US20140135741A1 - Noise attenuating high-volume suction tip with automatic integral on demand vacuum release valve mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a high volume suction tip, including a tubular body with peripheral side wall, a functional orifice, and a vacuum source end. An aperture in a wall of the tubular body forms a vacuum release orifice, wherein the aperture is between the functional orifice and the vacuum source end. A plurality of tubes are placed within a lumen of the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and provide at least one channel for transmitting a material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end. A first tube occludes the vacuum release orifice at a first pressure, and, at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, a compressible side wall of a second tube collapses inwardly to disengage the first tube from the vacuum release orifice.

Description

• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/674,785, entitled, “NOISE ATTENUATING HIGH-VOLUME SUCTION TIP WITH AUTOMATIC INTEGRAL ON DEMAND VACUUM RELEASE VALVE MECHANISM,” which was filed Nov. 12, 2012, the disclosure of the above application is referenced herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• High volume suction is often used in medical and dental surgical procedures. Maintenance of a clear operating field necessitates removal of any fluids, solids or materials that would inhibit clear visualization of the surgical field. This vacuum evacuation maintains patient safety by preventing aspiration of fluid or other materials generated or liberated from surgical procedure such as blood, saliva, irrigation fluids, chemicals, as well as aerosolized vaporized debris from tissues from high speed drilling, laser cutting, electrocautery, or other modalities needed for completion of surgical procedures.
• Due to the intensity of the vacuum and high flow characteristics of most suction tip designs, the suction tip has a fixed vacuum release orifice to prevent iatrogenic vacuum tissue impingement and damage, or retrograde back flow of materials, by maintenance of a opening in direct fluid intimate contact with the surgical field and the interior of the suction tip to equalize pressure if the main orifice is occluded. The vacuum release orifice, if present, is open at all times. If the tip lacks this orifice, vacuum of delicate tissues could result in damage to the patient as well as possibly contributing to cross contamination by back flow. Thus the vacuum release orifice is a beneficial and useful design aspect of the high volume suction tip.
SUMMARY
• In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a high volume suction tip, including a tubular body with peripheral side wall, a functional orifice, and a vacuum source end. An aperture in a wall of the tubular body forms a vacuum release orifice, wherein the aperture is between the functional orifice and the vacuum source end. A plurality of tubes are placed within a lumen of the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and provide at least one channel for transmitting a material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end. A first tube occludes the vacuum release orifice at a first pressure. At a second pressure lower than the first pressure, a compressible side wall of a second tube collapses inwardly to disengage the first tube from the vacuum release orifice.
• In another embodiment, this disclosure is directed to a system including a vacuum source; a suction conduit attached to the vacuum source, and a suction tip on the suction conduit. The suction tip includes a tubular body with peripheral side wall, a vacuum source end attached to the suction conduit, and a functional orifice distal the vacuum source end. A vacuum release orifice including an aperture in a wall of the tubular body is between the functional orifice and the vacuum source end. A plurality of tubes reside within a lumen of the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and provide at least one channel for transmitting a material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end. A first tube occludes the vacuum release orifice at a first pressure, and wherein at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, a compressible side wall of a second tube collapses inwardly to disengage the first tube from the vacuum release orifice.
• In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a kit including a suction conduit; a suction tip including a tubular body with peripheral side wall, a vacuum source end suitable for attachment to the suction conduit, and a functional orifice distal the vacuum source end, and a vacuum release orifice including an aperture in a wall of the tubular body between the functional orifice and the vacuum source end. The kit further includes at least one compressible tube suitable for insertion into a lumen of the tubular body, wherein, when inserted into the lumen, a surface of the at least one tube occludes the vacuum release orifice.
• The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a conventional suction tip apparatus with a singular open lumen and a vacuum release orifice.
• FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a downstream vacuum trap used with the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 2A is a plan view of a conventional suction tip apparatus with thick walled extrusion and no vacuum release orifice.
• FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the suction tip apparatus shown inFIG. 2A.
• FIG. 3A is a plan view of an embodiment of a noise-attenuating high volume suction tip apparatus with integral automatic vacuum release valve mechanism.
• FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 3A when the suction tip is occluded.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a tubular insert suitable for use of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a tubular insert suitable for use of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 3A, including the tubular insert ofFIG. 5A.
• FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 5A when the suction tip is occluded.
• FIG. 6A is an overhead plan view of an embodiment of a suction tip apparatus having recessed tubular inserts that create an integral trap for materials dislodged in a suctioning process.
• FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view through the suction tip apparatus ofFIG. 6A.
• FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a suction tip apparatus with staggered recessed tubular inserts, said inserts having a surface treatment.
• Like symbols in the drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• During vacuum operations, particularly in medical and dental surgical procedures, flow of gases, liquids and materials through the lumen of a suction tip produces a high level of noise. Since the functional orifice of the suction tip is open at all times, the high velocity gas passage produces a characteristic high frequency whistle or noise of high db level that can be disagreeable to the patient and operators. This high frequency whistling sound also has negative long term effects to the sense of hearing of those using such devices due to chronic exposure to high decibel level noise that is sustained and repetitive and continues while the vacuum is being used. This type of hearing loss and frequency damage has been observed and documented following chronic exposure to the high speed dental air turbine.
• High volume suction tip flow characteristics also are less laminar, thus noisy, due to the vacuum release orifice producing turbulence within the lumen of the suction tip itself. Also, due to a completely open lumen of most high volume suction tips, not only is flow is intrinsically more turbulent, but inadvertent evacuation of items needed in the surgical field can occur, such as sponges, cotton items, precious metal or ceramic restorations used in dentistry, surgical implements and other small objects that would otherwise not be desired to be lost or retrieved from a biohazard waste trap downstream from the surgical field.
• The present disclosure is directed to a noise attenuating high volume suction tip with an integral automatic on demand vacuum release valve mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, this device is intended to be connected to a vacuum system producing high volume negative pressure flow to remove desired materials from the oral environment or surgical field without excessive noise or potential for iatrogenic tissue impingement and damage, fluid back flow and inadvertent evacuation of debris that could block vacuum flow downstream from the surgical field. However, the suction tip can be used in any application utilizing vacuum suction, and is not limited to medical or dental surgical procedures.
• A plurality of internal parallel tubes within a lumen of a larger-diameter main body of the suction tube produces more laminar flow within the tube, which attenuates noise. At least one of these multiple internal parallel tubes within the main body are thin walled, resilient and compressible, which creates frictional or fixed intimate contact between the internal surfaces of the main body and the exterior surfaces of the tubes.
• The elastic and resilient internal tubes create a physical barrier to prevent evacuation of items larger than the diameter of the internal tubes such that inadvertent removal of items from surgical field that could clog the vacuum system in a non retrievable way is eliminated by not allowing any large materials to be suctioned and lost. The items would be caught within the orifice of the suction tube.
• The internal tubes also press against the internal surface of the main body of the suction tip and a sidewall of a first tube seals and occludes the vacuum release orifice under normal vacuum function, which eliminates turbulence and whistle. If the functional end of the suction tip becomes occluded, a side wall of a second tube collapses inwardly under the higher external pressure differential with respect to the vacuum source and maintains airflow through the main tube body of the high volume suction tip. This inward movement of the second tube causes the sidewall of the first tube to move away from and uncover the vacuum release orifice. This system ensures the vacuum release orifice is functionally automatically open on demand only when needed, and otherwise remains closed to minimize noise produced by turbulent flow around the vacuum release orifice. Thus, the internal tubes provide a two-fold functionality of noise reduction by laminar flow as well as elimination of turbulence of the vacuum release orifice.
• Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a highvolume suction tip30 includes a tubular body1. The tubular body1 has two ends: avacuum source end2, which is attached to avacuum source3, and afunctional orifice4A used in suctioning operations such as, for example, to evacuate materials from a surgical field. The tubular body1 has aperipheral side wall5 that encloses the vacuum passage(s)11 within the lumen of the tubular body1. Thevacuum passage11 is the primary path for all gases, fluid and materials evacuated through the tubular body1 between thefunctional orifice4A and thevacuum source end2 and into thevacuum source3, past vacuum on-offvalve6, ultimately into a downstream vacuum trap7 and a vacuum apparatus8 (FIG. 1B).
• Theperipheral side wall5 also includes an aperture that forms avacuum release orifice9. Thevacuum release orifice9 provides secondary vacuum pathway if thefunctional orifice4A is occluded. Thevacuum release orifice9 is spaced from thefunctional orifice4A by adistance10 which is usually less than one half the distance between thevacuum source end2 and thefunctional tip4 towards either thefunctional orifice4A, or thevacuum source end2. Thevacuum release orifice9 extends through and is formed by thesidewall5 in direct fluid intimate contact with thevacuum passage11, providing a secondary orifice for vacuum flow to the primaryfunctional orifice4. In the conventional device shown inFIG. 1A, thevacuum release orifice9 is designed to remain open at all times.
• FIG. 2A refers to another embodiment of a highvolume evacuator tip100, which includes all the components ofFIG. 1A, except thevacuum release orifice9. Absence of a vacuum release orifice can permit back flow of contaminated material through101 between thefunctional tip104 and the vacuum source end102 if theend102 is occluded, thus allowing for vacuum pressure build up and spontaneous release of a pressure differential. A second negative characteristic of the device shown inFIG. 2A is the combined surface area of the peripheral wall creating vacuum passage(s)111, which results in reduction of volumetric flow. The decreased volumetric flow results from functionally decreasing the volume of thefunctional orifice104A and volume of thevacuum passage111, as well as by the creation of sharp internal line angles112 created by theperipheral side wall105 as noted inFIG. 2B. The sharpinternal line angle112 of thevacuum passage111 results in non-laminar flow through thevacuum passage111.
• FIG. 3A shows asuction tip200 that includes atubular body201 with a vacuum source end202 attached to a vacuum source (not shown inFIG. 3A, seeFIG. 1A), and afunctional orifice204A used to evacuate materials from surgical field. Thetubular body201 has aperipheral side wall205 with aninterior surface205A. Theperipheral side wall205 also includes avacuum release orifice209, which provides a secondary vacuum pathway if thefunctional orifice204A is occluded. Thevacuum release orifice209 is spaced from thefunctional orifice204A by adistance210 which is usually less than one half the distance between the vacuum source end202 and thefunctional tip204 towards either thefunctional orifice204A, or thevacuum source end202. Thevacuum release orifice209 extends through and is formed within thesidewall205. When open, thevacuum release orifice209 provides a secondary opening for vacuum flow to the primaryfunctional orifice204A.
• Referring toFIG. 3B, thevacuum release orifice209 is designed to remain closed unless needed. The present disclosure is directed to an on-demand valving mechanism216 for thevacuum release orifice209. This on-demand valving mechanism216 is created by the insertion of at least one compressible tubular structure within the lumen of the maintubular body201.
• In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3A-3B and4, enclosed within the vacuum passage of thesuction tip201 are a number oftubes212, of which at least one has a side wall that is thin, compressible and resilient. Anexterior surface213 of a first one of the tubes is placed in contact with theinterior surface205A and seals thevacuum release orifice209. Thetubes212 are in direct intimate contact with theinterior surface205A of theperipheral side wall205 of the maintubular body201, and have a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetubular body201. Insertion of the thin walledresilient tubes212 into thetubular body201 results in a minor compression of at least one of the thinwalled tubes212, which provides a frictional fit within the lumen of thetubular body201 and causes thefirst tube212 to close off and seal thevacuum release orifice209.
• Thetubes212 can be frictionally and/or fixably retained within the maintubular body201 and thus removable or replaceable, fixed at thevacuum source end202, or fixed and/or frictionally fit at thefunctional tip204. Thetubes212 may be fixed to thetubular body201 in any suitable way, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical lock, press fit or other retentive modalities as desired for manufacture. In some embodiments, thetubes212 can be removable and disposable, or may be autoclaveable or otherwise re-useable.
• In some embodiments, thetubes212 could be packaged in a kit form and/or adapted to fit in otherwise conventional vacuum tips. In other embodiments, any of thetubes212 and thetubular body201 could be packaged in sterile kit form with a suitable vacuum conduit (see, e.g.,conduit3 inFIG. 1A), as well as optional operating instructions.
• Suitable materials for thetubular body201 and thetubes212 include, for example, plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polypropylene, acrylic, polyvinylchloride (PVC), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and the like, composites and carbon fibers, as well as metals such as stainless steel or titanium. The polymers and composites may be modified with suitable additives to provide the desired levels of flexibility and conformability.
• Thetubes212 may have a variety of diameters, thicknesses, geometries and overall number as necessary to tune and optimize the flow characteristics through thetubular body201 for a particular application. The ends of thetubes212 may be placed a predetermined distance d from the functional orifice204 (see, for example,FIG. 6B), yet still cover and seal thevacuum release orifice209, such that thefunctional orifice204 creates a space/trap region (see, for example,trap404 inFIG. 6A) that can catch items dislodged during suctioning procedures. The plurality oftubes212 can be staggered or placed at differing distances from thefunctional orifice204 as to impart a multiplicity of trap sizes or flow characteristic as desired (see, for example,FIG. 6C).
