Digitally controlled aspirator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An aspirator comprising:
- a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum pressure;
a motor for driving the vacuum pump;
a manifold configured to direct a flow of gas from an upstream side in communication with a patient to a downstream side in communication with the pump;
a valve in communication with the manifold, the valve being configured to control vacuum characteristics across the manifold;
a sensor in communication with the manifold, the sensor being configured to sense vacuum pressure across the manifold;
a barometer configured to sense ambient atmospheric pressure;
a processor in communication with the motor and the valve; and
wherein the processor is configured to control the motor and/or the valve in response to a signal received from the sensor and/or the barometer.
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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.
24 Citations
17 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 configured to direct a flow of gas from an upstream side in communication with a patient to a downstream side in communication with the pump; a valve in communication with the manifold, the valve being configured to control vacuum characteristics across the manifold; a sensor in communication with the manifold, the sensor being configured to sense vacuum pressure across the manifold; a barometer configured to sense ambient atmospheric pressure; a processor in communication with the motor and the valve; and wherein the processor is configured to control the motor and/or the valve in response to a signal received from the sensor and/or the barometer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing medical aspiration, comprising:
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providing an aspirator, the aspirator comprising a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum, a motor for driving the vacuum pump, a manifold configured to direct a flow of gas from an upstream side in communication with a patient to a downstream side in communication with the pump, a valve in communication with the manifold for controlling vacuum characteristics across the manifold, and a sensor in communication with the manifold, the sensor being configured to sense vacuum pressure across the manifold; selecting a vacuum pressure across the manifold; measuring an actual vacuum pressure across the manifold; comparing the selected vacuum pressure to the actual vacuum pressure; operating the vacuum pump and/or the valve to modify the actual vacuum pressure to conform to the selected vacuum pressure; and measuring ambient atmospheric pressure and adjusting the vacuum pump and/or valve to compensate for variations in ambient atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification