Aspiration pump

Abstract

An aspiration pump is may provide reduced noise output and improved visibility with a design that includes a housing having an internal cavity; a pump motor disposed in the internal cavity; a bolster plate, mounted within the internal cavity to the housing; a first plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor; and a second plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted to the housing outside of the internal cavity.

Description

ASPIRATION PUMPBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.: 63 / 530,406 entitled “ASPIRATION PUMP” and filed on 2023-08- 02, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyBACKGROUND

[0002] When aspirating body fluids and any solids carried therewith (e.g., embolisms in blood), negative pressure is applied to an aspiration catheter via an aspiration pump. The aspiration pump draws the bodily fluid through the aspiration catheter into a collection canister, where any solids carried in the bodily fluid may be captured.SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure is generally related to an improved aspiration pump for use with an improved canister. The pump housing is engineered in a way to reduce noise produced by the pump when generating negative pressure to draw bodily fluids into the canister. Rather than mounting the pump motor directly to the housing or via vibration isolators to the housing, the pump motor is mounted to a rigid bolster plate via vibration isolators, and the bolster plate is in turn mounted to the housing. The noise level is further reduced by using a second set of vibration isolators, which are harder / more rigid than the internally mounted vibrationisolators, as feet for the housing. Additionally, the pump housing is engineered to interact with the canister as a combined system that improves visibility of the contents of the canister. A cowl partially surrounds the canister, and includes a set of backlights. The backlights are tuned in wavelength, intensity, and position to aid in seeing what the canister has collected in a containment region.

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a device, comprising: a housing having an internal cavity; a pump motor disposed in the internal cavity; a bolster plate, mounted within the internal cavity to the housing; a first plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor; and a second plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted to the housing outside of the internal cavity.

[0005] In some embodiments of the device, each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators has a lower durometer than vibration isolators of the second plurality of vibration isolators.

[0006] In some embodiments of the device, each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators have a first height, measured between the first end and the second end, that is different than a second height of each vibration isolator of the second plurality of vibration isolators, measured between an end mounted to the housing and a free end.

[0007] In some embodiments of the device, each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators have a first cross-sectional area, measured in a firstplane perpendicular to a direction between the first end and the second end, that is different than a second cross-sectional area of each vibration isolator of the second plurality of vibration isolators, measured in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

[0008] In some embodiments of the device, the device further comprises: an airflow vent defined through the housing in an area bounded by where the first plurality of vibration isolators are mounted to the bolster plate.

[0009] In some embodiments of the device, the device further comprises: a circulation fan mounted to the bolster plate in the area bounded by the first plurality of vibration isolators.

[0010] In some embodiments of the device, the pump motor is mounted to have an axis of rotation for internal mechanisms of the pump motor parallel to a long axis of the bolster plate.

[0011] In some embodiments of the device, the housing comprises: a bottom housing, to which the bolster plate and the second plurality of vibration isolators are mounted; a top housing; and a metal assembly band to which the bottom housing and the top housing are mounted, and which has a greater perimeter than the bottom housing or the top housing where mounted thereto.

[0012] One embodiment of the present disclosure is an aspiration system, comprising: a vacuum pump housing, including a recess and a cowl positioned on one side of the recess, the cowl including a backlight; a canister, including atranslucent body, a lid connected to a top of the translucent body, and a translucent filter positioned through the lid towards a bottom of the translucent body in an internal cavity of the canister defined by the lid and the translucent body to a predefined height above the bottom of the translucent body; and wherein the canister, when positioned in the recess, aligns the translucent filter with the backlight.

[0013] In some embodiments of the system, a height of the canister and a length of the translucent filter position a collection surface of the translucent filter at a central emission area of the backlight when the canister is positioned in the recess.

[0014] In some embodiments of the system, light generated by the backlight is between 380-750 nanometers in wavelength.

[0015] In some embodiments of the system, the cowl includes a bevel or curve matches to between 30 and 90 degrees of arc of an outer curve of the canister.

[0016] In some embodiments of the system, the recess includes an anti-rotation seat that projects outward from the recess that is shaped according to an indentation included in a based of the canister, wherein the canister when seated in the recess with the anti-rotation seat inserted into the indentation positions the translucent filter at a rotational position furthest from the backlight.

[0017] In some embodiments of the system, the system further comprises: a pump motor disposed in an internal cavity of the vacuum pump housing; a suctionnozzle, extending through the vacuum pump housing in fluid communication with an intake of the pump motor and the canister via pneumatic tubing; a bolster plate, mounted within the internal cavity to the vacuum pump housing; a first plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor; and a second plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted to the vacuum pump housing outside of the internal cavity.

[0018] In some embodiments of the system, the cowl includes a pressure release button on an opposite side to where the backlight is included, the cowl including an outer edge on the opposite side that projects further than the pressure release button projects from the opposite side.

[0019] One embodiment of the present disclosure is an aspiration pump, comprising: a housing; a pump motor, disposed within a cavity of the housing; a vibration reduction means separating the pump motor from the housing within the cavity and the housing from a resting surface outside of the cavity.

[0020] In some embodiments of the aspiration pump, the vibration reduction means includes: a bolster plate connected to the housing within the cavity; a first plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor that separate the pump motor from the housing; and a second plurality of vibration isolators, each mounted to the housing outside of the cavity.

[0021] In some embodiments of the aspiration pump, the first plurality of vibration isolators are less rigid than the second plurality of vibration isolators based on having at least one of: a lower durometer than the second plurality of vibration isolators; a greater height than the second plurality of vibration isolators; and a smaller cross-sectional area than the second plurality of vibration isolators.

[0022] In some embodiments of the aspiration pump, the first plurality of vibration isolators is located medially to the second plurality of vibration isolators.

[0023] In some embodiments of the aspiration pump, the aspiration pump further comprises: a recess defined in the housing, configured to accept a canister that includes a translucent body and a translucent filter; a cowl positioned on one side of the recess, the cowl including a backlight; and wherein the canister, when positioned in the recess, aligns the translucent filter with the backlight.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying figures depict various elements of the one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not considered limiting of the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] In the Figures, some elements may be shown not to scale with other elements so as to more clearly show the details. Additionally, like reference numbers are used, where possible, to indicate like elements throughout the several Figures.

[0026] It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in the other embodiments without further recitation or illustration. For example, as the Figures may show alternative views and time periods, various elements shown in a first Figure may be omitted from the illustration shown in a second Figure without disclaiming the inclusion of those elements in the embodiments illustrated or discussed in relation to the second Figure.

[0027] Figures 1A-1 C provide views of an assembled aspiration pump, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 provides a view of an assembled pump mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 provides an exploded view of a pump mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 provides a view of pressure application mechanisms, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 provides an exploded view of the top housing and assembly band, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 provides a view of a collection canister seated in the assembled aspiration pump, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figures 7A and 7B provide views of an assembled collection canister, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figures 8A and 8B provide exploded views of the collection canister of Figures 7A and 7B, respectively, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figures 9A and 9B provide views of light paths generated by the light source and directed through a seated collection canister, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present disclosure is generally related to an improved aspiration pump for use with an improved canister. The aspiration pump described herein provides for quieter operation, improved visibility of collected material, and improved operational ergonomics, among other benefits.

[0037] The pump housing is engineered in a way to reduce noise produced by the pump when generating negative pressure to draw bodily fluids into the canister. Rather than mounting the pump motor directly to the housing or via vibration isolators to the housing, the pump motor is mounted to a rigid bolster plate via vibration isolators, and the bolster plate is in turn mounted to the housing. The noise level is further reduced by using a second set of vibration isolators, which are harder / more rigid than the internally mounted vibration isolators, as feet for the housing. Additionally, the pump housing is engineered to interact with the canister as a combined system that improves visibility of the contents of the canister. Acowl partially surrounds the canister, and includes a set of backlights. The backlights are tuned in wavelength, intensity, and position to aid in seeing what the canister has collected in a containment region.

[0038] Figures 1A-1C provide views of an assembled aspiration pump 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 A shows a top side of the aspiration pump 100, Figure 1 B shows an underside of the aspiration pump 100, and Figure 1 C shows a profile of the aspiration pump 100. In each of the views, various elements may be shown or obscured by other elements, but are included in the assembled aspiration pump 100.

[0039] A top housing 110 and a bottom housing 130 are connected to one another via an assembly band 120. In various embodiments, the top housing 110 and the bottom housing 130 are made of various plastics, fiber-reinforced resins, or the like, while the assembly band 120 is made of a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum) and encircles the exteriors of the top housing 110 and the bottom housing 130 and provides attachment points (shown in greater detail in Figure 5) that connect internally to the top housing 110 and the bottom housing 130, which holds the assembled aspiration pump 100 together.

[0040] The bottom housing 130 includes a plurality of vibration isolators 140a- d (generally or collectively, vibration isolator 1 0) that act as feet for the aspiration pump 100. Although shown with four vibration isolators 140 in Figures 1A-1 C, in various embodiments more than or fewer than four vibration isolators 140 may be used as feet for the aspiration pump 100. In various embodiments, the vibrationisolators 140 are made of various rubbers, rubberized plastics, cork (real or synthetic), felt, or the like. The external vibration isolators 140 are contrasted with the internal vibration isolators (340), described in greater detail in relation to Figure 3, in that the external vibration isolators 140 have a higher durometer than the internal vibration isolators, a larger cross-sectional area in which to make contact with a surface, a shorter height (in a direction not parallel to a plane in which the cross-sectional area is defined), or combinations thereof.

[0041] Accordingly, it is contemplated that one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to tune the damping properties of different embodiments of the aspiration pump 100 without undue experimentation (e.g., to compensate for different sizes of the aspiration pump 100 and mechanisms therein) by selecting various numbers, durometers, and physical sizes of the external vibration isolators 140 and internal vibration isolators (340), where the properties of these isolators differ from one another so that the external vibration isolators 140 are more rigid against or resistant to lateral movement than the internal vibration isolators (340) are.

[0042] The top housing 110 is provided to allow easy installation / removal and inspection of a canister (such as the collection canister 610 shown in Figure 6) used as an aspiration receptacle (e.g., to collect any materials aspirated from an aspiration target). The top housing includes a recess 150 matched to the dimensions of the canister to seat and secure the canister in position with a cowl 112 included in the top housing 110. In various embodiments, the recess 150 includes an anti-rotation seat 152 that is also matched to the dimensions of thecanister to engage with a corresponding depression in a base of the canister to ensure an alignment of the canister relative to the cowl 112 and to further secure the canister to the aspiration pump 100 when installed.

[0043] The cowl 112 includes a curved or beveled surface that is matched to the outer dimensions of the canister to be used as an aspiration receptacle, and includes a backlight 114 that is aligned by the relative position of the cowl 112 and the recess 150 with an installed canister. In various embodiments, the surfaces of the backlight 114 may be mirrored, and may include holes or transparent portions to allow for more light to be directed outward from the cowl 112 through the canister. For example, the curve or bevel of the cowl 122 may match the outer curve of the canister to occupy between 30 and 90 degrees of arc of the canister.

[0044] A suction nozzle 160 is provided that extends through the top housing 110 to provide an attachment point for tubing between the pump motor or compressor held within the housings of the aspiration pump and an installed canister. The suction nozzle 160 may include a cap to cover the entry of the suction nozzle 160 when not connected via tubing to a canister.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 B and 1 C, a pressure release button 116 is included on the opposite side of the cowl 112 to the light emitter 144. The pressure release button 116, when actuated, equalizes pressure in a canister linked to the suction nozzle 160 with atmosphere, and may cutoff or stop a compressor used to provide suction via the suction nozzle 160. In various embodiments, an outer edge of the cowl 112 extends further than or equal to how far the pressure release buttonextends or projects from the body of the cowl 112 to thereby prevent or reduce the risk of the pressure release button 116 accidentally being actuated (e.g., by pushing the aspiration pump 100 against a wall).

[0046] The bottom housing 130, as shown in Figure 1 B, includes an airflow vent 132 that includes plurality of ventilation holes though the bottom housing 130, which allows air pulled in to the housing by the pump motor to be vented to the external environment.

[0047] Figure 2 provides a view of an assembled pump mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The view shows the top housing 110 and assemlby band 120 removed from the aspiration pump 100 to reveal a pump motor 210 and control board 220 disposed in a cavity 230 defined in the bottom housing 130. Various wires and tubing (e.g., pneumatic tubing) are also illustrated.

[0048] The pump motor 210 operates by pulling air from an input side to an output side; affecting a negative pressure on the input side. In various embodiments, the pump motor 210 may include a vane, piston, impeller, diaphragm, or the like to impart this negative pressure, the operation of which may generate vibration and noise. Various tubing and venting are included with the pump motor 21 O to direct the air from a source (e.g., the inner cavity of a collection canister 610, as discussed in greater detail in relation to Figures 7A-7B) to the external environment.

[0049] The control board 220 includes various computing functionality for the aspiration pump 100, which includes managing the operation of the pump motor210, any lights included in the aspiration pump 100, and other systems of the aspiration pump 100. In various embodiments, the control board includes or is in communication with various sensors in the aspiration pump 100. For example, the control board 220 may be in communication with a pressure gauge or airflow sensor to operate the pump motor 210 until a target pressure is reached. In another example, the control board 220 may in communication with a button or switch that an operator can selectively engage to activate to deactivate the aspiration pump 100 by signaling the control board 220 to engage or disengage the pump motor 210.

[0050] In various embodiments, the control board 220 includes a processor and memory device that includes instructions (e.g., software or firmware) that, when executed by the processor, enable the aspiration pump 100 to perform the various actions described herein. The control board 220 may also include or be in communication with various sound producing devices (e.g., speakers) to produce sounds as an additional notification to an operator of the actions being performed (e.g., a startup sequence sound, a shutdown sequence sound, an error sound, etc.).

[0051] Figure 3 provides an exploded view of a pump mechanism, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The exploded view demonstrates how the pump motor 210 and the control board 220 are secured within the cavity 230, and that a bolster plate 310, a power supply 320, a circulation fan 330 (optional), anda plurality of internal vibration isolators 340a-d (generally or collectively, internal vibration isolator 340) are also included in the cavity 230.

[0052] The bolster plate 310 may be made of steel, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, or another rigid material different from the material used to construct the bottom housing 130, and is connected directly to the bottom housing 130. In various embodiments, the bolster plate 310 may include various though-holes in a one or more regularly defined patterns, or with no discernable pattern, to allow for the insertion of screws, bolts, or pegs to position and secure the bolster plate 310 to the bottom housing 130, reduce weight, or provide for additional flexibility.

[0053] In some embodiments, a footprint (e.g., the cross-sectional area) of the bolster plate 310 matches the footprint of the pump motor 210, and the footprints of the bolster plate 310 and the pump motor 210 are aligned with one another. In some embodiments, the footprint of the bolster plate 310 is smaller than the footprint of the pump motor 210 (e.g., being shorter in one or more directions), and the footprints are centered on one another. In some embodiments, the footprint of the bolster plate 310 is larger than the footprint of the pump motor 210 (e.g., being longer in one or more directions), and one or more of the power supply 320 and the control board 220 are mounted to the bolster plate 310. In embodiments in which the power supply 320 or the control board 220 are not mounted to the bolster plate 310, these components may instead be mounted to the pump motor 210 or the bottom housing 130. The long axis of the bolster plate 310 is aligned to be parallel with the axis of rotation 350 or operation for the pump motor 210.

[0054] The power supply 320 is included in the cavity 230 and converts alternating current (AC) power (e.g., from a wall outlet that the aspiration pump 100 is plugged into) into direct current (DC) power for use in operating one or more of the pump motor 210, control board 220, various lights, and other sub-systems, included in the aspiration pump 100. In various embodiments, the power supply 320 converts the DC power back to AC power, converts the AC power to a different voltage, or otherwise conditions the AC power for use by a pump motor 210 that runs on AC power.

[0055] In various embodiments, a circulation fan 330 is included in the aspiration pump 100, and may be mounted to the bolster plate 310 or the pump motor 210. The circulation fan 330, when active, pushes air in the cavity 230 (which may include air pulled into the cavity 230 via the pump motor 210) out of the cavity 230 via the airflow vent 132, and the circulation fan 330 is disposed over or ducted to the airflow vent 132. In various embodiments, the circulation fan 330 is mounted centrally to the internal vibration isolators 340 such that the circulation fan 330 is bounded by the internal vibration isolators 340. Similarly, the internal vibration isolators 340 may be mounted in various embodiments such that external vibration isolators 140 bound the internal vibration isolators 340 or the bolster plate 310.

[0056] The internal vibration isolators 340 are mounted between the bolster plate 310 and the pump motor 210, and provide additional isolation for the housing of the aspiration pump 100 from the motion imparted by the pump motor 210 while active. Although illustrated with four internal vibration isolators 340a-d, the presentdisclosure contemplates that more or fewer vibration isolators 340 may be used in various embodiments.

[0057] In comparison to the external vibration isolators 140, which are mounted to the bottom housing 130 outside of the cavity 230, the internal vibrations isolators 340 are mounted on one side to the bolster plate 310 (which is mounted to the bottom housing 130 inside of the cavity 230) and on an opposing side to the pump motor 210. The external vibration isolators 140 and internal vibration isolators 340 have different vibration damping properties, which may be based on one or more of: being made of different materials, having different cross-sectional areas, having different heights. For example, the internal vibration isolators 340 may have a lower durometer than the external vibration isolators 140 (e.g., internal vibration isolators may have a durometer of 50-70 Shore-A, while external vibration isolators may be have a durometer of 60-80 Shore-A). For example, each of the internal vibration isolators 340 may have a first height, measured between the first end and the second end, which is different than (e.g., greater than) the heights of the external vibration isolators 140, measured between an end mounted to the housing and a free end (which may rest on a supporting surface). For example, each of the internal vibration isolators 340 may have a different cross-sectional area, measured in a plane perpendicular to a direction between the first end and the second end, which is different than (e.g., smaller than) the cross-sectional areas of the external vibration isolators 140, measured between an end mounted to the housing and a free end (which may rest on a supporting surface).

[0058] Figure 4 provides a view of pressure application mechanisms, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Various tubing 410a-c (generally or collectively, tubing 410) are included to route air, and applied pressure differentials imparted thereon by the pump motor 210, in the aspiration pump 100. A first tubing 410a is provided to route air within the pump motor 210, and a second tubing 410b is provided to place the pump motor 210 in fluid communication with the suction nozzle 160 so that negative pressure generated by the pump motor 210 can be applied to aspirate fluids (and contained solids) from an aspiration target. The third tubing 410c is provided between a pressure release assembly 420 (associated with the pressure release button 116 on the reverse of the illustrated pressure release assembly 420) a bleed-off valve, to signal the pump motor 210 to cease operations and to release the applied negative pressure (e.g., equalizing with the external atmospheric pressure). In various embodiments, the third tubing 410c may additionally include or alternatively be an electrical wire, which transmits a signal to the control board 220 when the pressure release button 116 is actuated to control the pump motor 210 to cease operations and release pressure.

[0059] Figure 5 provides an exploded view of the top housing 110 and assembly band 120, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The assembly band 120 provides an anchoring point for various elements of the assembled aspiration pump 100 that is able to flex more readily (and more quietly) than the plastic components of the aspiration pump 100. A light source 510 (such as a circuit board including LEDs and control circuitry) and the pressure releaseassembly 420 are secured to the assembly band 120, and the assembly band includes a plurality of top mounting points 520a-e (generally or collectively, top mounting point 520) for securing the top housing 110, and a plurality of bottom mounting points 530a-e (generally or collectively, bottom mounting point 530) for securing the bottom housing 130.

[0060] The assembly band 120 is provided with a perimeter sized to, but greater than, the associated perimeters of the top housing 110 and bottom housing 130 at the mating surfaces thereof to thereby encircle the top housing 110 and bottom housing 130 when assembled therewith. Various sizes of gaps between the assembly band 120 and the respective top housing 110 and bottom housing 130 allow for air inflow and outflow through those gaps and the internal cavity 230 of the aspiration pump 100, and allows for the various components of the aspiration pump 100 to flex with reduced noise or rubbing between the components.

[0061] The top mounting points 520 and the bottom mounting points 530 are connected within the inner circumference of the assembly band 120. In various embodiments, the mounting points 520 / 530 provide screw or bolt holes to secure the associated housing thereto, but may also include sockets for the insertion of tabs or pegs include on the respective housings to secure the associated housing thereto.

[0062] Although illustrated with five top mounting points 520 and five bottom mounting points 530, the present disclosure contemplates at more or fewermounting points or different numbers of top mounting points 520 and bottom mounting points 530 may be used in various embodiments.

