Fluid jet cutting system

Details Fluid jet cutting system Fluid jet cutting system

1995-06-07

2001-04-17

Ashley, Boyer (Department: 3724)

Cutting

By fluid blast and/or suction

C604S022000, C606S167000, C417S413100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06216573

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a fluid jet cutting system, to components of such a system and to a method of pinpointing a fluid jet without damaging surrounding areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluid jet cutting systems are known which employ high pressure streams of liquid, such as water, as the cutting force. High pressure fluid jet cutting systems also have been proposed for use in surgical applications. U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,505 discloses a variable pressure jet for disintegrating eye lens tissue. A system for use in hepatobiliary surgery, known as the Hepatom, has been reported in the literature and may be available outside of the United States. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,609, and related European patent applications 0 485 133 and 0 489 496, describe a water jet catheter which delivers a high pressure liquid stream to dislodge, emulsify and remove deposits from a vein or artery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system for generating a high pressure fluid jet including a variable pressure pump for creating the high pressure fluid and a burst resistant delivery tube for safely conducting the pressurized stream. The pump may include a disposable diaphragm pump which is driven by a reusable pump, such as a piston pump or an air intensifier unit. The pumped fluid communicates only with the disposable diaphragm component, allowing contamination free reuse of the system by simply replacing a spent diaphragm unit with a fresh, sterile disposable pump. An instrument or wand having one or more orifices for creating a jet may be connected to the distal end of the delivery tube. Alternatively, the jet instrument may embody a burst resistant catheter having a jet tip. The delivery tube may be coiled, enhancing the flexibility of the tube and the ease of handling by a user. A high pressure seal may be formed between the delivery tube and the outlet of the pump and between the nozzle and the delivery tube. The seal may be provided in a hand-tightenable connector where one or both of the foregoing junctions are detachable rather than permanent.
The present invention also is directed to a disposable component of the fluid jet system including a disposable diaphragm pump that has an inlet port connectable to a source of fluid to be pumped and an outlet port in communication with a pressure resistant delivery tube. The delivery tube is connectable, at a distal end, to an instrument having one or more fine orifices for creating the hair-thin fluid jet. The disposable diaphragm pump is mountable to a reusable pumping chamber which will generate the working force required to flex the diaphragm to fill and eject fluid from a pumping chamber.
The present invention also involves a fluid jet system including a high pressure pump having an inlet communicable with a source of jetting fluid and a coiled burst resistant delivery tube for conducting the pressurized stream. A jet nozzle may be integrally or detachably connected, in leaktight fashion, with a distal end of the delivery tube.
The present invention also involves a method of targeting a fluid jet. A fluid jet system is provided including a variable pressure pump, a source of fluid in communication with the pump, a delivery tube in communication with an outlet of the pump and an instrument in communication with the delivery tube having an orifice for creating a fluid jet as the pumped fluid exits therefrom. A visually observable “targeting” jet is created and directed towards the target at a low pressure which does not damage the target. The instrument is manipulated until the low pressure fluid beam is pin-pointed onto the desired site. While maintaining the jet on the target, the pressure of the fluid is increased. The present method reduces the likelihood that areas surrounding the target site will be damaged while aiming of the high pressure jet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for creating a high pressure fluid jet which is reusable without risk of contamination.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a system for creating a high pressure fluid jet which provides ease of handling for a user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for creating a high pressure fluid jet that can be precisely targeted at a low pressure that will not cause damage if misdirected or off the mark.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose multiple embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.


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