Suction de-clogger system and method
Inventors
KALHORN, Stephen P. • Semler, Mark E.
Assignees
Medical University of South Carolina MUSC • MUSC Foundation for Research and Development
Publication Number
US-11813131-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-14
Expiration Date
2036-08-17
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Abstract
A declogging assembly (20) is configured for use with a suction conduit (10). The suction conduit has a head (14) at a first end (15) and a vacuum tube connection (16) at a second end (17). The assembly includes a body (30). The body defines a first aperture (32), a second aperture (34), and a third aperture (36). The assembly also includes a plug (40) disposed within the body (30). The plug has a surface (42) configured to contact the head (14) of the suction conduit (10) so as to move the plug from a first position, in which the first aperture (32) is in fluid communication with the second aperture (34), to a second position, in which the first aperture (32) is in fluid communication with the third aperture (36). The assembly (20) also includes a biasing member (50) configured to bias the plug into the first position.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a declogging assembly for use with a suction conduit commonly utilized in medical and dental procedures. It consists of a body that defines various apertures and contains a movable plug. The plug features a surface that interacts with the head of the suction conduit to move the plug between two positions. In one position, the fluid communication between the apertures is aligned for normal suction, and in another, it is realigned to reverse the vacuum force or to allow irrigation, thereby enabling removal or dislodgement of clogging material.
A biasing member, such as a spring, is incorporated to return the plug to its default position after use. The assembly can be configured to reverse vacuum direction or to introduce fluid from a reservoir for irrigation, using the same mechanical principles. The design allows for physical manipulation through the interaction of the conduit head and the plug’s surface, making the process straightforward for the user.
The problem addressed by this invention is the frequent clogging of suction conduits during medical or dental procedures, which limits their effectiveness in removing material such as blood or bone fragments from the operative field. The declogging assembly offers a convenient system and method for restoring functionality to clogged suction conduits by either reversing suction or providing an irrigation fluid pathway to remove blockages.
Claims Coverage
There are two independent claims, each introducing a distinct inventive feature for declogging assemblies configured for use with suction conduits.
Movable plug with channel enabling selective fluid communication
The declogging assembly includes a body with a first aperture and a second aperture, and a plug inside the body defining a channel. The channel is configured in a first state to disable fluid communication between the first and second apertures, and in a second state to enable such communication. The ability for the plug to alter fluid communication through its position constitutes the main inventive feature.
Biasing member for plug with fenestrated needle constituting channel portion
The assembly further incorporates a biasing member configured to return the channel to the first state, keeping fluid communication disabled until needed. Additionally, the plug includes a fenestrated needle, which forms part of the channel. This allows for selective fluid flow, controlled by overcoming the bias to move the plug, while the fenestrated needle enhances the declogging function.
In summary, the independent claims cover a system using a movable plug to control fluid communication through a suction conduit declogging assembly, with optional biasing and fenestrated needle features for improved declogging.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
The declogging assembly is used for unclogging suction conduits during medical and dental procedures, specifically by reversing suction direction or irrigating the conduit to remove clogs such as blood and bone fragments.
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