Patent ID: 6461323
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An automatic pump system for irrigating a surgical site, said pump system adapted to be coupled to a source of surgical fluid via an input line and adapted to deliver a pressurized supply of surgical fluid to a fluid control valving system via an output line, the pump system adapted to be disposed at an elevated position with respect to said fluid control valving system, said pump system comprising:a motor and a housing therefor; a pump mounted to said housing and mechanically driven by said motor, said pump having a first and a second fluid port respectively adapted to be coupled to said input and output line; an electrical system for said motor with at least one battery supplying electrical power to said motor; a flow sensor with an optical switch fluidly coupled to one of said first and second fluid ports to determine fluid flow therethrough, said flow sensor including a flow chamber with a small flow segment and a large flow segment adjacent thereto, a poppet movably disposed in said flow chamber and sized to permit nominal flow in said small flow segment and large flow in said large flow segment; said optical switch configured to accept, as a control input, at least one predetermined poppet position in said flow chamber, said optical switch having a controlled electrical output which is electrically coupled to said electrical system and effective to control application of said electrical power to said pump based upon fluid flow through said flow chamber.