A method and apparatus for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. In one form of the present invention an irrigation tube is positioned through the patient's mouth, esophagus and into the stomach. An-inflatable balloon tamponade device is initially positioned around the external surface of the irrigation tube for delivery within the patient. A pushing member is utilized to move the balloon tamponade device along the outer surface of irrigation tube and into a location adjacent internal bleeding sites. The invention facilitates irrigation and aspiration of the stomach through the irrigation tube by selectively coupling an irrigation fluid reservoir and a fluid recovery reservoir. The irrigation and aspiration is conducted through a substantially closed system to accurately determine fluids present and limit health care staff exposure to bodily fluids.

A method and apparatus for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract. In one form of the present invention an irrigation tube is positioned through the patient's mouth, esophagus and into the stomach. An inflatable balloon tamponade device is initially positioned around the external surface of the irrigation tube for delivery within the patient. A pushing member is utilized to move the balloon tamponade device along the outer surface of irrigation tube and into a location adjacent internal bleeding sites. The invention facilitates irrigation and aspiration of the stomach through the irrigation tube by selectively coupling an irrigation fluid reservoir and a fluid recovery reservoir. The irrigation and aspiration is conducted through a substantially closed system to accurately determine fluids present and limit health care staff exposure to bodily fluids.

A surgical/medical irrigator with a handpiece in which there is a pump from which irrigating fluid is discharged. The irrigating fluid is discharged from a discharge tube attached to the handpiece. Irrigating fluid is removed from the site to which it is applied through a suction tube also attached to the handpiece. A splash shield is removably attached to the ends of the discharge and suction tubes to limit fluid discharge. The splash shield is formed with a discharge chamber into which the fluid from the discharge chamber is discharged. The splash shield has a bore that leads from the discharge chamber to the suction tube through which fluid is drawn away from the discharge chamber. Seals between the discharge and suction tubes and the splash shield prevent fluid flow between the tubes and the splash shield.

A surgical fluid flow handpiece provides a range of relatively low flow rates with relatively fine manual control in selecting a flow rate in such relatively low range, and also provides for manual selection of a relatively high flow rate namely a flow rate well above such range. The handpiece is shaped to complement the shape of a user's hand.

A pulsed irrigation handpiece comprises a pulsed irrigation liquid outlet for applying liquid pulses to a surgical site, a pump unit reciprocatingly driveable for pumping pulses of irrigation liquid through the outlet, an electric powered drive unit for reciprocatingly driving the pump unit, and a housing containing the pump and drive units. A irrigation inlet hose leads from the pump unit out of the handpiece housing and is connectable to a remote irrigation liquid source. An irrigation inlet hose adjacent the remote end thereof and electric conductors extending along the irrigation inlet hose transfer electric power from the supply unit to the drive unit in the handpiece. Removable tips are alternatively removably attachable to the irrigation liquid outlet adjacent the front end of the handpiece.