Vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system
First Claim
1. A method of operating a vacuum system, comprising:
- selecting a target operating vacuum pressure for a vacuum line;
determining the current vacuum pressure in the vacuum line;
when the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line is within a first range of values, operating a pump at a generally constant speed, and changing the pressure in the vacuum line by conducting additional fluid into the vacuum line and adjusting the amount of additional fluid conducted into the vacuum line to adjust the pressure toward the target operating pressure; and
when the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line is within a second range of values, changing the pressure in the vacuum line by varying the operation of the pump to adjust the pressure toward the target operating pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system. The system comprises a vacuum line, a pump, a pump motor, a pressure adjusting assembly, a pressure sensor and a control means. The pump is connected to the vacuum line for drawing fluids therefrom, and the motor is connected to the pump to drive the pump. The pressure adjusting assembly is connected to the vacuum line for conducting fluid into that line at an adjustable rate. The pressure sensor is connected to the vacuum line to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure in the vacuum line. The control means receives the pressure signal and generates a system control signal that is used to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line. The specific manner in which the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted depends on the value of that pressure, and in particular, whether that pressure is in a first range or a second range. If the pressure in the vacuum line is in the first range, the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted by varying the amount of fluid conducted into that line through the pressure adjusting assembly. If the pressure in the vacuum line is within the second pressure range, the pressure in the fluid line is adjusted by varying the speed of the pump. The vacuum system is well suited for use during ophthalmic surgery to aspirate the surgical site.
138 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vacuum system, comprising:
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selecting a target operating vacuum pressure for a vacuum line; determining the current vacuum pressure in the vacuum line; when the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line is within a first range of values, operating a pump at a generally constant speed, and changing the pressure in the vacuum line by conducting additional fluid into the vacuum line and adjusting the amount of additional fluid conducted into the vacuum line to adjust the pressure toward the target operating pressure; and when the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line is within a second range of values, changing the pressure in the vacuum line by varying the operation of the pump to adjust the pressure toward the target operating pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating a vacuum system, comprising:
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selecting a target operating pressure for a vacuum line; determining the current vacuum pressure in the vacuum line; when the vacuum pressure in the vacuum line is within a first range of values, operating a pump at a generally constant speed and changing the pressure in the vacuum line by controlling the flow of fluid into the vacuum line from a fluid line through a valve by adjusting the size of a portion of the passageway of the valve to adjust the pressure toward the target operating pressure; and when the pressure in the vacuum line is within a second range of values, changing the pressure in the vacuum line by varying the operation of the pump to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line toward the target operating pressure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification