WO2010070387A1

WO2010070387A1 - Surgical device for washing wounds and surgical sites

Info

Publication number: WO2010070387A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/055453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michela Facco
Original assignee: Michela Facco
Priority date: 2008-12-19
Filing date: 2008-12-19
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Abstract

This is a new surgical device for the pulsed washing of wounds and surgical sites, comprising a handpiece or handle (1) to which one or more irrigation (2) and/or aspiration tubes (3) are connected, and comprising one or more further tubes (4) for the injection of gas or air into the site or wound, directly or indirectly connectable to a supply line or tank delivering medical gas and/or compressed air.

Description

SURGICAL DEVICE FOR WASHING WOUNDS AND SURGICAL SITES

DESCRIPTION The present patent relates to surgical devices for pulsed washing and particularly concerns a new surgical device for the pulsed washing of wounds and surgical sites.

During surgical procedures, it is necessary to cleanse and accurately wash the surgical site. In surgical procedures involving bones and cartilage, for instance, and in the event of removing and/or debriding bone matter and reducing portions of bone or cartilage, it is frequently necessary to wash the surgical field and aspirate the washing fluid and the particles being removed. There are known devices for washing surgical sites and wounds that comprise a handle or handpiece in the shape of a pistol for example, with an irrigation and aspiration member connected at the front. Said handpiece contains an electric pump with a circuit for adjusting the speed of the pump, governed by a cursor or pushbutton provided on the handpiece, and said pump is connected to a tank or supply line for delivering a washing fluid, typically a saline solution, and to an electric power supply line.

Said handpiece is also connected to an aspiration system. Said irrigation and aspiration member of known type generally comprises two, usually coaxial tubes, one of which is internal and connected to said pump, for carrying the washing fluid, while the other is external and connected to said aspiration system through said handpiece. The end of said tubes, and of said irrigation tube in particular, is preferably in the form of a divergent cone in order to contain the area being irrigated. The known devices for washing surgical sites and wounds enable no other action to be taken other than the aspiration of debris and fragments of matter produced during the procedure and the irrigation of the surgical site with saline solution to cleanse the wound.

In some cases, however, it becomes necessary to take other actions on the surgical field or wound, e.g. to accelerate the drying of the site and thereby facilitate the healing of the wound. For this purpose, there are known devices that can accelerate the drying of the site by insufflating air and/or medical gases onto the wound. During or after the procedure, the medical operator must consequently put down the pulsed washing surgical device and pick up another device for drying the wound. The object of the present invention is a new surgical device for the pulsed washing of wounds and surgical sites with one or more irrigation and aspiration tubes and one or more further tubes for the injection of a gas into the site or wound. The main technical aim of the present invention lies in that, in addition to the usual actions involving the irrigation of the wound or surgical site with saline solution through at least one first irrigation tube, and the aspiration of any debris and fragments resulting from the surgical procedure by means of at least one second aspiration tube, it also serves the important purpose of enabling the insufflation of gas or air into the surgical site or wound in order to accelerate the drying of the wound, and thereby facilitate its healing.

Said action can consequently be taken using the same device that is used to complete the other irrigation and aspiration steps, without the operator having to use a different, dedicated device.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify and accelerate the procedures in the operating room, reducing the number of devices that the medical operator needs to use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that of being extremely compact and small in size, affording an optimal manoeuvrability on the part of the medical operator, even when operating in surgical sites or wounds of limited dimensions or in positions that are difficult to access. In fact, said tubes are shaped and positioned in relation to one another so as to ensure a limited, compact overall volume and a suitable, ergonomic shape.

These and other, direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new surgical device for the pulsed washing of wounds and surgical sites, comprising a handpiece or handle to which one or more irrigation and aspiration tubes are connected, together with one or more further tubes for the injection of a gas into the surgical site or wound.

Said irrigation tube is connected to an electric pump, the latter being connected to a motor and to a saline solution tank or supply line, said pump and said motor preferably being incorporated inside said handpiece and complete with a pushbutton or cursor for its operation and/or adjustment.

Said aspiration tube is connected, on the other hand, to an aspiration system outside said handpiece.

