SUCTION DEVICE

Abstract

A hand held fluid manipulator in the form of a suction device 10 comprises circumferentially enclosed reopenably closable fluid transfer path defining means as constituted from a displaceably mounted tube 14, a flow path defining section 16, a nozzle carrying tube and a chamber 32 defining in combination a reopenably closeable fluid transfer path 20. The device also comprises a handle 22 and a flexible strip 24 that engages with the tube 14 by way of a tube displacer formation 26. The strip 24 is lockable in a fluid transfer path open condition by way of a hook 30. The chamber 32 is open to the tube 14 by way of a set of apertures 34. Opening an closing of the fluid transfer path 20 is regulated by a fluid flow regulating arrangement 36 as constituted by the chamber 32 and the aperture set 34 and blocking of the inner end 14.2 of the tube 14.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The provision of suction exerting equipment in the healthcare and especially operating environment is a given fact. As such equipment is continuously exposed to a suction effect this creates annoyance to medical personnel even to the extent of distraction owing to the noise polluting effect so created. The continuous exposure to a suction effect furthermore has the consequential result of power wastage. It is, amongst others, an object of this invention to address this problem.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hand held fluid flow manipulator for manipulating the flow of fluid in relation to a location of manipulator applied fluid flow utilisation at least once the manipulator, once in use, is connected to a source of fluid transfer. While not so limited the invention finds useful application when in the form of a suction device that is of particular use in the healthcare environment.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The equipment known in prior art is the common suction device that gives a continuous suction effect thus giving rise to problems mentioned in the background to invention that are thus overcome by the invention under this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings

FIG. 1 shows a hand held fluid flow manipulator, according to the invention, in the form of a suction device, in side elevation,

FIG. 2 shows the suction device in plan view,

FIG. 3 shows the suction device in interior displaying side elevation,

FIG. 4 shows the suction device in interior displaying plan view,

FIG. 5 shows in detail a particular embodiment of a tube fitting forming part of the tubing of the suction device that is formed for use in performing a suction action inside the mouth cavity of a person.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically explains the operation of the suction device,

FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows and explains the operation of a further embodiment of the suction device, and

FIG. 8 shows a detail of an alternative way of connection of a releasable nozzle carrying tube forming part of the device to the remainder of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings a hand held fluid flow manipulator for manipulating the flow of fluid in relation to a location of manipulator applied fluid flow utilisation at least once the manipulator, once in use, is connected to a source of fluid transfer in the form of a suction device is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The suction device 10 comprises reopenably closable circumferentially enclosed fluid transfer path defining means as constituted from at least two parts including a linearly extending and axially displaceably mounted tube 14, on the one hand, and an intermediate fluid flow conduit in the form of a handle leading end flow path defining section 16 and in combination with a nozzle carrying environment interactive tube 18, on the other hand, along which part of a reopenably closable fluid transfer path 20 (as shown in FIG. 3) is defined once the device 10 is appropriately manipulated as discussed below, a handle 22 of which the section 16 forms part and along which the tube 14 is displaceably housed and a hand pressure responsive fluid transfer path defining means interactive fluid flow opening and closure mechanism in the form of a flexible strip 24 that engages with the tube 14 by way of displacing means in the form of a tube displacer formation 26 that fits displaceably along a slot 28 through the wall of the handle 22. The circumferentially enclosed fluid transfer path defining means also includes an intermediate fluid transfer chamber 32 that in combination with the tube 14, the tube section 16 and the nozzle carrying tube 18 defines the fluid transfer path 20.

The strip 24 is lockable in a fluid transfer path open condition by way of a locking facility in the form of a catch formation as provided by a hook 30 also forming part of the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism.

The chamber 32 is open to the tube 14 by way of a tube inner end region lateral flow aperture arrangement in the form of a set of apertures 34 through the sidewall of the inner end region 14.1 of the tube 14. Opening and closing of the fluid transfer path 20 is regulated by a fluid flow regulating arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 36, of which the chamber 32 and the aperture set 34 form part. The tube 14 passes along a sealed chamber entrance 38 into the chamber 32 naturally engaging displaceably there along. The extent of displacement of the tube 14 along the handle 22 is constrained by the displacement action of the displacer formation 26 along the slot 28, as discussed below, to the effect of causing the aperture set 34 to at all times only remain in fluid flow communication with the chamber 32.

