Medical Instrument and Generation Device

Abstract

A medical instrument with an aerosol outlet, which is fluidically connectedvia an aerosol lineto a generation device. The generation device is adapted to generate aerosol for dispensing by means of the medical instrument. In addition, a generation device is stated, which, in embodiments of the generation device, for example can be used in a device with the instrument according to the invention. The generation device comprises a mixing unit for mixing a liquid and a gas together, which mixing unit is connected to a liquid container for supplying the mixing unit with a liquid, in which case the generation device is adapted to utilize the gas pressure of a gas under pressure subjecting the liquid to a pressure in order to press the liquid out of the liquid container to the mixing unit.

Claims

1. A medical instrument (10), comprising: an aerosol outlet (16), wherein the instrument (10) is fluidically connected to a generation device (12) by an aerosol line (20), wherein the generation device (12) is adapted to generate an aerosol for dispensing by the medical instrument (10) by vaporizing a liquid with a gas stream.

2. The instrument (10) according to claim 1, wherein the generation device (12) is supported by a base during a medical application of the instrument (10).

3. The instrument (10) according to claim 1, wherein a length of the aerosol line (20) between the generation device (12) and the aerosol outlet (16) or between the generation device (12) and the instrument (16) is at least 1 meter.

4. The instrument (10) according to claim 1, wherein the generation device (12) is adapted such that the liquid is conveyed to the generation device (12) without an electrically operated pump.

5. The instrument (10) according to claim 1, wherein the instrument and/or the generation device (12) are adapted to convey the aerosol to the aerosol outlet (16) without an electrically operated pump.

6. A generation device (12) for generating an aerosol to be dispensed by a medical instrument the generation device (12) comprising: a mixing unit (25) for mixing a liquid and a pressurized gas together, wherein the mixing unit (25) is connected to a liquid container (49) for supplying the mixing unit (25) with the liquid, wherein the generation device (12) is adapted to utilize a gas pressure of the pressurized gas to apply pressure to the liquid for expelling the liquid out of the liquid container (49) to the mixing unit (25).

7. The generation device (12) according to claim 6, wherein the generation device (12) is configured to be connected to a gas bottle (36), or a stationary pressurized gas network, as a source (36) for the pressurized gas.

8. The generation device (12) according to claim 6, wherein the liquid is contained in a pressurized container (36), to which pressure is applied with the pressurized gas.

9. The generation device (12) according to claim 6, wherein pressure is applied to the liquid container (49) in order to convey the liquid to the mixing unit (25).

10. The generation device (12) according to claim 6, wherein the liquid container (49) is adapted to be compressed.

11. The generation device (12) according to claim 10, wherein the liquid container (49) is a bag.

12. The generation device (12) according to claim 10, wherein the liquid container (49) is arranged in a pressurized container (45), wherein the pressurized container (45) is configured to be loaded with the pressurized gas.

13. The generation device (12) according to claim 10, wherein the pressurized gas acts directly on the liquid container (49).

14. The generation device (12) according to claim 6, wherein the mixing unit (25) has a channel (26) with a constriction (27), wherein the channel (26) is connected to a pressure source (36) upstream of the constriction (27), wherein the liquid container (49) is connected to the channel (26) at the constriction (27) and/or downstream of the constriction (27), in order to convey the liquid out of the liquid container (49) into the channel (26) via a pressure drop caused by the constriction.

15. The generation device (12) according to claim 14, wherein the channel (26) is connected, upstream of the constriction (27), to the pressure source (36), which the generation device (12) uses to apply pressure to the liquid.

16. The generation device (12) according to claim 15, wherein a line (35, 26) connected to the pressure source (36) branches between the constriction (27) and the pressure source (36) in order to supply the constriction (27) with the pressurized gas, as well as to provide the pressurized gas for applying pressure to the liquid.

17. A system for generating and dispensing an aerosol, comprising: a generation device (12) for generating an aerosol including a mixing unit (25) for mixing a liquid and a pressurized gas together to form the aerosol, wherein the mixing unit (25) is connected to a liquid container (49) for supplying the mixing unit (25) with the liquid, wherein the generation device (12) is adapted to utilize a gas pressure of the pressurized gas to apply pressure to the liquid for expelling the liquid out of the liquid container (49) to the mixing unit (25); and a medical instrument having an aerosol outlet (16), wherein the medical instrument (10) is fluidically connected to the generation device (12) by an aerosol line (20).