• At least one of thetubes212 has a side wall that is thin, flexible, and resilient. Anexterior surface213 of afirst tube212 occludes and seals thevacuum release orifice209 as thefunctional tip204 is used at a normal operating pressure in suctioning procedures. This sealing of thevacuum release orifice209 eliminates the turbulence and noise associated with the materials passing through thefunctional orifice204A and past thevacuum release orifice209. As shown inFIG. 3B, thetubes212 formprimary flow channels215, as well as at least one peripheralaccessory channel214, between the peripheralexterior side wall213 of thetubes212 and theinterior surface205A of thetubular body201. The size number and location of theaccessory channels214 can vary widely and are created by the geometry and number oftubes212 present within thetubular body201. T he placement of thetubes212 adjacent and in fluid intimate contact with the internal lumen of the maintubular body201 at a distance from thefunctional orifice204 to match with the position of thevacuum release orifice209 creates, in addition to the on-demand valving mechanism216, a integral debris trap for large items evacuated from the surgical field that would not be desired to be lost to the overall downstream vacuum system and contaminated vacuum trap.
• If any occlusion of thefunctional orifice204A occurs, the pressure within thebody201 of thesuction tip200 decreases to an occlusion pressure, which is lower than the normal operating pressure. This lower pressure condition causes a second one of thetubes212 to collapse and move inwardly away from theinternal wall205A of thetubular body201. This inward movement causes the first tube sealing the vacuum release orifice209 (which in some embodiments may be the same as the second tube) to uncover and unseal the vacuum release orifice209 (FIG. 3C). When thevacuum release orifice209 is unsealed, theperipheral channels214 allow vacuum release and subsequent continuity of flow through thetubular body201, ensuring iatrogenic tissue damage is minimized.
• In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, at least one of thetubes212 is compressed upon insertion into thetubular body201, thus creating at least one oval shaped smooth bore tube. When thetip200 is placed under an occlusion pressure, twoaccessory channels passages214 and twomain vacuum passages215 are formed within thepassage211 of thetubular body201.
• Referring toFIGS. 5A-5C, in an alternative embodiment of thesuction tip300, threetubes312 withperipheral side walls313 can be placed in thetubular body301. At least one of thetubes312 includes a flexible, resilient andcollapsible side wall313. Thetubes312 are oriented within thetubular body301 such that one sealing tube occludes and seal thevacuum release orifice309 and thus acts as a resilient valving mechanism. As shown inFIG. 5B, thetubes312 form an plurality ofaccessory channels314 within thetubular body301. As shown inFIG. 5C, when thetubular body301 is placed under an occlusion pressure, the side wall of asecond tube312 collapses inwardly and away from the interior wall305A of thetubular body301 and forms an accessory passage. This inward movement of the side wall of thesecond tube312 causes a side wall of the first tube sealing the vacuum release orifice to move inwardly and disengage from the side wall305A and unseal thevacuum release orifice309. The combination of number ofcompressible tubes312 and the properties of the engineered plastic materials selected for thetubes312 can be selected to provide the degree of resiliency desired to control the on-demand automatic valving that controls the sealing and unsealing operation of thevacuum release orifice309, as well as providing a means to optimize and control flow characteristics.
• Referring toFIGS. 6A-6C, in another embodiment of thesuction tip400, twocompressible tubes412A,412B can be placed in thetubular body401. Thetubes412A,412B are oriented within thetubular body401 to occlude thevacuum release orifice409 and thus act as a resilient valving mechanism. As shown inFIG. 6B, thetubes412A,412B are recessed a distance d with respect to thefunctional tip404, which creates areservoir460 within thetip404 to collect debris dislodged during suctioning procedures. As shown inFIG. 6C, the position of the ends of thetubes412A and412B with respect to thefunctional tip404 can be staggered and oriented at differing distances d₁, d₂, respectively, with respect to thefunctional tip404 to further tailor the shape of thereservoir460, or to adjust the flow or reduce turbulence to control the noise attenuating characteristics of thetubular body401. When thetubular body401 is placed under an occlusion pressure, at least one of thetubes412A,412B collapses inwardly and away from theinterior wall405A of thetubular body401 and forms an accessory passage that uncovers and opens thevacuum release orifice409.
• In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6C, theexterior surface413 and theinterior surface419 of thetubes412A and412B also includestructures420 to adjust and/or tailor the flow or reduce turbulence to control the noise attenuating characteristics of thetubular body401. Any interior surface in contract with the flow of materials through thetubular body401, such as, for example, theinterior surface405A, could also include structures to modify the flow characteristics through thetubular body401. Thestructures420 could include any type of nano-scale or micro-scale surface treatments or patterns of surface structures to optimize flow characteristics to create laminar flow and minimize turbulence in an attempt to maximally attenuate noise.
• Various embodiments of the invention have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A method for evacuating a material from a surgical field, comprising:

