MEDICAL INSTRUMENT FOR MULTIDIRECTIONAL DOSAGE OF A FLUID INTO A CAVITY OF A BODY AND TOOL FOR THIS PUT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a medical instrument for multidirectional atomization of a fluid into a cavity of a body and a tool for this purpose.

[0002] Tools for medical instruments designed to introduce fluids, particularly fluids containing therapeutic substances, into a body cavity are known from the prior art. WO 2012 / 163 346 A1 describes a trocar system with a tool that has a nozzle at its distal end, the distal end of which can project into a body cavity. This nozzle allows a therapeutic fluid to be sprayed into a pneumoperitoneum.

[0003] However, the spray direction of this nozzle only points in one direction, so the fluid cannot be sprayed multidirectionally within the abdominal cavity and thus evenly in all directions.

[0004] Tools with multiple nozzles are known from DE 10 2018 121 513 A1, in which the tool head is rotatably mounted in the tool shank. The nozzle bodies are arranged in the spherical tool head at predetermined angles to each other so that the nozzle openings are evenly distributed over the surface of the tool head. Another relevant prior art document is DE 10 2018 121496 A1.

[0005] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved tool for a medical instrument for multidirectional spraying or atomization of a fluid into a cavity of a body, which enables safe operation.

[0006] This problem is solved by a tool having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The further task of providing a medical instrument designed for multidirectional spraying or atomization of a fluid into a cavity of a body and enabling the safe operation of the associated tool is solved by the medical instrument with the features of claim 10.

[0008] Further developments of the tool and the medical instrument are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of a tool according to the invention, which is used with a medical instrument to atomize a fluid multidirectionally into a cavity of a body, the tool has a shaft with a lumen. A nozzle head is arranged at the distal end of the tool, having two or more lateral nozzles and a distal nozzle; the distal nozzle is arranged on a distal end face of the nozzle head. Each nozzle has a nozzle opening that is fluidically connected to the lumen via a distributor cylinder. A cap is detachably arranged around the nozzle head, which has a through-opening positioned above the nozzle opening of each of the nozzles, designed to allow a jet of the fluid to be atomized to exit. The through-openings of the cap each have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the respective nozzle positioned below the through-opening.

[0010] The term "cavity" of a body into which a fluid is to be introduced can be understood here as any type of cavity in a human or animal. Such a cavity could, for example, be the abdominal cavity. Any fluid therapeutic substance, such as a medication, a drug in solution, or even a simple rinsing solution, qualifies as a fluid, provided it can be introduced into the body cavity by spraying and consequently "atomizing" in the sense of dispensing it through a nozzle. "Aerating" in this context means dividing the fluid flowing in the tool into a large number of individual droplets by forcing it through a nozzle and is equivalent to spraying, dispensing via a nozzle, or—depending on the nozzle and nozzle opening used—nebulizing. A "nozzle" is understood to be a component that has a nozzle body (preferably cylindrical, but not limited to this) in which at least one through-bore or opening for a fluid to be atomized is formed.

[0011] According to the invention, the fluid to be introduced into the cavity is advantageously atomized multidirectionally by the distal nozzle and the lateral nozzles. The cap advantageously provides retention for the nozzle bodies and additional safety, since the fluid can generate high pressure in the tool lumen and affect the nozzle bodies in such a way that they can be blown out of their anchoring in the nozzle head and, if used in a patient, injure the patient. The cap prevents this precisely because it completely surrounds the nozzle body, and the larger dimensions of the cap, compared to the openings in the nozzle body, hold the nozzle bodies firmly against the wall.

[0012] The arrangement of the cap according to the invention thus offers an advantage over the prior art, in which the nozzle bodies are arranged unsecured in the tool head and can therefore be blown out of the tool head by the fluid to be sprayed, which generates a high pressure inside the tool, and injure a patient or the operator of the tool.

[0013] The through-opening leads into a recess in the cap's outer surface, which widens conically from the inside out with respect to the cap's outer surface. This recess serves to guide the fluid exiting the nozzles. In a further embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the through-openings can also be smaller than the outlet openings of the nozzle bodies. If the through-openings are smaller than the outlet openings, stronger forces generated in the nozzle bodies by the compressed fluid flowing through at high speed can be guided, absorbed, or effectively distributed than if the through-openings and outlet openings were the same size, thus further enhancing the retention function.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the nozzle head has three, four, or more lateral nozzles. The nozzles are oriented radially so that the fluid to be atomized can exit at a right angle to a longitudinal direction of the tool. This allows the fluid to be sprayed particularly well in a multidirectional manner into a cavity of a body. Preferred spray angles of the nozzles are in a range of 50° to 120°, with an angle of 90° being particularly preferred. This allows for different angular ranges or multidirectional spraying in predetermined directions to be achieved for different applications.

[0015] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the lateral nozzles can be arranged equidistant from one another in the axial direction with respect to a central axis of the shaft. Advantageously for uniform fluid dispensing, the angles at which the nozzles are spaced apart with respect to the central axis can be 120° for three nozzles and 90° for four nozzles. Other, non-equidistant angle combinations are also possible, for example, if the atomization of the fluid is to be directed in a specific direction, which may well encompass a large angle. The nozzles lie on the same plane along the central axis of the shaft, but can also be arranged in a stepped configuration on different planes, so that the lateral nozzles can be arranged spirally along the longitudinal extent of the nozzle head.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the nozzle head has a distal section comprising a first fastening device. The cap correspondingly has a second fastening device which can engage with the first fastening device to attach the cap to the nozzle head.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the nozzle head tapers at the distal section via a step-like shoulder where the first fastening device is located. Positioning the fastening device at the distal section offers the additional benefit of ensuring the cap is firmly attached to and held in place on the nozzle head, thus providing even better protection against the nozzles being blown out.

[0018] The first fastening device can be an external thread on the nozzle head, while the second fastening device is an internal thread on the cap, which can simply be screwed onto the nozzle head after the nozzle head has been mounted on the shaft. The threaded connection can then be sealed or bonded. The shoulder between the nozzle head and the distal section provides an additional bonding or sealing surface and can serve as a stop for the mating thread of the cap.

[0019] Alternatively, the cap can be glued onto the nozzle head, or the proximal edge of the cap can be welded or pressed to the nozzle head. Further alternatives are also possible, such as a bayonet fitting or a tongue-and-groove connection.

[0020] The nozzle head is cylindrical. At its end facing the shaft, the nozzle head tapers over a shoulder, forming a hollow cylindrical receiving section. This hollow cylindrical receiving section extends into the shaft when assembled. A pin is inserted into this lumen. A gap is formed between the outer circumference of the pin and the inner circumference of the shaft, providing a fluid path. The pin extends proximally to near a connecting piece on the shaft, thus creating a continuous gap that ensures a uniform fluid flow through the shaft to the nozzle head.

[0021] At its end facing the nozzle head, the pin has a section with a tapered outer circumference. While the hollow cylindrical receiving section of the nozzle head extends into the shaft, the hollow cylindrical receiving section surrounds the section with the tapered outer circumference of the pin. The pin thus extends into the nozzle head. The receiving sections of the pin and nozzle head components can have fasteners. These can be threads or interlocking undercuts. The components can also be press-fitted or bonded together.

[0022] In yet another embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the pin has a radial through-bore near its section with the tapered outer circumference. "Near" here means that the radial through-bore is located adjacent to the section with the tapered outer circumference or at a distance from it that is small compared to the overall length of the pin. Furthermore, the pin has a central axial bore at the section with the tapered outer circumference, one end of which opens into the nozzle head and the other end of which opens into the radial through-bore. This enables the fluidic connection between the lumen and the distributor cylinder in the nozzle head.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the nozzles can be cylindrical. This makes it possible to design a structurally simple nozzle head which also has cylindrical recesses for the nozzles, into which the nozzles can be glued, pressed, welded or screwed.

[0024] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the shaft has a connection at its proximal end for the fluidic connection of the lumen to a fluid source, wherein the connection can be a Luer-lock fitting. This allows the tool to be connected to all possible handles or grips for use. Alternatively, the fluidic connection can be established by a hose that is attached directly to the proximal end of the shaft.

[0025] The nozzle head can be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and precisely matched to the shaft. The shaft's outer diameter can range from 1 mm to 30 mm; 8 mm to 10 mm is preferred. This dimension fits into existing trocar systems.

[0026] The invention further relates to a medical instrument for introducing fluids into a cavity of a body. The instrument can comprise a handle, a fluid source, and a tool, wherein the tool can be detachably connected to the handle and fluidically connected to the fluid source. The tool according to the invention is used.

[0027] In another embodiment of the medical instrument, the handle can be connected to a trocar, allowing the tool to be used with the trocar within a trocar system. Furthermore, the medical instrument can be connected to the fluid source via a flexible fluid line, with the fluid source being detachably connected to the tool and the tool being inserted into the trocar of the medical instrument. By actuating corresponding actuators on the handle or the trocar, the tool can be supplied with the substance to be sprayed, thus establishing a fluidic connection between the fluid source and the tool. The fluid substance passes through the lumen to the nozzle body, is guided through the central bore of the nozzle body to the distributor cone, and from there via the supply lines to the nozzle openings. The substance exits the nozzle openings and is sprayed.