[0063] In various embodiments, the assembly band 120 is provided with a height that prevents the top housing 110 from contacting the bottom housing 130 when assembled, which helps reduce noise during operation by preventing the housings from rubbing against one another due to vibration induced by the pump motor 210.

[0064] Figure 6 provides a view of a collection canister 610 seated in the assembled aspiration pump 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The collection canister 610 is seated in the recess 150 to position a portion of the canister 610 that bodily fluids are aspirated into the canister 610 towards the front of the aspiration pump 100, and an opposing side of the canister 610 towards the cowl 112. In various embodiments, the portion of the canister 610 placed closer to the cowl 112 includes a suction port, which is placed in proximity to the suction nozzle 160, to thereby reduce the amount of tubing needed to place the two in fluid communication with one another.

[0065] The relative curve of the body of the canister 610 is matched to the curve or bevels of the cowl 112 so that light generated by the backlight 114 is passed through the canister 610 with reduced illumination of the surroundings, thereby improving contrast and visibility into the canister 610 and the contents thereof.

[0066] Figures 7 A and 7B provide views of an assembled collection canister 610, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figure 7A, thecollection canister 610 includes a fluid collector 710 that is covered by a lid 720 though which a solids filter 730 is secured by a cap 760, and to which a return filter 770, and various tubing 790a-b are attached to draw fluid into the collection device via an imparted vacuum. The solids filter 730 shown in Figure 7B is secured in the fluid collector 710 (e.g., via matching protrusions and indents) independently of the lid 720.

[0067] The fluid collector 710 includes a wall 712 that is joined on a first side to a base 716 and defines, on a second side (opposite to the first side) an opening 714 that the lid 720 seals when engaged to the fluid collector 710. In various embodiments, the fluid collector 710 is made of a translucent plastic or glass.

[0068] As used herein, the term “translucent” is intended to include the term “transparent” such that both describe materials that light (in at least one band of the visible or near visible wavelengths) is permitted to pass through the material, wither with or without scattering due to internal or external interfaces. Accordingly, when an element is described herein as translucent, a person is able to see through the associated material. In various embodiments, a material that is translucent allows between X and 100 percent of light to pass through the material (with the remainder being absorbed or reflected), where X may be any number between 50 and 99. In various embodiments, the wavelength of light that the material is judged to be translucent to may include light between at least one of the bands of approximately: 310-1100 nanometers (nm), 380-750 nm, 700-600nm, 600-580 nm, 580-550 nm, 550-475 nm, 475-450 nm, 450-400 nm, and combinations thereof.

[0069] The lid 720 is configured to selectively interface with the fluid collector 710 and seal the opening 714 to define a fluid containment region 780 to collect various fluids within. To introduce the fluid into the fluid containment region 780, the lid 720 includes an intake port 722 that defines a first through-hole 724 through the lid 720, that is substantially parallel to the plane in which the opening 714 is defined. To apply suction (via vacuum or other negative pressure) to the fluid containment region 780 and thereby draw the fluid in through the first through-hole 724, the lid 720 includes a suction port 726 that defines a second through-hole 728 through the lid 720, which may also be substantially parallel to the plane in which the opening 714 is defined. In various embodiments, the lid 720 is made of a translucent plastic or glass, which may be the same material as or a different material from the fluid collector 710, but may also be made of an opaque material in other embodiments.

[0070] The intake port 722 in Figure 7A is configured to hold a solids filter 730 in place through the first through-hole 724 and into the fluid containment region 780. A cap 760 is configured to engage with the intake port 722 to hold the solids filter 730 in place (in Figure 7A), and to hold intake tubing 790a in place to connect a fluid source (e.g., a catheter, stent, port, or other patient interface device) to the collection canister 610. In various embodiments, the cap 760 is held in place over the solids filter 730 via a pressure seal, but may also be held in place viaadhesives, twist-lock mechanisms, and combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the intake port 722 includes a one-way valve to allow an external pump or vacuum source (not illustrated) to apply suction to the fluid containment region 780, and to seal and maintain pressure in the fluid containment region 780 when suction is no longer applied.

[0071] The suction port 726 is configured to hold vacuum tubing 790b in place to connect an external pump or vacuum source (not illustrated) to the collection canister 610. In various embodiments, the suction port 726 includes a one-way valve to allow the external pump or vacuum source (not illustrated) to apply suction to the fluid containment region 780 when active and connected via the vacuum tubing 790b, and to seal the second through-hole 728 when suction is no longer applied. Additionally, a return filter 770 may be connected to the second through- hole 728 within the fluid containment region 780 to reduce the amount or likelihood of fluids (and any contaminants therein) being drawn into the vacuum tubing 790b. In various embodiments, the return filter 770 is made of a foam or other porous material configured to allow the movement of air out of the fluid containment region 780, but impede a bodily fluid or aerosolized contaminant (e.g., bacteria, viruses) from entering the vacuum tubing 790b.

[0072] As shown in Figure 7A, the solids filter 730 is configured to be selectively interfaced with the intake port 722 and to be inserted through the first through-hole 724 at a predefined depth into the fluid containment region 780. The solids filter 730 includes a plurality of fluid outlets that are located at a distal end relative towhere the solids filter 730 interfaces with the intake port 722. In various embodiments, the solids filter 730 may be uninstalled or de-interfaced from the intake port 722 (after removing the cap 760) to allow for the retrieval or closer analysis of any solids captured from the fluid flowing into the fluid containment region 780 via the intake tubing 790a and the solids filter 730.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7B, the solids filter 730 is configured to be selectively interfaced with the walls 712 via two or more indents 732 (one shown in Figure 7B) that are configured to accept a corresponding protrusion 718 (one shown in Figure 7B, obstructed by the solids filter 730) from the wall 712 that impeded further downward motion of the solids filter 730 at a predefined depth into the fluid containment region 780. The solids filter 730 includes a plurality of fluid outlets that are located in various tiers at different heights within the fluid containment region 780. In various embodiments, the solids filter 730 may be uninstalled or deinterfaced from the fluid collector 710 (after removing the lid 720) to allow for the retrieval or closer analysis of any solids captured from the fluid flowing into the fluid containment region 780 via the intake tubing 790a and the solids filter 730.

[0074] In various embodiments, the solids filter 730 is made of a translucent plastic or glass, which may be the same material as or a different material from, that used to construct the fluid collector 710. According, a user can visually detect whether the solids filter 730 has collected any solids, while the solids filter 730 is installed in the fluid containment region 780 and while the collection canister 610 is actively receiving fluids. Additionally, by constructing the solids filter 730 out ofa rigid material, rather than a textile or mesh, any solids collected by the solids filter 730 will be held at a consistent height within the solids filter 730, and will not distort the shape of the solids filter 730 during continued use.

[0075] To ensure that the fluid collector 710 and the lid 720 seal tightly, and maintain the seal once formed, a first gasket 740 and second gasket 750 (in Figure 7 A) are positioned between the fluid collector 710 and the lid 720. Each of the first gasket 740 and the second gasket 750 are made of a compressible material, such as a rubber or rubberized plastic, to deform and ensure tight contact between two surfaces when pressure is applied to the first gasket 740 and the second gasket 750. In various embodiments, the pressure may be maintained on the first gasket 740 and the second gasket 750 via various locking or connecting mechanisms included in the fluid collector 710 and lid 720.

[0076] Figures 8A and 8B provide exploded views of the collection canister of Figures 7A and 7B, respectively, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The various elements of the collection canister 610 are assembled relative to a central axis 810 and an opening plane 820 defined by the opening 714 in the fluid collector 710 that the lid 720 seals. Both the fluid collector 710 and the lid 720 are substantially circular in cross-sectional area (at least at the areas used to mate the two components with one another) so that the lid 720 may seal the opening 714 by rotating relative to the fluid collector 710 about the central axis 810 to engage various securing features, such as the twist-lock mechanisms andpaired gaskets / mating surfaces discussed in greater detail in regard to Figures 7A- 9B.

[0077] Although the collection canister 610 may be held in various orientations, for ease of understanding, the present disclosure uses relative positional terms (e.g., upward, above, downward, below, higher, lower, top, bottom) in a direction oriented along the central axis 810 (e.g., the Z direction) using the base 716 of the fluid collector 710 as a reference point, where elements that are closer to the base 716 are considered “below” elements that are further from the base 716 and elements that are further from the base 716 are considered “above” elements that are closer to the base 716. Similarly, unless stated otherwise, rotation of an element of the collection canister 610 relative to another element of the collection canister 610 shall be understood to be rotation substantially about the central axis 810. Additionally, unless stated otherwise, relative terms such as “inner” and “outer” shall be understood in relation to the central axis 810, where elements that are closer to the central axis 810 are considered “inner” elements relative to elements further from the central axis 810 and elements that are further from the central axis 810 are considered “outer” elements relative to elements that are closer to the central axis 810.

[0078] In various embodiments, the substantially circular cross-sectional areas may be tapered relative to the opening plane 820, such that one or more of the fluid collector 710 and lid 720 taper or flare with increased distanced from theopening plane 820 to have cross-sectional areas that differ over the height of the respective component.

[0079] Although the various securing features are generally arranged concentrically or with radial symmetry from the central axis 810, various elements may be offset of otherwise disposed off-axis relative to the central axis 810. For example, the intake port 722 defined in the lid 720 that defines the intake through- hole 724 by which the solids filter is 730 disposed into the fluid containment region 780 may be defined at a first distance from the central axis 810 on an intake axis 830. Similarly, the suction port 726 defined in the lid 720 that defines the suction through-hole 728 by which suction or negative pressure is applied to the fluid containment region 780 may be defined at a second distance from the central axis 810 on a substantially parallel suction axis 840.

[0080] In various embodiments, the first and second distances are equal, such that the intake axis 830 and the suction axis 840 are defined at a shared radius from the central axis 810. In other embodiments, the first and second distances are un-equal, which may improve the stability of the assembled collection canister 610 to account for the greater weight of the cap 760 and solids filter 730 compared to the return filter 770 and different forces applied by fluids entering via the intake port 722 and air being evacuated by the suction port 726.

[0081] In various embodiments, by placing the intake port 722 off-axis relative to the central axis 810, the solids filter 730 is disposed closer to one section of the wall 712 of the fluid collector 710, thereby improving visibility when viewing thesolids filter 730 (and any captured solids therein) from that section of the wall 712 compared to a solids filter 730 aligned concentrically with the central axis 810.

