Medical device with high pressure quick disconnect handpiece

• Main Authors: ROGER GREELEY, MARK C. ETTLINGER, KEVIN P. STAID, BRIAN G. CONNOR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.09.2006
• Subjects: BLASTING; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DIAGNOSIS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; SURGERY; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.