Abstract:
A vacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a fluid source, the vacuum device including an upper member that may be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The upper member defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectively coupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, a first opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communication with the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membrane defining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity and is coupled to the first opening of the lower member. In use, the second opening of the lower member in placed in selective fluid communication with the fluid source, and the lower member is selectively coupled to the upper member such that the vacuum pump is electrically coupled to the energy source and the bottom opening of the upper member is in sealed contact with the first opening of the lower member so that the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the interior cavity defined by the elastic membrane. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R § 1.72(b).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of substance extraction devices and, more particularly, to a vacuum device for extraction, and assessment, of a substance from a source.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0002]    In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a vacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a source, such as a fluid source. The vacuum device includes an upper member that may be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The upper member defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectively coupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, a first opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communication with the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membrane defining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity of the lower member and is coupled to the first opening of the lower member.  
           [0003]    In use; the second opening of the lower member in placed in selective fluid communication with the fluid source, and the lower member is selectively coupled to the upper member such that the vacuum pump is electrically coupled to the energy source and the bottom opening of the upper member is in sealed contact with the first opening of the lower member. Thus, the vacuum pump may be placed in fluid communication with the interior cavity defined by the elastic membrane.  
           [0004]    The membrane is movable from a first relaxed position, in which the exterior surface of the membrane is in contact with an inner surface of the inner cavity of the lower member proximate the second opening of the lower member, to a second operative position, in which portions of the membrane proximate the second opening are drawn away from the inner surface of the inner cavity and toward the first opening of the lower member so that a fluid cavity, in communication with the second opening of the lower member, is defined. The membrane moves from the first relaxed position to the second operative position upon application of vacuum to the interior cavity due to the actuation of the vacuum pump so that vacuum is applied to the second opening of the lower member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0005]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of the invention.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structure of the upper member of the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structure of the lower member of the present invention showing a fluid conduit acting as a fluid source.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structure of the selectable connected upper member and lower member of the present invention, the upper member showing a male port depending from a bottom surface of the upper member, the port defining a bottom opening in the upper member, the bottom opening in communication with a vacuum pump, the lower member showing a first opening and a second opening in communication with an inner cavity of the lower member.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structure of the present invention showing the upper member selectively connected to the lower member and a membrane, disposed therein the lower member, in a first relaxed position, in which an exterior surface of the membrane is in contact with an inner surface of the inner cavity of the lower member proximate the second opening of the lower member.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structure of the present invention showing the upper member selectively connected to the lower member and a membrane, disposed therein the lower member, in a second operative position, in which portions of the membrane proximate the second opening are drawn away from the inner surface of the inner cavity and toward the first opening of the lower member so that a fluid cavity, in communication with the second opening of the lower member, is defined. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention and the Figures. The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended to be illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0012]    Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment comprises from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.  
         [0013]    The present invention is directed to a vacuum device  10  and system for providing a vacuum source. In various embodiments, the present invention may be applied in situation where substances need to be extracted and/or monitored for its characteristics. For example, the present invention may be used to provide a vacuum to extract fluid from a biological tissue and to measure the contents of the fluids for certain characteristic analytes including, without limitation, acetic acid, pH, glucose, lactic acid, C02, and various vitamins and nutrients. Furthermore, the fluid can be any type of biological fluid including, without limitation, blood, interstitial fluid, urea, sweat, plasma and lymph.  
         [0014]    As depicted in FIGS.  1 - 5 , the vacuum device  10  of the present invention preferably comprises an upper member  20 , a lower member  40 , a vacuum pump  60 , an energy source  80 , and an elastic membrane  100 . The upper member  20  has a bottom surface  22  defining a bottom opening  24 . The lower member  40 , which is selectively coupled to the upper member  20 , has a first surface  42  and an opposed second surface  46 . When the lower member  40  is coupled to the upper member  20  at least a portion of the first surface  42  of the lower member  40  adjoins a portion of the bottom surface  22  of the upper member  20 . The lower member  40  defines a first opening  44  in the first surface  42 , a second opening  48  in the second surface  46 , and an inner cavity  50  having an inner surface  52 . As one will appreciate, the first opening  44  and the second opening  48  are in fluid communication with the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 .  
