Abstract An infusion sleeve for an ultrasonic tissue removal surgical tool includes a sleeve designed to surround the ultrasonically driven tip of the surgical tool and create an irrigation fluid channel thereinbetween. The sleeve includes a flexible portion which permits retraction of the distal end thereof to permit contact between the tip of the surgical tool and body tissue to be destroyed or removed. The infusion sleeve also includes a rigid portion which is designed to prevent collapse of the sleeve around the ultrasonically driven surgical tip and prevent blockage of irrigating fluid flow and subsequent overheating of the tip and damage to adjacent body tissue.
A sleeve for use with an ultrasonic tissue removal surgical tool comprising: a) a flexible member adapted to surround at least an ultrasonically driven surgical tip of a said surgical tool to provide a channel for irrigation fluid and being able to retract away from the distal end of said surgical tip to permit tissue removal by said surgical tip; and b) a rigid member adjacent to a portion of said flexible member, said rigid portion preventing collapse of said portion of said flexible member onto said surgical tip and thereby preventing blockage of irrigation fluid flow through said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said flexible member further comprises a tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
the sleeve of claim 2 wherein said rigid member further comprises metallic tubing surrounding a portion of said tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sleeve of claim 3 wherein said metallic tubing is removably attachable to the outer surface of said tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sleeve of claim 3 wherein said tubular member includes a recessed portion on an outer surface thereof and said metallic tubing is located in said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sleeve of claim 5 wherein said metallic tubing has a thickness approximating the depth of said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sleeve of claim 2 wherein said rigid member further comprises metallic tubular spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sleeve of claim 7 wherein said metallic tubular spring is removably attachable to the outer surface of said tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sleeve of claim 7 therein said tubular member includes a recessed portion on an outer surface thereof and said metallic tubing is located in said recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said flexible member is made of silicon and said rigid member is made of stainless steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sleeve of claim 3 wherein said metallic tubing ranges in thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.005 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said rigid member further comprises a plastic tubing surrounding a portion of said tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sleeve of claim 1 wherein said plastic tubing ranges in thickness between about 0.001 inches and 0.005 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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