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Publication Number
US-11801337-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present patent specification provides a medical device including an outer tube, an operation portion and a control portion. The operation portion is at least partially located in the outer tube. The control portion has a channel communicating with the outer tube along a first direction; a second end of the control portion is coupled with a first end of the outer tube so that the channel and the outer tube communicate with each other along the first direction. The control portion includes a control module including a suction control unit, a suction, a suction valve actuator and a switching unit. The suction control unit has a stopping unit and is configured to move along a second direction which is different from the first direction. The suction valve actuator is located at a side opposite the suction control unit with the channel therebetween and the suction valve actuator is configured to be activated by the suction control unit. The switching unit is configured to switch the work status of the operation portion.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a medical device including an outer tube and an operation portion at least partially located inside the outer tube. A control portion includes a channel communicating with the outer tube along a first direction, and a control module includes at least one suction control portion having a stopping unit facing the channel.
The suction control portion is configured to move along a second direction different from the first direction, and a suction port actuator is located opposite to the suction control portion with the channel therebetween and is driven by the suction control portion. A switching unit is configured to be driven by releasing the suction control portion to switch a working status of the operation portion.
The control module implements a multi-position control scheme using a first position, a second position, and a third position for the suction control portion. When the suction control portion is located at the first position, the control module stops the suction port actuator creating suction in the channel and the switching unit stops a movement of the operation portion; when located at the second position, the control module enables the suction port actuator to create suction in the channel; and when located at the third position, the control module enables the suction port actuator to create suction in the channel and enables the switching unit to activate the operation portion.
The stopping unit at least partially extends into the channel and is associated with preventing unintended movement to the activation position when an external instrument is inserted. The disclosed configuration also includes an optional flush control portion and flush port actuator, and an optional introducer together with an image capture unit and a display device for real-time visualization during suction-related tasks.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified defines a medical device with inventive multi-position suction control and operation switching using a suction control portion moving in a second direction, with suction and activation controlled at first, second, and third positions. The independent claim further requires a stopping unit at least partially extending into the channel.
Multi-position suction-to-operation switching using a moving suction control portion
A control module uses at least one suction control portion with a suction port actuator and a switching unit such that, at a first position, the control module stops the suction port actuator from creating suction and the switching unit stops movement of the operation portion; at a second position, the control module enables the suction port actuator to create suction; and at a third position, the control module enables suction and enables the switching unit to activate the operation portion.
Stopping unit extending into the channel to prevent unintended activation
The suction control portion includes a stopping unit facing the channel, and the stopping unit at least partially extends into the channel to block activation and prevent unintended movement to the activation position when an external instrument is inserted.
Channel and suction port actuator arrangement controlled along different directions
The control portion includes a channel communicating with the outer tube along a first direction, and the suction control portion is configured to move along a second direction different from the first direction; the suction port actuator is located opposite the suction control portion with the channel therebetween and is driven by the suction control portion.
Optional flushing subsystem for channel flushing via a flush control portion and flush port actuator
The control module includes a flush control portion that moves along the second direction and a flush port actuator opposite the flush control portion with a channel therebetween, where the flush control portion flushes the channel via the flush port actuator.
Across the independent claim and the cited refinements, the core claim coverage centers on positioning-based control of suction and operation switching, using a suction control portion with a stopping unit that extends into the channel. Additional dependent features identified in the provided material further narrow channel/instrument diameter relationships and add optional subsystems such as flushing and visualization.
Stated Advantages
Prevents unintended movement to the activation position when an external instrument is inserted.
Provides control logic in which suction can be stopped, enabled, or enabled together with activation of the operation portion based on the suction control portion being located at a first, second, or third position.
Ensures the stopping unit blocks activation by using a diameter relationship between the channel and the external instrument.
Documented Applications
Real-time visualization during suction and debridement-related tasks using an introducer together with an image capture unit and a display device.
Suction-related operation control and switching of a working status of the operation portion, including activation and stopping of operation movement under suction control positions.
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