Automated provision of information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity
First Claim
1. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
- an air escapement conduit having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the conduit allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports; and
a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device according to an aspect of the invention includes an air escapement conduit having an inlet port providing air communication with a chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the conduit allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports, and a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow. The device may include an indicator device operable to provide evacuation information in response to the signal. The air escapement conduit may include a bubble chamber or a valving mechanism. The detector may be a pressure differential sensor operable to detect a difference in air pressure between the inlet port and the outlet port, and generate a signal related to the difference.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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an air escapement conduit having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the conduit allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports; and
a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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an air escapement conduit having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the conduit allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports; and
an air pressure detector responsive to air pressures at the inlet and outlet ports, and that provides a signal having features related to the air pressures. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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a bubble chamber having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity, an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, and a fluid, the bubble chamber arranged so that an air flow between the inlet port and the outlet port flows through the fluid and forms bubbles; and
a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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a valving mechanism having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the valving mechanism allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports; and
a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An air evacuation indicator for providing information about air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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an air escapement conduit having an inlet port providing air communication with the chest cavity and an outlet port providing air communication with a vacuum source, the conduit allowing an air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to a pressure differential between the ports;
a detector responsive to the air flow that provides a signal related to the air flow; and
an indicator device operable to provide evacuation information in response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of providing a signal indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting an air escapement conduit into an air evacuation pathway between the chest cavity and a vacuum source, the air escapement conduit allowing an air flow in response to a pressure differential between the ports; and
generating a signal related to the air flow.
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38. A method of providing a signal indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting an air escapement conduit into an air evacuation pathway between the chest cavity and a vacuum source, the air escapement conduit allowing an air flow in response to a pressure differential between the ports;
generating a signal related to the air flow; and
indicating air evacuation information in response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A device providing a signal for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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means for allowing an air flow in an air escapement pathway between the chest cavity and a vacuum source; and
means for generating a signal related to the air flow.
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49. A device for indicating information related to air evacuation from a chest cavity, the device comprising:
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means for allowing an air flow in an air escapement pathway between the chest cavity and a vacuum source in response to a pressure differential between the ports;
means for generating a signal related to the air flow; and
means for indicating air evacuation information in response to the signal.
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Specification