Abstract: The in-line hand operated valve controls the flow of at least the irrigation fluid or suction to a surgical site. First and second sources provide fluid and suction to the valve. Valve body source ports communicate with the source lines and a delivery port communicates with a delivery line. The valve includes collapsible internal fluid carrying channels linking these ports. Each valve mechanism includes an operator control surface, a stem, and a compressor member acting on and closing and opening the collapsible channels. A biasing element keeps the stem and compressor either open or closed. A two position interlocking mechanical switch, coupled to the stem, is extended in the ON valve position and withdrawn in the OFF position. The method of providing a valve control utilizes these shape and click open and click close systems.

Abstract: The automatically controlled pump supplies pressurized irrigation fluid to a surgical site. The pump system includes a motor in a housing and a pump in a housing defining input and output ports. The pump has a rotatable impeller. The motor is powered by batteries. The system operates in conjunction with a downstream manual suction/irrigation control valve. In one system, an ON/OFF motor switch is controlled by fluid flow above a nominal flow by a sensor typically mounted downstream of the pump. In another, flow is detected by a negative buoyancy poppet having a “leaky” valve seat. When the poppet moves, its position is sensed and the switched motor is ON. In a remote control system, the motor is remotely controlled by a switch integrated into the manual control valve. One method automatically controls a pump by monitoring fluid flow above a system minimal flow and turning ON/OFF the motor based upon flow above the minimum.

Abstract: The automatically controlled pump supplies pressurized irrigation fluid to a surgical site. The pump system includes a motor in a housing and a pump in a housing defining input and output ports. The pump has a rotatable impeller. The motor is powered by batteries. The system operates in conjunction with a downstream manual suction/irrigation control valve. In one system, an ON/OFF motor switch is controlled by fluid flow above a nominal flow by a sensor typically mounted downstream of the pump. In another, flow is detected by a negative buoyancy poppet having a “leaky” valve seat. When the poppet moves, its position is sensed and the switched motor is ON. In a remote control system, the motor is remotely controlled by a switch integrated into the manual control valve. One method automatically controls a pump by monitoring fluid flow above a system minimal flow and turning ON/OFF the motor based upon flow above the minimum.