187 results about "Vacuum Assistance" patented technology

A method and apparatus for providing concurrent applications of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy and vacuum assisted closure therapy generally comprises a wound dressing for introduction of a negative pressure into a wound on a patient's foot and a foot wrap for application of positive, compressive forces to substantially all of the patients foot. A suction pump, having an associated vacuum sensor and first feedback mechanism, supplies negative pressure to the wound dressing. A ventable source of pressurized gas, having an associated pressure transducer and second feedback mechanism, supplies positive force to the foot wrap. At least one control system is operably associated with the suction pump and ventable source of pressurized gas for controlling the negative and positive applications of pressure to the patient's foot. Controlled modes for operation include continuous or intermittent application of one or both therapies and simultaneous or cycled application of the therapies.

A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable hand piece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable hand piece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. External vacuum holes along the outer cannula (probe) that communicate with a vacuum and cutter lumen withdraw bodily fluids while a hemostatic disk-shaped ring pad around the probe applies compression to an external hole in the skin and absorbs fluids.

The invention provides a vacuum tube attachment device for vacuum assisted wound dressings. The device is in the form of a patch that can be attached to the primary wound cover. The patch forms a substantially air-tight seal to the primary wound cover, and a vacuum tube is fixed to the patch such that the patch can be oriented on the wound cover to locate the tube near an opening in the cover to allow vacuum pressure to be communicated to the wound. The patch has an adhesive area around its perimeter for attaching the patch in a substantially air-tight seal to the wound cover at any convenient location on the cover. Several embodiments of the patch are described.

The vacuum assisted liner system is for use with a prosthetic device to be attached to a residual limb. The liner system includes a hypobaric prosthetic liner, and a porous wicking material layer to surround at least a portion of the residual limb and define a regulated vacuum environment between the hypobaric prosthetic liner and the residual limb. The hypobaric prosthetic liner has at least one passageway therethrough defining at least one vacuum port, such as an inlet port and outlet port, in fluid communication with the regulated vacuum environment. Internal liner passageways may connect the inlet and outlet ports to the regulated vacuum environment. A vacuum regulation device may include an electric vacuum pump or a motion activated pump connected to the outlet port.

A surgical stapling apparatus having a vacuum device associated therewith is disclosed. The vacuum device may be removable, fixedly secured thereto, or incorporated into the surgical stapling apparatus. The vacuum device may include a resilient band and vacuum tube secured to the shell assembly or body portion of the surgical stapling apparatus. Alternately, a vacuum chamber may be secured about the shell assembly and / or body portion of the stapling apparatus. In addition, one or more vacuum tubes may be positioned in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum tubes, preferably, extend into the shell assembly and are movable between nondeployed and deployed positions such that a distal end of each tube can be selectively positioned at multiple positions between the shell assembly and an anvil. The vacuum tubes can be formed of a shape-memory material such that the tubes point radially outwardly of the shell assembly when the tubes are in the deployed position.

A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates a vacuum syringe in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide vacuum assistance in prolapsing tissue and retracting tissue samples.

Methods of accessing and ablating abnormal epithelium tissue in an alimentary canal are provided. The methods can include steps of (i) inserting a vacuum source comprising one or more suction ports into an alimentary canal; (ii) inserting an operative element comprising a conduit for a tissue ablation source into the alimentary canal; (iii) positioning the vacuum source and the operative element proximate a portion of the alimentary canal having a site of abnormal tissue to be ablated; (iv) applying a vacuum to at least one of each suction port to draw the tissue against the operative element; and (v) applying the tissue ablation source to the tissue through the conduit to effect tissue ablation.

Disclosed herein is a vacuum assisted auto-lancing device. The device includes a housing (200) having a body (210) which has a lever hole. An actuating lever (300) includes an actuating switch (310) seated on the lever hole and having first and second actuating steps, a switch cap (320), and a switch cover (330). The device also includes a holding unit (400) having a first stem (410), a second stem (430), and a stem cap (450). A trigger (500) has a first trigger unit activated by the first actuating step, and a second trigger unit activated by the second actuating step. A lancet holder (524) holding a lancet (522) is secured to an end of the first trigger unit. The device includes a blood collecting unit (600) having an adjusting screw, an adjusting slider, and an end cap, and a vacuum unit (700) having a plunger and a body cap.

This invention relates to the design of tissue covering elements for use in vacuum assisted tissue apposition systems, wherein the geometry of the covering elements favours the application of contractile forces over compressive or extensive forces at the tissue interface.