[0028] Further embodiments of the tool and the medical instrument, as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments, will become clearer and more easily understood through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. Items or parts thereof that are essentially the same or similar may be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] This shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the medical instrument according to the invention with the tool according to the invention, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the tool, Fig. 3 a perspective partial section through the nozzle head with cap, Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through the nozzle head, and Fig. 5 a cross-section through the nozzles mounted in the nozzle head.

[0030] The medical instrument according to the invention comprises a tool 1 which is in Fig. 1 The device has a shaft 2 with a proximal end 1" and a distal end 1' and an internal lumen 7. The shaft 2 is elongated and tubular and, in a preferred embodiment, has a diameter of approximately 10 mm. Diameters in the range of 1 mm to 30 mm are possible. A connector 20 is attached to the proximal end 1" which has a so-called Luer-lock connector 21, providing a standard connection to which various hoses or fluid access points can be attached. The Luer-lock connector 21 is fluidically connected to the lumen 7 (see longitudinal section view in [reference]). Fig. 2 ).

[0031] The tool 1 can be connected to a handle 22 and a fluid source 23 via the connector 20, as shown. Fig. 1 The fluid source 23 is fluidically connected to the handle 22 and thus to the tool 1 via a fluid line 24. Furthermore, the tool 1 can also be used together with a trocar system in minimally invasive surgery (not shown).

[0032] Fig. 2 bis 5 show tool 1 in detail.

[0033] At the distal end 1' of the tool 1, a cylindrical nozzle head 3 is arranged, which has a shoulder 13 at its end facing the shaft 2. The nozzle head 3 tapers over this shoulder, forming a hollow cylindrical receiving section 12. The nozzle head is inserted into the shaft 2 by means of this receiving section 12. Fig. 4 As shown, the receiving section 12 has an external thread 25 on its outer surface, which engages with an internal thread 26 on the inner wall of the shaft 2. A section of a pin 11, which is received in the lumen 7 and extends from the nozzle head 3 to just before the connecting piece 20 inside the shaft 2, is inserted into the receiving section 12. A gap is formed between an outer circumference of the pin 11 and an inner circumference of the shaft 2, through which a fluid can flow, as shown. Fig. 2 bis 4 The pin 11 has a section 14 with a tapered outer circumference at its end facing the nozzle head 3. This section is inserted into the hollow cylindrical receiving section 12 of the nozzle head 3. The section 14 extends to just before the shoulder 13 and ensures a continuous fluid path for the fluid to be atomized is formed in the shaft 2. To allow the fluid to flow from the gap between the pin 11 and the inner wall of the shaft 2, the pin 11 has a radial through-bore 15 adjacent to its section 14 with the tapered outer circumference. This bore is fluidically connected to the gap in the lumen 7. To connect the nozzle head 3 fluidically, the section 14 with the tapered outer circumference has a central axial bore 16, one end of which opens into the nozzle head 3 and the other end of which opens into the radial through bore 15.

[0034] A cylindrical distributor cylinder 10 is incorporated into the nozzle head 3, extending from the receiving section 12 to the distal end face of the nozzle head 3, the distributor cylinder 10 tapering at a step 19 towards the distal end face of the nozzle head 3. Bores 18 extend from the distributor cylinder 10, one radially outwards in a plane defined by central axes M2 and the other distally towards the end face, opening into cylindrical recesses 17 in which cylindrical nozzles 4, 5 are arranged. The nozzle head 3 comprises three lateral nozzles 4 and one distal nozzle 5, which is located at the distal end face of the nozzle head 3 (corresponding to the distal end of the tool 1'). The lateral nozzles 4 are equidistant from one another axially with respect to a central axis M1 of the shaft 2. According to the sectional drawing of the Fig. 5 The central axes M2 of the lateral nozzles 4 each form an angle of 120° with each other. Each nozzle 4, 5 has a nozzle opening 4', 5' which is fluidically connected to the lumen 7 via the distributor cylinder 10 and the bores 15, 16 in the pin 11. The recesses 17 are dimensioned such that the nozzle bodies of the nozzles 4, 5 can be fully received. They each have a step in which the nozzle bodies are inserted and firmly mounted, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. "Permanent mounting" can be achieved by gluing, screwing, or clamping.

