Patent ID: 7524299
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for controlling aspiration in a microsurgical system, comprising: a pressurized gas source; an aspiration chamber; a vacuum generator; a surgical device for aspirating tissue; a first fluid line fluidly coupling said pressurized source and said vacuum generator; a second fluid line fluidly coupling said vacuum generator and said aspiration chamber; a third fluid line fluidly coupling said aspiration chamber and said surgical device; a fourth fluid line fluidly coupling said pressurized gas source and said aspiration chamber independent of said vacuum generator and said surgical device; a vacuum proportional valve fluidly coupled on said first fluid line between said pressurized gas source and said vacuum generator; a pressure proportional valve fluidly coupled on said fourth fluid line between said pressurized gas source and said aspiration chamber; a pressure transducer fluidly coupled to said aspiration chamber; a proportional controller; and a computer electrically coupled to said vacuum proportional valve, said pressure proportional valve, said pressure transducer, and said proportional controller; whereby upon the selection of a desired suction pressure for said aspiration chamber via said proportional controller, said pressure transducer determines an actual suction pressure in said aspiration chamber and provides a first signal corresponding to said determined suction pressure to said computer, and said computer provides a second signal to said vacuum proportional valve and a third signal to said pressure proportional valve to maintain said actual suction pressure proximate said desired suction pressure.