Patent US5846219A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5846219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Variable backflow suction-hydraulic curet
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1996-04-26
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2016-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A variable backflow suction-hydraulic curet for mobilizing and evacuating tissue in a patient requiring such tissue removal. The variable backflow suction-hydraulic curet combines three modes of action to effect tissue removal while minimizing damage to underlying or adjacent tissue. The three modes of action are tissue mobilization through mechanical contact, through a variable pressurized fluid stream, and through suction-induced scavenging of mobilized tissue. Suction-induced scavenging of mobilized tissue occurs when a partial vacuum is applied to mobilized tissue through a suction tube within the curet. Movement of fluid and tissue particulates through the suction tube is enhanced by a variable pressurized fluid backflow through the suction tube which tends to further fluidize particulates and to increase the velocity of evacuation fluid flow. Variable features of the curet fluid flows are responsive to curet positioning and to vacuum applied to the suction tube vacuum port.
Inventors
- 👤 Thierry G. Vancaillie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61M1/85
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip portion spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip portion comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each said hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart from a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of the fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate said first orifice, said diverter comprising a flow reversal vane positioned at least partially within the suction tube to variably intercept at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip portion spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip portion comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each said hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart from a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of the fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate said first orifice, said diverter comprising a flow reversal vane positioned at least partially within the suction tube to variably intercept at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The curet of claim 1, wherein said at least one hydraulic flow diverter additionally comprises at least one mobilization flow vane positioned to variably intercept at least a portion of at least one said exiting fluid stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The curet of claim 2 wherein a first such mobilization flow vane is directed substantially tangentially outward from said distal suction tip portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The curet of claim 2 wherein a first such mobilization flow vane is directed substantially inward from said distal suction tip portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The curet of claim 2 wherein a first such mobilization flow vane is directed substantially tangentially outward from said distal suction tip portion and a second such mobilization flow vane is directed substantially inward from said distal suction tip portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A method for evacuating tissue to be removed from a patient using a pressurized variable curet flush flow in the current of claim 2, the method comprising directing a stream of pressurized fluid into at least one said hydraulic tube through said proximal hydraulic port, said fluid stream exiting from said distal hydraulic tip of at least one said hydraulic tube; intercepting at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream with said flow diverter; directing fluid flowing over said at least one mobilization flow vane at a portion of tissue to be removed for mobilizing the tissue; placing said suction tip entry orifice proximate the tissue to be removed to evacuate at least a portion of the tissue; and creating a variable vacuum within said suction tube variably draw a stream through said bleed orifice into said suction tube, said stream variably influencing said exiting fluid stream divert said exiting fluid stream toward said flow reversal vane to create a pressurized variable curet flush flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method for mobilizing tissue for removal using the curet of claim 2, the method comprising: directing a stream of pressurized fluid into at least one said hydraulic tube through said proximal hydraulic port, said fluid stream exiting from said distal hydraulic tip of at least one said hydraulic tube; intercepting at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream with said flow diverter; directing fluid flowing over said at least one mobilization flow vane at a portion of tissue to be removed for mobilizing the tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein at least one such distal hydraulic tip comprises a slit-shaped orifice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein at least one such distal hydraulic tip comprises fluid stream rotating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein at least one such distal hydraulic tip comprises a plurality of orifices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein said entry orifice is serrated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein said entry orifice is notched.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The curet of claim 1 wherein said entry orifice is perforated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method for creating a pressurized variable curet flush flow in the curet of claim 1, the method comprising directing a stream of pressurized fluid into at least one said hydraulic tube through said proximal hydraulic port, said fluid stream exiting from said distal hydraulic tip of at least one said hydraulic tube; intercepting at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream with said flow diverter; creating a variable partial vacuum within said suction tube to variably draw a stream through said bleed orifice into said suction tube, said stream variably redirecting said exiting fluid stream toward said flow reversal vane to create a pressurized variable curet flush flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
188 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each said hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart from a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of a fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifices, wherein at least some of the portion of the fluid stream is variably redirected by air flow through the first orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate the first orifice, said diverter comprising a flow reversal vane positioned at least partially within the suction tube to variably intercept at least some of the portion of said fluid stream.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
188 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each said hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart from a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of a fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifices, wherein at least some of the portion of the fluid stream is variably redirected by air flow through the first orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate the first orifice, said diverter comprising a flow reversal vane positioned at least partially within the suction tube to variably intercept at least some of the portion of said fluid stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
172 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip portion spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip portion comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each such hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart form a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of the fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate said first orifice, said diverter comprising at least one mobilization flow vane directed substantially outward from said distal suction tip portion and positioned to intercept at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
A curet, comprising: a suction tube, said suction tube comprising a distal suction tip portion spaced apart from a proximal suction port, said suction tip portion comprising an entry orifice and at least one bleed orifice; at least one hydraulic tube coupled to said suction tube, each such hydraulic tube comprising a distal hydraulic tip spaced apart form a proximal hydraulic port, and configured to allow a fluid stream to flow through the hydraulic tube from the hydraulic port to the hydraulic tip and exit the hydraulic tube through the hydraulic tip, said distal hydraulic tip being positioned to direct at least a portion of the fluid stream exiting said hydraulic tip past at least a first orifice of said at least one bleed orifice; and at least one hydraulic flow diverter coupled to said suction tube proximate said first orifice, said diverter comprising at least one mobilization flow vane directed substantially outward from said distal suction tip portion and positioned to intercept at least a portion of said exiting fluid stream.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |