MANUALLY OPERABLE ASP I RATOR
The present invention r~lates to portable hand operated aspira~ors for removing ma~ter from a body cavity, particularly vomit from the mouth and throat.
Suction aspirators using continuously operating vacuum pumps are in common use for removing fluid and the like from body cavities. The siphon tube or catheter of such an aspirator is of relatively small diameter because of the nature of the fluids involved. Consequently, when the aspirator is used to remove matter such as vomit from the throat, the small diameter catheter clogs and monitoring personnel must constantly clear it to maintain a pumping action and to prevent vomit from draining back into the patient's throat. If this were allowed to occur the vomit could be drawn into the lungs and cause infection.
Motor operated hospital type aspirators are too heavy, complex and expensive for use by ambulance personnel and paramedics in emergency situations. Their use is also not practical because there is usually no power available in the field other than batteries, which are unsati~factory.
The hand or foot operated aspirators heretofore proposed for use by emergency personnel are generally im-practical for a variety of reasons. Most require the use of '-; ''~ ' 7 ~
both hands, and one hand should be available to guide ~he catheter into the patient's throat. Others are difficult to sterilize for reuse, and almost all are subject to clogging because they appear to be made with a small catheter to pre-vent a backflow of vomit between manual ac~uations of theaspirator.
According to the present invention, an aspirator is provided which is portable and hand operated. In one embodi-ment the aspira~or includes a collection means detachably connected to a frame so tha~ the collection means can be sep-arated and thrown away after a single use. Opposed handles on the collection means and frame can be squeezed and re-leased with one hand to operate a bellows. A siphon tube or catheter is mounted to the collection means adjacent its in-let so that vomit is drawn into a reservoir upon squeezing of the handles. The catheter is of relatively large diamet-er to prevent clogging by vomit material. Bias means car-ried by the frame moves the handles apart upon their release and collapses the bellows to vent air through an exhaust valve.
When the exhaust valve is open there is negligible differential pressure across the catheter. A self-closing one-way inlet valve means located between the distal extrem-ity of the catheter and the collection means automatically closes to prevent undesirable reverse flow of any column of vomit in the relatively large diameter catheter.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following descrip-tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:
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FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an aspirator according to the present invention, the singlehanded operation being shown in phantom outline;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the aspirator of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a detail view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG . 1, FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.
5;
FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2, illustrating the exhaust valve in its inwardly disposed, operative position;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but illustrat-ing the exhaust valve in its outwardly disposed, sealed po-sition preparatory to discarding of the associated collec-tion means;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exhaust valve of FIGS. 8 and 9;
FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrat-ing the inwardly disposed, protected position of the cathet-er prior to use;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrat-ing another form of inlet valve; and FIG. 14 is a view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.
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., :, , . ' , ~: : ' ' Referring now to the drawings, an aspirator is illustrated which comprises, generally, a relatiYely thin wall collection means 10 preferably molded of inexpensive polyethylene material or the like, and having a hollow reservoir 12 in fluid communication with a movable vacuum control portion or accordion bellows 14 which is integral with the reservoir 12.
The reservoir 12 is characterized by an opening or inlet 16 defined by a protruding boss 18 having external screw threads for threadably mounting an internally threaded syringe sleeve 20.
The inner or proximal extremity of a siphon tube or catheter 22 is removably frictionally received within the sleeve 20 in abutment with the boss 18. The projecting orientation of the catheter 22 illustra~ed in FIGS. 1 and 3 is the operative position of the catheter 22. However, the proximal extremity of the catheter 22 may be withdrawn and the catheter reversed in position so that the distal ex-tremity projects into ~he interior of the reservoir 12, as best illustrated in FIG. 12. ~his makes the assembly more compact for shipping and also protects the catheter 22 from contamination, particularly when the assembly is encompassed within a protective wrapping or blister pack (not shown), as will be apparent to those skilled the art.
~5 The catheter 22 is characterized by a relatively large diameter curvature to facilitate its insertion into the throat of a patient or accident victim. The inner di-ameter of the catheter 22 is relatively large, in the order of 1/2 inch, as compared to a more typical inner diameter of .:
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~5--1/8 to 1/4 of an inch which characterizes hospital-type catheters. The relatively large diameter is adapted to freely pass vomit toward the inlet 16.