[0035] A cap 6 is detachably arranged around the nozzle head 3. The cap 6 has a through-hole 6' positioned above the nozzle opening 4', 5' of each of the nozzles 4, 5. These through-holes 6' in the cap 6 allow a jet of the fluid to be atomized to exit. The dimensions of the through-holes 6' in the cap 6 each have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the respective nozzle 4, 5 positioned below the through-hole 6'. Each through-hole 6' widens into a conical recess 29 to guide the fluid exiting the nozzles 4, 5. The diameter of the recess 29, like the through-hole 6', is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle body of the nozzle 4, 5 arranged below it. The conical recess 29 distributes the forces acting on the nozzle 4, 5 due to the highly compressed fluid exiting through the through-hole 6'.To connect the cap 6 to the nozzle body, the nozzle head 3 has a distal section 27 on its outer surface, which has an external thread 8 serving as a first fastening device. The nozzle head 3 tapers at the distal section 27 via a step 28. The external thread 8 is formed on a section of the distal section 27. The cap 6 has an internal thread 9 in a section corresponding to the distal section of the nozzle head 3, which is designed as a mating thread to the external thread 8 and serves as a second fastening device. This allows the cap 6 to be screwed on tightly. The step 28 on the nozzle head 3 forms a further surface for a possible seal or as a stop for the mating thread 9 of the cap. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0036] 1 Tool 1' Distal end Tool 1" Proximal end Tool 2 Shaft 3 Nozzle head 4 Side nozzles 4' Nozzle opening Side nozzles 5 Distal nozzle 5' Nozzle opening Distal nozzle 6 Cap 6' Through holes Cap 7 Lumen 8 External thread 9 Internal thread 10 Distributor cylinder 11 Pin 12 Hollow cylindrical receiving section 13 Shoulder 14 Section with a tapered outer circumference 15 Radial through hole 16 Central axial hole 17 Nozzle body recess 18 Radial holes 19 Stage Distributor cylinder 20 Connector 21 Luer-lock connector 22 Handle 23 Fluid source 24 Fluid lines 25 External thread 26 Internal thread 27 Distal section 28 Stage 29 Recess Cap M1 Center axis Shaft M2 Center axis nozzles

Claims

1. A tool (1) for a medical instrument for the multidirectional atomizing of a fluid into a cavity of a body, wherein the tool (1) has a shaft (2) with a lumen (7), and wherein a nozzle head (3), which has at least two lateral nozzles (4) and one distal nozzle (5), is arranged on the distal end (1') of the tool (1), said distal nozzle being arranged on a distal end face (3') of the nozzle head (3), wherein each nozzle has a nozzle opening (4', 5'), which is fluidically connected to the lumen (7) via a distributor cylinder (10), and a cap (6) is releasably arranged around the nozzle head (3), which cap has, for each of the nozzles (4, 5), a through opening (6'), which is positioned over the nozzle opening (4', 5') thereof and which is formed to allow the discharge of a stream of the fluid to be atomized, wherein the through openings (6') of the cap (6) each have a diameter, which is smaller than a diameter of the respective nozzle (4, 5) positioned under the through opening (6'), wherein the nozzle head (3) is cylindrical and tapers over a shoulder (13) on its end facing the shaft (2) and forms a hollow-cylindrical receiving section (12), and wherein a pin (11) is received in the lumen (7), and a gap, which provides a fluid path for the fluid, is provided between an outer circumference of the pin and an inner circumference of the shaft (2), wherein on its end facing the nozzle head (3), the pin (11) has a section (14) with a tapered outer circumference and the hollow-cylindrical receiving section (12) of the nozzle head (3) extends into the shaft (2) and surrounds at least a portion of the section (14) with the tapered outer circumference of the pin (11).

2. The tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle head (3) has three, four or more lateral nozzles (4).

3. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lateral nozzles (4) are arranged equidistantly from one another in the axial direction with respect to a central axis (M1) of the shaft (2).

4. The tool (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the through opening (6') opens out into a recess in the jacket surface of the cap, which widens conically from the inside to the outside with respect to the jacket surface.

5. The tool (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nozzle head (3) has a distal section (27), which has a first fastening device, and wherein the cap (6) has a second fastening device, which can be brought into engagement with the first fastening device.

6. The tool (1) according to claim 5, wherein the nozzle head (3) tapers on the distal section (27) over a step (28) and the first fastening device is arranged on the distal section (27).

7. The tool (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fastening device is an external thread (8) on the nozzle head (3) and the second fastening device is an internal thread (9) on the cap (6).

8. The tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pin (11) - has a radial through bore (15) close to its section (14) with the tapered outer circumference, - and has a central-axial bore (16) on the section (14) with the tapered outer circumference, the one end of which opens out into the nozzle head (3) and the other end of which opens out into the radial through bore (15).

9. The tool (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the nozzles (4, 5) are cylindrical.

10. A medical instrument for the multidirectional atomizing of a fluid into a cavity of a body, with a handle (22), a fluid source (23) as well as a tool, which can be releasably connected to the handle (22) and can be fluidically connected to the fluid source (23), wherein the tool is a tool (1) according to at least any one of claims 1 to 9.