Ergonomic tubing attachment for medical apparatus
Inventors
Manandhar, Prakash • Cotter, Daniel J. • Ketelhohn, Robert A. • Gould, Peter L. • Metivier, Todd
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11612682-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An ergonomic attachment system for connecting an irrigation tube or an aspiration tube to a surgical handpiece that reduces surgeon wrist fatigue due to tubing twist. The tube is connected to the handpiece through a swivel joint which allows the tube to rotate circumferentially with respect to the handpiece and self-adjust to a neutral position to relieve the twist.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ergonomic tubing attachment system for an ultrasonic surgical aspirator and/or an ultrasonic surgical apparatus that connects an irrigation/aspiration tube to a handpiece via a swivel joint. The system addresses surgeon wrist fatigue attributed to rotational twist of the irrigation/aspiration tubing, and it neutralizes the rotational twist by enabling the tube to rotate circumferentially in a neutral rotational position without axial displacement.
The system includes a tubing clip and a tubing attachment component that mate via a circumferential groove and a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis. The tubing clip has at least one locking protrusion extending inward from an internal frame surface and tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame, and the tubing attachment component has a throughbore extending from a distal end to a proximal end and a circumferential groove on an external surface between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion.
When an external force is applied, the frame and locking protrusion fit in the circumferential groove and are rotatable in the circumferential groove about the tubing attachment component, and the assembly frictionally locks the tubing attachment component in a desired rotational position in the absence of such external force. The proximal end portion includes a conical body transitioning into a radially outwardly extending barb for securing the tube, and a flange forms a rail of the circumferential groove.
A stated result is low rotational moment and improved independent rotational comfort adjustment, including reduced coiling twist.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims. Collectively, they cover a tubing attachment system with a tubing clip and tubing attachment component that frictionally locks a desired rotational position via a circumferential groove, and they cover a medical apparatus using a swivel joint that allows circumferential rotation without axial displacement.
Frictional rotational locking of tubing attachment via circumferential groove
A tubing attachment system comprising a tubing clip with an internal frame surface, an external frame surface, a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one locking protrusion extending inward from the internal frame surface and defining the frame opening, wherein the tubing clip includes one or more tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame, and a tubing attachment component having a proximal end portion configured to attach to the tube, a distal end portion configured to attach to the handpiece, a throughbore extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a circumferential groove on the external surface between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, wherein the frame and the at least one locking protrusion are configured to fit in the circumferential groove and be rotatable in the circumferential groove about the tubing attachment component when an external force is applied and to frictionally lock the tubing attachment component in a desired rotational position in the absence of such external force.
Conical tube-securement barb with flange forming rail of circumferential groove
Wherein the proximal end portion includes a conical body transitioning into a radially outwardly extending barb for securing the tube, and the distal end portion includes a fitting for engaging a corresponding fitting on the handpiece, wherein the tubing attachment component further comprises a flange between the conical body and the fitting, and the flange forms a rail of the circumferential groove.
Dual contact surface locking protrusions for frictional groove engagement
A tubing attachment system comprising a tubing clip having a frame with an internal frame surface, an external frame surface, and a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis, the frame including at least one locking protrusion extending inward from the internal frame surface, wherein the at least one locking protrusion defines the frame opening, wherein the tubing clip includes one or more tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame, wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a first contact surface facing inwardly that extends from a proximal end to a distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis.
Swivel joint allowing circumferential tube rotation without axial displacement and groove depth contouring
A medical apparatus comprising a handpiece and a tube, wherein the tube is connected to the handpiece through a swivel joint which allows the tube to rotate circumferentially with respect to the handpiece without axial displacement of the tube, wherein the swivel joint further comprises a tubing attachment component having a longitudinal throughbore and a circumferential groove on an external frame surface, wherein a bottom wall of the circumferential groove increases in depth towards the longitudinal throughbore, and a tubing clip having a frame with a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis and at least one locking protrusion having a first contact surface facing inwardly and narrowing the frame opening along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first contact surface of the at least one locking protrusion extends from a proximal end to a distal free end of the at least one locking protrusion, wherein the first contact surface of the at least one locking protrusion contours to and frictionally engages the bottom wall of the circumferential groove of the tubing attachment component, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis.
Snap-fit groove engagement enabling fixed desired relative position
Wherein the frame can be snapped into the circumferential groove of the tubing attachment component and rotate about the tubing attachment component, and wherein the at least one locking protrusion allows the tubing clip and tubing attachment component to be fixed at a desired relative position.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a swivel-joint-based tubing attachment system in which a tubing clip with inward locking protrusions mates to a tubing attachment component having a circumferential groove so the assembly can rotate under applied force and frictionally lock at a desired rotational position, including defined groove/rail and contact surface geometries and, in the medical apparatus claim, a swivel joint that allows circumferential tube rotation without axial displacement.
Stated Advantages
Reduces surgeon wrist fatigue attributed to rotational twist of irrigation/aspiration tubing.
Neutralizes rotational twist by enabling fixation in a desired neutral rotational position.
Provides low rotational moment.
Allows independent rotational comfort adjustment.
Reduces coiling twist.
Compatible with ultrasonic and other powered instruments.
Documented Applications
Use in an ergonomic tubing attachment system for an ultrasonic surgical aspirator with irrigation/aspiration tubing connected to a handpiece via a swivel joint that allows circumferential rotation without axial displacement.
Use in a medical apparatus including an ultrasonic surgical apparatus where the tube is either an irrigation tube or an aspiration tube.
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