Said tube for injecting a gas into the surgical site or wound is connected instead, by means of a valve and/or pushbutton control, to a tank or supply line for the delivery of a medical gas, such as, but not necessarily, argon or carbon dioxide, and/or compressed air.

The medical gas and/or compressed air injected into the wound or surgical site facilitates the drying of the wound and consequently accelerates the healing and tissue regeneration processes, while also ensuring the wound's disinfection and hygiene.

The invention is effective when applied to the treatment of any type of wound or surgical site and is particularly suitable, for instance, for use in hip replacement surgery. During such procedures, action is first taken to prepare the site where the prosthetic head of femur is to be inserted in the hip bone by milling the surgical field.

The new device is then used both to aspirate the debris produced during this procedure, and to cleanse the surgical site by irrigating it with saline solution. Then the new device can also be used to insufflate air or gas into the surgical site, either simultaneously or alternately with one or both of said aspiration and washing procedures.

In the preferred solution, said aspiration and irrigation tubes are substantially coaxial and one inside the other, the external tube preferably being the one for aspiration and the internal tube being used for irrigation.

Said air or medical gas injection tube is positioned substantially parallel to said aspiration and irrigation tubes and preferably lies above the latter. Said irrigation, aspiration and gas injection tubes consequently occupy a compact, substantially cylindrical or tubular space with a global diameter that is characteristically very narrow so that the new device can be used by the operator even in surgical sites of limited dimensions and in positions that are difficult to reach.

The features of the new device emerge more clearly from the description that follows with reference to the drawings that are attached as a non- limiting example of the invention. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the invention with a handpiece or handle (1) with irrigation (2) and aspiration (3) tubes, and a gas/air injection tube (4) externally attached thereto.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the pump (5) and motor (6) assembly designed to be connected to the irrigation tube (2) for the delivery of saline solution.

Figures 3 a and 3 b show three-dimensional and lateral views, respectively, of the set of internal tubes (21, 31, 41) for connecting said irrigation (2), aspiration (3) and injection (4) tubes to the handpiece (1) y means of a corresponding coupling (7a). Figures 4a and 4b show a three-dimensional view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the set of external irrigation (2), aspiration (3) and gas injection (4) tubes, with the corresponding coupling (7b) for connecting them to the handpiece (1). The new device comprises a handpiece or handle (1), shaped like a pistol, for instance, or in any case preferably of an ergonomic shape designed to be held in one hand by the operator.

Said handpiece or handle comprises a hollow body designed to contain several components and to be connected to one or more tubes or lines supplying saline solutions and gases and/or air, and to at least one aspiration system.

In particular, one end of said handpiece or handle (1) comprises a portion (11) shaped so as to be gripped by the user and an end, or tip (12) shaped so as to be connected, by means of at least one coupling element (7), to one or more irrigation (2), aspiration (3), and gas injection (4) tubes. In the preferred solution, in particular, the new device comprises an aspiration tube (3) that is substantially cylindrical, or of any other tubular shape, attached at one end (3a) to said handpiece (1) by means of said coupling element (7) and inserted, to be more precise, in a seat of corresponding cross-section (85), provided in the coupling (J), that is perforated with a through hole. Said aspiration tube (3) is suitable for connecting directly or indirectly to an aspiration system, not shown in the figure.

In the preferred solution, said aspiration tube (3) is connected by means of said coupling element (7) to at least one tube (31) inside said handpiece (1) that has one end (311) for connecting to said coupling element (7) and the opposite end (312) suitable for connecting directly or indirectly to said aspiration system.

The new device also comprises an irrigation tube (2) that is substantially cylindrical, or of any other tubular shape, and coaxial to or in any case located inside said aspiration tube (3). Said irrigation tube (2) is attached at one end (2a) to said coupling element

(7) and connected directly or indirectly to a pump (5) with a corresponding electric motor (6), both incorporated inside said handpiece (1). At the opposite, open end (2b) of said irrigation tube (2) there is a perforated diffuser (9). In particular, said pump (5) is connected to said irrigation tube (2) by means of at least one or more connector tubes or sleeves (73, 82) on said coupling element (7).

At least one additional tube (21) for the supply of saline solution, also contained inside said handpiece (1), is connected to said pump (5) at one end (211), while the opposite end (212) is suitable for connecting directly or indirectly to a supply line or a tank of saline solution, not shown in the figure.

Said motor (6) serving the pump (5) comprises speed adjustment means and/or circuitry (61) connected to a cursor (62) situated on the outside of said handpiece (1), and particularly inside said portion for gripping (11) so that the operator holding said device can rapidly enable/disable the pump (5) or adjust the speed of the motor (6) and thereby control the irrigation action. The new device also comprises at least one compressed air and/or medical gas injection tube (4), which is substantially cylindrical, or of any other tubular shape, and positioned parallel to and above said aspiration tube (3). In the preferred solution, said aspiration tube (3) has a substantially semi- cylindrical groove (3 c) running parallel to its central longitudinal axis designed to contain said injection tube (4), which is consequently at least partially recessed therein. Said injection tube (4) is attached with one end (4a) to said coupling element (7) and is directly or indirectly connectable to a supply line or tank for delivering medical gases and/or compressed air, not shown in the figure. In the preferred solution, said injection tube (4) is connected by means of said coupling element (7) to at least one tube (41) inside said handpiece (1) and with one end (411) connectable to said coupling element (7) and the opposite end (412) for connecting directly or indirectly to said supply line and or tank for delivering medical gases and/or compressed air. Said incorporated tube (41) preferably comprises at least one valve (42) for closing the section of tube (41), said valves (42) being connected to a pushbutton control (43) on the outside of said handpiece (1), so that it can readily operated by the user. In the above-described preferred solution, therefore, said new device comprises said external irrigation (2), aspiration (3) and gas/air injection (4) tubes attached externally to the tip (12) of said handpiece (1), and corresponding components (5, 6) and internal tubes (21, 31, 41), incorporated inside said handpiece (1), said internal tubes (21, 31, 41) being suitable for connecting respectively to a saline solution supply line or tank, an aspiration system and a medical gases and/or compressed air supply line. Said coupling element (7) is shaped to enable the connection of said external irrigation (2), aspiration (3) and gas/air injection (4) tubes respectively to said pump (5), said internal aspiration tube (31) and said internal gas/air inj ection tube (41).

More in detail, said coupling element (7) preferably comprises at least one fixed portion (7a) incorporated inside said handpiece (1) and integral with said pump-motor assembly (5, 6), that is connected to said pump (5) by means of said connection sleeves (73), and at least one external portion (7b) designed to engage with said internal fixed portion (7a) and be connected to the tip (12) of said handpiece (1).

Said internal portion (7a) comprises a substantially prism-shaped body containing at least three through holes (74, 75, 76) for the corresponding connection of said pump (5) and of said internal tubes (31, 41) to said external tubes (2, 3, 4).

At least one of said holes (75) communicates with the inside of said connector sleeve (73) and with said pump (5); at least one second hole (74) is designed to be connected, by means of a sleeve (71), to said internal tube (41) for injecting medical gas and/or compressed air; and at least a third hole (76) is designed to be connected, by means of a sleeve (72), to said internal aspiration tube (31).

Said external portion (7b) of said coupling element (7) comprises a body of suitable shape and size for inserting in the tip (12) of said handpiece (I)₅ said external portion (7b) containing at least three through holes (84, 85, 821) and/or sleeves (81, 82, 83) for the connection of said external gas/air injection (4), aspiration (3) and irrigation (2) tubes, respectively, with said fixed portion (7a) of said coupling (7), said sleeves (81, 82, 83) being designed to be inserted through or attached to said holes (74, 75, 76) on said internal fixed portion (7a). Since said irrigation tube (2) lies inside and coaxial to said aspiration tube (3), the corresponding coupling holes (821, 85) are arranged concentrically and in communication respectively with said sleeves (82, 83). In the preferred solution, moreover, said external portion (7b) of said coupling element (7) comprises an outer shell (7b 1) containing two of said holes (84, 85) for the connection of said gas/air injection (4) and aspiration (3) tubes, respectively, and an internal shell (7b2) containing said hole (821) for inserting said irrigation tube (2) and communicating with said sleeve (82) for connecting to said internal fixed portion (7a) of said coupling element (7). Said aspiration tube (3) inserted in said hole (85) in said outer shell (71) communicates, on the other hand, through the space created between said external shells (7b 1) and (7b2), with said connector sleeve (83) on said internal fixed portion (7a) of said coupling element (7). Gaskets are provided to guarantee the seal on the connections between said external tubes (2, 3, 4), said coupling (7) and said internal components. O- rings may be used, for instance, or any other type of gasket to ensure a gas- and water-tight seal between said sleeves (81, 82, 83) on said external portion (7b) and said holes (74, 75, 76) in said internal portion (7a) of said coupling element (7).

Thus, with reference to the above description and to the attached drawings, the following claims are advanced.

Claims

1. A surgical device for the pulsed washing of wounds and surgical sites, comprising a handpiece or handle (1) to which one or more irrigation (2) and/or aspiration (3) tubes are connected, characterised in that it comprises one or more further tubes (4) for the injection of gas/air in the surgical site or wound directly or indirectly connectable to a supply line or tank delivering a medical gas and/or compressed air.

2. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 1, characterised in that said aspiration (3), irrigation (2), and gas/air injection (4) tubes lie substantially parallel to one another.

3. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 2, characterised in that said irrigation tube (2) lies inside said aspiration tube (3), and wherein said aspiration tube (3) has a substantially semicylindrical groove (3 c) running parallel to its central longitudinal axis for containing said injection tube (4), the latter being at least partially recessed therein.

4. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterised in that said handpiece or handle (1) comprises a portion (11) shaped to enable it to be gripped by the user and an end, or tip (12) to which said irrigation (2), aspiration (3) and gas/air injection (4) tubes are externally connected by means of at least one coupling element (7), said coupling element (7) being shaped so as to connect:

• said external irrigation tube (2) to a pump (5) with an electric motor (6) incorporated inside said handpiece (1), said pump (5) being connectable, by means of a tube (21) inside said handpiece (1), to a saline solution tank or supply line;

• said external aspiration tube (3) to at least one tube (31) inside said handpiece (1) with one end (311) for connecting to said coupling element (7) and the opposite end (312) suitable for being connected directly or indirectly to at least one aspiration system; • said gas/air injection tube (4) to at least one tube (41) inside said handpiece (1) with one end (411) for connecting to said coupling element (7) and the opposite end (412) suitable for connecting directly or indirectly to said supply line or tank delivering medical gases and/or compressed air.

5. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 5, characterised in that said internal gas/air injection tube (41) preferably comprises at least one valve (42) for closing the section of tube (41), said valve (42) being connected to a pushbutton control (43) located on said handpiece (1).

6. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 5, characterised in that said coupling element (7) comprises at least one internal portion (7a) inside said handpiece (1) and integral with said pump- motor assembly (5, 6), that is connected to said pump (5) by means of a connector tube or sleeve (73), and at least one external portion (7b) suitable for being connected to said fixed internal portion (7a) and attached to the tip (12) of said handpiece (1).

7. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 6, characterised in that said internal portion (7a) comprises a substantially prism-shaped body containing at least three through holes (74, 75, 76) for the connection of said pump (5) and said internal tubes (31, 41).

8, A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claims 6 and 7, characterised in that said external portion (7b) of said coupling element (7) comprises a body of shape and size suitable for inserting in the tip (12) of said handpiece (1), said external portion (7b) containing at least three through holes (84, 85, 821) and/or sleeves (81, 82, 83) for connecting said external gas/air injection (4), aspiration (3) and irrigation (2) tubes to said internal fixed portion (7a) of said coupling (7), said sleeves (81, 82, 83) being suitable for inserting or connecting to said holes (74, 75, 76) in said internal fixed portion (7a).

9. A surgical device for pulsed washing according to claim 8, characterised in that said external portion (7b) of said coupling element (7) comprises an external shell (7b 1) containing two of said holes (84, 85) for respectively coupling said gas/air injection (4) and aspiration (3) tubes, and an internal shell (7b2) containing said hole (821) for inserting said irrigation tube (2) and communicating with said sleeve (82) for the connection to said fixed internal portion (7a) of said coupling element (7), while said aspiration tube (3), inserted in said hole (85) in said external shell

(7bl), communicates, via the space between said external shells (7bl) and (7b2), with said sleeve (73) for the connection to said fixed internal portion (7a) of said coupling element (7).