# US 12,109,349 B2 · Methods, apparatuses, and systems for aspirating airways > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,349 B2 - Document ID: US12109349B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/286,404 - Filed: 2019-10-18 - Published: 2021-12-16 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-18 - Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Applicants: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System - Inventors: Forhad Akhter; Austin R. Schoppe; Omar Navarro; Bruce Adams; Yusheng Feng; Robert Delorenzo; Robert L. Hood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109349B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)} - A61M 1/60: {Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)} - A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values} - A61M 1/76: {Handpieces (specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84)} - A61M 1/774: {Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently} - A61M 1/79: {Filters for solid matter (specially adapted for dental use A61C17/065)} - A61M 1/80: {Suction pumps (A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence)} - A61M 1/84: {Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32)} - A61M 1/842: {rotating (continuously rotating surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32002)} - A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece} - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements - A61M 2205/7545: for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2210/1025: Respiratory system (A61M2210/0618 take precedence) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present disclosure includes methods, apparatuses, and systems for aspirating an airway of a patient. The apparatuses include a main body having a pump and a storage canister housing coupled to the main body and containing a storage container that is at least partially collapsible. In some configurations, the main body can include a pressure sensor, a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, and having a processor, a memory, and a power source in communication with the controller. The storage canister housing can include a first end coupled to the main body, and a second end having a weighted portion and configured to be coupled to the first end to permit free rotation, such that the second end gravitationally rotates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for aspirating an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a main body comprising: a pressure sensor; a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, the controller comprising: a processor; a centrifugal pump; and a memory; a power source in communication with the controller; a storage canister housing coupled to the main body, the storage canister housing comprising: a first end coupled to the main body; a second end having a weighted portion and configured to be coupled to the first end to permit free rotation, such that the second end gravitationally rotates about a first longitudinal axis; an inlet disposed on the second end, where the inlet is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is offset by a distance from the first longitudinal axis; a storage canister disposed within the storage canister housing and coupled to the inlet of the storage canister housing; a suction tube having a proximal end coupled to the inlet and a distal end; and a handle coupled to the distal end of the suction tube, the handle comprising: a first portion having an opening configured to receive a suction catheter; and a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion and configured to receive the distal end of the suction tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed within the opening of the first portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the first portion includes a slot for receiving a release mechanism for detaching the second portion from the first portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the controller is configured to measure a pressure at the inlet and shut off the pump when the measured pressure falls below a threshold pressure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source coupled to the handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover configured to be coupled to the main body and enclose a portion of the storage canister housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the storage canister is configured to be at least partially collapsible. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the centrifugal pump is configured to generate a vacuum pressure of at least 400 mmHg. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the controller is configured to evacuate water, vomitus, solid pieces, solid particulates, and/or blood at a flow rate of at least 0.5 L/min. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the storage canister has a storage volume of at least 0.2 L. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the processor is configured to determine a condition of the patient via optical and/or electrochemical analysis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the main body, the storage canister housing, and/or an outer cover includes a surface coating selected from a group of surface coating characteristics consisting of: anti-reflective, camouflage, electromagnetic shielding, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a muffler system coupled to the main body to reduce operating noise. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the storage canister has a fixed volume portion capable of holding up to 200 mL, and an expandable volume portion capable of holding at least an additional 100 mL. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suction tip attachment configured to be coupled to the suction catheter, where the suction tip attachment includes a filter for trapping debris. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the controller is configured to provide a pressure range for treating pneumothorax. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the apparatus has an overall dimension of 30 cm×15 cm×15 cm or less. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the apparatus has an overall weight of less than 1.2 kg. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method for aspirating an airway of a patient, the method comprising: (a) providing the apparatus of claim 1; (b) inserting the suction tube into the airway of the patient; and (c) aspirating a fluid from the airway using the apparatus of claim 1. ### Claim 20 An apparatus for aspirating an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a main body comprising: a pressure sensor; a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, the controller comprising: a processor; a centrifugal pump; and a memory; a power source in communication with the controller; a storage canister housing coupled to the main body, the storage canister housing comprising: a first end coupled to the main body; a second end having a weighted portion and configured to be coupled to the first end to permit free rotation, such that the second end gravitationally rotates about a first longitudinal axis; an inlet disposed on the second end, where the inlet is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is offset by a distance from the first longitudinal axis; a storage canister disposed within the storage canister housing and coupled to the inlet of the storage canister housing, the storage canister comprising: a first portion having a plurality of ribs defining a fixed volume; a second portion coupled to the first portion and defining a second volume; and a suction tube having a proximal end coupled to the inlet and a distal end; and a handle coupled to the distal end of the suction tube, the handle comprising: a first portion having an opening configured to receive a suction catheter; and a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion and configured to receive the distal end of the suction tube.