Medical fluid pump powered by a constant source of vacuum
First Claim
1. A vacuum powered pump comprising:
- a) a fluid chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
b) a first displacement means movable in said fluid chamber from a first position to a second position for creating negative pressure in said fluid chamber and movable from said second position to said first position for creating positive pressure in said fluid chamber;
c) biasing means for biasing said first displacement means toward said first position;
d) a vacuum chamber having a vacuum port for coupling with a source of vacuum to provide negative pressure in said vacuum chamber, said first displacement means being responsive to negative pressure in said vacuum chamber such that negative pressure in said vacuum chamber causes said displacement means to move from said first position to said second position; and
e) a delayed action valve fluidly coupled to said vacuum chamber and mechanically coupled to said first displacement means for allowing ambient air to enter said vacuum chamber when said first displacement means is in said second position and to remain open until said displacement means returns to said first position, whereinsaid delayed action valve comprises a cylinder having an air inlet port and a displaceable member within said cylinder, said displaceable member having at least one sealing ring separating said air inlet port from said vacuum chamber when said displacement means is in said first position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum powered pump includes a spring biased piston or diaphragm in a vacuum chamber coupled to a source of vacuum. When vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber, the piston or diaphragm is moved in a first direction against the spring. A delayed action valve is coupled to the vacuum chamber to allow ambient air to enter the chamber only after the piston or diaphragm has been moved a substantial distance in the first direction. When the delayed action valve opens, air enters the vacuum chamber and the force of the entering air together with the bias of the spring propels the piston or diaphragm in a second direction opposite the first direction. The delayed action valve automatically closes and the process repeats so long as a vacuum source is coupled to the vacuum chamber. The reciprocal movement of the piston or diaphragm effects a pulsatile pumping of fluid through a fluid chamber having at least one check valve.
60 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vacuum powered pump comprising:
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a) a fluid chamber having an inlet and an outlet; b) a first displacement means movable in said fluid chamber from a first position to a second position for creating negative pressure in said fluid chamber and movable from said second position to said first position for creating positive pressure in said fluid chamber; c) biasing means for biasing said first displacement means toward said first position; d) a vacuum chamber having a vacuum port for coupling with a source of vacuum to provide negative pressure in said vacuum chamber, said first displacement means being responsive to negative pressure in said vacuum chamber such that negative pressure in said vacuum chamber causes said displacement means to move from said first position to said second position; and e) a delayed action valve fluidly coupled to said vacuum chamber and mechanically coupled to said first displacement means for allowing ambient air to enter said vacuum chamber when said first displacement means is in said second position and to remain open until said displacement means returns to said first position, wherein said delayed action valve comprises a cylinder having an air inlet port and a displaceable member within said cylinder, said displaceable member having at least one sealing ring separating said air inlet port from said vacuum chamber when said displacement means is in said first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification