Suction flow regulator
AssigneeArthrex, Inc.
InventorDavid P. Gallo, SR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suction flow regulator including an adapter and a grommet fixed inside the adapter for permitting air to access a vacuum flow path according to a vacuum level. The grommet is fixed inside an adapter by a securing mechanism (for example, a compression plate). The grommet may be used with an additional elastomeric element (for example, a smaller grommet) that provides flexibility during vacuum exposure and deflects to expose holes in the grommet under vacuum. Alternatively, the grommet may be a single unit grommet with a cantilever configuration.
Claims25
A suction flow regulator comprising:
- an adapter having a distal and a proximal end and a vacuum flow path for allowing vacuumed fluid to flow from said distal end to said proximal end;
- and
- a device fixed inside said adapter, wherein said device is configured to permit air from outside said suction flow regulator to access a chamber within said vacuum flow path according to a vacuum level.
A method of forming a vacuum system configured to provide variable vacuum levels, said vacuum system including a proximal end and a distal end and a suction tube for allowing vacuumed fluid to flow from said distal end to said proximal end, said method comprising:
- fixing a grommet inside an adapter, said adapter having a distal and a proximal end corresponding to said distal and proximal ends of said vacuum system and a vacuum flow path for allowing said vacuumed fluid to flow from said distal end to said proximal end of said adapter,
- wherein said grommet is configured to permit air from outside said suction flow regulator to access a chamber within said vacuum flow path according to said vacuum level of said vacuum system;
- and
- installing said adapter in a location along said suction tube.
A device comprising:
- an ablation device including an ablation electrode at a distal end of said ablation device;
- an aspirating device for providing varying vacuum levels at said distal end of said ablation device, said aspirating device having a distal end and a proximal end and a suction tube for allowing vacuumed fluid to flow from said distal end to said proximal end;
- and
- a suction flow regulator connected along said vacuum tube, said suction flow regulator comprising:
- an adapter configured to connect along said suction tube, said adapter having a distal and a proximal end and a vacuum flow path for allowing said vacuumed fluid to flow from said distal end to said proximal end;
- and
- a device fixed inside said adapter, wherein said device is configured to permit air from outside said suction flow regulator to access a chamber within said vacuum flow path according to a vacuum level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.