US 5,582,601 A · Cassette for receiving aspirated fluids

Abstract

A cassette for collection of fluids in a fluid aspirating system which may be reusable after sterilization. The cassette includes vacuum aperture and an aspiration port along the top wall of the cassette. Aspiration tubing is connected to the aspiration port at one end and is seated within an upstanding retainer at the proximal edge of the top wall at the opposite end. Internally, the cassette includes structures to increase flow impedance so that liquid is not drawn into the vacuum port when the fluid level rises. In addition, a pivot mechanism is disposed about a pivot hub within the chamber. A float is disposed on the pivot mechanism at a radius from the pivot hub for intercepting the vacuum port as aspirated fluid fills the chamber. As the fluid level rises, a light path is intercepted by the float to terminate aspiration. However, the float also mates with the vacuum port to close off the flow path. Thus, the system prevents overfilling of the container if the optical detector fails. So that filling of the cassette can be anticipated, a float space containing a second float is located along the proximal edge of the cassette. Finally, the bottom wall section includes a sterilization port which allows a cleaning system to inject a presterilizing fluid through the interior of the cassette to thereby cleanse all parts of the unit.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A cassette which may be reusable after sterilization, for collection of fluids in a fluid aspirating system comprising:

a housing defining an internal chamber for receiving fluid, the housing having broad parallel sidewalls from a proximal exterior end to a distal end to be engaged to the fluid aspirating system and peripheral walls joining the sidewalls, the peripheral walls including a top wall having a partially raised surface adjacent the distal end with a spaced apart proximal edge defining a shoulder, the shoulder including an aspiration port open in the proximal direction, the upper wall at the partially raised surface including a vacuum port therein;
aspiration tubing means releasably coupled to the aspiration port and extending externally along and adjacent the top wall in the proximal direction for connection to an exterior means for accessing the surgical site, the tubing means being compressible against the top wall at an intermediate region therealong;
pivot pin means fixed within the interior of the chamber defined by the housing;
and
level indicator means disposed within the chamber and including pivot hub means rotatably engaging the pivot pin means to pivot thereabout, arm means coupled at a first end to the pivot hub means, the arm means extending in the distal direction from the pivot hub means and a distal float means coupled to the distal end of the arm means and rising with the fluid surface as the fluid level increases in the chamber.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cassette for receiving aspirated fluids

Life of this patent

Cassette for receiving aspirated fluids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10