[0082] Figures 9A and 9B provide views of light paths 950 generated by the light source 510 and directed through a seated collection canister 610, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0083] As illustrated, when a solids filter 730 is installed in an operational collection canister 610, fluid 930 enters the solids filter 730 via the intake opening, and exits (into the fluid containment region 780) via the fluid outlets. Depending on the number, presence, and orientation of the fluid outlets in the solids filter 730, and the flow rate of the fluid 930 into the solids filter 730, the fluid 930 may be directed in various directions to improve the ability of a viewer to observe various solids 940 captured in the solids filter 730.

[0084] In various embodiments, when using a solids filter 730 with a regular prismatic shape, like in Figure 9A, the non-concentric placement of the centerline 920 solids filter 730 (relative to the central axis 810) places the solids filter 730 closer to one portion of the wall 712 of the fluid collector 710, which may be designated as the viewing wall 910a, and further from other portions of the wall 712, which may be designated as the distal wall 910b.

[0085] In various embodiments, when using a solids filter 730 with an irregular prismatic shape, like in Figure 9B, overall shape of the solids filter 730 places portions of the solids filter 730 closer to one portion of the wall 712 of the fluidcollector 710, which may be designated as the viewing wall 910a, and further from other portions of the wall 712, which may be designated as the distal wall 910b.

[0086] In various embodiments, the viewing wall 910a may include various portions of the wall 712 that are within a designated proximity to the solids filter 730. When one or more of the fluid collector 710 and the solids filter 730 describe generally circular, conic, truncated-conic, or other prisms having one or more radii, the viewing wall 910a may be defined as the internal point (or line) on the inner portion of the wall 712 closest to the outer portion of the solids filter 730, and the area of the wall 712 within a given arc distance of the closest point (or line). For example, the viewing wall 910a may include the 30, degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, or other designated arc of the wall 712 centered on the closest point or line to the solids filter 730. Additionally or alternatively, the viewing wall 910a may describe those portions of the wall 712 within a threshold distance of any portion of the solids filter 730 (e.g., within X centimeters (cm)).

[0087] When the collection canister 610 is seated in the recess 150, the antirotation seat 152 interacts with a corresponding indentation 960 in the base of the collection canister 610. The interaction between the anti-rotation seat 152 and the indentation 960 holds the collection canister 610 is a desired orientation to present the viewing wall 910a outward relative to the cowl 112 and places the solids filter 730 in line with the light source 510. Accordingly, light 950 generated by the light source 510 is directed through the walls 91 Oa-b and solids filter 730 to an observer, to more clearly view the contents of the solids filter 730 (e.g., whether fluid 930 isflowing through the solids filter 730 or any solids 940 have been captured in the solids filter 730).

[0088] In various embodiments, the materials used in constructing the solids filter 730 and the collection canister 610 and tuned with the wavelengths of the light 950 generated by the light source to reduce diffraction or scattering of the light 950 traveling through the collection canister 610 and solids filter 730 to provide greater transparency and improve visibility into the canister 610 and solids filter 730. In various embodiments, the canister 610 and solids filter 730 are made of various translucent materials, including glasses (e.g., borosilicate glass) and plastics (e.g., polycarbonate). In various embodiments, the light source 510 generates light 950 having wavelengths within the range of approximately 380-750 nm.

[0089] When the canister 610 is seated in the recess 150, the solids filter 730 is also vertically aligned with the light source 510 to provide improved visibility of the contents collected by the solids filter 730. For example, the relative height of the canister 610 and length of the translucent filter 730 that extends from the lid into the collection chamber may be tuned to position the (bottom) collection surface of the solids filter 730 at a central emission area of the light source 510 when the canister 610 is positioned in the recess 150. This vertical alignment may position the direct path for the emitted light 950 out of line parallel to, but in another plane to, the collection surface so that any solids 940 captured by the solids filter 730 do not obstruct a path for the emitted light 950.

[0090] The descriptions and illustrations of one or more embodiments provided in this disclosure are intended to provide a thorough and complete disclosure the full scope of the subject matter to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art and are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the subject matter as claimed in any way. The aspects, examples, and details provided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable those of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the best mode of the claimed subject matter. Descriptions of structures, resources, operations, and acts considered well-known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may be brief or omitted to avoid obscuring lesser known or unique aspects of the subject matter of this disclosure. The claimed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, aspect, example, or detail provided in this disclosure unless expressly stated herein. Regardless of whether shown or described collectively or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Further, any or all of the functions and acts shown or described may be performed in any order or concurrently.

[0091] Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept provided in this disclosure that do not depart from the broader scope of the present disclosure.

[0092] As used in the present disclosure, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any set of those items, including sets with a single member, and every potential combination thereof. For example, when referencing “at least one of A, B, or C” or “at least one of A, B, and C”, the phrase is intended to cover the sets of: A, B, C, A-B, B-C, and A-B-C, where the sets may include one or multiple instances of a given member (e.g., A-A, A-A-A, A-A-B, A-A-B-B-C-C-C, etc.) and any ordering thereof.

[0093] As used in the present disclosure, the term “determining” encompasses a variety of actions that may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., via a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), retrieving, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0094] As used in the present disclosure, the terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”, and other relative terms encompass values within ± 5% of a stated quantity, percentage, or range unless a different approximation is explicitly recited in relation to the stated quantity, percentage, or range or if the context of the value indicates that a different approximation would be more appropriate. For example, a value identified as about X% may be understood to include values between 0.95*X% and 1 ,05*X% or between X-0.05X and X+0.05X percent, but may stop at zero or one hundred percent in various contexts. In another example, a feature described as being substantially parallel orperpendicular to another feature shall be understood to be within ± 9 degrees of parallel or perpendicular. Any value stated in relative terms shall be understood to include the stated value and any range or subrange between the indicated or implicit extremes.