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the mixing unit (25) of the generation device has a channel (26) with a constriction (27), wherein the channel (26) is connected to a pressure source (36) upstream of the constriction (27), wherein the liquid container (49) is connected to the channel (26) at the constriction (27) and/or downstream of the constriction (27), in order to convey the liquid out of the liquid container (49) into the channel (26) via a pressure drop caused by the constriction.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the channel (26) is connected upstream of the constriction (27) to the pressure source (36), which the generation device (12) uses to apply pressure to the liquid.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein a line (35, 26) connected to the pressure source (36) branches between the constriction (27) and the pressure source (36) in order to supply the constriction (27) with the pressurized gas, as well as to provide the pressurized gas for applying pressure to the liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Additional features of the instrument according to the invention and the generation device according to the invention, as well as the device according to the invention, can be inferred from the dependent claims, as well as the description and the schematic figures hereinafter. They show in

[0035] FIG. 1an exemplary device according to the invention with a generation device according to the invention for the generation of an aerosol, and an instrument with a handling section according to the invention connected thereto,

[0036] FIG. 2an exemplary embodiment of a mixing unit of a generation device according to the invention as can be used, for example, in the inventive generation device as in FIG. 1,

[0037] FIG. 3aa pressurized container which contains a liquid container for use, for example, in a generation device according to the exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 3ba pressurized container which contains a liquid container for use, for example, in a generation device according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 4an exemplary embodiment of an instrument according to the invention as can be used, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of the inventive generation device as in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device with an exemplary embodiment of a generation device according to the invention for the generation of an aerosol and an exemplary embodiment of a medical instrument connected thereto.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the medical instrument. The medical instrument 10 may be part of a device 11 that, in addition, comprises a generation device 12 for aerosol. FIG. 1 shows exemplary device 11 according to the invention. The medical instrument 10 comprises a handling section 15 for handling the instrument 10 while a medical, in particular a surgical, procedure, is being performed. The handling section may also be referred to as handle part or applicator. The handling section 15 is preferably adapted and intended to be gripped at the handling section held by the user while the instrument 10 is being handled during the surgical procedure for orienting an aerosol outlet 16 provided on the handling section 15 in order to dispense the aerosol in a targeted manner in a desired region. A channel 17 extends in the handling section 15, which channel ends in the environment at the aerosol outlet 16 which is arranged on the distal end of the handling section 15 from which aerosol outlet an aerosol can be dispensed in the form of a full cone spray S or as a jet. The full cone spray or jet of aerosol can be used, e.g., for the preparation by forcing apart tissue structures without cutting, for moistening, preventing thermal damage by cooling or for improving sight by rinsing away liquids or by removing smoke, or for minimizing the formation of smoke. Upstream of the aerosol outlet 16, the channel 17 has a constriction 18 to form a nozzle for accelerating the aerosol stream before its discharge from the aerosol outlet 16. At least one control element 19 for operating the instrument 10 is arranged on the handling section 15, which control element can be used to block or clear the aerosol flow through the channel 17. This can be accomplished, for example, by clamping off a hose or tube by means of the control element 19 which may form the channel 17 in the handling section in order to stop the aerosol flow to the aerosol outlet 16. From the generation device 12 to the handling section 15 leads an aerosol line 20, with which the channel 17 of the handling device, and thus the aerosol outlet 16, is fluidically connected to the generation device 12. The aerosol line 12 isat least in one sectiona hose line. According to the invention, the aerosol is produced in the generation device 12 which is arranged on the proximal end 21 of the aerosol line 20. The generation device 12 forms a proximal end of the device 11. A line for the separate transport of liquid and gas to the handling section 15 for the production of aerosol there can thus be omitted.

