Surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas
Inventors
Minskoff, Noah Mark • Jackson, James • Leeflang, Elisabeth Jacques • Philippsen, Aaron Olafur Laurence
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12745935-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating a variable liquid vacuum with an accompanying stable gas flow rate. In particular, when a suction device suctions a liquid and gas mixture it is advantageous to provide a variable vacuum or vacuum to apply to the liquid component while the flow rate of the gas stays constant or essentially constant.
Core Innovation
The suction device includes a housing with intake, output, and pressurized gas ports, an internal chamber, and a movable flow controller. A conduit within the housing features first and second hollow segments with differently sized openings, separated by an adjustable pressure gap across which an angled jet opening extends. The configuration utilizes the Coanda effect to generate suction, establishing chamber pressure below ambient air pressure in a first flow-controller position to modulate intake strength.
The associated method provides suction during surgical procedures by delivering pressurized gas through the conduit to establish suction. An intake-connected surgical suction instrument draws gas, liquid, solid material, or combinations thereof through the chamber toward the output port. The arrangement supports adjustable suction intensity for surgical smoke evacuation, byproduct collection, diaphragm-based backflow protection, exhaust diversion, and operating-room system configurations.
Claims Coverage
The claims include two independent claims, comprising two inventive features directed to a suction device and a surgical suction method.
Suction device with angled jet opening and adjustable pressure gap
Claim 1 recites a housing with intake, output, and pressurized gas ports, a chamber extending between intake and output ports, and a flow controller movable between first and second positions. It further recites a conduit having first and second hollow segments with differently sized openings, an angled jet opening extending between the segments, and a pressure gap extending between the segments in the first position where chamber pressure is less than ambient air pressure.
Method for providing suction during a surgical procedure
Claim 9 recites delivering pressurized gas through a conduit with first and second hollow segments having differently sized openings and an angled jet opening to generate suction. It further recites connecting a surgical suction instrument to an intake port and suctioning gas, liquid, solid, or any combination thereof through the chamber toward an output port.
The claims cover a pressurized-gas-driven suction device featuring an angled jet opening, differently sized hollow conduit segments, and an adjustable pressure gap, alongside a surgical method utilizing the device to suction materials through a chamber.
Stated Advantages
The description reports increased suction resolution and maximum vacuum associated with adjustments to the jet angle.
Noise measurements for the PULSE prototype are lower than those for comparator devices under the stated conditions.
Documented Applications
Providing suction during a surgical procedure using a surgical suction instrument to draw gas, liquid, solid material, or combinations thereof.
Surgical smoke evacuation while adjusting suction applied to tissue.
Collection of surgical byproducts or samples.
Operating-room system configurations.
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