Sterile disposable remote pneumatic actuators

• US 9,384,925 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2013
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hk Surgical
• Original Assignee: Hk Surgical
• Inventors: Klein, Jeffrey Alan, Welch, Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah, Nilay
• Application Number:
  US13/965,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20130331776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 604/35, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/144, 604/146, 604/153
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/76 Handpieces specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/89 Suction aspects of liposuction surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/32 actuated by bellows

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention relate to remote pneumatic (bellows-action) actuators for switching applications, which are preferably sterile and/or disposable. When compressed, the bellows-action actuator provides a pulse of air pressure sufficient to actuate a remotely-located pneumatic switch configured to turn on/off an electrical, mechanical or optical device. The pulse of air pressure is propagated along a non-conducting tube, thereby substantially reducing the risk of e.g., electric shock or O₂ ignition/combustion associated with conventional electric switches in wet, hazardous or medical environments.

Claims

1. A remote actuator for a medical device that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube and a treatment member, the remote actuator comprising:

a bellows having a pneumatic port and an external coupling member disposed along an external surface of the bellows, the external coupling member being configured to reversibly attach the remote actuator to an external portion of the medical tube and/or treatment member, wherein the coupling member is configured so that the remote actuator can be attached to the medical tube and/or treatment member, detached from the medical tube and/or treatment member, and then reattached to the medical tube and/or treatment member; and

an actuating conduit pneumatically coupled at a first end to the pneumatic port and configured to pneumatically couple at a second end to the pneumatic switch on the medical device, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.

2. The remote actuator of claim 1, further comprising a handle portion.

3. The remote actuator of claim 1, wherein the bellows is pneumatically isolated from the medical tube and/or treatment member.

4. The remote actuator of claim 1, wherein the treatment member comprises a cannula for fluid infiltration, infusion or suction.

5. The remote actuator of claim 1, wherein at least the bellows of the remote actuator is sterile.

6. The remote actuator of claim 1, wherein the remote actuator is configured for a single use.

7. The remote actuator of claim 1, further comprising a salable package comprising an outer wrapper defining a sealed and sterile interior, wherein the remote actuator is located within said sealed and sterile interior.

8. The remote actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuating tube further comprising an optical fiber coupled to a light source, such that the bellows can be illuminated based on the status of the pneumatic switch.