[0042] The generation device 12 preferably comprises a mixing unit 25 that contains a Venturi nozzle. FIG. 2 shows an example of a mixing unit 25 as can be used in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. The mixing unit 25 comprises a channel 26 which has a constriction 27 for forming the Venturi nozzle. For loading the channel 26 with pressurized gas upstream of the constriction 27, the mixing unit 25 has a port for pressurized gas. Downstream of the constriction 27, the channel 26 is connected to a port 30 of the mixing unit 25 for a fluid, in order to supply the channel 26 with fluid, in particular liquid. Downstream of the location 31 of the channel 26, where the fluid enters into the channel 26, the mixing unit 25 has a dispensing connection 32 for aerosol. The dispensing connection 32 is connected to the aerosol line 20, which leads to the handling section 15 and to the aerosol outlet 16 of the instrument 10.

[0043] The mixing unit 25 is connected to a source 36 for pressurized gas, in particular CO2, by means of a first pressurized gas line 35, in order to load the mixing unit 25 with pressurized gas from the source 36. As shown by FIG. 1, the source 36 may be, for example, a mobile pressurized gas storage such as, for example a gas bottle, or a stationary pressure storage. Preferably, there is no pump or compressor between the pressurized gas storage 36 and the mixing unit 25, but the pressure of the pressurized gas storage 26 is sufficient for the generation of the aerosol. Between the section 40 of the channel 26, which adjoins the constriction 27 upstream, and the pressurized gas storage 36, there is a pressure-reducing device 41 for reducing the pressure from the pressurized gas storage 36. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, this is a pressure-reducing device 41, which is arranged between the pressurized gas storage 36 and the connection 42 of the mixing unit 25 for pressurized gas. The pressure-reducing device 41 is adapted to reduce the gas pressure provided by the gas bottle 36 to a few Bar in the section 40 of the channel 26, which section 40 adjoins the constriction 27 upstream. In order to branch a part of the gas off the section 40 of the channel 26 to with the part press the liquid to or into the mixing unit 25, the mixing unit 25 comprisesupstream of the constriction 27a branching point connection 43 for branching off gas into a second pressurized gas line 44 that is fluidically connected to a container 45, which can be loaded with the pressurized gas. Consequently, the container 45 is connectedby means of the second pressurized gas line 44to the same pressurized gas storage 36 as the mixing unit 25. The branching point 43 for loading the container 45 from the same source 36 for pressurized gas as the mixing unit 25 may, of course, alternatively also be arranged upstream of the mixing unit 25 between the mixing unit 25 and the source 36.

[0044] Embodiments of the device 11 according to the invention comprise such a container 45 (pressurized container) that can be loaded with pressurized gas. By means of the gas pressure, a fluid, in particular a saline solution contained in the pressurized container 45, is to be pressed out of the container 45 to the mixing unit 25.

[0045] FIG. 3a shows an example of one embodiment of the pressurized container 45. The pressurized container 45 has a port 46 for loading the pressurized container with gas and a port 47 for dispensing the liquid. The port 46 for loading is connected to the second pressurized gas line 44. The wall of the pressurized container 45 itself prevents the liquid from flowing out. The pressurized container 45 according to FIG. 3a thus forms a liquid container 49, which is filled with liquid 51 to a filling level. The chamber 52 above the liquid level 53 can be loaded, via the port 46 for loading with the gas under a pressure of a few Bar, so that the gas presses directly on the liquid level 53 and thus presses the liquid 51 out of the port 47 so as to be dispensed. The port 47 used for dispensing is connected to a liquid line 55, which is connectedon the other endto the port of the mixing unit 25 for fluid.

