Suction tube apparatus

Claim 1

An improved suction tube apparatus, of the type which may be connected to a hose having a suction source attached thereto, for use, for example, during surgical procedures for the removal of blood and tissue from an operation site containing both sterile and non-sterile objects, the improved suction tube apparatus comprising: a substantially elongated hollow tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; a substantially semi-flexible suction tip having an extreme end having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the hollow tube, and further being operably, substantially contiguously, formed to the first end of the hollow tube, in fluid communication therewith; a hose connection member operably connected to the second end of the hollow tube, in fluid communication therewith, and having a longitudinal axis; means for reducing inadvertent non-sterile hose contact such that the hose connection member is operably arranged relative to the hollow tube such that the longitudinal axis of the hose connection member intersects the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, with an included angle therebetween of 45° and 135° so as to help reduce the likelihood of inadvertent contact between said hose and said non-sterile objects and resulting contamination; said means for reducing inadvertent non-sterile hose contact including an elbow portion connecting the hollow tube to the hose connection member; and obstruction clearing means operably associated with said hollow tube for dislodging any clogging material from the interior of said hollow tube; an aperture operably disposed in said elbow portion, and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube; the obstruction clearing means including an obstruction clearing member, having an elongate configuration and a length exceeding a combined length of the hollow tube and the suction tip, the obstruction clearing member further having a first end and a second end; the obstruction clearing member further being insertingly receivable within the hollow tube, through the aperture, so as to extend along the combined length of the hollow tube and the suction tip, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, and have a portion extending through the aperture substantially beyond the intersection of the longitudinal axes of the hollow tube and the hose connection member, the first end of the obstruction clearing member being insertingly receivable in and through the suction tip, the second end of the obstruction clearing member being positioned in the portion extending through the aperture substantially beyond the intersection of the longitudinal axes of the hollow tube and the hose connection member; the obstruction clearing member further having a push tip operably disposed at the first end thereof, the push tip being operably configured so as to be able to pass through the aperture in the elbow portion; the obstruction clearing member further having a handle member operably disposed as the second end thereof; and a cover member, operably disposed on the elbow portion of the apparatus, for covering and substantially closing the aperture in the elbow portion when the obstruction clearing member is not insertingly received within the hollow tube.