Vacuum surge suppressor for surgical aspiration systems

• US 7,914,482 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana Companies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dana Companies, LLC
• Inventors: Maaskamp, Armand, Urich, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOHR, LEAH C
• Application Number:
  US12/109,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 604118-121, 604/313, 604/315, 604/22, 604/249, 604/35, 604/65, 604/66
• US Class Current: 604/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/79 Filters for solid matter specially adapted for dental use A61C17/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/804 using Laval or Venturi jet pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

An apparatus and method to suppress vacuum surges in a surgical aspiration system is disclosed and claimed. A vacuum surge suppressor includes a first fluid path for coupling to a surgical instrument, and a filter attached to the first fluid path. A flow restrictor is coupled to the filter with the filter disposed upstream of the flow restrictor. The vacuum surge suppressor also includes a second fluid path for coupling to a vacuum pump. The second fluid path is connected to the flow restrictor and disposed downstream of the flow restrictor. The second fluid path defines a path internal pressure. A third fluid path is coupled to the filter and is connected to the second fluid path, bypassing the flow restrictor. A valve in the third fluid path obstructs flow in the third fluid path in response to the path internal pressure.

Claims

1. A surgical aspiration system comprising:

a surgical instrument that includes a distal tip;

a vacuum pump

a first fluid path coupled to the surgical instrument;

a filter attached to the first fluid path;

a flow restrictor coupled to the filter, the flow restrictor comprising an orifice defining a fixed orifice inner diameter in the range 0.005 to 0.025 inches and a fixed orifice length in the range 1 to 2 inches, the filter being disposed upstream of the flow restrictor;

a second fluid path coupled to the vacuum pump, the second fluid path connected to the flow restrictor and disposed downstream of the flow restrictor, the second fluid path defining a path internal pressure;

a pressure sensor capable of sensing the path internal pressure;

a switch capable of interrupting operation of the vacuum pump in response to the output of the pressure sensor;

a third fluid path coupled to the filter and connected to the second fluid path, bypassing the flow restrictor; and

a discrete automated valve in the third fluid path that is responsive to an output of the pressure sensor and that obstructs flow in the third fluid path in response to the path internal pressure.

2. The surgical aspiration system of claim 1 wherein the first fluid path comprises a tube connected to the surgical instrument, and the second fluid path comprises a tube connected to the vacuum pump.

3. The surgical aspiration system of claim 1 wherein the filter includes a filter chamber housing, and the flow restrictor is connected to the filter chamber housing.

4. The surgical aspiration system of claim 1 wherein the filter includes a filter chamber housing, and the third fluid path is connected to the filter chamber housing.

5. The surgical aspiration system of claim 1 wherein the vacuum pump is a peristaltic pump.