# US 2016/0354595 A1 · Aspirators

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- Number: US 2016/0354595 A1
- Document ID: US20160354595A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/121,650
- Filed: 2015-02-25
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-28
- Assignees: Aspirate N Go Ltd
- Applicants: Aspirate N Go Ltd
- Inventors: George GALLAGHER
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354595A1

## CPC

- A61B 10/02: Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy {(A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48)}
- A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement}
- A61B 5/14546: {for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes}
- A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)}
- A61J 15/0003: {Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth}
- A61J 15/0015: {Gastrostomy feeding-tubes (insertion tools or methods A61B17/34)}
- A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values}
- A61M 1/743: {by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves (A61M1/7413 takes precedence)}
- A61M 1/784: {by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves}
- A61M 1/80: {Suction pumps (A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence)}
- A61M 1/81: {Piston pumps, e.g. syringes}
- A61M 1/815: {the barrel serving as aspiration container, e.g. in a breast pump}
- A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece}
- A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings
- A61M 39/223: {Multiway valves}
- A61M 39/24: Check- or non-return valves
- A61B 2010/0061: {Alimentary tract secretions, e.g. biliary, gastric, intestinal, pancreatic secretions}
- A61M 39/229: {Single-way cut-off valves}
- A61M 2039/1083: {having a plurality of female connectors, e.g. Luer connectors}
- A61M 2039/1088: {having a plurality of male connectors, e.g. Luer connectors}
- A61M 2039/244: {Hinged closure member, e.g. flap valve}
- A61M 2039/2493: {Check valve with complex design, e.g. several inlets and outlets and several check valves in one body}
- A61M 2205/3324: PH measuring means
- A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback
- A61M 2205/584: having a color code
- A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
- A61M 2230/20: Blood composition characteristics
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- 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

A valve assembly (50) comprising a three-way connector (52) operatively interconnecting: an inlet (54) operatively connectable, in use, to an aspirator tube (60), the inlet (54) comprising a first one-way valve (66) permitting, in use, the flow of a fluid from the tube (60) into the three-way connector (52); a first outlet (70) operatively connectable, in use, to a receptacle (63), the first outlet (70) comprising a second one-way valve (67) permitting, in use, the flow of a fluid from the three-way interconnector (52) into the receptacle (63); and a second outlet (90) operatively connectable, in use, to a syringe (96), wherein the receptacle (63) comprises a vent aperture (78) and a porous or perforated element (80) overlying the vent aperture (78).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A valve assembly comprising a three-way connector operatively interconnecting: an inlet operatively connectable, in use, to an aspirator tube, the inlet comprising a first one-way valve permitting, in use, the flow of a fluid from the tube into the three-way connector; a first outlet operatively connectable, in use, to a receptacle, the first outlet comprising a second one-way valve permitting, in use, the flow of a fluid from the three-way interconnector into the receptacle; and a second outlet operatively connectable, in use, to a syringe, wherein the receptacle comprises a vent aperture and a porous or perforated element overlying the vent aperture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An aspirator comprising the valve assembly of claim 1.

### Claim 3

An aspirator comprising a tube operatively connectable, in use, via a first one-way valve, to an inlet of a three-way connector, the first one-way valve being configured to permit, in use, one-way flow of a fluid from the tube into the three-way connector; wherein the three-way connector additionally comprises a first outlet operatively connectable, in use, to a receptacle, via a second one-way valve adapted to permit, in use, the one-way flow of a fluid from the three-way interconnector into the receptacle; and wherein the three-way connector further comprises a second outlet operatively connectable, in use, to a syringe, and wherein the receptacle comprises a vent aperture and a porous or perforated element overlying the vent aperture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2, 3)

The aspirator of claim 2 or 3, further comprising a syringe operatively connected to the second outlet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The aspirator of claim 4, wherein the syringe has a capacity of less than or equal to any one or more of the group comprising: 100 ml; 50 ml; 10 ml; 5 ml; and 1 ml.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2, 3, 4, 5)

The aspirator of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein upon raising the syringe's plunger, fluid flows into the three-way connector and into either or both of the syringe or receptacle, and wherein upon depressing the syringe's plunger, the first and second one-way valves cause fluid within the syringe and/or three-way connector to be directed into the receptacle.

### Claim 7

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle comprises a hollow interior portion for containing a quantity of aspirated liquid.

### Claim 8

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the porous or perforated element internally overlies the vent aperture and is configured to close the vent aperture when wetted by a liquid.

### Claim 9

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the porous or perforated element is manufactured of paper.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The valve assembly or aspirator of claim 9, wherein the porous or perforated element is manufactured of indicator paper.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The valve assembly or aspirator of claim 10, wherein the indicator paper comprises a colorimetric substance that changes colour in the presence of a target substance.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The valve assembly or aspirator of claim 11, wherein the colorimetric substance changes colour in the presence of any one or more of the group comprising: an acid; a base (alkali); a carbohydrate; glucose; sugar; blood; iron; protein; ketone; bilirubin; urobilinogen; nitrates; and leukocytes.

### Claim 13

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle comprises a viewing window.

### Claim 14

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle is at least partially manufactured from a transparent material.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

The valve assembly or aspirator of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the indicator paper is visible from without the receptacle.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)

The aspirator of any of claims 2 to 15, wherein the tube comprises an enteral or an NG tube.

### Claim 17

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the inlet and outlets of the three-way connector comprise releasable connectors.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The valve assembly or aspirator of claim 17, wherein the releasable connector comprises a male or female connector being any one or more of the group comprising: a Luer lock connector; a bayonet-type fittings; a screw thread; a push fit connector.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The valve assembly or aspirator of claim 18, wherein the inlet of the valve assembly comprises a female Luer-lock connector and the second outlet comprises a male Luer or Luerlock connector.

### Claim 20

The valve assembly or aspirator of any preceding claim, wherein the three-way connector is formed as a T-junction connector, the inlet and second outlet being located at opposite ends of the straight-through portion of the T-junction connector and the first outlet comprising the side spur of the T-junction.

### Claim 21 (depends on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

An enteral aspirator according to any of claims 2 to 19.

### Claim 22

A valve assembly or aspirator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, FIGS. 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.