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 portal saver device for installing a flexible cannulated tube at a surgical site. A portal saver device includes an obturator. The obturator has an obturator body having a cannulated outer obturator tube extending therethrough. The outer obturator tube has a distal tip with a dilating assembly movable between a collapsed, first configuration and an expanded, second configuration. A shaft expander has a cannulated inner obturator tube, which is movable between a first position and a second position within the outer obturator tube. In the first position, the inner obturator tube is retracted from the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the first configuration. In the second position, the inner obturator tube is advanced within the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the second configuration.

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, 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 positive displacement pump such as a peristaltic pump roller assembly in a surgical procedure. The system comprises a uniquely shaped disposable tubing cassette for retaining the tubing to be used during the surgical procedure and a uniquely shaped cassette receiving station situated adjacent the peristaltic pump roller assembly. The cassette comprises an open backed frame for holding a flexible 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 flexible 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 cassette tubing in place against the rollers.