A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates a vacuum syringe in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide vacuum assistance in prolapsing tissue and retracting tissue samples.

A system and method to administer a liquid agent into a body cavity of a patient is provided. One exemplary system comprises a lumen disposed into an airway of the patient and a valve assembly coupled to the lumen. The valve assembly comprises a body portion, a first port and a second port. A pump assembly for receiving the liquid agent is coupled to the valve assembly in a fluid tight relationship. The pump assembly provides the liquid to the lumen through the first port of the valve assembly. The liquid along with a portion of secretions generated by the patient are extracted through the lumen and flow out of said valve assembly through the second port for disposal responsive to a natural body function and / or a vacuum from a vacuum source. One exemplary method comprises the steps of disposing a lumen into the body cavity of the patient, the lumen comprising a fluid port; introducing the liquid agent into the body cavity through the fluid port; and extracting at least the liquid from the body cavity through the fluid port responsive to a natural body function and / or a vacuum from the vacuum source.

A vacuum-assist artificial limb assembly (10) is provided having a socket (22) for receiving a residual limb (20). The assembly (10) includes an on-board vacuum pump and control assembly (18) with a selectively operable vacuum pump (72) controlled by a microprocessor (44). The microprocessor (44) is also connected with an on-off switch (48), pressure adjust buttons (68), a pressure read-out (66), and an alarm (70). In use, a pressure transducer (74) in communication with the interior of socket (22) and coupled with microprocessor (44) monitors negative pressure conditions within the socket, and the microprocessor (44) operates pump (72) in response to transducer pressure signals. In this manner, the vacuum-assist operation of assembly (10) is essentially automatic.

Disclosed is a prosthetic elastomeric liner, which can be used without lanyards or straps, in which, upon ambulation, perspiration is voided simultaneously with the reestablishment of a vacuum-aided seal without a vacuum pump. The liner's distal tip comprises a buttress anchored sweat port containing a one way valve continuous with a channel passing through the buttress and liner from its inner surface to its outer surface. The sweat port is connected, optionally integrally, to a prosthetic pin which is inserted into a prosthetic limb.

This invention relates to the design of tissue covering elements for use in vacuum assisted tissue apposition systems, wherein the geometry of the covering elements favors the application of contractile forces over compressive or extensive forces at the tissue interface.

Vacuum-assisted film laminating and removal systems and methods of using the same. The systems include a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The removal apparatus applies tension over the width of the adhesive film, thereby removing the film from the substrate along the release line that extends over the width of the film. The systems and methods can be used to apply and remove large-scale adhesive films from substrates.

A contact activated vacuum assisted suction cup assembly comprising: 1) a cylindrical bellowed or corrugated cup defining a plurality of interconnected bellows or corrugations of alternating, coaxial large and small diameter areas, hereinafter “bellows”, and having; A) an open contact end; and B) a valve end including a valve seat; 2) a valve stem having first and second extremities; 3) a valve plate intermediate the open contact end and the valve end in one of the large diameter areas attached to the first extremity; and 4) a valve stop attached to the valve stem at the second extremity that can engage the valve seat in the closed position. A picking device comprising a vacuum plenum having a plurality of the previously described contact activated vacuum assisted suction cup assemblies mounted therein in plenum apertures that engage a peripheral flange about the valve end is also described.

The invention discloses a vacuum assisted molding system of a composite, which comprises an open shaping mold comprising an upper mold and a lower mold, wherein a vacuum bag-pressing system is connected on the lower mold in a sealing manner; and a mold-pressing heating system is connected outside the mold. The invention also discloses a method for shaping a composite article by vacuum assisted molding, which comprises the following steps: preparing the open shaping mold and placing a prepreg on the lower mold, paving an isolating film, a piece of mold releasing cloth, and a breathable felt in turns, connecting a vacuum bag film in a sealing manner, and communicating a formed vacuum bag-pressing cavity with a vacuum pump; connecting the upper mold and the lower mold to the mold-pressing heating system; assembling the upper mold and the lower mold under a condition of keeping a vacuum bag pressing status, molding and pressing the prepreg by the mold-pressing heating system and heating the upper mold and the lower mold at the same time, and carrying out curing treatment after reaching a curing temperature; and after finishing the curing reaction, molding to obtain the composite article. According to the invention, the process cost is low, the generality is high, the consumption of auxiliary materials is little, and the use performance of the product can be improved.

The invention discloses a large-area periodical array 3D microstructure preparing method, based on UV nano press printing technique, adopting soft mould and inverse pressure printing to implement low-cost preparation of large-area periodical array 3D microstructure and its basic process flow includes: 1. making small master by electron beam direct write photoetching and dry etching; 2. making large master by small master step-pressure printing and accurate micro-electroforming; 3. pouring liquid PDMS material to large master by vacuum assistance to make silicon rubber soft mould; 4. using quartz glass as substrate and making anti-adhesion surface preprocessing on the substrate; 5. using the ready-made silicon rubber soft mould, and combining with the inversing pressure printing to prepare large area periodical array 3D microstructure on the substrate. And the method has advantages of low cost, process simple, suitable to large batch production, and low cost preparation.

The invention provides a vacuum assistance system detection method, a vacuum assistance system detection system, an electromobile and a failure detection method. The vacuum assistance system detection method includes the following steps: judging whether a pressure sensor fails or not; after the pressure sensor is guaranteed to be not in a failure, further diagnosing whether a vacuum pump is noneffective or not or whether a vacuum assistance system is in air leakage or not according to accurate measuring signals output by the pressure sensor. By the vacuum assistance system detection method, the vacuum assistance system can be detected accurately and comprehensively, and once the vacuum assistance system fails, failure positions can be quickly judged, so that reliability of the vacuum assistance system is effectively improved and driving safety of the electromobile is guaranteed.

Assemblies, systems, and methods convey fluid from an internal wound site or body cavity by applying negative pressure from a source outside the internal wound site or body cavity through a wound drain assembly that is placed directly inside the internal wound site or body cavity.

Vacuum-assist artificial limb assemblies (10, 94) are provided having a socket (22, 104) for receiving a residual limb (20). The assemblies (10, 94) include a vacuum pump and control assembly (18, 100, 102) with a selectively operable vacuum pump (72, 116) controlled by a microprocessor (44, 102). The microprocessor (44, 102) is also connected with an on-off switch (48, 146), pressure adjust buttons (68, 148), a pressure read-out (66, 150), and an optional alarm (70). In use, a pressure transducer (74) in communication with the interior of socket (22, 104) and coupled with microprocessor (44, 102) monitors negative pressure conditions within the socket (22, 104), and the microprocessor (44, 102) operates pump (72, 116) in response to transducer pressure signals. In this manner, the vacuum-assist operation of assemblies (10, 104) is essentially automatic. In one embodiment, a vacuumization assembly (100) including an air induction component (114) and a mated vacuum pump component (116) are located within a housing (108) forming a part of socket (104), and a separate controller (102) is coupled with vacuum component (116) for control thereof.

A method and improved foam structure for use in vacuum assisted closure therapy comprising an open cell foam structure coated with a therapeutic agent.

The invention relates to a fault diagnosis method for a blade electric vehicle vacuum assistance brake system. The blade electric vehicle vacuum assistance brake system comprises an HCU, an electric vacuum pump, a vacuum pressure sensor, an instrument, a brake pedal, a relay and a power source, the HCU is in communication interaction with the instrument through a CAN line, and the other parts are connected with the HCU through hard lines. The fault diagnosis method includes the steps that after a blade electric vehicle is powered on, a vehicle control unit collects information of a power source of the vacuum pump in real time, and whether the power source is turned off or not is judged; the vehicle control unit collects change values of the vacuum pressure in real time, and diagnosis on the conditions whether gas is leaked from the vacuum assistance brake system or not, whether the vacuumizing performance is reduced or not and whether the vacuum assistance brake system is in the continuous working state or not is made according to the working states (working and stopping) of the vacuum pump and operation of a driver to a brake. The fault diagnosis method for the blade electric vehicle vacuum assistance brake system is relatively comprehensive, systematic and clear, vacuum fault reasons can be accurately located, the driver can be alerted in time, and the traveling safety of the vehicle is improved.

Vacuum-assisted film laminating and removal systems and methods of using the same. The systems include a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The removal apparatus applies tension over the width of the adhesive film, thereby removing the film from the substrate along the release line that extends over the width of the film. The systems and methods can be used to apply and remove large-scale adhesive films from substrates.

