Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system that is capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system has the ability to alter the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool to declog the surgical tool in the event of blockage.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, means for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a means for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, means for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a means for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, a subsystem for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a subsystem for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, means for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a means for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, means for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a means for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump system has an inflow pump and tubing dedicated to communicating fluid to the surgical work site and an outflow pump and tubing dedicated to removing fluid from the work site at a controlled rate. The system further has different size inflow and outflow pumps and tubing cassettes, means for altering the outflow fluid flow rate to accommodate a surgical tool and a means for declogging the surgical tool in the event of blockage. In a preferred embodiment a pressure control system provides inferred pressure information representative of the pressure at the work site.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump tubing system for use with a peristaltic pump roller assembly in a surgical procedure. The system comprises a uniquely shaped disposable cassette for retaining tubing to be used during the procedure and a uniquely shaped cassette receiving station situated adjacent the roller assembly. The cassette comprises a frame for holding the tube in a loop shape for engagement with the peristaltic rollers. The frame supports a one-sided pressure transducer to indicate the pressure within the tube. The cassette receiving station includes a sensor for engaging the one-sided pressure transducer and is situated adjacent the rollers of the peristaltic pump on the pump housing. A retaining bracket cooperates with the inherent resiliency of the tubing loop to hold the tubing in place against the rollers.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for obstructing the flow of fluid through a flexible tube is provided. The assembly comprises a plunger sleeve member having a first open end and a compression mechanism for selectively contacting and compressing the flexible tube. The compression mechanism has a contacting portion for contacting the flexible tube and an extending portion with the extending portion being slidably receivable within the plunger sleeve member through the first open end of the plunger sleeve member. A spring mechanism is mounted about the extending portion of the compression mechanism and between the contacting portion of the compression mechanism and the first open end of the plunger sleeve member for providing selective movement to the compression mechanism relative to the plunger sleeve member.