Pressure sensing scope cannula

Claim 2

For use in receiving and positioning a medical instrument during a surgical procedure, a pressure sensing scope cannula comprising a bridge assembly, a pair of elongate concentric inner and outer hollow tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube including a proximal end portion fixed to said bridge assembly and a forward end adapted for reception within the body of a patient, said inner tube defining a hollow interior for receiving and guiding a medical instrument introduced therethrough, a linear depression in said inner tube comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube and extending longitudinally therealong proximally from the forward end of the inner tube, said inner tube forming a fluid passage, a fluid port in said bridge assembly communicating with the fluid passage of said inner tube at the proximal end portion of the inner tube, said outer tube being slidably received over said inner tube and, other than for the linear depression in said inner tube, being in fluid-tight relation therewith, said outer tube overlying said depression and defining therewith a peripherally closed pressure passage independent of said inner tube fluid passage, said bridge assembly including a pressure port communicating with the pressure passage, said linear depression forming a lateral restraint within said inner tube for laterally positioning and retaining a received medical instrument in said inner tube diametrically opposed from said depression with said fluid passage within said inner tube being defined about the received medical instrument and principally adjacent said depression and said pressure passage.

Claim 3

The cannula of claim 1 wherein said outer tube includes a proximal end and a forward end, means at the proximal end of said outer tube for mounting and sealing said outer tube to said bridge assembly, the forward end of the mounted outer tube being generally coextensive with the forward end of the inner tube.

Claim 4

The cannula of claim 2 wherein the forward ends of said inner and outer tubes are rearwardly tapered and define a forwardmost tip portion on each of said forward ends of said inner and outer tubes, said tip portions being radially aligned and adjacent each other with the pressure passage defined therebetween, extending to and opening forwardly of said forwardmost tip portions.

Claim 5

A pressure sensing scope cannula comprising a bridge assembly, a pair of elongate concentric inner and outer hollow tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube including a proximal end portion fixed to said bridge assembly and a forward end adapted for reception within the body of a patient, said inner tube defining a hollow interior for receiving and guiding a medical instrument introduced therethrough, a linear depression in said inner tube comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube and extending longitudinally therealong proximally from the forward end of the inner tube, said inner tube forming a fluid passage, a fluid port in said bridge assembly communicating with the fluid passage of said inner tube at the proximal end portion of the inner tube, said outer tube being slidably received over said inner tube and, other than for the linear depression in said inner tube, being in fluid-tight relation therewith, said outer tube overlying said depression and defining therewith a peripherally closed pressure passage independent of said inner tube fluid passage, said bridge assembly including a pressure port communicating with the pressure passage, said linear depression forming a lateral restraint within said inner tube for laterally retaining a received medical instrument in said inner tube diametrically opposed from said depression with said fluid passage within said inner tube being defined about the received medical instrument and principally adjacent said depression and said pressure passage, said outer tube including a proximal end and a forward end, means at the proximal end of said outer tube for mounting and sealing said outer tube to said bridge assembly, the forward end of the mounted outer tube being generally coextensive with the forward end of the inner tube, said bridge assembly including a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal bore through said bridge assembly therebetween, said fluid port and said pressure port communicating laterally with said bore, said fluid port being closer to the proximal end of the bridge assembly than said pressure port, said inner tube being received within said bore with the proximal end portion of the inner tube adjacent the fluid port in the bridge assembly, said inner tube, between said fluid port and said pressure port, being sealed to said bore completely about the periphery of the inner tube to preclude fluid passage between the ports.

Claim 6

A pressure sensing scope cannula comprising a bridge assembly, a pair of elongate concentric inner and outer hollow tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube including a proximal end portion fixed to said bridge assembly and a forward end adapted for reception within the body of a patient, said inner tube defining a hollow interior for receiving and guiding a medical instrument introduced therethrough, a linear depression in said inner tube comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube and extending longitudinally therealong proximally from the forward end of the inner tube, said inner tube forming a fluid passage, a fluid port in said bridge assembly communicating with the fluid passage of said inner tube at the proximal end portion of the inner tube, said outer tube being slidably received over said inner tube and, other than for the linear depression in said inner tube, being in fluid-tight relation therewith, said outer tube overlying said depression and defining therewith a peripherally closed pressure passage independent of said inner tube fluid passage, said bridge assembly including a pressure port communicating with the pressure passage, said linear depression forming a lateral restraint within said inner tube for laterally retaining a received medical instrument in said inner tube diametrically opposed from said depression with said fluid passage within said inner tube being defined about the received medical instrument and principally adjacent said depression and said pressure passage, said outer tube including a proximal end and a forward end, means at the proximal end of said outer tube for mounting and sealing said outer tube to said bridge assembly, the forward end of the mounted outer tube being generally coextensive with the forward end of the inner tube, said bridge assembly including a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal bore through said bridge assembly therebetween, said fluid port and said pressure port communicating laterally with said bore, said fluid port being closer to the proximal end of the bridge assembly than said pressure port, said inner tube being received within said bore with the proximal end portion of the inner tube adjacent the fluid port in the bridge assembly, said inner tube, between said fluid port and said pressure port, being sealed to said bore completely about the periphery of the inner tube to preclude fluid passage between the ports.

Claim 7

The cannula of claim 4 wherein said linear passage terminates at a proximal end at and in communication with said pressure port.

Claim 8

The cannula of claim 5 wherein the means at the proximal end of the outer tube for mounting and sealing the outer tube to the bridge assembly comprises a forwardly opening chamber in said bridge assembly generally coaxial with and in direct communication with said longitudinal bore, and a mounting head on the proximal end of said outer tube telescopically receivable within said chamber, said mounting head including a bore therethrough directly communicating the outer tube with the bridge bore upon a reception of the mounting head in said chamber, and lock means releasably locking said mounting head within said chamber.

Claim 9

In an arthroscopic cannula, a tube assembly including concentric inner and outer tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube being adapted to receive a scope therethrough and define a longitudinal inflow fluid passage outward of the scope and within said inner tube, and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said inner and outer tubes having tapered forward ends defining a forwardmost tip portion on each tube, said tip portions being radially aligned and adjacent each other, said pressure sensing passage being aligned between, extending to and opening forwardly through said forwardmost tip portions.

Claim 10

In an arthroscopic cannula, a tube assembly including concentric inner and outer tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube being adapted to receive a scope therethrough and define a longitudinal inflow fluid passage outward of the scope and within said inner tube, and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said inner and outer tubes having tapered forward ends defining a forwardmost tip portion on each tube, said tip portions being radially aligned and adjacent each other, said pressure sensing passage being aligned between, extending to and opening forwardly through said forwardmost tip portions.

Claim 11

The cannula of claim 7 wherein said depression extends into the fluid passage within said inner tube and comprises a means for laterally retaining a scope within the inner tube diametrically opposed to said depression with the major area of the fluid passage being defined adjacent to said depression and adjacent said pressure sensing passage.

Claim 12

The cannula of claim 7 including means for communicating the fluid passage with a source of inflow fluid, and means for communicating the pressure sensing passage with pressure sensing means.

Claim 13

In an arthroscopic cannula, a tube assembly including concentric inner and outer tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube being adapted to receive a scope therethrough and define a longitudinal inflow fluid passage outward of the scope and within said inner tube, and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said depression extending into the fluid passage within said inner tube and comprising a means for laterally retaining a scope within the inner tube diametrically opposed to said depression with the major area of the fluid passage being adjacent to said depression and adjacent said pressure sensing passage, said inner and outer tubes having tapered forward ends defining a forwardmost tip portion on each tube, said tip portions being radially aligned and adjacent each other, said pressure sensing passage being aligned between and opening forwardly through said tip portions.

Claim 14

In an arthroscopic cannula, a tube assembly including concentric inner and outer tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube being adapted to receive a scope therethrough and define a longitudinal inflow fluid passage outward of the scope and within said inner tube, and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said depression extending into the fluid passage within said inner tube and comprising a means for laterally retaining a scope within the inner tube diametrically opposed to said depression with the major area of the fluid passage being adjacent to said depression and adjacent said pressure sensing passage, said inner and outer tubes having tapered forward ends defining a forwardmost tip portion on each tube, said tip portions being radially aligned and adjacent each other, said pressure sensing passage being aligned between and opening forwardly through said tip portions.

