Ear visualization and treatment system
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11723519-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure in an ear may include a handle, a main shaft extending from the handle, an imaging sensor at a distal end of the main shaft, a light source at the distal end of the main shaft, and a suction shaft extending from the handle. The device may also include a spring coupled with the suction shaft and/or the handle, such that when the suction shaft is advanced in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically. The suction shaft may have a distal curved portion, and the device may have a thumb depress portion that allows a user to spin the suction shaft to suction in different directions. Some embodiments may include a suction shaft with a sharp distal tip that is configured for placing an ear tube in the tympanic membrane.
Core Innovation
The invention is a device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure. It combines a handle with at least one suction shaft aperture and a straight, tubular main shaft extending from a proximal end attached to the handle to a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. A visualization device extends through the main shaft and a light source is located in the main shaft.
The device includes at least one straight, tubular tool coupling shaft attached to an outside of the main shaft and parallel with the main shaft. A suction shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end and is slidably disposed through the at least one suction shaft aperture in the handle and through the at least one tool coupling shaft, such that the suction shaft extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft.
A spring is disposed over a portion of the suction shaft and contacts the handle so that, when the suction shaft is advanced through the at least one suction shaft aperture and the at least one tool coupling shaft in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically. The device further provides controlled suction behavior and orientation of the suction shaft, including a distal curved portion configured to spin to point in different directions, and user control features such as a depress member coupled to a proximal end of the suction shaft to advance and spin it.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed subject matter includes one independent claim (a device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure) with multiple inventive features refined by dependent claims. The independent claim centers on a combined visualization/light/main shaft and a parallel, slidably mounted, spring-retracting suction shaft routed through a handle aperture and tool coupling shaft(s).
Visualizing and providing suction with a handle and parallel suction shaft
A device comprising a handle with at least one suction shaft aperture, a straight tubular main shaft defining a longitudinal axis with a visualization device extending through the main shaft and a light source in the main shaft, and a suction shaft slidably disposed through the at least one suction shaft aperture in the handle and through at least one tool coupling shaft, wherein the suction shaft extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft.
Automatic suction shaft retraction using a spring
A spring disposed over a portion of the suction shaft and contacting the handle so that, when the suction shaft is advanced distally through the handle aperture and the tool coupling shaft(s) and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically.
Distal curved suction portion that can spin to point in different directions
A suction shaft having a straight proximal portion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft and a distal curved portion that can spin within a suction shaft aperture in the handle to point in different directions.
Depress member coupled to advance and spin suction shaft
A depress member coupled to a proximal end of the suction shaft configured to advance and spin the suction shaft, with a spring positioned between the handle and the depress member.
Opposite-side tool coupling shafts with suction apertures for routing
At least two tool coupling shafts formed by two straight, tubular tool coupling shafts on opposite sides of the main shaft, with two suction shaft apertures arranged to direct the suction shaft into the respective tool coupling shafts.
Finger loop and index-finger suction control port
A finger loop configured to extend around a user's middle finger and a handle with a finger suction control port covered by the user's index finger to control suction application.
Overall, the claims cover a visualization/light surgical device with a parallel suction shaft that is slidably routed through handle apertures and external parallel tool coupling shafts, and that retracts automatically via a spring after distal advancement and release. Dependent claim features further refine suction shaft orientation (spinning distal curved portion), user actuation (depress member), suction routing (opposite-side coupling shafts and multiple apertures), and finger-based control (middle-finger loop and index-finger port coverage).
Stated Advantages
Automatic retraction of the suction shaft after distal advancement and release.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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