Suction surgical instrument of the forceps type

Claim 2

Surgical forceps of a tweezer-like configuration, comprising: a. first and second elongated movable leg members of essentially the same length and having functional ends defining opposed inner faces and distal outer faces, the leg members being commonly affixed and projecting from the fixed point in cantilever fashion with the functional ends normally biased apart and cooperable to perform a forceps function; b. and fluid conduit means associated with one of said first and second leg members, the conduit means being adapted for connection to a source of fluid pressure differential and terminating in a first opening disposed on the inner face of said one leg member, and a second opening disposed on said distal outer face thereof in a position which is accessible for all manipulative and relative functional positions of said one leg member.

Claim 3

The device defined by claim 1, and further comprising second fluid conduit means associated with the other of said first and second leg members, the second conduit means being adapted for connection to a source of fluid pressure differential and terminating in a first opening disposed on the inner face of said other leg member, and a second opening disposed on the outer face thereof in a position which is accessible for all manipulative and relative functional positionS of said other leg member.

Claim 4

The device defined by claim 2, and further comprising a connector member affixed to said first and second leg members and commonly communicating with said first and second conduit means.

Claim 5

The device defined by claim 1, wherein the conduit means is adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, and further comprising a closeable control opening communicating with the conduit means to vary the amount of vacuum therein.

Claim 6

The device defined by claim 4, and further comprising a slideable closure member for said control opening.

Claim 7

The device defined by claim 1, wherein the fluid conduit means comprises: a. a fluid passageway formed within at least a portion of said one leg member; b. and a fluid connector member affixed to said one leg member and communicating with said passageway, the connector member being adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure differential.

Claim 8

The device defined by claim 6, wherein the fluid passageway extends longitudinally through said one leg member and opens at the extreme end thereof to define said second fluid opening.

Claim 9

The device defined by claim 7, wherein said first fluid opening comprises a bore extending transversely through said one leg member and normal to the fluid passageway.

Claim 10

Surgical forceps of a tweezer-like configuration, comprising: a. first and second elongated movable leg members of essentially the same length and having functional ends defining essentially flat, fluid impermeable opposed inner faces and outer faces, the leg members being commonly affixed and projecting from the fixed point in cantilever fashion, the functional ends being normally biased apart with the essentially flat opposed inner surfaces cooperable to perform a forceps function; b. fluid conduit means associated with at least one of the first and second leg members and adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure differential; c. said one leg member having a plurality of fluid openings formed on its inner face and disposed along a straight line extending between said fixed point and the extreme end of said one leg member, each of said openings communicating with said fluid conduit means to permit the transfer of fluid to or removal of fluid from a surgical area.

Claim 11

Surgical forceps of a tweezer-like configuration, comprising: a. first and second elongated movable leg members of essentially the same length and having functional ends defining essentially flat, fluid impermeable opposed inner faces and outer faces, the leg members being commonly affixed and projecting from the fixed point in cantilever fashion, the functional ends being normally biased apart with the essentially flat opposed inner surfaces cooperable to perform a forceps function; b. fluid conduit means associated with at least one of the first and second leg members and adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure differential; c. said one leg member having a plurality of fluid openings formed on its inner face and disposed along a straight line extending between said fixed point and the extreme end of said one leg member, each of said openings communicating with said fluid conduit means to permit the transfer of fluid to or removal of fluid from a surgical area.

Claim 12

The device defined by claim 9, wherein the fluid conduit means comprises: a. a passageway formed within at least a portion of said one leg member; b. and a fluid connector member affixed to said one leg member and communicating with said passageway, the connector member being adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure differential.

Claim 13

The device defined by claim 10, wherein the fluid passageway extends longitudinally through a substantial portion of said one leg member.

Claim 14

The device defined by claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of fluid openings comprises a bore extending transversely through said one leg member and normal to the fluid passageway.

Claim 15

The device defined by claim 10, wherein the fluid connector member is adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, and further comprising a closeable control opening communicating with the passageway to vary the amount of vacuum therein.

Claim 16

The device as defined by claim 10, wherein the fluid connector member is tubular and terminates in a series of tapered segments constructed to receive and retain a resilient tube.

Claim 17

The device defined by claim 9, and further comprising: a. second fluid conduit means associated with the other of said first and second leg members and adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure differential; b. said other leg member having a plurality of fluid openings formed on its inner face and disposed along a line extending between said fixed point and the extreme end of said other leg member, each of said openings communicating with said second fluid conduit means to permit the transfer of fluid to or removal of fluid from a surgical area.