IP Library Granted Patent US 12,171,481
Granted Patent B2
US 12,171,481 · App. 17/404,331 · Granted Dec 24, 2024

Suction device for surgical instruments

Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff (Palo Alto, CA); James Jackson (Victoria, CA); Elisabeth Jacques Leeflang (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Conmed Corporation
A61B18/14A61M1/74A61M1/743A61M1/774A61M1/804A61B2218/007A61B2218/008A61M1/79
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,171,481
App. No.
17/404,331
Granted
Dec 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A suction device is shown and described. The suction device includes a body, an input port configured to receive a flow of matter, a suction port, and a suction lumen that couples the suction port to the input port. In some embodiments the suction device is configured to couple with a surgical instrument for use in a surgical procedure.

Claims (20)

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

an input port configured to receive a flow of matter;

a suction port configured to couple with a suction source having a proximal end and a distal end;

a suction lumen that couples the input port to the suction port, wherein the suction lumen comprises a narrowing between the input port and the suction port; and

one or more adjustable intake ports in fluid communication with the suction lumen, wherein the one or more intake ports are disposed between the input port and the suction port, and are fluidically coupled to the suction lumen at the narrowing.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising an instrument retainer configured to couple the surgical instrument to the suction source and a gasket disposed within the suction source and configured to provide a seal between the suction source and the surgical instrument.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intake ports are disposed between the input port and the suction port, are disposed on the input port, or a combination thereof.

4. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a suction control configured to control a force of suction at the input port.

5. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the suction control comprises a sliding member configured to be adjustable by a user, wherein the sliding member adjusts a gas evacuation, a liquid evacuation, or a combination thereof at the input port.

6. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the suction control comprises detents configured to locate the suction control in user controlled positions.

7. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the suction control is configured to locate the suction control in a user controlled position using friction.

8. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the suction control is integral to the gasket.

9. The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the gasket comprises a flexible membrane configured to permit a user to manipulate the flexible membrane to clear an obstruction.

10. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a positive pressure operated fluid accelerator disposed near the distal end of the suction device, configured to take advantage of the Coanda effect to generate suction near the input port.

11. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intake ports disposed between the input port and the suction port are configured to take advantage of the Venturi effect.

12. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intake ports disposed between the input port and the suction port are positioned a) circumferentially around the suction lumen at the narrowing, b) in series along the suction lumen at the narrowing or c) a combination thereof.

13. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intake ports are fluidically coupled to the suction lumen at a point of maximum pressure differential of the flow of matter within the suction lumen.

14. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more intake ports are disposed between the input port and the suction port, and are fluidically coupled to the suction lumen at a narrowest point within the suction lumen.

15. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the suction lumen enhances a laminar profile of the flow of matter through the suction lumen.

16. The instrument of claim 15 , wherein the shape is an edge of the one or more intake ports in fluidic communication with the suction lumen, wherein the edge forms an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the body.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2025
From: CONMED CORPORATION; BIOREZ, INC.; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; IN2BONES USA, LLC; LINVATEC CORPORATION; SURGIQUEST, INC.; VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072097/0762 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2021
From: MINSKOFF, NOAH MARK; JACKSON, JAMES; LEEFLANG, ELISABETH JACQUES
To: INTEGRATED SURGICAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 057201/0911 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2021
From: INTEGRATED SURGICAL, LLC
To: CONMED CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057201/0978 →