Suction control apparatus and methods for maintaining fluid flow without compromising sterile lines
First Claim
1. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
- a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port;
a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and
an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position while said valve remains in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device and method to control suction in a patient environment. The device comprises a body portion having an interior chamber adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum; a valve comprising a shaft rotatably coupled to the body portion; and an actuator coupled to the shaft of the valve. In operation the valve is rotatable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to the interior chamber via the valve at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to the interior chamber. The actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position which increases the vacuum in the interior chamber to a second predetermined level for clearing occluded suction lines in the patient circuit.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position while said valve remains in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position when said valve is in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level; and a further valve rotatably coupled to said body portion; and wherein the output port is coupled to the interior chamber for receiving said first and second predetermined levels of vacuum. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position when said valve is in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level, wherein said valve comprises; a shaft; a first vacuum circuit comprising a groove disposed partially around an outside portion of said shaft, wherein said groove provides fluid communication between said interior chamber and said source of vacuum when said valve is in said first position; and a second vacuum circuit comprising; a first orifice disposed along at least a portion of said shaft along said longitudinal axis, a second orifice disposed in said shaft, oriented transverse to said longitudinal axis and in fluid communication with said first orifice, and a third orifice disposed in said shaft, oriented transverse to said longitudinal axis and in fluid communication with said first orifice, wherein said second vacuum circuit provides fluid communication between said interior chamber and said source of vacuum when said actuator is in said second.
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18. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position when said valve is in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level, wherein said valve comprises a shaft and said means for providing atmospheric pressure comprises; an orifice extending from an end of said shaft of said valve along a longitudinal axis thereof; a seat formed at a portion of said orifice; a sealing member disposed within said orifice and adapted to engage with said seat; and a resilient element having a first end disposed against said sealing member distal to said seat, wherein said orifice provides fluid communication from an exterior of said device to said interior chamber.
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19. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position when said valve is in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level, wherein, said valve further comprises; a shaft; and a knob disposed at an end portion of said shaft and adapted to rotate said valve between said first and second positions; said actuator further comprises; a shaft coaxially coupled to said shaft of said valve, a first orifice extending from an end of said shaft and at least partially along an interior of said shaft, a circumferential groove disposed along an outside portion of said shaft, a second orifice formed in said circumferential groove, transverse to said first orifice and in fluid communication with said first orifice, wherein said actuator provides fluid communication between said interior chamber and said source of vacuum via i) said first orifice, ii) said circumferential groove and iii) said second orifice when said actuator is in said second position.
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20. A device for providing vacuum to a patient circuit, the device comprising:
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a body portion having i) an interior chamber, ii) an input port, and iii) an output port, and adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum via the input port; a valve moveably coupled to said body portion, said valve selectable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to said interior chamber via said valve to flow to the output port at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to said interior chamber and the output port; and an actuator in fluid communication with said valve, and adapted to move between a first position and a second position when said valve is in the first position to increase the vacuum in said interior chamber to a second predetermined level; wherein said valve further comprises a shaft and a knob disposed at an end portion of said shaft and adapted to rotate said valve between said first and second positions.
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Specification