Claim 15

A pressure sensing scope cannula comprising a bridge assembly, a pair of elongate concentric inner and outer hollow tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube including a proximal end portion fixed to said bridge assembly and a forward end adapted for reception within the body of a patient, said inner tube defining a hollow interior for receiving and guiding a medical instrument introduced therethrough, a linear depression in said inner tube comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube and extending longitudinally therealong proximally from the forward end of the inner tube, said inner tube forming a fluid passage, a fluid port in said bridge assembly communicating with the fluid passage of said inner tube at the proximal end portion of the inner tube, said outer tube being slidably received over said inner tube and, other than for the linear depression in said inner tube, being in fluid-tight relation therewith, said outer tube overlying said depression and defining therewith a peripherally closed pressure passage independent of said inner tube fluid passage, said bridge assembly including a pressure port communicating with the pressure passage, said bridge assembly further including a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal bore through said bridge assembly therebetween, said fluid port and said pressure port communicating laterally with said bore, said fluid port being closer to the proximal end of the bridge assembly than said pressure port, said inner tube being received within said bore with the proximal end portion of the inner tube adjacent the fluid port in the bridge assembly, said inner tube, between said fluid port and said pressure port, being sealed to said bore completely about the periphery of the inner tube to preclude fluid passage between the ports.

Claim 16

A pressure sensing scope cannula comprising a bridge assembly, a pair of elongate concentric inner and outer hollow tubes defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube including a proximal end portion fixed to said bridge assembly and a forward end adapted for reception within the body of a patient, said inner tube defining a hollow interior for receiving and guiding a medical instrument introduced therethrough, a linear depression in said inner tube comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube and extending longitudinally therealong proximally from the forward end of the inner tube, said inner tube forming a fluid passage, a fluid port in said bridge assembly communicating with the fluid passage of said inner tube at the proximal end portion of the inner tube, said outer tube being slidably received over said inner tube and, other than for the linear depression in said inner tube, being in fluid-tight relation therewith, said outer tube overlying said depression and defining therewith a peripherally closed pressure passage independent of said inner tube fluid passage, said bridge assembly including a pressure port communicating with the pressure passage, said bridge assembly further including a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal bore through said bridge assembly therebetween, said fluid port and said pressure port communicating laterally with said bore, said fluid port being closer to the proximal end of the bridge assembly than said pressure port, said inner tube being received within said bore with the proximal end portion of the inner tube adjacent the fluid port in the bridge assembly, said inner tube, between said fluid port and said pressure port, being sealed to said bore completely about the periphery of the inner tube to preclude fluid passage between the ports.

Claim 17

For use in receiving and positioning a medical instrument during a surgical procedure, an arthroscopic cannula comprising a tube assembly including a concentric inner and outer tubes with open, substantially coextensive distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube forming a longitudinal inflow fluid passage and being adapted to receive a medical instrument therethrough with the longitudinal inflow fluid passage being defined outward of the medical instrument and within said inner tube and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a self-sustaining longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said depression having an open distal end at the distal ends of said inner and outer tubes, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said depression extending into the fluid passage within said inner tube and comprising a means for laterally positioning and retaining the medical instrument within the inner tube diametrically opposed to said depression with the major area of the fluid passage being defined adjacent to said depression and adjacent said pressure sensing passage.

Claim 18

For use in receiving and positioning a medical instrument during a surgical procedure, an arthroscopic cannula comprising a tube assembly including a concentric inner and outer tubes with open, substantially coextensive distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis along their lengths, said inner tube forming a longitudinal inflow fluid passage and being adapted to receive a medical instrument therethrough with the longitudinal inflow fluid passage being defined outward of the medical instrument and within said inner tube and a pressure sensing passage defined longitudinally between said inner and outer tubes independent of said inflow fluid passage, said pressure sensing passage being defined by a self-sustaining longitudinal depression in said inner tube, said depression extending linearly along said inner tube and being of an arcuate width comprising a minor portion of the circumference of said inner tube, said depression having an open distal end at the distal ends of said inner and outer tubes, said inner and outer tubes, other than for said depression, being in peripheral fluid-tight engagement, said depression extending into the fluid passage within said inner tube and comprising a means for laterally positioning and retaining the medical instrument within the inner tube diametrically opposed to said depression with the major area of the fluid passage being defined adjacent to said depression and adjacent said pressure sensing passage.