Degassing device and degassing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a degassing device and a degassing system for removing air bubbles from silicone gels of implants, preferably breast implants. The degassing device comprising a body, a trigger, a drive pin, a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet, and the degassing system comprising a degassing device, a vacuum system and a waste collector.

Description

DEGASSING DEVICE AND DEGASSING SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a degassing device and degassing system used in industrial processes, specifically in implant manufacturing processes, such as breast implants.Background of the invention

[0002] During the manufacturing process of breast implants, it is common for air bubbles to appear after the injection and curing of silicone gel in the implant. To meet strict regulatory requirements, these air bubbles must be removed from the implants.

[0003] Currently, this process of removing air bubbles is done completely manually, using syringes. After each degassing cycle, an operator visually identifies the air bubbles present in the silicone gel and removes them using a syringe with a needle.

[0004] This manual process has a number of disadvantages. The first is the ergonomic impact on operators, who are subject to repetitive strain injury caused by constant handling the syringe.

[0005] Another disadvantage is the inaccuracy in removing bubbles, since in addition to directing the needle to the point at which the air bubble is located, the operator also needs to apply pressure to the syringe to start removing the air bubble. This inaccuracy entails significant losses of the gel, which is completely discarded after the process.

[0006] Finally, the manual removal of the bubbles by means of syringes with needles causes a high incidence of spiral bubble defect, impairing the final quality of the product.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to develop an ergonomic degassing device capable of removing air bubbles from silicone gels, so as to reduce the labor effort of the operator, reduce gel waste, and prevent the formation of spiral bubbles.Objective of the invention

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a degassing device and degassing system used to remove air bubbles from implants, especially breast implants, so the degassing device and degassing system provide greater working comfort to the operator, provide a reduction of at least 40% of gel waste during air bubble removal, and prevent spiral bubble formation to maintain the integrity of the final product.Summary of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a degassing device is provided for removing air bubbles from silicone gels used in implants. The degassing device comprising:

[0010] - a body;

[0011] - a trigger;

[0012] - one drive pin;

[0013] - a vacuum inlet; and

[0014] - a vacuum outlet.

[0015] The body of the degassing device having a pistol shape. The body of the degassing device further comprises a rear upper end and a front upper end, wherein the vacuum inlet is located at the rear upper end, and the vacuum outlet is located at the front upper end.

[0016] The trigger being pivotally connected to the body of the degassing device. Wherein the trigger stroke is determined by the drive pin.

[0017] The vacuum inlet being adapted to receive vacuum by means of a vacuum line or vacuum pump.

[0018] The vacuum outlet being adapted to receive a ferrule, preferably a ferrule comprising a Luer Lock connector.

[0019] According to the invention, a degassing system is additionally provided, wherein the degassing system comprises:

[0020] - a degassing gun;

[0021] - a vacuum system; and

[0022] - a waste collector.Brief description of the drawings

[0023] is a perspective view of the degassing device of the present invention; and

[0024] is a schematic view of the degassing system of the present invention.Detailed description of the invention

[0025] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to.

[0026] The present invention discloses degassing device 10 for removing air bubbles from silicone gels of implants, preferably breast implants, wherein the degassing device comprises a body 11, a trigger 12, a drive pin 13, a vacuum inlet 14, and a vacuum outlet 15.

[0027] The body 11 of the degassing device 10 has a shape similar to a gun, so as to provide ergonomic comfort to an operator.

[0028] The body 11 of the degassing device 10 can be manufactured in any material suitable for its application, preferably in anodized aluminum.

[0029] The body 11 of the degassing device 10 further comprises a rear upper end and a front upper end, wherein the vacuum inlet 14 is located at the rear upper end and the vacuum outlet 15 is located at the front upper end.

[0030] The vacuum inlet 14 is adapted to receive vacuum from a vacuum line, vacuum pump or any other suitable vacuum source.

[0031] The vacuum outlet 15 is adapted to receive a ferrule, preferably a ferrule comprising a Luer Lock connector, in which a needle will be coupled to be inserted into the breast implant to remove air bubbles present in the silicone gel.

[0032] The trigger 12 of the degassing device 10 is pivotally connected to the body 11 of the degassing device. Additionally, the stroke of the trigger 12 of the degassing device 10 is determined by the drive pin 13.

[0033] The trigger 12 is made of any suitable material, preferably made of polyacetal, to achieve low friction with the drive pin 13.

[0034] The drive pin 13 is slidably engaged to the body 11 of the degassing device 10 through a hole. Additionally, the drive pin 13 comprises a proximal end and a distal end.

[0035] The proximal end of the drive pin 13 is located internally to the body 11 of the degassing device 10, making contact internally with a spring (not shown) or any suitable elastic element.

[0036] The distal end of the drive pin 13 is located outside the body 11 of the degassing device 10 and is in contact with the trigger 12.

[0037] The drive pin 13 is made of a plastic material, preferably polyacetal. The use of polyacetal in the manufacture of the drive pin 13 reduces the production of dirt resulting from the contact of the drive pin 13 with the trigger 12 when compared to the use of a drive pin made of metal, specifically aluminum.

[0038] is a schematic view of the degassing system of the present invention.

[0039] The degassing system 20 comprises the degassing device 10 described above, a vacuum system 30 and a waste collector 40.

[0040] The vacuum system 30 comprises a vacuum line, a vacuum pump or any other suitable vacuum source intended to provide vacuum to the degassing device 10. The vacuum system 30 is connected to the vacuum inlet 14 of the degassing device 10 by means of a suitable piping and couplings, known to a person skilled in the art.

[0041] The waste collector 40 is implemented in the vacuum system 30 has the function of receiving and storing the waste (silicone gel) generated by removing air bubbles from the breast implant, preventing the contamination of the vacuum system 30.

[0042] The invention was described based on a specific embodiment. However, the one skilled in the art will note that several other embodiments and variants are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0043] Although they have been described for use with breast implants, the one skilled in the art will recognize that the degassing device and degassing system of the present invention can be used for other implants or other applications that require the removal of air bubbles from gels.

Claims

A degassing device (10), comprising:a body(11);a trigger (12);a drive pin (13);a vacuum inlet (14); anda vacuum outlet (15).The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body (11) has a gun-like shape, the body additionally comprising a rear upper end and a front upper end, wherein the vacuum inlet (14) is located at the rear upper end and the vacuum outlet (15) is located at the front upper end.The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body is made of anodized aluminum.The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the trigger (13) is pivotally connected to the body, and wherein the stroke of the trigger (12) of the degassing device (10) is determined by the drive pin (13).The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the trigger is made of polyacetal.The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drive pin (13) is slidably engaged in the body (11) of the degassing device (10) by means of a hole, the drive pin (13) additionally comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the drive pin (13) is located internally to the body (11) of the degassing device (10) and in contact with an elastic element, preferably a spring, and the distal end of the drive pin (13) is located outside the body (11) of the degassing device (10) and is in contact with the trigger (12).The degassing device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drive pin (13) is made of polyacetal.A degassing system (20) comprising the degassing device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, a vacuum system (30) and a waste collector (40).Invention of product, process, system, kit, medium or use, comprising one or more elements described in the present patent application.

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