US Patent 7632248 Surgical irrigation system

A surgical irrigation system comprises a reusable console and a disposable pump unit. The disposable pump unit includes a pump/motor module which includes a pump and a motor for driving the pump. The module is adapted to be mechanically supported within a seat in the console. The console produces a direct voltage at a pair of terminals within the seat. When the pump/motor is placed within the seat, the console terminals are connected to contacts on the module to provide a source of direct voltage for the pump motor. In the preferred embodiment, the disposable unit includes a handpiece and an irrigation valve. A flow sensing device within the outlet tube if the pump/motor module is actuated when the valve is open to turn the motor on and drive the pump. When the valve is closed, the flow sensing device turns the motor off.