachment element is seated in the second seat such that the portion of the irrigation tube is positioned vertically along the panel above the portion of the suction tube; the portion of the irrigation tube extending between the first and second attachment elements being configured to operatively engage the roller set and the anvil block when the first attachment element is seated in the first seat and the second attachment element is seated in the second seat to enable the irrigation tube to be used to deliver irrigation to a surgical site; and When the first attachment element is seated in the first base and the second attachment element is seated in the second base, the portion of the aspiration tube extending between the first attachment element and the second attachment element is inserted into the gap of the clamping valve so that the clamping valve can selectively restrict flow through the aspiration tube to control aspiration from the surgical site.

13. The tube set of claim 12, wherein the first and second attachment elements comprise coupling elements that cooperate with corresponding coupling elements on the console to releasably secure the first and second attachment elements to the panel at the first and second bases, respectively.

14. The tube set of claim 13, wherein the coupling element comprises a magnet.

15. The tube set of claim 13, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are discs of different sizes.

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