[0095] As used in the present disclosure, all numbers given in the examples (whether indicated as approximate or otherwise) inherently include values within the range of precision and rounding error for that number. For example, the number 4.5 shall be understood to include values from 4.45 to 4.54, while the number 4.50 shall be understood to include values from 4.495 to 4.504. Additionally, any number or range that explicitly or by context refers to an integer amount (e.g., approximately X users, between about Y and Z states), shall be understood to round downward or upward to the next integer value (e.g., X±1 users, Y-1 and Z+1 states).

[0096] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated as such, but rather as “one or more” or “at least one”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. No claim element is to be construed under the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described in the present disclosure that are knownor come later to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A device, comprising: a housing having an internal cavity (230); a pump motor (210) disposed in the internal cavity; a bolster plate (310), mounted within the internal cavity to the housing; a first plurality of vibration isolators (340), each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor; and a second plurality of vibration isolators (140), each mounted to the housing outside of the internal cavity.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators has a lower durometer than vibration isolators of the second plurality of vibration isolators.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators have a first height, measured between the first end and the second end, that is different than a second height of each vibration isolator of the second plurality of vibration isolators, measured between an end mounted to the housing and a free end.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each vibration isolator of the first plurality of vibration isolators have a first cross-sectional area, measured in a first plane perpendicular to a direction between the first end and the second end, that is different than a second cross-sectional area of each vibration isolator of the second plurality of vibration isolators, measured in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:an airflow vent defined through the housing in an area bounded by where the first plurality of vibration isolators are mounted to the bolster plate.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising: a circulation fan (330) mounted to the bolster plate in the area bounded by the first plurality of vibration isolators.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pump motor is mounted to have an axis of rotation (350) for internal mechanisms of the pump motor parallel to a long axis of the bolster plate.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises: a bottom housing (130), to which the bolster plate and the second plurality of vibration isolators are mounted; a top housing (110); and a metal assembly band (120) to which the bottom housing and the top housing are mounted, and which has a greater perimeter than the bottom housing or the top housing where mounted thereto.

9. An aspiration system, comprising: a vacuum pump housing, including a recess (150) and a cowl (112) positioned on one side of the recess, the cowl including a backlight (114); a canister (610), including a translucent body, a lid (720) connected to a top of the translucent body, and a translucent filter (730) positioned through the lid towards a bottom of the translucent body in an internal cavity of the canister defined by the lid and the translucent body to a predefined height above the bottom of the translucent body; and wherein the canister, when positioned in the recess, aligns the translucent filter with the backlight.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a height of the canister and a length of the translucent filter position a collection surface of the translucent filter at a central emission area of the backlight when the canister is positioned in the recess.11 . The system of claim 9, wherein light generated by the backlight is between 380-750 nanometers in wavelength.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the cowl includes a bevel or curve that matches to between 30 and 90 degrees of arc of an outer curve of the canister.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the recess includes an anti-rotation seat(152) that projects outward from the recess that is shaped according to an indentation included in a base (716) of the canister, wherein the canister when seated in the recess with the anti-rotation seat inserted into the indentation, positions the translucent filter at a rotational position furthest from the backlight.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a pump motor (210), disposed in an internal cavity (230) of the vacuum pump housing; a suction nozzle (160), extending through the vacuum pump housing in fluid communication with an intake of the pump motor and the canister via pneumatic tubing; a bolster plate (310), mounted within the internal cavity to the vacuum pump housing; a first plurality of vibration isolators (340), each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor; and a second plurality of vibration isolators (140), each mounted to the vacuum pump housing outside of the internal cavity.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the cowl includes a pressure release button (116) on an opposite side to where the backlight is included, the cowl including an outer edge on the opposite side that projects further than the pressure release button projects from the opposite side.

16. An aspiration pump, comprising: a housing; a pump motor (210), disposed within a cavity (220) of the housing; a vibration reduction means separating the pump motor from the housing within the cavity and the housing from a resting surface outside of the cavity.

17. The aspiration pump of claim 16, wherein the vibration reduction means includes: a bolster plate (310) connected to the housing within the cavity; a first plurality of vibration isolators (340), each mounted on a first end to the bolster plate and on a second end to the pump motor that separate the pump motor from the housing; and a second plurality of vibration isolators (140), each mounted to the housing outside of the cavity.

18. The aspiration pump of claim 17, wherein the first plurality of vibration isolators are less rigid than the second plurality of vibration isolators based on having at least one of: a lower durometer than the second plurality of vibration isolators; a greater height than the second plurality of vibration isolators; and a smaller cross-sectional area than the second plurality of vibration isolators.

19. The aspiration pump of claim 17, wherein the first plurality of vibration isolators is located medially to the second plurality of vibration isolators.

20. The aspiration pump of claim 17, further comprising: a recess (150) defined in the housing, configured to accept a canister (610) that includes a translucent body and a translucent filter (730); a cowl (122) positioned on one side of the recess, the cowl including a backlight (114); and wherein the canister, when positioned in the recess, aligns the translucent filter with the backlight.

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