# US 12,599,371 B2 · Apparatus and separation cell for separating drops of biological liquid from transport air

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- Number: US 12,599,371 B2
- Document ID: US12599371B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/547,296
- Filed: 2022-02-21
- Published: 2024-05-02
- Granted: 2026-04-14
- Earliest claimed: 2021-02-22
- Assignees: Niso Biomed S.R.L.
- Applicants: Niso Biomed S.R.L.
- Inventors: Paul Muller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12599371B2

## CPC

- A61B 10/0045: {Devices for taking samples of body liquids}
- A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation
- A61B 1/273: for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes or gastroscopes
- A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments
- A61B 2010/0061: {Alimentary tract secretions, e.g. biliary, gastric, intestinal, pancreatic secretions}
- A61M 1/71: {Suction drainage systems (containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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

An apparatus having a separation cell for separating drops of biological liquid from transport air in a flow coming from an endoscope is provided. The separation cell has an inner chamber having an upper inlet fluidically connectable to the endoscope, for receiving a flow containing drops of biological liquid mixed with transport air, a bottom outlet for exit of the drops of biological liquid, fluidically connectable to a suction pump and to an element for collecting and/or analyzing the drops of biological liquid, and an upper outlet for exit of the transport air and optionally of the drops of biological liquid and/or rinse water, fluidically connectable to a vacuum source. The separation cell forms a depression arranged between the upper inlet and the upper outlet. The depression extends downwards into the inner chamber and determines, for incoming transport air, a V-shaped path between the upper inlet and the upper outlet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a first connecting element for an endoscope;
a second connecting element for a vacuum source;
a suction pump;
a means for collecting and/or analyzing drops of biological liquid, functionally associated with the suction pump;
a separation cell for separating the drops of biological liquid from transport air in a flow coming from the endoscope, the separation cell comprising
an inner chamber that comprises
an upper inlet fluidically connectable to the endoscope, for receiving a flow containing the drops of biological liquid mixed with the transport air,
a bottom outlet for exit of the drops of biological liquid, fluidically connected to the suction pump and thus to the means for collecting and/or analyzing the drops of biological liquid,
an upper outlet for exit of the transport air and for exit of the drops of biological liquid and/or rinse water, fluidically connectable to the vacuum source;
wherein the separation cell forms a depression arranged between the upper inlet and the upper outlet, the depression extending downwards into the inner chamber and determining, for incoming transport air, a V-shaped path between the upper inlet and the upper outlet; and
wherein said separation cell is arranged between and fluidically connected to the first connecting element for the endoscope, the second connecting element for the vacuum source, the suction pump, and the means for collecting and/or analyzing the drops of biological liquid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is a centralized vacuum system of a hospital facility and the suction pump is a peristaltic pump.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
a first connecting element for an endoscope;
a second connecting element for a vacuum source;
an endoscope;
a vacuum source;
a suction pump;
a means for collecting and/or analyzing drops of biological liquid, functionally associated with the suction pump;
a separation cell for separating the drops of biological liquid from transport air in a flow coming from the endoscope, the separation cell comprising
an inner chamber that comprises
an upper inlet fluidically connectable to the endoscope, for receiving a flow containing the drops of biological liquid mixed with the transport air,
a bottom outlet for exit of the drops of biological liquid, fluidically connectable to the suction pump and thus to the means for collecting and/or analyzing the drops of biological liquid,
an upper outlet for exit of the transport air and for exit of the drops of biological liquid and/or rinse water, fluidically connectable to the vacuum source;
wherein the separation cell forms a depression arranged between the upper inlet and the upper outlet, the depression extending downwards into the inner chamber and determining, for incoming transport air, a V-shaped path between the upper inlet and the upper outlet; and
wherein said separation cell is arranged between and fluidically connected to the first connecting element for the endoscope and thus the endoscope, the second connecting element for the vacuum source and thus the vacuum source, the suction pump, and the means for collecting and/or analyzing the drops of biological liquid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper inlet and the bottom outlet are substantially aligned in a vertical direction and the separation cell further forms a substantially vertical side wall extending between the upper inlet and the bottom outlet,
wherein the separation cell forms a curved wall portion having a concavity facing the substantially vertical side wall;
wherein the separation cell forms a bottom portion of the inner chamber, the bottom portion tapering towards the bottom outlet; and
wherein the curved wall portion having the concavity facing the substantially vertical side wall causes the rinse water to rinse the bottom portion of the separation cell and then flow out of the upper outlet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the curved wall portion has a radius of curvature between 20 mm and 50 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the separation cell further comprises a portion which widens, away from the upper inlet, towards the depression.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the separation cell further comprises a portion which narrows, away from the depression, towards the upper outlet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper inlet extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper inlet and the upper outlet are substantially pointed towards a same direction or according to respective directions that form an acute angle with each other.