Canister having fluid flow control

• US 20090275905A1
• Filed: 05/01/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunrise Medical Hhg Incorporated (Sunrise Medical Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sunrise Medical Hhg Incorporated (Sunrise Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Neatrour, Joel David, Clementi, Francis J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/320
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/782 using valves with freely moving parts, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes

Abstract

A canister for use with a medical suction or aspiration device has a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber has an inlet. The second fluid chamber has an outlet port. A splash baffle is disposed between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The splash baffle has an aperture formed therethrough to allow for fluid flow from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. An absorbent valve having voids is disposed within the second fluid chamber and engages a portion of the outlet port. The absorbent valve restricting fluid permeability upon contact with fluid from the first fluid chamber to restrict fluid flow through the outlet port.

Claims

1. A canister comprising:

a first fluid chamber having an inlet port;

a second fluid chamber having an outlet port;

a splash baffle disposed between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the splash baffle having an aperture formed therethrough to allow for fluid flow from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber; and

an absorbent valve disposed within the second fluid chamber, the absorbent valve engaging the outlet port, the absorbent valve restricting fluid permeability upon contact with fluid from the first fluid chamber to prevent fluid flow through the outlet port.

2. The canister of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is positioned adjacent to the splash baffle.

3. The canister of claim 1, wherein the first fluid chamber is larger than the second fluid chamber.

4. The canister of claim 1, wherein the outlet port includes an attachment flange extending into the second fluid chamber.

5. The canister of claim 1, wherein the second fluid chamber has a valve seat spaced apart from the outlet port, the valve seat restricting the expansion of the absorbent valve in one direction.

6. The canister of claim 1, wherein the outlet port includes a vacuum source connection extending outwardly from the second fluid chamber.

7. The canister of claim 1, wherein the aperture is an elongated slot.

8. The canister of claim 1, wherein the aperture is capable of restricting a portion of the fluid flow from the first fluid chamber into the second fluid chamber.

9. The canister of claim 1, wherein the absorbent valve includes a valve wall and a closed end forming an interior space, the interior space engaging the outlet port.

10. The canister of claim 1, wherein the absorbent valve has a fluid absorption characteristic.

11. The canister of claim 10, wherein the absorbent valve becomes fluid restrictive in response to the fluid absorption characteristic when in contact with fluid flow from the first fluid chamber.

12. The canister of claim 10, wherein the fluid absorption characteristic is hydrophilic.

13. The canister of claim 10, wherein the fluid absorption characteristic is hygroscopic.

14. The canister of claim 1, wherein the absorbent valve is made from a polymer material.

15. The canister of claim 14 wherein the polymer material is a polyethylene plastic.

16. The canister of claim 15 wherein the polymer material includes a cellulose gum filler.