Patent ID: 9132213
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A vacuum regulator for use in a vacuum system having a vacuum source, the vacuum system associated with a patient, the regulator comprising: a vacuum circuit defined within the regulator for delivering vacuum to a patient, the circuit having two ends, an inlet portion at one end adapted to be pneumatically connected to the source of vacuum, and an outlet portion at the other end adapted to deliver vacuum from the regulator for further use with the patient; a vacuum mode switch for the regulator, the vacuum mode switch being settable to an “off” position corresponding to closing vacuum off from the regulator, the vacuum mode switch also settable to open the inlet to allow vacuum from the vacuum source into the regulator; a regulator module in pneumatic communication with the vacuum circuit, the regulator module being adjustable to regulate the vacuum from the vacuum source to deliver regulated vacuum to the vacuum system, the regulated vacuum having a vacuum pressure within a range of vacuum pressures available for delivery; wherein the vacuum mode switch is configured to prevent vacuum from entering the regulator module when the switch is in the “off” position; wherein the regulator module includes a regulator head and an orifice in pneumatic communication with the vacuum source, the head being moveable over a range of positions relative to the orifice, the positions being calibrated relative to the vacuum source to correspond to pre-determined levels of vacuum to be selected for delivery; wherein the head is configured to be moveable to one of the positions to correspond to a selected vacuum; wherein the head is configured to be moveable when the vacuum mode switch is in the “off” position, whereby the selected vacuum can be preset when the vacuum mode switch is in the “off” position; a gauge in pneumatic communication with the vacuum circuit and adapted to measure the pressure of the selected vacuum; a first display associated with the gauge and adapted to indicate the pressure of the selected vacuum measured by the gauge; a vacuum level selector connected to the regulator head and operable to move the regulator head over the range of positions to the selected vacuum; and a second display associated with the vacuum level selector and adapted to indicate the value of the selected vacuum; whereby when the vacuum level selector is operated to indicate the selected vacuum, the regulator head is in a position corresponding to the selected vacuum.