Linear suction control system
First Claim
1. A surgical suction control system for aspirating and cutting tissue comprising:
- valve means for regulating the flow of pressurized fluid;
means for converting the pressurized fluid into a vacuum,which converting means is adapted to communicate with a device for aspirating and cutting tissue;
transducer means for sensing the vacuum and for generatinga first signal in response thereto;
adjustable controller means for selecting an appropriate vacuumlevel for aspirating and cutting tissue and for generating, in response to adjustment of the controller means, a p1 second signal which corresponds to said level;
comparator means for comparing the first and second signals andgenerating a third signal to drive the valve means to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid and the vacuum in order to regulate the aspirating and cutting of tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A linear suction control system 10 includes a linear solenoid valve 11 which exhibits a flow through rate having a known proportional relationship with the current through the solenoid 30. Regulated fluid pressure 12 is fed through the linear solenoid valve 11 to a venturi-type pressure vacuum converter 17. The resulting vacuum is proportional to the flow rate through the valve 11 and thus to the current through the solenoid 30. A transducer 16 samples the vacuum output and produces a signal fed to a differential amplifier 17. The signal is compared in negative feedback fashion with a variable input voltage set by a potentiometer 18 or other variable voltage source, so that the transducer signal tracks the voltage source signal. The voltage source can comprise a potentiometer 18 actuated by a foot switch 19 or the like, so that angular position of the foot switch 19 relates directly and predictably to the vacuum output of the converter 13. The linear solenoid valve 11 includes an electromagnetic coil 30 arranged to translate a valve member 36, with an elastic member 35 biasing the valve member closed with a generally linear restoring force.
185 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical suction control system for aspirating and cutting tissue comprising:
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valve means for regulating the flow of pressurized fluid;
means for converting the pressurized fluid into a vacuum,which converting means is adapted to communicate with a device for aspirating and cutting tissue;
transducer means for sensing the vacuum and for generatinga first signal in response thereto;
adjustable controller means for selecting an appropriate vacuumlevel for aspirating and cutting tissue and for generating, in response to adjustment of the controller means, a p1 second signal which corresponds to said level;
comparator means for comparing the first and second signals andgenerating a third signal to drive the valve means to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid and the vacuum in order to regulate the aspirating and cutting of tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A suction control system comprising:
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a valve means for regulating the flow of a pressurized fluid; means for converting the pressurized fluid into a vacuum;
transducer means for sensing the vacuum and for generating a first signal in response thereto;adjustable controller means for selecting an appropriate vacuum level and for generating, in response to adjustment of the controller means, a second signal which corresponds to said vacuum level; comparator means for comparing the first and second signals and generating a third signal to drive the valve means to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid flow therethrough, to in turn regulate the vacuum. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A negative guage pressure delivery and control system including:
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a valve means having a pressurized fluid flow rate therethrough which is proportional to an output signal; pressure-vacuum converter means connected to receive said pressurized fluid through said valve and to generate a negative pressure level output proportional to said flow rate through said valve; transducer means for sensing the negative pressure level and generating a transducer signal in response thereto; variable reference signal source means for generating a selectively variable reference signal; comparator means for comparing said transducer signal and said variable reference signal and generating an output signal representing the difference between said transducer signal and said variable reference signal, said output signal being connected to drive said valve to control the fluid flow rate and produce a negative pressure output proportional to said variable reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling a suction system for aspirating and cutting tissue in surgical applications comprising:
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connecting a valve means between a source of positive pressurized fluid and a means for converting pressurized fluid flow to vacuum; connecting a surgical tool utilizing vacuum to the output of the means for converting pressurized fluid flow to vacuum; monitoring continuously the level of vacuum going to the surgical instrument; producing a first signal corresponding to the vacuum level to the surgical instrument; producing a second signal from an adjustable variable controller means, said second signal corresponding to the desired vacuum level to the surgical instrument in response to adjustment of the controller means; comparing the instantaneous and contemporaneous first and second signals; producing a third signal to drive the valve means which regulates the flow of pressurized fluid to the means for converting air to vacuum, the third signal corresponding to the comparison of the first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An improved ophthalmic surgical instrument control system which provides direct and immediate linear responsiveness from a foot pedal depression to the surgical instrument for surgical control comprising:
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solenoid valve means for proportional regulation of the flow of pressurized fluid; means for converting the pressurized fluid into a vacuum, which communicates with a surgical instrument for aspirating and cutting tissue; transducer means for sensing the vacuum and for generating a first signal in response thereto; adjustable controller means for selecting an appropriate vacuum level for aspirating and cutting tissue and for generating, in response to adjustment of the controller means, a second signal which corresponds to said level; comparator means for comparing the first and second signals and generating a third signal which drives the solenoid valve means for proportional regulation of the flow of pressurized fluid and proportional regulation of the vacuum to provide immediate responsiveness from foot pedal depression to the surgical instrument.
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23. A method for improved control of an ophthalmic surgical suction system for aspirating and cutting tissue in ophthalmic surgical applications, which provides direct and immediate linear responsiveness from foot pedal depression to a surgical instrument for surgical control, comprising:
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connecting a solenoid valve between a source of positive pressurized fluid and a means for proportionally converting pressurized fluid flow to vacuum; connecting a surgical tool utilizing vacuum to the output of the means for proportionally converting pressurized fluid flow to vacuum; monitoring continuously the level of vacuum at the surgical instrument; producing a first signal corresponding to the vacuum level at the surgical instrument; producing a second signal from a foot pedal including an adjustable variable controller means, said second signal corresponding to the desired vacuum level to the surgical instrument in response to adjustment of the controller means; comparing the instantaneous and contemporaneous first and second signals; producing a third signal which drives the solenoid valve for proportional regulation of the flow of pressurized fluid to the means for converting air to vacuum, and proportional regulation of the vacuum for direct and immediate responsiveness from foot pedal depression to the surgical instrument, the third signal corresponding to the comparison of the first and second signals.
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Specification