Suction regulator and fluid drainage system
First Claim
1. A system for regulating suction pressure, said system comprising:
- a suction chamber connectable to a suction source to create subatmospheric pressure within said suction chamber;
an atmospheric chamber communicable with said subatmospheric chamber, said atmospheric chamber being exposed to the atmosphere to create atmospheric pressure within said atmospheric chamber;
a dividing apparatus for dividing said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber, said dividing apparatus having an opening for rendering said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber in communication with each other;
a movable member for varying the size of said opening between an open position and a closed position;
a biasing device for imposing a biasing force on said movable member to bias said movable member towards the open or the closed position; and
a pressure sensing apparatus operatively connected to said movable member for generating a force on said movable member opposite to the biasing force for effecting movement of said movable member in accordance with changes in the pressure differential between said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber to vary the size of said opening to regulate the airflow around said movable member from said atmospheric chamber to said suction chamber to accordingly regulate the pressure in said suction chamber;
said movable member being mounted near said opening for not vibrating in response to the airflow through said opening, and said system [not] having no means for damping said movable member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low cost suction regulator is disclosed in conjunction with a fluid drainage system that includes a suction chamber and a collection chamber. The suction regulator is comprised of an atmospheric chamber and a suction chamber separated by a divider. An opening in the divider has a variably biased closing member associated therewith for opening or closing the opening according to operator selected pressure differentials between the chambers. The closing member is movable along an axis that differs from the direction of airflow, thus eliminating the need for damping the forces applied to the closing member. The dividing means and its closing member will operate over the full range of angles from the vertical to horizontal axis. One embodiment of the drainage system further includes devices for measuring patient airflow, patient negativity and imposed suction. Measurement of these variables is effectively implemented with diaphragms or bellows having dials or other types of marker connected thereto such that movement of the diaphragm or bellows results in movement of the dial or marker to thereby indicate the value of the above noted variables.
52 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for regulating suction pressure, said system comprising:
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a suction chamber connectable to a suction source to create subatmospheric pressure within said suction chamber;
an atmospheric chamber communicable with said subatmospheric chamber, said atmospheric chamber being exposed to the atmosphere to create atmospheric pressure within said atmospheric chamber;
a dividing apparatus for dividing said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber, said dividing apparatus having an opening for rendering said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber in communication with each other;
a movable member for varying the size of said opening between an open position and a closed position;
a biasing device for imposing a biasing force on said movable member to bias said movable member towards the open or the closed position; and
a pressure sensing apparatus operatively connected to said movable member for generating a force on said movable member opposite to the biasing force for effecting movement of said movable member in accordance with changes in the pressure differential between said suction chamber and said atmospheric chamber to vary the size of said opening to regulate the airflow around said movable member from said atmospheric chamber to said suction chamber to accordingly regulate the pressure in said suction chamber;
said movable member being mounted near said opening for not vibrating in response to the airflow through said opening, and said system [not] having no means for damping said movable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A suction regulator for controlling the pressure in a suction chamber used in apparatus for withdrawing fluid from a patient, said suction regulator comprising:
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an opening to said suction chamber defined by surfaces having a predetermined contour around said opening;
a closure movable across said opening to control the size of the opening and the amount of airflow between said suction regulator and the suction chamber, said closure not being subject to surface contact vibrations from the flow of air past said closure, and said suction regulator excluding means for damping any vibration in said closure;
a bias device for exerting a bias force on said closure to bias said closure towards a position for opening or closing said opening;
a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure differential between said suction regulator and the suction chamber; and
a connector interconnecting said pressure sensor and said closure for exerting a pressure differential force on said closure in opposition to the bias force to control the position of said closure across said opening to establish the proper airflow through said opening. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. Apparatus for regulating the pressure at which air is withdrawn from a patient, said apparatus comprising:
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a collection chamber for receiving air subjected to pressure from a patient'"'"'s chest cavity;
a suction regulator open to the atmosphere; and
a suction chamber subject to a suction source;
said suction regulator having an opening to said suction chamber, said opening being defined by surfaces having a predetermined contour; and
a closure device being movable across said contour for controlling the size of said opening to control the amount of atmospheric pressure applied to said suction chamber, said closure not being subject to vibration from the flow of air through said opening, said apparatus excluding means for damping any vibration of said closure.
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Specification