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-12109352-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-08
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 that addresses surgeon fatigue associated with tubing twist-induced torque. A tubing clip and a tubing attachment component cooperate so the irrigation/aspiration tubing can rotate circumferentially without axial displacement relative to a handpiece. The coupling includes a swivel joint structure that allows circumferential rotation of the tube about the handpiece while maintaining a defined relative tube-to-handpiece connection.
A tubing attachment component includes a longitudinal throughbore and a circumferential groove on an external frame surface, where a bottom wall increases in depth toward the longitudinal throughbore. A tubing clip has a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis and at least one locking protrusion extending inward from an internal frame surface. The first contact surface of each locking protrusion frictionally engages the bottom wall of the circumferential groove, and the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at a distal free end facing axially away from the frame along the longitudinal axis.
The frame is received in the circumferential groove of the tubing attachment component, and the frame rotates about the tubing attachment component to allow fixed positioning at one or more rotational positions. The frame opening is narrowed along the longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal free end by the inwardly extending locking protrusions, enabling frictional locking at desired rotational positions. The tubing clip includes one or more tube retaining arms extending outwardly from the frame to form channels for holding another tube or accessory tubes, and the cooperation between the groove and the clip fixes the tubing at a desired relative position.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include three inventive features related to a tubing clip with inward locking protrusions, a groove-and-clip swivel joint connection, and a combined tubing attachment system with tube retention arms and a tubing attachment component with a proximal conical body and radially outwardly extending barb.
Inward locking protrusions defining a narrowed frame opening for frictional engagement
A tubing clip having a frame with an internal frame surface, an external frame surface, and a frame opening defining a longitudinal axis, where the frame includes at least one locking protrusion extending inward from the internal frame surface and the at least one locking protrusion defines the frame opening; 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 and the first contact surface narrows the frame opening along the longitudinal axis in a direction from the proximal end to the distal free end; and wherein the at least one locking protrusion includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame along the longitudinal axis.
Swivel joint allowing circumferential rotation without axial displacement and fixed desired relative position via groove-and-clip locking
A medical apparatus comprising a handpiece and a tube connected through a swivel joint that allows the tube to rotate circumferentially with respect to the handpiece without axial displacement of the tube; wherein the swivel joint comprises a tubing attachment component having a longitudinal throughbore and a circumferential groove on an external frame surface with a bottom wall increasing in depth toward the longitudinal throughbore, and a tubing clip having a frame opening and at least one locking protrusion with a first contact surface that contours to and frictionally engages the bottom wall of the circumferential groove and includes a second contact surface at the distal free end facing axially away from the frame along the longitudinal axis; wherein the frame is received in the circumferential groove and rotates 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.
Integrated tubing attachment component with conical barb and groove rail enabling rotational positions with locking clip
A tubing attachment system comprising a tubing clip with inward locking protrusions and one or more tube retaining arms, and a tubing attachment component having a proximal end portion configured to attach to the tube and including a proximal conical body transitioning into a radially outwardly extending barb for securing the tube; a distal end portion configured to attach to the handpiece; a throughbore extending from the distal end to the proximal end; a circumferential groove on the external surface between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; a flange that forms a rail of the circumferential groove; and 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 between one or more rotational positions.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a frictional groove-and-clip swivel connection that uses inward locking protrusions with specific contact-surface geometry to define a narrowed frame opening and to fix relative rotational positions, combined with tube retention arms and a tubing attachment component that includes a circumferential groove and a proximal conical barb portion for tube attachment and a distal fitting for connection to a handpiece.
Stated Advantages
Neutralizes rotational twist/tubing twist-induced torque to reduce surgeon fatigue.
Enables low rotational moment via selecting material and tolerance between the tubing clip and the tubing attachment component.
Supports light-weight and disposable molded connectors.
Uses a non-conducting plastic for electrical safety.
Documented Applications
An ultrasonic surgical aspirator/ultrasonic surgical apparatus with irrigation/aspiration tubing connected to a handpiece using the described tubing attachment system and swivel joint.
A console connection context is discussed for a tubing cartridge aligning irrigation and aspiration tubing for connection to a console [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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