         [0015]    The elastic membrane  100  is disposed therein the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  and is coupled to the first opening  44  of the lower member  40 . The elastic membrane  100  has an interior surface  102  and an exterior surface  104 . When disposed in the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 , the elastic membrane  100  generally forms a pouch  106  which defines an interior cavity  108  that is in communication with the first opening  44  of the lower member  40 . As one will appreciate, by storing gas  120 , for example, oxygen, in the pouch  106  formed by the elastic membrane  100 , the pouch  106  may be expanded so that at least a portion of the exterior surface  104  of the membrane  100  is placed into contact with a portion of the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . It is preferred that, when the pouch  106  is expanded, at least the portion of the exterior surface  104  of the elastic membrane  100  proximate the second opening  48  be in contact with portions of the inner surface  52  proximate the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 . The gas  120  may be any suitable non-toxic gas capable of being stored in the pouch  106 . The elastic membrane  100  is preferably made of polyurethrane or other non-rigid material capable of containing the gas  120  until the gas  120  is released from the pouch  106 .  
         [0016]    The vacuum pump  60  is disposed therein the upper body and is in selective electrical contact with the energy source  80 . The vacuum pump  60  is in fluid communication with the bottom opening  24  of the upper member  20 . An example of one suitable vacuum pump  60  is exemplified by an electrochemical pump made by Med-e-Cell and which are subject to U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,955, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,413, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,304, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,822, which are incorporated by reference to the extent that they are not inconsistent.  
         [0017]    The energy source  80  activates the vacuum pump  60  for withdrawing gas  120  from the interior cavity  108  of the membrane. As shown in the figures, in one preferred example, the energy source  80  is disposed in the lower member  40 . Any energy source  80  may be suitable. These include, without limitation, a battery, direct current, and a photoreceptor cell. According to certain embodiments, the energy source  80  is a battery capable of producing 1.5V to 3V and may produce a current of approximately 5 milliamps.  
         [0018]    Thus, in use, the upper member  20  and lower member  40  are coupled together in overlying registration and aligned such that the energy source  80  is electrically coupled to the vacuum pump  60  and the bottom opening  24  of the upper member  20  mates to the first opening  44  of the first surface  42  of the lower member  40  so that a seal exists between the bottom opening  24  and the first opening  44 . As one will appreciate, when the bottom opening  24  and the first opening  44  are in sealed contact with each other, the vacuum pump  60  is in fluid communication with the interior cavity  108  of the elastic membrane  100 .  
         [0019]    Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the vacuum device  10  may also comprise a rupturable membrane  130  disposed on the first surface  42  of the lower member  40  in overlying registration with the first opening  44  of the lower member  40 . In an unruptured state, the rupturable membrane  130  seals the gas  120  therein the interior cavity  108  of the elastic membrane  100  (i.e., within the formed “pouch”  106 ). To open the rupturable membrane  130  and to affect a more secure seal between the first opening  44  and the bottom opening  24 , the bottom surface  22  of the upper member  20  may have a male port  26  that depends from the bottom surface  22 . The apex of the male port  26  preferably defines the bottom opening  24  of the upper member  20 .  
         [0020]    Referring back generally to FIGS.  1 - 5 , as one will appreciate, when the upper member  20  is placed into overlying registration with the lower member  40 , the male port  26  penetrates and passes through the rupturable membrane  130  and into a portion of the first opening  44  to place the vacuum pump  60  into fluid communication with the gas  120  contained therein the pouch  106  formed by the elastic membrane  100 .  
         [0021]    To further enhance the seal between the bottom opening  24  and the first opening  44 , a pliable gasket  136  may be disposed on a portion of the bottom surface  22  of the upper member  20  proximate the male port  26 . It is preferred that the pliable gasket  136  extend circumferentially about the base of the male port  26 . As one will appreciate, the pliable gasket  136  is interposed between a portion of the bottom surface  22  and a portion of the first surface  42  when the upper member  20  and lower member  40  are coupled together, which aids in preventing gas  120  from leaking from the interior cavity  108 .  
         [0022]    As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elastic membrane  100  is movable from a first relaxed position, in which the exterior surface  104  of the elastic membrane  100  is in contact with the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  proximate the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 , to a second operative position, in which portions of the elastic membrane  100  proximate the second opening  48  are drawn away from the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  and toward the first opening  44  of the lower member  40  so that a fluid cavity  56 , in communication with the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 , is defined by the exterior surface  104  of the portions of the elastic membrane  100  proximate to and spaced from the second opening  48  and the portions of the “exposed” inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  that extend from the second opening  48  to where the exterior surface  104  of the elastic membrane  100  contacts the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . The elastic membrane  100  moves from the first relaxed position to the second operative position in response to the application of vacuum to the interior cavity  108  as a result of the actuation of the vacuum pump  60 .  
         [0023]    As one will further appreciate, as the pouch  106  decreases in size, the fluid cavity  56  expands therein the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . As a result, the expanding fluid cavity  56  creates a vacuum source from which a substance, such as fluid or a gas, can be drawn in through the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 . Depending on the embodiment, the present invention either directly draw fluid directly from a surface  2  acting as a fluid source, such as, for example, a biological membrane, to which the second surface  46  of the lower member  40  may be attached. Alternatively, the vacuum device  10  invention could indirectly draw fluid via a fluid conduit  4  that connects the second opening  48  of the lower member  40  of the vacuum device  10  to the fluid source of the fluid from which it is drawing.  