attaching a suction tip to a vacuum source, wherein the suction tip comprises:

a tubular body with a second end attached to the vacuum source and a first end comprising a functional orifice;

an aperture in a wall of the tubular body, wherein the aperture is proximal the functional orifice; and

a plurality of tubes within the tubular body, wherein at least one of the tubes is compressible, and wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and provide channels within and around the tubes for transmitting the material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end of the tubular body, and wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a side wall of the tubes comprises a pattern of at least one of air-flow modifying micro-scale and nano-scale structures; and

placing the functional orifice of the suction tip within the surgical field and removing the material.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the tubes are frictionally retained within the tubular body.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the tubes are bonded to the tubular body.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises therein at least three tubes.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein all the tubes are compressible.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the tubes are disposable.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the functional tip comprises a plastic selected from high-density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, polyvinylchloride, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a side wall of the tube seals the aperture if the functional orifice is open, and collapses inwardly to open the aperture if the functional orifice is at least partially occluded by the material.

10. A method for removing a material from a surgical field, comprising:

attaching a suction tip to a vacuum source, wherein the suction tip comprises:

a tubular body with a side wall, a functional orifice, and a vacuum source end opposite the functional orifice;

an aperture in a wall of the tubular body, wherein the aperture is proximal the functional orifice; and

a plurality of compressible tubes within the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and provide channels within and around the tubes for transmitting a suctioned material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end of the tubular body, wherein tubes comprise compressible side walls, and wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the side walls of the tubes comprise a pattern of at least one of micro-scale and nano-scale surface treatments to minimize turbulence in the air flow through the tubular body and attenuate noise;

sealing the aperture with a side wall of a tube if the functional orifice is open; and

collapsing the side wall of the tube inwardly to open the aperture if the functional orifice is at least partially occluded.

11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the tubes are frictionally retained within the tubular body.

12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the tubes are bonded to the tubular body.

13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the tubular body comprises therein at least three tubes.

14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein all the tubes are compressible.

15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice.

16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the tubes are disposable.

17. A method for making a suction tip, comprising:

inserting into and frictionally retaining a plurality of tubes in a tubular body, wherein the tubular body comprises a side wall, a functional orifice and a vacuum source end opposite the functional orifice, and an aperture in a wall of the tubular body proximal the functional orifice; and

wherein the tubes comprise a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, wherein at least one of the tubes is compressible, wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a side wall of the tubes comprises a pattern of at least one of micro-scale and nano-scale surface treatments, and wherein the side wall of at least one of the tubes seals the aperture.

18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising bonding at least one of the tubes to the tubular body.

19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice.

20. The method ofclaim 17, comprising inserting at least three tubes into the tubular body.

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