Digitally controlled aspirator

• US 20060122558A1
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Impact Instrumentation, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Goetzl, Richard, Beck, George, Sherman, Leslie H., LeCroy, Dorian
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

A digitally controlled aspirator is provided with a processor that allows the user to select operating conditions including one or more default settings. The processor further includes sensors for sensing operational and environmental conditions and adjusts the operation of the aspirator to reflect the sensed conditions.

Claims

1. An aspirator comprising:

a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure;

a motor for driving the vacuum pump;

a manifold having a downstream side in communication with the vacuum pump and an upstream side for communicating with a patient;

a valve communicating with the manifold and being operable for controlling vacuum characteristics across the manifold;

a sensor in communication with the manifold for sensing actual vacuum pressure characteristics across the manifold; and

a processor for controlling at least one of the motor and the valve for altering at least one of the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold or airflow through the manifold to achieve at least one operational characteristic specified by the processor.

2. The aspirator of claim 1, further comprising a barometer for sensing ambient atmospheric pressure, the processor being connected to the barometer and further being operative for controlling at least one of the motor and the valve in view of ambient atmospheric pressures.

3. The aspirator of claim 1, wherein the processor is operative for controlling both the motor and the valve for altering both the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold and the airflow through the manifold.

4. The aspirator of claim 1, further comprising an alarm connected to the processor and operative to generate an alarm signal in response to at least one failure mode sensed by the processor.

5. The aspirator of claim 4, further comprising at least one power source for powering the processor, the motor and the valve, the alarm being operative to produce an alarm signal in response to at least a partial power failure.

6. The aspirator of claim 5, wherein the power source comprises a battery and wherein the alarm produces an alarm signal in response to a failing battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power source further comprises means for connection to a supply of AC power, the alarm being operative to generate an alarm signal in response to at least one of a low external power level, an external power failure and an external power disconnect.

8. The aspirator of claim 4, wherein the processor is operative to compare actual vacuum pressure sensed by the sensor to a maximum allowable vacuum pressure level and to terminate operation of the aspirator in response to an actual vacuum pressure at least equal to the maximum allowable vacuum pressure.

9. The aspirator of claim 1, wherein the processor further includes at least one operator input switch for permitting an operator to select at least one of the specified operational characteristics.

10. A method for providing medical aspiration, said method comprising:

providing an aspirator having a variable controllable vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure and an airflow, the aspirator further having a valve for controlling the vacuum;

selecting a specified airflow rate and a specified vacuum pressure;

measuring an actual airflow rate and an actual vacuum pressure across the valve;

comparing the specified airflow rate to the actual airflow rate;

comparing the specified vacuum pressure to the actual vacuum pressure; and

automatically adjusting at least one of the vacuum pump and the valve for conforming the specified and actual airflow rates and the specified and actual vacuum pressures.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising measuring ambient atmospheric pressure and adjusting the vacuum pump to compensate for variations in ambient atmospheric pressure.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering power to the vacuum pump from a power source;

measuring the power level from the power source; and

adjusting at least one of the vacuum pump and the valve in response to a change in the power level.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an alarm signal in response to certain sensed conditions.