         [0024]    As the vacuum device  10  draws in the substance into the fluid cavity  56  created by the shrinking pouch  106 , the fluid cavity  56  may be used for storing the substance within the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . In this embodiment, the vacuum device  10  includes a one-way stop valve [not shown] disposed in the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 . The stop valve is oriented inwardly toward the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  to allow for one-way passage of substances into the fluid cavity  56 .  
         [0025]    According to several embodiments of the present invention, the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  of the vacuum device  10  may be separate components that are coupled together in proper overlying registration when it is desired to activate the vacuum device  10 . However, it is contemplated that the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  of the vacuum device  10  may be integrated into one cohesive unit with the proper alignment of electrical connections and respective openings already achieved and maintained. In this example, the vacuum device  10  does not activate as a result of the coupling of the upper and lower members  20 ,  40 . Depending on the application of the present invention, both types of embodiments may perform the same function and produce the same result. Nevertheless, applications where a disposable component is desired may be better served by embodiments where the upper member  20  and lower member  40  exist as separate components that activate the vacuum device  10  upon the proper overlying registration of the upper and lower members  20 ,  40 .  
         [0026]    To aid in the proper overlying registration of the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  (i.e., to insure that the respective electrical contacts and openings in proper alignment and connection), the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  of the vacuum device  10  may have complementary engaging elements. In one example, the upper member  20  may have a male engaging element  150  that depends from a circumferential edge of the upper member  20  and the lower member  40  may have a circumferentially extending female engaging element  152 . Aa one will appreciate, the male engaging element  150  and the female engaging element  152  are complementarily sized so that, when the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  are selectively coupled together, a complementary interference fit is formed.  
         [0027]    When the male and female engaging elements  150 ,  152  are connected, and the respective electrical connections are coupled and respective complementary openings are properly aligned, the vacuum device  10  can become activated. As noted above, it is contemplated, in certain embodiments, that the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  have complementary upper and lower electrical contacts  90 ,  92  which may or may not be in addition to the complementary engaging elements  150 ,  152 . In such embodiments, the upper electrical contact  90  is also further electrically coupled to the vacuum pump  60  and the lower electrical contact  92  is electrically coupled to the energy source  80 . When the electrical contacts  90 ,  92  are properly aligned upon the proper overlying registration of the upper and lower member  40   s , the energy source  80  becomes activated so that the vacuum pump  60  is activated. When the upper member  20  and lower member  40  are not properly aligned or are disengaged (i.e., they are not in operative contact with each other), the electrical contacts  90 ,  92  are not in contact so that the energy source  80  cannot activate the vacuum pump  60  which consequently leaves the vacuum device  10  in an inoperable state.  
         [0028]    The present invention has many useful applications where a vacuum source for fluids is desired. For example, the present invention may be used in a system where biological fluids are being monitored either on a discrete or continual basis. In such applications, embodiments of the vacuum device  10  may further comprise an assay sensor  160 . The embodiments may further comprise a pressure pump  170 , a fluid reservoir  180 , and a fluid conduit  190 .  
         [0029]    In one example, the pressure pump  170  is disposed therein the upper member  20  and is in fluid communication with a pressure opening  172  defined in the bottom surface  22  of the upper member  20 . The pressure opening  172  is preferably spaced from the bottom opening  24  of the upper member  20 . The pressure pump  170  is selectively coupled to the energy source  80 .  
         [0030]    The fluid reservoir  180  is disposed therein the lower member  40  and is in fluid communication with a third opening  182  defined in the first surface  42  of the lower member  40 . A calibration fluid  184  is disposed therein the fluid reservoir  180 . The third opening  182  is preferably spaced from the first opening  44  of the lower member  40 . The fluid conduit  190  has a proximal end  192  and an opposing distal end  194 . The proximal end  192  of the fluid conduit  190  is coupled to the fluid reservoir  180  and the distal end  194  is coupled to a port  196  defined in the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . The port  196  is preferably proximate the second opening  48  of the lower member  40  and is in fluid communication with the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 .  
         [0031]    The assay sensor  160  is preferably disposed on the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  proximate the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 . It is preferred that the assay sensor  160  be disposed on the inner surface  52  in close proximity to the port  196  defined in the inner surface  52  of the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40 . The assay sensor  160  is capable of sensing a characteristic of the fluid. The characteristic may include, but are not limited to, for example, pH, glucose, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, vitamin, and mineral.  
         [0032]    In use, when the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  are coupled together in proper overlying registration, the bottom opening  24  of the upper member  20  is in sealed contact with the first opening  44  of the lower member  40 , the pressure opening  172  of the upper member  20  is in sealed contact with the third opening  182  of the lower member  40 , and the pressure pump  170  is electrically coupled to the energy source  80  for actuation of the pressure pump  170 . In this configuration, the pressure pump  170  is in fluid communication with the calibration fluid  184  within the fluid reservoir  180 . The pressure pump  170  is moveable from a first de-energized position, in which the pressure pump  170  is deactivated and pressure is not communicated to the calibration fluid  184  in the fluid reservoir  180  of the lower member  40 , to a second energized position, in which pressure is communicated to the calibration fluid  184  in the fluid reservoir  180  of the lower member  40  from the pressure pump  170  upon actuation of the pressure pump  170 .  
         [0033]    Once the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  are coupled in proper overlying registration, the pressure pump  170  is in fluid communication, via the port  196 , with the assay sensor  160 . As noted above, the assay sensor  160  may be configured to measure characteristics of the fluid. In certain embodiments, the assay sensor  160  acts in conjunction with the calibration fluid  184  flowing out of the port  196  from the fluid reservoir  180  for appropriate measurements of the desired characteristics.  
         [0034]    The upper member  20  further comprises a system controller  200  that further comprises of a processor  202 , a transmitter  204 , and a circuit card assembly  206 (CCA) that can control various aspects of the operation of the system once activated. The system controller  200  is preferably disposed therein the upper member  20  and is electrically coupled to the assay sensor  160  and the energy source  80 . As one will appreciate, the system controller  200  may also be preferably electrically coupled to the vacuum pump  60  and the pressure pump  170 . In this example, the system controller  200  can control the flow rate of the vacuum pump  60 . In one embodiment, the system controller  200  controls the vacuum pump  60  such that the flow rate is approximately 9 inches of vacuum to flow 8 microliters per hour through the second opening  48  of the lower member  40 . The system controller  200  can then process the characteristic of the fluid being drawn into the fluid cavity  56  via the second opening  48 . As the fluid is passed into the fluid cavity  56 , it passes across the assay sensor  160 .  
         [0035]    As one will appreciate, while the fluid is being analyzed and measured, the system controller  200  can also activate the pressure pump  170  when needed such that the pressure pump  60  induces a positive pressure into the fluid reservoir  180  so that calibration fluid  184  is exuded from the port  196  across the assay sensor  160  to assist the assay sensor  160  in sensing the desired characteristics. In certain embodiments, the fluid drawn into the vacuum device  10  is interstitial fluid and the characteristic is glucose. However, as mentioned above, the present invention may applied to monitor any fluid for any characteristics capable of being measured. Moreover, as the assay sensor  160  measures the characteristic, the system controller  200  can further transmit the results to a display  210  located on the vacuum device  10  or alternatively, to a remote display.  
         [0036]    Thus, according to these embodiments, the vacuum device  10  can become operational when: (1) the upper member  20  and the lower member  40  are coupled in proper overlying registration so that a seal is created between the respective complementary opening of the upper and lower members  20 ,  40 ; (2) the corresponding complementary openings within the respective upper and lower members  20 ,  40  are properly aligned; and (3) the complementary electrical contacts  90 ,  92  of the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  become properly aligned such that the alignment triggers the system controller  200  to activate the energy source  80  which in turn will activate the vacuum pump  60 , the pressure pump  170 , the assay sensor  160  and the transmitter  204 . If the embodiment is where the display  210  is also on the vacuum device  10 , then the system controller  200  will activate the display reading as well via the energy source  80 .  
         [0037]    As the upper and lower members  20 ,  40  are brought into close proximity to one another, the male port  26  of the upper member  20  contacts the rupturable membrane  130  and eventually ruptures it as the proper registration and coupling is achieved. When the vacuum device  10  is properly coupled, the energy source  80  activates the pressure pump  170  and the vacuum pump  60 . The vacuum pump  60  pulls the gas  120 , for example, oxygen, from the pouch  106  which it now is in fluid communication as a result of the penetration of the rupturable membrane  130 . As the vacuum pump  60  pulls the gas  120  from within the pouch  106 , a vacuum source is created within the inner cavity  50  of the lower member  40  as a result of the gas  120  exiting the pouch  106  and the consequent decreasing size of the pouch  106  which no longer fills the inner cavity  50 . As a result the negative pressure created by the vacuum source allows for fluid to be drawn in through the second opening  48  of the lower member  40  into the formed fluid cavity  56 .  
         [0038]    The invention has been described herein in considerable detail, in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles, and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modification, both as to equipment details and operating procedures can be affected without departing from the scope of the invention itself. Further, it should be understood that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.