Minimally Invasive Suction Sleeve

Abstract

A minimally invasive surgery suction sleeve configured for use with an inner cannula of a suction instrument. The sleeve includes a first opening at a proximal end, a second opening at a distal end, and a tube between the first opening and the second opening. The sleeve slides over a suction instrument. The distal end is configured to insert into the body and includes a plurality of apertures that provide for pool suction. The sleeve further includes a flange at the proximal end that allows a surgeon to manipulate the sleeve, switching between spot and pool mode by sliding the sleeve over the inner cannula of the suction instrument. In spot mode, the tip of the suction instrument is exposed. In pool mode, the sleeve slides forward, covering the tip of the suction instrument so that fluent material is drawn through the apertures in the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sleeve for use with a minimally invasive surgery suction instrument, comprising a tube having an inner lumen configured to receive an inner cannula of the suction instrument and allow the inner cannula to translate freely within the inner lumen while the sleeve is inserted in an introducer port into a body. 
     
     
         2 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a distal end of the tube configured to insert into the introducer port, the distal end having a plurality of radially-facing apertures and an axially-facing opening. 
     
     
         3 . The sleeve of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end includes a tapered tip. 
     
     
         4 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a first segment and a second segment joined by a connector. 
     
     
         5 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximal end connected to the tube and configured to facilitate grasping and manipulation by a user to translate the sleeve between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein in the first position a distal tip of the inner cannula is exposed beyond an axially-facing opening of the tube to provide spot mode suction. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein in the second position a distal tip of the inner cannula is positioned within the inner lumen of the tube, proximal to a plurality of radially-facing apertures of the tube, to provide pool mode suction. 
     
     
         8 . The sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein the proximal end includes an internal, annular shoulder that mates with an annular ledge of the inner cannula of the suction instrument to control extension of the inner cannula through an axially-facing opening of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The sleeve of  claim 5 , further comprising a flange that extends radially from the proximal end, wherein force exerted on the flange in a direction longitudinal to the tube causes the sleeve to translate from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises an O-ring seated within the tube, wherein the O-ring supports the inner cannula and provides resistance against longitudinal movement of the sleeve along the axis of the inner cannula. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeve of  claim 10 , wherein the O-ring creates a seal between the sleeve and the inner cannula. 
     
     
         12 . A method of providing suction during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 providing a sleeve that slides onto an inner cannula of a suction instrument, the sleeve having:
 a tube having an inner lumen configured to receive the inner cannula of the suction instrument and allow the inner cannula to translate freely within the inner lumen; 
 a distal end of the tube configured to insert into an introducer port, the distal end having a plurality of radially-facing apertures and an axially-facing opening; and 
 a proximal end of the tube configured to facilitate manipulation by a user, wherein the inner cannula is disposed within the inner lumen of the sleeve; 
   inserting the distal end of the sleeve with the inner cannula through the introducer port into a body; and   manipulating the proximal end of the sleeve to transition between modes of suction while the sleeve and suction instrument are positioned within the introducer port.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , the step of manipulating comprises sliding the sleeve to extend the radially-facing apertures over a distal tip of the inner cannula to provide pool mode suction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , the step of manipulating comprises sliding the sleeve to extend a distal tip of the inner cannula beyond the distal end of the sleeve to provide spot mode suction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising controlling extension of the inner cannula through the axially-facing opening at the distal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve comprises an O-ring positioned within the tube wherein the O-ring supports the inner cannula and provides resistance against longitudinal movement of the tube along the axis of the inner cannula. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the O-ring creates a seal between the sleeve and the inner cannula. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a flange that extends radially from the proximal end and manipulating the proximal end comprises applying force to the flange in a direction longitudinal to the tube causing the sleeve to translate from pool mode suction to spot mode suction. 
     
     
         19 . A sleeve for use with a minimally invasive surgery instrument, comprising:
 a tube having an inner lumen, wherein the inner lumen is configured to receive an inner cannula of the suction instrument and allow the inner cannula to translate freely within the inner lumen while the sleeve is inserted in an introducer port into a body;   a distal end of the tube configured to insert into an the introducer port, wherein the distal end has a plurality of radially-facing apertures and an axially-facing opening;   a proximal end connected to the tube and configured to facilitate grasping and manipulation by a user to translate the sleeve between a first position and a second position while the sleeve is inserted in an introducer port into a body; and   an O-ring seated within the tube, wherein the O-ring supports the inner cannula.   
     
     
         20 . The sleeve of  claim 19 , wherein in the first position a distal tip of the inner cannula is exposed beyond the axially-facing opening of the tube to provide spot mode suction and wherein in the second position the distal tip of the inner cannula is positioned within the inner lumen of the tube, proximal to the radially-facing apertures, to provide pool mode suction.