Flow control mechanism for kidney stone treatment system

Abstract

Kidney stone removal system is disclosed having components including a handle mechanism. The handle mechanism employs a trigger mechanism that enables control of irrigation and vacuum/suction. Operation of a trigger of the trigger mechanism conveys status of vacuum/suction and irrigation to a user by providing increased resistance at different points of operation. When the trigger is in a home position, irrigation and vacuum/suction are turned off. When the trigger is in a fully activated position, irrigation and vacuum/suction are turned on. When the trigger is in an intermediate position, irrigation may be turned on, while vacuum/suction remains turned off. The handle mechanism can be of a single trigger design with modes including: an active irrigation mode only (i.e., active irrigation on/vacuum off) and an active irrigation mode in combination with a vacuum mode (i.e., active irrigation on/vacuum on). The handle mechanism can also be of a single trigger design with modes including passive irrigation on/active irrigation off/vacuum off; passive irrigation on/active irrigation on/vacuum off; passive irrigation on/active irrigation on/vacuum on. The handle mechanism can also provide a minimum, passive amount of negative pressure even in the modes where the vacuum is off.