Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An instrument comprising means defining an outer sheath having a distal section wherein said distal section includes means for defining an opening and means defining an elongated fenestra having an under surface which extends along a predetermined path relative to said distal section; and means defining an inner member positioned within said means defining said outer sheath for forming a fluid passageway therebetween, said inner member defining means including a distal tip having an irrigation inlet and wherein said distal tip and irrigation inlet are positioned within said opening, said inner member defining means further including means defining at said distal tip an elongated lip having a length which is less than that of the fenestra, enabling the under surface of the fenestra to extend beyond the elongated lip, said elongated lip having a protrusion section which is substantially triangular in shape; said fenestra defined by said means defining said outer sheath cooperating with said elongated lip and said protrusion section defined by said means defining said inner member for forming a fenestra channel having an irrigation outlet defined by said protrusion section spaced remotely from said irrigation inlet wherein the under surface of the elongated fenestra extends beyond the irrigation outlet to capture and direct the fluid to the irrigation inlet enabling said fenestra channel to pass fluid emanating from the irrigation inlet over a flow path minimizing fluid turbulence at the irrigation inlet to the under surface of the fenestra, to the irrigation outlet through the fenestra channel and to the fluid passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
An instrument comprising means defining an outer sheath having a distal section wherein said distal section includes means for defining an opening and means defining an elongated fenestra having an under surface which extends along a predetermined path relative to said distal section; and means defining an inner member positioned within said means defining said outer sheath for forming a fluid passageway therebetween, said inner member defining means including a distal tip having an irrigation inlet and wherein said distal tip and irrigation inlet are positioned within said opening, said inner member defining means further including means defining at said distal tip an elongated lip having a length which is less than that of the fenestra, enabling the under surface of the fenestra to extend beyond the elongated lip, said elongated lip having a protrusion section which is substantially triangular in shape; said fenestra defined by said means defining said outer sheath cooperating with said elongated lip and said protrusion section defined by said means defining said inner member for forming a fenestra channel having an irrigation outlet defined by said protrusion section spaced remotely from said irrigation inlet wherein the under surface of the elongated fenestra extends beyond the irrigation outlet to capture and direct the fluid to the irrigation inlet enabling said fenestra channel to pass fluid emanating from the irrigation inlet over a flow path minimizing fluid turbulence at the irrigation inlet to the under surface of the fenestra, to the irrigation outlet through the fenestra channel and to the fluid passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said elongated lip includes a protrusion extending in a direction towards the elongated fenestra.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said elongated fenestra is shaped into a raised smooth member to facilitate atraumatic insertion of the instrument into a urethra.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said inner member defining means includes means for defining a first passageway for receiving a telescope; and a second passageway for passing a working tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said opening and irrigation inlet are formed at an acute angle relative to the central axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 5 wherein the outer sheath opening and the irrigation inlet are oblong shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said outer sheath opening and irrigation inlet are substantially coplanar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said inner member defining means including means for defining an inlet which is operatively coupled to a means defining an inner member channel which defines said first passageway and said second passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein said inner member defining means further includes means for defining an inlet which is operatively coupled to each of said first passageway and said second passageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein said outer sheath includes a first connecting means located at the proximal section of said outer sheath, said first connecting means including means defining an inlet channel which communicates with an inlet port for passing fluid from the first connecting means through the inner member to the irrigation inlet; and means defining an outlet channel which communicates with an outlet port for passing fluid form said fluid passageway to the outlet port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said elongated fenestra is formed with a raised smooth protrusion to reduce trauma during insertion of the instrument into a cavity during a procedure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein said means defining said inner member further includes a second connecting means which is removeably connected to said first connecting means of said outer sheath for coupling said outer sheath to said inner member when said inner member is positioned within the hollowed-out central area of said sheath.