The accordion portion of the bellows 14 has a dia-meter less than the transverse cross-section of the adjacent portion of the reservoir 12, while the inward or rear por-tion of the bellows 14 comprises a handle guide structure defined by longitudinally spaced apart wall portions Z6 and 28 which are configured to form upwardly and downwardly directed abutments 30, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The bellows 14 also includes a hollow bellows hand-le 24 spaced rearwardly of the wall 26 by hollow longitudin-ally directed handle supports 32 integral with the wall 26.
The hollow portions of the handle 24 and supports 32 provide overflow chambers in fluid communication with the interior 38 defined by the reservoir 12 and bellows 14.
The spacing of the handle 2~ from the wall 26 de-fines a finger opening 34 for the operator's fingerst as shown in phantom outline in FIG. 1. Inward movement of the bellows handle 24 is operative to compress the accordion portion of the bellows 14 and thereby decrease the volume of the interior 38, the air being vented from the interior 38 through a vent or exhaust valve 36 which is a part of the collection means 10. Conversely, upon outward movement of ~5 the handle 24, the volume of the interior 38 is increased, closing the exhaust valve 36, and reducing the pressure in the interior 38 for siphoning of material through -the cath-eter 22 and into the interior 38. As evident in FIG. 1, the exhaust valve 36 is located for communication with the up-per, rearward portion of the interior 38 so that such mater-ial cannot escape out of the interior 38 until it is filled to near capacity.
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It is possible for the bellows handle 24 to be re~
ciprocated in a two-handed operation, with one hand holding the reservoir 12 and the other gripping the handle, but pref-erably the aspirator includes a frame 40 to enable onehanded operation of the aspirator. The frame is preferably made of any plastic material suitable for injection molding and dur able enough ~or more than one use.
As best seen in FIG. 2, the frame is characterize~
by opposite halves which are adhered together to define a transversely oriented frame handle 42 ad~acent the bellows handle 24 and adapted to support the hand of the user so that the operator can reciprocate the handle 24 by alter-nately squeezing and releasing the handle 24. The frame 40 includes longitudinally directed upper and lower portions 44 which are configured to define tracks or channels 46 which longitudinally slidably receive the handle abutments 30.
The rearward extremities of the channels 46 terminate in integral stop walls 48 which are engaged, respectively, by the rearward extremities of a pair of bias means or compres-~0 sion springs 50. The springs extend through the channels 46and engage the handle abutments 30 at their forward extremi-ties, and are operative to bias the handle 24 inwardly to compress the bellows 14 on operator release of the handle 24. The springs 50 are captured or held within the channels 46 by posts 51 which are integral with the opposite halves of the frame. The posts 51 protrude between end ones of the coils of the springs 50 when the halves are assembled and adhered together. ~ith this arrangement the springs 50 are held within the channels 46 when, as will be seen, the col~
lections means 10 is demounted from the ~rame 40 after use.
The frame portions 44 are transversely ~nlarged a-t their forward extremities to provide bifurcations or mount-ing yokes 52 which are spaced apart to define a mounting recess 54 characterized by laterally opposed arcuate shaped detents 56.
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The upper and lower rearward extremities of the ~all defining the reservoir 12 form a rearwardly directed mounting plug 58 characterized by laterally inwardly direct-ed arcuate grooves or mounting seats 60 adapted to closely receive the detents 56. By virtue of the material of the reservoir 12 and its modest wall thickness, the plug 58 is adapted to deflect sufficiently to enable the seats 60 to be forcibly pushed onto the detents 56 in a snap-in action.
With this arrangement, the collection means 10 can be dis-posed after one use simply by forcibly pulling upon ~he collection means lO to separate it from the frame 40 upon disengagement of the detents 56 from the seats 60. A fresh or replacement collection means lO is quickly mountable to the frame 40 by reversing this procedure, as will be appar-ent.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, the distal extremity of the elongated catheter 22 includes a reduced diameter portion which includes circumferential ridges adapted to forcibly fit or snap within complemental circum-ferential recesses provided in a cylindrical skirt 62 of a one-way inlet valve 64. The valve 64 is made of elastomeric material such as rubber and preferably is also adhesively secured to the skirt 62 to insure against inadvertent sep-aration of the valve 64 from the skirt 62. As evident from ~5 the drawings, the interior 38 is closed to atmosphere except for the valve 64 and the exhaust valve 36.