The invention discloses a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding integral-forming technology of a composite material fuel-tank. A novel structural material fuel-tank is provided. Structural weight of a present fuel tank and vehicle noise level can be reduced effectively, and the novel structural material fuel-tank has characteristics of impact damage resistance, corrosion resistance and the like. Meanwhile, forming process cycle of the fuel tank can be greatly shortened, and production efficiency of the fuel tank can be raised. The technology is realized by the following technical scheme: core three-dimensional modeling; core forming-die manufacturing; soluble (fusible) core manufacturing; die preparation; laying and shaping of a reinforcing material; die locking; making of a resin solution; resin injection; resin curing; demoulding; core dissolution (fusing); and composite material product finishing. By the technology, production efficiency is high; demoulding is convenient; and cost is low.

The invention provides a vacuum booster security control system and a control method of strong hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises a hybrid vehicle control unit (HCU), an electric vacuum pump, a vacuum energy storage cavity, a pressure sensor, a relay and a wiring harness; the voltage value is judged through inputting the voltage signal of the pressure sensor to a main controller, thereby judging whether the vacuum degree reaches up to standard, if the vacuum degree is not within a calibration range, the main controllers sends out a digital low-level signal to close the relay, and the electric vacuum pump is connected with the power supply of the vacuum pump; after the vacuum pump works for a period of time, if the voltage signal detected by the sensor is within the calibration range, the vacuum degree of the vacuum energy storage cavity is indicated to meet requirements, and at the moment, the main controller controls the relay to be disconnected to stop the vacuum pump from working. The invention can effectively utilize vacuum assistance to complete braking demands, when fault occurs, the vacuum assistance braking fails, and the control system can detect voluntarily to alarm faults accurately and timely, thus significantly improving braking safety.

The invention discloses a liquid-state near-net forming method and device for a continuous carbon fiber enhanced aluminum-based composite material, namely a vacuum-assisted pressure-adjusting and infiltration casting method and device. The method comprises four procedures of smelting an alloy and pre-heating fibers, carrying out vacuum-assisted pressure-adjusting and infiltration, condensing at a high pressure and cooling rapidly. The device is composed of an alloy smelting device, a vacuum-assisted pressure-adjusting and infiltration device and a casting rapid cooling device. The liquid-state near-net forming method and device have the characteristics that (1) low-oxygen and temperature-controllable pre-heating of nickel-plated carbon fibers is realized; (2) low-pressure infiltration and high-pressure condensation of the aluminum-based composite material are realized; (3) the control of a cooling speed in the condensation of a composite material casting is realized. According to the liquid-state near-net forming method and device for the continuous carbon fiber enhanced aluminum-based composite material, oxidization and burning loss caused by pre-heating the carbon fibers, prefabricated body deformation in the infiltration process and interface reaction problems in the condensation process of the composite material are solved. The liquid-state near-net forming of the continuous carbon fiber enhanced aluminum-based composite material can be realized and the prepared composite material has the advantages of dense tissues, few interface reactions, high mechanical properties and the like.

The invention relates to a wound-stimulating unit comprising a wound-stimulating device for use in combination with a vacuum assisted closure. The closure comprises a hydrophilic body to be placed on a wound surface, a cover sealing the hydrophilic body and a skin portion surrounding the wound surface, and a vacuum system for generating an underpressure in a closure space limited by the wound surface, the skin portion surrounding the wound surface and the cover. Further, the wound-stimulating device comprises a connector provided with an intermediate channel structure having an input section and multiple output sections, the device further comprising a pressure system for supplying wound stimulating agents to the input section of the intermediate channel structure.

The invention provides a method for making a basalt fiber enhanced composite material and the application of the method on making ship bodies. The formula of the method comprises vinyl ester resin or unsaturated polyester resin, a peroxide initiator and a promoter; the resin is injected and solidified and molded under the condition of vacuum aid resin transfer molding by raw material mixing. The method for making the basalt fiber enhanced composite material is characterized in that the raw material contains 30 to 70 percent mass of the basalt fiber as the enhancing material. The technique is used for making the ship bodies of army auxiliary ship and high speed ships, the ship bodies have outstanding aging resistant property, creep resistant property and anti-explosion impact property in addition to excellent mechanical property, ocean environment resistant property and high temperature resistance property, meanwhile, the method for making the basalt fiber enhanced composite material can lower the building cost of ship bodies and prolong the service life of ships.

A dewatering aid for a slurry coating on a building product in which a coating formulation includes an hydraulic binder. A slurry is produced from said binder and dewatering aid and applied to the product to be coated. The resultant coating is then dewatered through said product. Dewatering can be accomplished with or without vacuum assistance.