Lubrication cartridge for a pneumatically powered surgical instrument

Abstract

An inline oiler cartridge assembly for a pneumatically powered instrument includes a housing, a first conduit and a second conduit. The housing includes a lower portion removably attached to an upper portion. The lower portion defines an inner cylindrical cavity and an outer cylindrical cavity. A source of oil is disposed in the inner cylindrical cavity. A dry fiber cellulose material is disposed in the outer cylindrical cavity. The first conduit has a first end for attachment to a source of pressurized air and a second end for attachment to a pneumatically powered instrument. The first conduit passes through a portion of the upper portion of the housing and defines a channel for transmission of the source of pressurized air. The channel is in fluid communication with the inner cylindrical cavity such that the source of pressurized air draws oil into an air stream for delivery to the pneumatically powered instrument. The second conduit is concentrically arranged with respect to the first conduit and cooperates with the upper portion of the housing to define a path for returning exhaust gases from the pneumatically powered instrument to the outer cylindrical cavity of the lower portion of the housing.

1 . A lubricant system for use with a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a first enclosure positioned inline with a pressurized fluid path, the first enclosure sequentially defining a relatively large-diameter chamber and a relatively small-diameter chamber for defining at least a portion of the pressurized fluid path;    a second enclosure including a lubricant;    an elongated member;    a first fluid path extending along the elongated member and having a first fluid inlet registering with the large-diameter chamber and a first fluid outlet registering with the second enclosure; and    a second fluid path extending along the elongated member and having a second fluid inlet registering with the second enclosure and a second fluid outlet registering with the small-diameter chamber;    the first outlet and the second inlet being positioned near a central portion of the second enclosure;    whereby a pressurized fluid may flow through the first enclosure such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows from the large-diameter chamber, through the first fluid path, through the second enclosure, through the second fluid path, and into the small-diameter chamber.    
   
   
       2 . A lubricant system for use with a surgical instrument, the system comprising: 
 a first enclosure positioned inline with a pressurized fluid path, the first enclosure sequentially defining a relatively large-diameter chamber and a relatively small-diameter chamber for defining at least a portion of the pressurized fluid path;    a second enclosure including a lubricant;    a first fluid path having a first fluid inlet registering with the large-diameter chamber and a first fluid outlet registering with the second enclosure;    a second fluid path having a second fluid inlet registering with the second enclosure and a second fluid outlet registering with the small-diameter chamber;    whereby a pressurized fluid may flow through the first enclosure such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid floes from the large-diameter chamber, through the first fluid path, through the second enclosure, through the second fluid path, and into the small-diameter chamber; and    a valve positioned in one of the fluid paths for controlling an amount of fluid that flows therethrough.