The valve 64 is generally cylindrical and includes a generally transversely oriented inner wall 66 divided or cut into a plurality of valve petals 68 disposed inwardly and centrally from the base 70 of the wall 66 to an axially centrally located apex, as seen in FIGS. 5 through 7. Pref-erably three petals 68 are provided. In their closed posi tion the petal side margins abut and their tips meet at the . .
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apex or central portion of the inner wall 66 whereby vomit is constrained against reverse flow or outward mo~ement pas~
the wall 66.
Although not illustrated, in their open position the valve petals 68 are pivoted about their bases 70 to generally axially directed positions which provide a large opening for inward passa4e of vomit. The elastomeric ma-terial of the valve 64 causes the valve petals 6~ to move from their open positions defining a passage means into the catheter 22, to their closed positions in the absence of differential pressure across the valve 64. ~s best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the inlet 16 at one end of the catheter 22 and the valve 64 at the other end of the catheter constitute the only openings to the catheter.
As best seen in FIG. 7, the adjacent margins of the valve petals 68 are characterized by thickened portions 72 for better sealing and leakage prevention, the thicker side margins constraining the valve petals 68 to abut rather than overlap.
The projecting skirt 62 of the valve 64 serves a dual function. Its soft elastomeric character prevents injury or irritation of the sensitive tissue of the throat lining by compressing on initial contact. In addition, the presence of the skirt 62 acts as a buffer to protect the ~5 valve petals 68 from being squeezed and deformed through contact with the throat, and adversely affecting their op-eration. It is virtually impossible to deform the valve petals 68 by pushing the skirt 62 against a surface such as the throat ~ecause the petals 68 are peripherally supported against this by the relatively rigid reduced diameter por-tions of the distal extremity of the catheter 22.
A modified form of one-way valve 92 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Certain component parts o~ valve 92 have virtually identical counterparts in valve 64 and these components are identi~ied with similar numerals, with the subscript "a" employed for the valve 92 component parts.
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Valve 92 includes an inner wall 66a which, instead of being divided in~o the three valve petals 68 of the valve 64, is formed into a "duck-bill" configuration. From the circular base 70a, the wall 66a extends radially and axially inwardly to define a cone having an apex g4. The apex 94 is the center of a cut or slit 96 which divides the wall 66a into two valve petals, flaps or portions 68a.
The resilient, soft material o~ valve g2 allows the portions 68a to separate at their tips or margin at a typi-cal partial vacuum or internal negative pressure of 12 inch-es o~ mercury, for example, and pass particles of up to 3/8 inches across. Conversely, the resilience of the valve material causes the portions 68a to come together, closing the slit 96, when internal negative pressures drop to 0 to 6 inches of mercury. The closure is complete at no back pressure so that there is no leakage during release of the handles 24 and 42. The two flap "duck-bill" configuration of valve 92 is simpler to fabricate than the configuration of valve 64, but it is believed that the valve 64 is char-acterized by a larger opening for particle flow for the same size interior wall 66/66a. Particle flow is also facilitat-ed by the fact that the internal diameter of both valve 64 and valve 92 is not greater than the internal diameter of catheter 22, as is evident in FIGS. 6 and 13.
As best seen in FIGS. 8-11, the exhaust valve 36 is made of elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, and is received within a passageway or exhaust opening 72 formed in a transverse wall of a boss 74 integral with the portion of the bellows 14 defining the guide abutments 30. The wall 30 includes an outer face 78, and is characterized by an inward-ly directed, reduced diameter portion having an inner face 76 and an opening which constitutes the exhaust opening 72.
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The exhaust valve includes an elongated body por-~ion 80 which is cut away or formed of reduced cross-section to provide longitudinal vent passages through to the exhaust opening 72.
Adjacent opposite extremities of the narrow body portion 80, the exhaust valve 36 includes an ou-ter sealing means or disk 82 and an intermediate stop 84 in ~he form of a plurality of radially outwardly directed quadrants engag-able with the inner face 76 to limit outward movement of the valve 36 in the operative position illustrated in ~IG. 8.
In this position internal pressures acting upon the valve 36 move it outwardly and permit air to move past the narrow body portion 80 and around the unseated disk 82 to atmos-phere. Conversely, reduced pressures seat the disk 82 against the outer face 78 and prevent ingress of air.
The exhaust valve 36 has another position, as seen in FIG. 9, in which it can be placed to completely plug or seal the collection means 10 to insure against leakage of the contents when the collection means 10 is to be forcibly ~0 separated from the frame 40 and discarded. For this pur-pose, the exhaust valve inner extremity includes a conically shaped inner stop 86 adapted to seat against the inner face 76. In addition, the valve 36 includes a cylindrical inner seal 88 located between the stops 84 and 86 and adapted for S receipt within the exhaust opening 72 to seal it off against any fluid leakage.
The diameter of the seal 88 is greater than the inner diameter o~ the exhaust opening 72 so that when the protruding outer extremity of the valve is manually grasped and pulled, the seal 88 is stretched and reduced in cross section. In addition, the intermediate stop 84 is deformed inwardly so that it can be forcibly pulled through the ex-haust opening 72 to the position of FIG. 9, where it is .-.,:
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against the outer f~ce 78. When the protruding outer extrem-ity is released, the inner seal 88 expands and completely fills the opening 72 to seal the interior of the collection means lOo Further outward movement of the valve 36 is pre-vented by engagement of the inner stop 86 with the innerface 76.
In operation, the distal extremity of the catheter 22 is guided into the throat of the accident victim, for example, and the other hand of the operator is used to re-ciprocate the handle 24 to repeatedly expand and collapsethe bellows 14. On bellows expansion, the reduced pressure in the interior 38 draws vomit through the inlet valve 64, into the interior of the catheter 22, through the inlet 16, and initially into a depression 90 integrally formed in the reservoir 12, as seen in FIG. 3. As is apparent from the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 3, the exhaust valve 36 is located adjacent the upper rearward portion of the interior 38 whereby vomit cannot escape through the valve 36 until the interior 38 is filled with vomit to near capacity.
Further, the exhaust valve 36 is located above the catheter 22, out of the path of flow of vomit coming into the inter-ior 38, to prevent clogging of the exhaust valve 36.
On release of the handle 24, any quantity or column of vomit in the ca~heter 22 will be under negligible pres-sure from the interior 38 inasmuch as air is being vented from the interior 38 through the exhaust valve 36. The rel-atively generous internal dimensions of the catheter 22 typ-ically will not prevent back flow or drainage of the vomit by capillary action. ~Iowever, the resilience of the inlet valve 64 is such that the valve petals 68 automatically move to their closed position despite the lack of any differen-tial pressure, and thereby prevent backflow of material into the throat.
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Desirably, the inlet valve 6~ is located in the distal extremity of the catheter 22. However, under certain circumstances it may be possible to locate the valve 64 at the opposite or proximal extremity, or even interiorly ad-jacent the inlet 16~ This will depend upon the catheterdiameter, length of the column and the like. Thus, if the ~op of the column is sealed, the material in the column will be retained unless the column is too long or the column diameter is too great.
Although not illustrated, the inlet valve 64 can be located in the distal extremity of the catheter 22, and an elongated and open, but smaller catheter extension (not shown), can be attached to the catheter 22. Such an exten-sion enables the present aspirator to be used for small children and infants. The column length and diameter of the small extension would be effective to prevent reverse flow of vomit in ~he catheter extension, even with the valve 64 would be located at the proximal rather than the distal extremity of the extension.
The present aspirator is easily portable, manually operable with one hand, and characterized by a collectionportion made of such inexpensive materials that it can be discarded after a single use. Most importantly, however, the aspirator is characterized by an inlet valve adapted to ~5 prevent undesirable reverse flow of material drawn into the catheter, while yet providing a catheter of generous intern-al dimensions adequate to easily pass vomit and like matter.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without depart-ing from the spirit of the invention.
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