[0046] FIG. 3b shows an example of an embodiment that is an alternative to the embodiment of the pressurized container 45 according to FIG. 3a. Different from the embodiment according to FIG. 3a, the pressurized container 45 itself contains a compressible liquid container 49, for example a bag 49. The chamber 56 around the bag 49 is loadedvia the port for loading 46with the gas having a gas pressure of a few Bar, so that the bag 49 is compressed, in which case the liquid is pressed out of the port 47 to be dispensed. For example, the bag 49 may be a standard container in particular for saline solution available in the hospital where the device 11 is used. For example, the bag is a standard infusion bag. Preferably, the port 47 for dispensing the liquid is configured consistent with a standard connecting system used in the medical field. For example, the port may be a Luer lock port consistent with the Luer system. For example, the liquid container 49 may be suspended inside the pressurized container 45 from the lid 60 of the pressurized container 48 by means of a suspension device 61. Alternatively, the pressurized container 45 may be adapted such that the fluid container 49 is placed into the pressurized container 45, which is connected to the line 35 between the gas bottle or the pressure-reducing device 41 and the section 40 of the channel 26 upstream of the constriction 27, so that the excess pressure from the gas bottle may act on the fluid container 49, in particular the bag 49. One advantage of the use of a pre-filled fluid container 49, for example of a standard bag, for example infusion bag, available in the hospital, is that the direct filling of the pressurized container 45 as the fluid container 49 may be omitted. Precautions for ensuring the sterility of the saline solution supplied to the mixing unit are simpler when a standard bag 49 with sterile isotonic saline solution for clinical applications is used.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiments that represent alternatives to the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3a and 3b, it is possible, for example, for a membrane or a piston to divide the chamber of the pressurized container (not illustrated), in which case one chamber volume is filled with pressurized gas and the other chamber volume contains the fluid. Pressure is applied to the membrane or the piston by means of the pressurized gas with a force to directly apply pressure to a liquid column (as in FIG. 3a) or to the liquid container (as in FIG. 3b). Referring to the alternative exemplary embodiments, the pressurized containeras in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3amay directly form a liquid container oras in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3bcontain a flexible (compressible) liquid container.

[0048] Between the liquid container 49 and the orifice 31 in the channel 26 on the port 30 of the mixing unit 25 for the fluid, there may be arranged a throttle device 65 to reduce the pressure in the fluid line 55 between the liquid container and the orifice 31 in the channel 26. In doing so, the flow rate of the liquid can be adjusted. The greater the pressure drop generated on the throttle device 65, the lower is the flow rate of liquid. In doing so, the mixing ratio of gas and liquid can be adjusted. In the channel section 40 of the mixing unit 25 upstream of the constriction, the static pressure of the gas flow is greater than in the constriction, toward which the flow is accelerated in a flowing manner, and, consequently, the static pressure decreases.

[0049] The generation device 12 and/or the source 36 preferably are supported by the basefor example, via one or more carrying devices.

[0050] The device 11 works as follows. The flow directions in the lines and channels are identified in the Figures by arrows P next to or in the lines and channels:

[0051] The channel 26 of the mixing unit 25 is loaded with gas, for example CO2, by means of the gas bottle 36, with a pressure of a few Bar, for example greater than or equal to 2 Bar, for example approximately 7 Bar. When, on the handling section 15, the passage through the line that forms the channel 17 in the handling section 25 is cleared, the gas flows through the channel 17 and the second pressurized gas line 44 into the pressurized container 45 and presses the liquid there out of the pressurized container 45 to the mixing unit 25. This may happen, in that the gas pressure acts directly on the liquid bag 49 compressing said bag (according to FIG. 3b) and thus on the liquid through the fluid line 55 to the channel 26 in the mixing unit 25, or in that the pressure acts directly on the liquid surface 53 (according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3a). In the depicted and described embodiments, pressure may be applied to the liquid 51, in that the liquid container 49 is pressurized, in order to convey the liquid 51 to the mixing unit 25. With the embodiment according to FIG. 3b it is ensured that the liquid supply is independent of the orientation of the bag 49 of the pressurized container 45. When the gas flows through the Venturi nozzle, which is formed by the constriction 27 of the channel 26 of the mixing unit 25, the narrowest point of the channel 26 which forms the constriction 27 displays a maximum dynamic pressure and a minimum static pressure. When the gas flows through the channel 26 of the mixing unit 25, the gas is accelerated at the constriction 27 of the channel, in which case the static pressure decreases and thus is below the pressure inside the pressurized container 45. Consequently, the gas sucks liquid out of the liquid line 55 into the gas stream, in which case the liquid vaporizes into liquid droplets that are carried along by the gas stream. The section 40 of the channel 26 of the mixing unit 25 adjoining the constriction 27 upstream is connected, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3a, to the lower chamber 50b of the container 45 that is occupied by the saline solution. The difference between the static pressure in the constriction 27 and the pressure in the pressure container 45 has the result that the saline solution is conveyed at the constriction 27 downstream thereof in the gas stream and is mixed there with the gas stream. The pressure in the pressurized container 45 is a function of the pressure in the section 40 of the channel 26, which adjoins the constriction 27 upstream because the pressurized container 45 is connectedvia the second pressurized gas line 44to the section 40.