The strip 24 extends between locations 40 and 42 of swivelable connection to the displacer formation 26 and to the handle 22 respectively and is biased into returning to its arc forming shape owing to its inherent flexing characteristics. While extending in the direction of the central axis 44 of the handle 22, as at least substantially coinciding with the axis of displacement of the tube 14, the strip 24 is urgable onto the handle 22 in response to the exertion of hand applied pressure thereon once the device 10 is held for use. As the location 42 is fixed relative to the handle 22 a change in the arcuateness of the strip 22, as brought about by the application or relaxation of hand applied pressure, causes a commensurate displacement of the location 40 and in conjunction the displacer formation 26 and consequently the tube 14 into and our of contiguity with the section 16.

The displacement action of the tube 14, as displaceable in the direction of arrow 46, in response to the operation of the strip 24 is arranged to cause the opening of the fluid transfer path 20 once the strip 22 is exposed to the application of hand applied pressure and vice versa. This is achieved in response to the operation of the fluid flow regulating arrangement, 36, in conjunction with the linear displacement of the tube 14. In addition to involving the aperture set 34 and the chamber 32 the arrangement 36 also involves the blanking off of the inner end 14.2 of the tube 14 while it is sealably seatable against an access port 48 (as more clearly shown in FIG. 6) forming the access to the flow path defining section 16 from its side facing the tube 14. The fluid transfer path 20 is consequently open for the transfer of fluid there along once the inner end 14.2 of the tube 14 has been moved out of engagement with the port 48 and vice versa.

In referring more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 seatable sealing is in one embodiment achieved by the end region 14.3 of the tube narrowing into a spigot 50 that is receivable into a socket 52 formed along the port 48. As an alternative embodiment and referring to FIG. 7 the inner end 14.2 of the tube 14 can be planarly blanked off while being receivable against a peripheral lip 54 along the outer end of the port 48. As a yet further alternative and referring to FIG. 8 the seating can be achieved by way of the outer surface 69 of a wedge shaped inner flange 70 forming the inner end of the tube 18 being of a kind that replaceably fits the section 16, as discussed in more detail below. The port 48 is thus effectively defined by the opening 73 to the tube 18. In such a case the flange 70 seats against a complementary formed inner end region 71 of the section 16 once the tube 18 is fitted for use.

The range of tube displacement as regulated by the length of the slot 28 is inter-coordinated with the range of displacement of the displacer formation 26 to the effect of causing the blanked off inner end 14.2 of the tube 14 to sealably seat the port 48 once the displacer formation 26 has moved at least substantially towards the end 28.1 of the slot 28 associated with return of the strip 24 to its arc forming condition.

The hook 30 is fitted below the strip 24 along its end region 24.1 ending in its location of swivelable connection 40 to the displacer formation 26. The width of the hook 30 is selected to enable its receipt and free displacement into and along the slot 28 once so urged in response to the exertion of an adequate hand applied pressure on the strip 24. The entrance to the hook 30 faces away from the displacer formation 26. The opposite ends of the slot 28 form openings in conjunction with the wall of the handle 22. An inner end location of penetration in the form of an inner end location of penetration opening 56 formed at the end 28.1 of the slot 28 is releasable engageable by the lip 58 of the hook 30 once overall hand applied pressure on the strip 24 is released while however retaining its end region 24.1 under pressure. The location of the hook 30 is selected to result in its engaging with the opening 56 once the blanked off end 14.2 of the tube 14 has a moved adequately out of engagement from the port 48 for rendering the flow path 20 available to the unobstructed flow of fluid.

The tube 14 is alignedly maintained within the handle 22 by way of interior walls 60 each formed with an aperture along which the tube 14 snugly passes. In referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 and in one embodiment sealing of the chamber 32 at the chamber entrance 38 is attained by way of sealing rings (not shown) fitted along the inner periphery to the displacement aperture of the tube 14 along the wall 60.1. Otherwise and referring to FIG. 7, such sealing is attained by way of a bellows type diaphragm seal 62 that contracts and expands with the displacement of the tube 14 while sealingly engaging with both the tube and the wall 60.1 as thus accommodatingly formed. The device 10 is connectable to a source of suction via a coupler spigot 64 forming the trailing end of the tube 14.

In particularly referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 the nozzle carrying environment interactive tube 18 preferably releasably sockets into the outer end region 16.1 of the section 16, thereby being in the form of a tube fitting, enabling the releasable attachment of a variety of tube fittings 66 depending on the application of the device 10. The free end of the tube 18 or tube fitting 66 is in the form of a nozzle 68 formed to extract liquid from an appropriate source by way of a suction action. To limit undesired release of the tube fitting 66 once the suction device 10 is in use its inner end 66.1 is formed with the wedge shaped flange 70, as shown in FIGS. 5(d) and 8, that clips inside the handle leading end flow path defining section 16, as discussed above, requiring the application of some force for removal of the tube fitting 66 from the section 16. In a particular application of the suction device 10 when used as a mouth cavity saliva extractor the nozzle 68 is of non-circular and preferably oval end profile, as shown in FIG. 5(c) being a section B-B along FIG. 5(b). This particular shape of the nozzle 68 promotes its retraction from the mouth cavity of a patient even though clenched between such person's teeth. This is achieved by twisting the fitting 66 so that the bulges 72 of the nozzle 68 extend along the opening formed between such person's upper and lower teeth resulting in it becoming clenched along its narrowest width 74. As this width generally corresponds with the diameter of the tube 18 (tube fitting 66) the bulges 72 do not catch behind the teeth enabling a simple slidable tube retraction. The nozzle 68 is formed with suction ports 76 that are of a size that limits the take up of mouth secretions and debris. The fact of the non-continuous operation of the suction device also limits the intake of such undesired material. This benefit is naturally also applicable under other conditions of device usage and not necessarily only in the medical environment.

In use and referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 the suction device 10 is in a tubing closing off condition, as shown in FIGS. 6(a), 7(a) when not exposed to any hand applied pressure. This is brought about by the inherent resilience of the strip 24, as biased into its arc forming condition, urging the tube 14 into a seating condition with the port 48, whether via the spigot and socket 50, 52 or via the peripheral lip 54. The fluid transfer path 20 is consequently closed off owing to the blanked-off inner end 14.2 of the tube 14. In this condition and also referring to the detail to FIG. 6(a) the displacer formation 26 is situated substantially towards the trailing end 28.1 of the slot 28.

During use the suction device 10 is consequently held in the hand of a user (not shown) in a way that exposes it to the application of hand applied pressure. As shown in FIG. 6(b) and its detail and FIG. 7(b) the commencement of exertion of hand applied pressure onto the strip 24 in urging it in the direction of arrow 78 causes the displacement of the displacer formation 26 in the direction of arrow 80 at the same time opening the fluid transfer path 20 in response to the unseating action of the tube 14 from the port 48. If the suction device 10 is not desired to be locked in its airflow permitting condition the exertion of hand applied pressure to this extent is already adequate to achieve a manually controlled airflow on/off operation although the natural tendency of a user will be to exert a force on the strip 24 to the extent of urging it into contiguity with the handle 22.

On progressing into a condition of contiguity and referring to FIG. 6(c) and its detail the displacer 26 ends up in a position towards the leading end 28.2 of the slot 28 while throughout a condition of airflow is maintained along the path 20. In this condition the hook 30 is situated within the slot 28. If hand applied pressure is released the device 10 automatically returns to the FIG. 6(a), 7(a) condition of airflow closure in response to the resilience of the strip 24.

If the device 10 is desired to be locked in an airflow open condition and referring to FIG. 6(d) and its detail, the exertion of hand applied pressure is shifted toward the end region 24.1 of the strip 24 while the exertion of pressure is relaxed on the remainder of the strip 24. This has the effect of retaining the hook 30 along the slot 28 while causing it to move into engagement with the opening 56 by way of its lip 58 on displacement of the displacer formation 26 in the direction of arrow 82. The displacer formation 26 and the tube 14 consequently become locked against further displacement that would have resulted from the resilience of the strip 24. The position of the hook 30 along the strip 24 is selected to cause the fluid transfer path 20 to be adequately open to maintain an effective flow of air once such hook to opening engagement takes place.

