Non-invasive system and method for measuring vacuum pressure in a fluid
First Claim
1. A noninvasive system for measuring vacuum pressure in a fluid, comprising:
- a first diaphragm;
a second diaphragm interconnected with said first diaphragm such that the interconnection of said first diaphragm and said second diaphragm form a chamber for the passage of said fluid, wherein the surface area of said second diaphragm is less than said first diaphragm; and
a force transducer directly coupled to said second diaphragm such that if pressure inside said chamber decreases, said second diaphragm will apply a measurable proportionate force on said transducer.
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Abstract
A noninvasive system and method for measuring vacuum pressure in a fluid in accordance with the present invention generally includes a chamber with two interconnected diaphragms having different surface areas and a force transducer that makes contact with the smaller area diaphragm. When a pressure level less than atmospheric occurs inside the chamber, the smaller area diaphragm presses with a force on the force sensor. As the pressure level in the chamber decreases, the force on the sensor increases. The present system is intended for, but not limited to, use in a Phacoemulsification machine, where it will serve to measure the vacuum in a fluid without contaminating the fluid with previous uses of the system or with any components of the system which are unable to undergo a sterilization process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A noninvasive system for measuring vacuum pressure in a fluid, comprising:
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a first diaphragm; a second diaphragm interconnected with said first diaphragm such that the interconnection of said first diaphragm and said second diaphragm form a chamber for the passage of said fluid, wherein the surface area of said second diaphragm is less than said first diaphragm; and a force transducer directly coupled to said second diaphragm such that if pressure inside said chamber decreases, said second diaphragm will apply a measurable proportionate force on said transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification