Digitally controlled aspirator
First Claim
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1. An aspirator comprising:
- a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure;
a motor for driving the vacuum pump;
a manifold having a downstream side in communication with the vacuum pump and an upstream side for communicating with a patient;
a valve communicating with the manifold and being operable for controlling vacuum characteristics across the manifold;
a sensor in communication with the manifold for sensing actual vacuum pressure characteristics across the manifold;
a barometer for sensing ambient atmospheric pressure; and
a processor for controlling the motor and the valve for altering the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold and airflow through the manifold to achieve at least one operational characteristic specified by the processor, the processor being in two-way communication with the valve and the manifold for providing a closed-loop feedback with the valve and the manifold for altering the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold and the airflow through the manifold in response to sensed conditions, the processor further comprising an operational mode selecting switch for selecting one of a plurality of preset optional operational modes corresponding respectively to a plurality of optional medical uses, each operational mode defining a predetermined or determinable vacuum pressure and air flow rate, the processor further being connected to the barometer and further being operative for controlling at least one of the motor and the valve in view of ambient atmospheric pressures.
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Abstract
A digitally controlled aspirator is provided with a processor that allows the user to select operating conditions including one or more default settings. The processor further includes sensors for sensing operational and environmental conditions and adjusts the operation of the aspirator to reflect the sensed conditions.
34 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An aspirator comprising:
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a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure; a motor for driving the vacuum pump; a manifold having a downstream side in communication with the vacuum pump and an upstream side for communicating with a patient; a valve communicating with the manifold and being operable for controlling vacuum characteristics across the manifold; a sensor in communication with the manifold for sensing actual vacuum pressure characteristics across the manifold; a barometer for sensing ambient atmospheric pressure; and a processor for controlling the motor and the valve for altering the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold and airflow through the manifold to achieve at least one operational characteristic specified by the processor, the processor being in two-way communication with the valve and the manifold for providing a closed-loop feedback with the valve and the manifold for altering the actual vacuum pressure across the manifold and the airflow through the manifold in response to sensed conditions, the processor further comprising an operational mode selecting switch for selecting one of a plurality of preset optional operational modes corresponding respectively to a plurality of optional medical uses, each operational mode defining a predetermined or determinable vacuum pressure and air flow rate, the processor further being connected to the barometer and further being operative for controlling at least one of the motor and the valve in view of ambient atmospheric pressures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing medical aspiration, said method comprising:
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providing an aspirator having a variable controllable vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure and an airflow, the aspirator further having a valve for controlling the vacuum; selecting one of a plurality of optional preset operational modes corresponding respectively to a plurality of optional medical uses, each of the operational modes defining a specified airflow rate and a specified vacuum pressure; measuring an actual airflow rate and an actual vacuum pressure across the valve; comparing the specified airflow rate to the actual airflow rate; comparing the specified vacuum pressure to the actual vacuum pressure; automatically adjusting the vacuum pump and the valve for conforming the specified and actual airflow rates and the specified and actual vacuum pressures; and measuring ambient atmospheric pressure and adjusting the vacuum pump to compensate for variations in ambient atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification