FOOT PEDAL CONTROLLING FLOW OF LIQUID FLUID IN ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY
摘要
<p>A foot pedal evacuates debris and fluid from the field of view of a camera during arthroscopic procedures. In a first embodiment, the foot pedal houses a ball check valve to control fluid flow, and includes a base and a foot support hingedly mounted to one another. The foot support includes a valve actuator that opens the ball check valve by distorting the shape of its valve seat. The ball check valve includes a pair of connectors at the ends of the valve adapted to accept irrigation tubing. The connectors are in axial alignment with one another in a first embodiment and in parallel relation to one another in a second embodiment. A third embodiment eliminates the ball check valve and a spring-loaded lever pinches a tube to prevent fluid flow. Depression of the foot support overcomes the bias of the spring so that liquid fluid flows through the tube.</p>
