Irrigation system for preventing contamination and reducing the risk of patient hypothermia

Claim 2

A surgical apparatus, comprising: a flexible pouch having a substantially enclosed inside cavity defined by at least one flexible wall for containing and substantially fully enclosing at least bottom and side surfaces of a disposable flexible fluid reservoir; said pouch further comprising a second inflatable cavity exterior to said inside cavity for receiving a pressurized fluid and applying a compressive force against said at least one flexible wall of said inside cavity.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second cavity further comprises a plurality of chambers, said chambers being interconnected by channels for even inflation of said second cavity.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a support bag for containing said reservoir, said support bag containing said reservoir is insertable into said pouch inside cavity.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heater located in said pouch for heating said reservoir.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said heater comprises at least one heating panel located within said pouch inside cavity.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said heater comprises two said heating panels.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said at least one heating panel being attached to a surface of said pouch inside cavity.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said heater being attached to said second cavity.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said heater being attached to an interior surface of said support bag.

Claim 11

A surgical apparatus for preventing contamination of irrigation fluid during surgery, comprising: a flexible pouch having a substantially enclosed inside cavity defined by at least one flexible wall for containing and substantially fully enclosing at least bottom and side surfaces of a disposable flexible fluid reservoir, and a second inflatable cavity external to said inside cavity for receiving a pressurized fluid and applying a compressive force against said at least one flexible wall of said inside cavity; a pump for inflating said second cavity; pressure control means for regulating said pressurized fluid; and a heater for heating said fluid.

Claim 12

A surgical apparatus for preventing contamination of irrigation fluid during surgery, comprising: a flexible pouch having a substantially enclosed inside cavity defined by at least one flexible wall for containing and substantially fully enclosing at least bottom and side surfaces of a disposable flexible fluid reservoir, and a second inflatable cavity external to said inside cavity for receiving a pressurized fluid and applying a compressive force against said at least one flexible wall of said inside cavity; a pump for inflating said second cavity; pressure control means for regulating said pressurized fluid; and a heater for heating said fluid.

Claim 13

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second cavity further comprises a plurality of chambers, said chambers being interconnected by channels for even inflation of said second cavity.

Claim 14

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a support bag for containing said reservoir, said support bag containing said reservoir is insertable into said pouch.

Claim 15

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein said heater comprises at least one heating panel located within said pouch inside cavity.

Claim 16

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a nozzle and a flexible tube attached to said nozzle for discharging said fluid from said reservoir to the surgical site.

Claim 17

The surgical apparatus of claim 14 wherein said pouch further comprises: a locking receiver for preventing said flexible tube from disengaging said fluid reservoir; and said flexible tube comprises a piercing pin located at an end of said tube for penetrating said reservoir and locking lugs located adjacent said piercing pin for fitting into said locking receiver.

Claim 18

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pressure control means comprises a solenoid valve.

Claim 19

The surgical apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one heating panel further comprises thermistors for maintaining said fluid at temperature between about 85° F. and about 115° F.

Claim 20

The surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pump operates at a noise level of less than about 40 dBA.

Claim 21

The surgical apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a nozzle and a flexible tube attached to said nozzle for discharging said fluid from said reservoir to the surgical site.

Claim 22

The surgical apparatus of claim 19 wherein said pouch further comprises: a locking receiver for preventing said flexible tube from disengaging said fluid reservoir; and said flexible tube comprises a piercing pin located at an end of said tube for penetrating said reservoir and locking lugs located adjacent said piercing pin for fitting into said locking receiver.

Claim 23

A surgical apparatus for reducing the risk patient hypothermia and contamination of irrigation fluid during surgery, comprising: a flexible pouch having a substantially enclosed inside cavity defined by at least one flexible wall for containing and substantially fully enclosing at least the bottom and side surfaces of a disposable flexible fluid reservoir, said reservoir having a stick fitting secured to said bottom through which said fluid is discharged, a second inflatable cavity external to said inside cavity for receiving a pressurized fluid and applying a compressive force against said at least one flexible wall of said inside cavity, said second cavity having a plurality of chambers, said chambers being interconnected by channels for even inflation of said second cavity, a heater having at least one heating panel within said pouch inside cavity for heating said fluid; a support bag for containing said reservoir, said support bag being insertable into said pouch; a pump for inflating said second cavity; a solenoid valve for regulating said pressurized fluid; said at least one heating panel further comprising thermistors for maintaining said fluid at a temperature between about 85° F. and about 115° F.

Claim 24

A surgical apparatus for reducing the risk patient hypothermia and contamination of irrigation fluid during surgery, comprising: a flexible pouch having a substantially enclosed inside cavity defined by at least one flexible wall for containing and substantially fully enclosing at least the bottom and side surfaces of a disposable flexible fluid reservoir, said reservoir having a stick fitting secured to said bottom through which said fluid is discharged, a second inflatable cavity external to said inside cavity for receiving a pressurized fluid and applying a compressive force against said at least one flexible wall of said inside cavity, said second cavity having a plurality of chambers, said chambers being interconnected by channels for even inflation of said second cavity, a heater having at least one heating panel within said pouch inside cavity for heating said fluid; a support bag for containing said reservoir, said support bag being insertable into said pouch; a pump for inflating said second cavity; a solenoid valve for regulating said pressurized fluid; said at least one heating panel further comprising thermistors for maintaining said fluid at a temperature between about 85° F. and about 115° F.