If return to manual control of airflow along the fluid transfer path 20 is desired the strip 24 is simply subjected to a standard centrally applied action of pressure corresponding to arrow 78 in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c). As shown in FIG. 6(e) and its accompanying detail this has the effect of retracting the hook 22 from the opening 56. As shown in FIG. 6(f) a relaxation of hand applied pressure causes the hook 30 to evacuate the slot 28 in turn returning the device 10 to the fluid closed off condition of FIG. 6(a), 7(a) once the pressure is removed.

It is an advantage of the invention at least as specifically described that a single handed easily operable suction device is provided that is sensitively responsive to the exertion and relaxation of palm pressure by a user in giving a positive closure and airflow opening effect resulting in the required extent of accuracy as expected in a healthcare environment. A further advantage is found in a reduction of noise pollution in an operating environment as any suction generated noise only takes place when the device is positively activated for performing a suction effect. A further benefit resides in the fact that suction power is only required once the device is activated thereby reducing overall power requirements.

Claims

1) A hand held fluid flow manipulator (10) for manipulating the flow of fluid in relation to a location of manipulator applied fluid flow utilisation at least once the manipulator, once in use, is connected to a source of fluid transfer comprising

circumferentially enclosed fluid transfer path defining means (14, 32, 16, 18) encompassing a reopenably closable fluid transfer path (20) that extends tellingly from a fluid flow utilisation mouth (68) and which fluid transfer path defining means is couplable for

appropriate fluid transfer in operatively using the manipulator, and

a handle (22) formed to fit along the hand of a manipulator user and along which at least part of the fluid transfer path defining means extends in a way that enables the appropriate positioning of the fluid utilisation mouth (68) for achieving the desired fluid transferring effect once the manipulator is so in operative use;

characterised in that the manipulator incorporates a hand pressure responsive fluid transfer path defining means interactive fluid flow opening and closure mechanism (24, 26) that is fitted to the handle (22) in being displaceable between fluid transfer path defining means open and closing off conditions in response to user compressibly releasable hand movement and which mechanism is biased to return to a condition associated with hand pressure release.

2) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 1 in which the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism (24, 26) is arranged to cause opening of the fluid transfer path defining means when exposed to hand applied pressure and vice versa on the relaxation of hand applied pressure thus being biased to a fluid flow closure condition.

3) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 2 in which the fluid transfer opening and closure mechanism (24, 26) incorporates a locking facility (30) for releasably locking it in its fluid transfer path defining means open condition.

4) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 2 in which the fluid transfer path defining means (14, 32, 16, 18) is constituted from at least two parts (14, 16) that are inter-displaceable relative to one another and of which at least one part is consequently displaceably mounted along the handle (22) while the parts are displaceable between inter-part fluid flow permitting and closing off conditions in response to the operation of the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism (24, 26) as incorporating displacing means (26) that is associated with the at least one displaceably mounted part (14, 16) with one of the conditions involving a relationship of contiguity between the parts while the regulation of the flow of fluid along the fluid flow path (20), once the manipulator is in use, is tied in with the operation of a fluid flow regulating arrangement (36) in the appropriate case also being involved in defining part of the fluid transfer path defining means.

5) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 4 in which at least one of the parts (14, 16) is in the form of a linearly extending and axially displaceably mounted tube (14) as thus displaceably mounted to the handle (22) with the displacing means (26) at least being associated with the tube (14).

6) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 5 in which the axially displaceably mounted tube (4) forms the displaceable part of the fluid transfer path defining means thus being displaceable in response to the operation of the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism (24, 26).

7) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 6 in which the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) is arranged to move into an inter-part fluid flow permitting condition when the tube is displaced out of contiguity with a tube facing access port (48) to the part of the fluid transfer path (18) ending in the fluid utilisation mouth (68) and vice versa, the fluid flow regulating arrangement (36) involving the blanking off of the inner end (14.2) of the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) that seats sealingly against the axially displaceably mounted tube facing access port (48) once being contiguous thereto while being constituted to enable the flow of fluid along the fluid flow path (20) once the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) has moved out of contiguity with the tube facing access port (48).

8) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 7 in which the fluid flow regulating arrangement (36) is constituted to enable the flow of fluid along the fluid flow path (20) once the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) has moved out of contiguity with the tube facing access port (48) by way of an intermediate fluid transfer chamber (32), as thus involving the fluid flow regulating arrangement (36) in defining part of the fluid transfer path defining means, that is formed within the handle (22) and that is open to both the inner end region (14.1) of the displaceable tube by way of a tube inner end region lateral flow aperture arrangement (34) and to the tube facing access port (48) when not seatingly being engaged by the axially displaceably mounted tube (14), the axially displaceably mounted tube being constrained to be displaced to the extent of retaining its inner end (aperture arrangement displaying) region (14.1) within the chamber (32) while sealingly and linearly displaceably engaging the chamber upstream (38) of its inner end aperture arrangement displaying region (14A) against an environmental release of fluid except by way of the fluid transfer path defining means.

9) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 7 in which the displacing means is in the form of a tube displacer formation (26) that extends from the tube (14) while fitting slidable displaceably along a slot (28) through the wall of the handle (22) by way of an arcuately formed flexible strip (24) of a resilience that biases it into its arc forming condition and that forms in conjunction with the displacer formation the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism as thus biased to return to a condition associated with hand pressure relaxation, the strip extending in the direction of the axis of displacement of the axially displaceably mounted tube (44) between positions of handle and tube displacer formation securing (42, 40) resulting in the exertion of pressure there onto in response to the exertion of user hand pressure urging the strip (24) towards the handle having the effect of slidably displacing the displacer formation (26) and in conjunction the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) into an unseating condition with respect to the tube facing access port (48) enabling a flow of fluid along the fluid transfer path defining means, once the manipulator is in operative use, while hand pressure relaxation has the effect of causing the strip (24) to return to its arc forming condition thereby causing the blanked off end (14.2) of the tube to become seated to the access port (48) owing to a commensurate displacement of the displacer formation (26) and in conjunction the tube (14), in the case of the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism incorporating a locking facility its being in the form of a catch formation (30) that extends below the flexible strip (24) and that releasably engages with the handle (22) once the strip has been urged into a condition of at least substantial handle contiguity.

10) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 9 in which the catch formation as thus being incorporated into the fluid flow opening and closure mechanism, is in the form of a hook (30) extending below the strip (24) towards its location of strip to displacer formation engagement (40) with the entrance to the hook facing the inner end (28.1) of the slot, as thus associated with strip relaxation, while the width of the slot (28) accommodates the hook once urged into slot engagement by the appropriate application of hand pressure to the strip (24) with the lip (58) of the hook (30) being on appropriate strip manipulation receivable into an inner end location of penetration (56) of the slot (28) for locking the axially displaceably mounted tube (14) against seating return to the tube facing access port (48) thereby to maintain a flow of fluid along the manipulator once in operative use, engagement of the catching lip (58) of the hook below the inner end of the slot being achieved in response to maintaining a hand grip exerted force on the hook carrying end region of the strip while relaxing the force on the remainder of the strip to the effect of constraining the hook to enter and move along the slot into engagement with its inner end location of penetration (56) as brought about by the relaxation of force on the remainder of the strip with hook disengagement being attained by the application of a hand exerted pressure effort on the full extent of the strip (24) until a condition of hook release is achieved followed by the return of the strip to its arc forming condition in response to a relaxation of hand applied pressure.

11) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 7 in which the part of the fluid flow path extending between the tube facing access port and the fluid utilisation mouth is in the form of an intermediate fluid flow conduit (16) forming part of the handle in combination with a nozzle carrying environment interactive tube (18, 66) extending beyond the handle (22) that is used for the environmental application of fluid, whether by suction or compressed medium release, once the manipulator is in use.

12) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 11 that is in the form of a suction device thus being connectable to a source of suction while being employable for manipulating the flow of fluid in the form of air in relation to a location of manipulator applied fluid flow utilisation by exerting a manually directed and controlled suction action.

13) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 12 in which the nozzle (68) of the nozzle carrying environment interactive tube (18, 66) is of uninterrupted though non-circular end view to the effect of facilitating its retraction from the mouth cavity of a patient even though clenched between such person's teeth thereby facilitating the use of the manipulator as mouth fluid suction extractor.

14) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 13 in which the nozzle (68) is of oval or oblong end profile.

15) A hand held fluid flow manipulator as claimed in claim 11 in which the nozzle carrying environment interactive tube (66) removably fits the intermediate fluid flow conduit (16) though against accidental release facilitating the fitment of a variety of such tubes.