[0052] The thusly produced aerosol enters from the aerosol outlet of the mixing unit 25 into the aerosol line 20 and is conveyed through the channel 17 in the handling section 15 to the aerosol outlet 16 of the instrument 10 on the handling section 15 in order to be dispensed there. In the nozzle, upstream of the aerosol outlet 16 on the handling section 15which is formed by the constriction 18the aerosol flow is accelerated by means of the nozzle.

[0053] If, as in the described embodiments, the mixture of aerosol takes place on the proximal end 21 of the instrument 10, the continued transport of the gas-water mixture to the distal end of the handling section 15 (aerosol applicator) may occur only through an aerosol line 20, so that another line will be unnecessary. For example, the mixing unit 25 may be arranged in an apparatus, to which the instrument 10 is connected. The apparatus-side mixing unit 25, in which the gas and the fluid are joined, may have the shape of a Y, for example.

[0054] In doing so, the transport of the liquid stream may preferably take place by means of a passive transport unit, i.e., without an electrically operated pump. Preferably, there is no electrically operated pump between the liquid container 49 and the location 31 at which the fluid enters the channel 26 in the mixing unit 25, which pump would be adapted and intended to transport liquid in the channel 26 of the mixing unit 25. To do so, according to embodiments of the invention, the pressure of a pressurized gas storage 36 such as, for example, a gas bottle, is used to supply the mixing unit 25 which, additionally preferably, may form a jet pump, and, on the other hand, press the fluid out of the fluid container 49 to the mixing unit 25. Compared to a device which comprises an active transport unit for the liquid such as, e.g., a syringe pump or a roller pump, the device 11 according to the invention providesin the embodiments in which such a pump between the liquid container 49 and the mixing unit 45 is omittedthe advantage that the cost for an active transport unit in the device can be saved. As a result of this, the device 11 according to the invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and thus comparatively more favorable. Furthermore, the mass flow of fluid is a function of the pressure applied in the first pressurized gas line 35. Thus, the quantity of aspirated liquid is also a function of the pressure in the first pressurized gas line 35. Therefore, the suggested transport provides self-adjustment. The stronger the suction of the jet pump is on the fluid line 55, said jet pump being formed by the mixing unit 25 having the constriction 27, the stronger the liquid is pressed out of the fluid container 49 into the fluid line 55 due to the application of pressure by the pressurized container 45.

[0055] Disclosed is a medical instrument 10 with an aerosol outlet 16, which is fluidically connectedvia an aerosol line 20to a generation device 12. The generation device 12 is adapted to generate aerosol for dispensing by means of the medical instrument 10. In addition, a generation device 12 is stated, which, in embodiments of the generation device 12, for example can be used in a device 11 with the instrument 10 according to the invention. The generation device 12 comprises a mixing unit 25 for mixing a liquid and a gas together, which mixing unit 25 is connected to a liquid container 49 for supplying the mixing unit 25 with a liquid, in which case the generation device 12 is adapted to utilize the gas pressure of a gas under pressure subjecting the liquid to a pressure in order to press the liquid out of the liquid container 49 to the mixing unit 25.

TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Signs 10 Medical instrument 11 Device 12 Generation device 15 Handling section 16 Aerosol outlet 17 Channel 18 Constriction 19 Control element 20 Aerosol line 21 Proximal end 25 Mixing unit 26 Channel of the mixing unit 27 Constriction of the channel of the mixing unit 30 Port 31 Location/orifice 32 Dispensing connection 35 First pressurized gas line 36 Source/pressurized gas storage/gas bottle 40 Section 41 Pressure-reducing device 42 Connection 43 Branching point connection/branching point 44 Second pressurized gas line 45 Container/pressurized container 46 Port 47 Port 48 Wall of the pressurized container 49 Liquid container/bag 51 Liquid 52a Chamber 52b Chamber 53 Liquid level 55 Liquid line 56 Chamber 60 Lid 61 Suspension device 65 Throttle device S Full cone spray aerosol P Arrow