Abstract:
A vacuum pressure regulator system for use in association with a vacuum system in which a vacuum is employed for healthcare purposes, for assisting in monitoring and regulating the vacuum pressure, and having a manual pressure control valve to adjust the treatment vacuum pressure supplied to the patient, a vacuum pressure sensor to sense the treatment vacuum pressure for the patient in the system, and producing a treatment vacuum pressure signal, a sampling circuit which intermittently samples the pressure signal generated by the pressure sensor and generate sampling signals, an electrically powered pressure display circuit, and digital pressure display, for receiving the sampling signals and providing a visible display, and, a non-mains power supply.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/714,624 filed Nov. 18, 2003, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/248,094 filed Dec. 18, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to medical and hospital healthcare vacuum systems and in particular to a vacuum pressure gauge and regulator having a solid state, non-mains powered sensor for monitoring the vacuum pressure and enabling the operator to maintain a stable level of vacuum for administration to a patient, and to a vacuum regulator incorporating such a vacuum pressure gauge. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of health care, vacuum systems are required in many circumstances. A vacuum may be required to be applied to a patient for a variety of reasons. 
     In these cases care must be taken to ensure that the level of vacuum negative pressure is maintained at the level required for a particular treatment. To do this manual controls, known as vacuum regulators, are provided by which the level of vacuum pressure can be controlled and varied. 
     Pressure gauges are also provided either incorporated in or matched with the vacuum regulator, which monitor the level of vacuum pressure. 
     In the past the mechanical systems in such vacuum regulators for actually varying and controlling the vacuum used simple vent valves and the like. Such valves could be controlled manually usually by a control knob. The pressure gauge was usually a mechanical type gauge, which consisted of a pressure sensor with a dial, and a needle showing the pressure. An operator would glance at the dial and needle from time to time to ensure that the vacuum level remained stable at the desired pressure. 
     Such known pressure gauge systems have been somewhat primitive. 
     Usually known vacuum regulators used a simple mechanical type pressure gauge with a needle type readout dial showing the pressure. An operator would monitor the gauge reading and might adjust the manual pressure control as desired. This system was somewhat old fashioned for the hospital environment, and was not always practical in emergency situations for example in a paramedic environment, at an accident scene for example, or in an ambulance. For example the needle dial and may require to be checked repeatedly, and it was possible for the paramedic to misread the dial. An example of a needle dial type readout is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,132 where the needle dial is removably securable to a round post. The dial is sealed against leakage by “O” rings. 
     Such known systems were also capable of providing for intermittent vacuum pulses to be supplied at intervals as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,308. The intermittent control in many cases, was difficult to maintain and difficult to regulate as to timing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,336 issued on Jan. 29, 1991, to G S Kohn, and discloses a complex vacuum pressure regulator in which the vacuum source is used to drive a rotary air powered motor which in turn drives an electrical generator, which is part of the regulator. The vacuum control valve is electrically operated and turns the vacuum on and off for intermittent supply of vacuum to the patient. This system is unnecessarily complex in that it incorporates its own electrical generator, and uses that generator to power the electronic on/off switching of the vacuum. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,768 issued on May 30, 1995, to J. P. Kayser and discloses a vacuum regulator in which the actual vacuum control valve is operated by a solenoid. The solenoid is programmed to open and close the valve automatically for intermittent operation. This system is also complex, and would consume a considerable power supply. 
     There is a need for a vacuum pressure regulator having a more precise pressure readout, preferably one that provides a better visual readout, such as could be provided by a digital numeral LCD display. 
     Preferably such a system will be independent of main power (i.e. connected to wiring in a building), and will be a system that is solid state operated, with battery power, for most applications, thus permitting it to be used anywhere in a facility or in the field if needed. 
     Preferably the vacuum pressure display will be incorporated in the body of a manual vacuum pressure regulator, so that the digital vacuum pressure display is provided in a single compact unit. 
     Preferably there will also be an alarm, of some form, incorporated in the pressure gauge which will alert the attendant if there is a loss of vacuum. 
     Preferably the pressure regulator will be designed to operate on a minimum of power, so that it can be powered by a long life battery, a rechargeable battery, a 12-volt battery, or by solar power if desired. Main power connections could also be incorporated, so as to be available to be used, when required, as an optional alternative supply. 
     The regulator control will preferably incorporate a potentiometer connected to the logic so that when the control knob is rotated to adjust the pressure, the sampling rate is increased temporarily. This will give an instantaneous readout, on the display of the new pressure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of this invention to provide a digital pressure display comprising a sensor for sensing a pressure, a microprocessor for intermittently enabling said sensor to sense said pressure and generate a signal, a power source, so as to generate a digital pressure reading. 
     With a view to providing the foregoing advantages the invention comprises a vacuum pressure regulator system for use in association with a vacuum system in which a vacuum is employed for healthcare purposes, for assisting in monitoring and regulating the vacuum pressure, and which vacuum pressure regulator system has a manual pressure control valve operable by an operator to adjust the treatment vacuum pressure supplied to the patient, a vacuum pressure sensor operable to sense the treatment vacuum pressure for the patient in the system, and to produce a treatment vacuum pressure signal, a sampling circuit operable intermittently by electrical power to sample said pressure signal generated by said pressure sensor at predetermined time intervals and generate sampling signals, an electrically powered pressure display circuit, and digital pressure display, for receiving said sampling signals and generating a visible digital pressure display, and, a non-main power supply connected for supplying power both to said sampling circuit for sampling said vacuum sensor, and to said display circuit and said digital display. 
     The invention further seeks to provide such a vacuum pressure regulator including a no-pressure signal generator for generating at least one no-pressure signal representing an absence of treatment vacuum pressure, and an alarm signal generator, and an alarm responsive thereto, operable in response to a no-pressure signal to generate an alarm. 
     The invention further provides such a vacuum pressure regulator system in which said regulator is manually operable to adjust said treatment vacuum pressure so as to maintain a desired level of vacuum pressure. 
     The invention further provides such a vacuum pressure gauge system in which said no pressure signal generator responds to the occlusion of a treatment device connected to a patient and signals an alarm. 
     The invention further provides such a vacuum pressure regulator system in which an operator override control is provided whereby an operator can manually override said pressure control valve and supply full vacuum for treatment of said patient. 
     The vacuum applied to the patient may be and usually is, connected to the patient through a know collection bottle, and material removed from the patient may be allowed to collect in such a collection bottle thus preventing the material from being withdrawn up into the vacuum system itself. 
     The invention also provides a method of supplying and regulating a vacuum to a patient, with a non-main powered regulator, and sampling the vacuum pressure at timed intervals so as to conserve power. 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a vacuum pressure system, showing the vacuum pressure regulator illustrating the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional illustration of a vacuum pressure regulator of  FIG. 1  along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a conduit diagram illustrating the layout of the various conduits connecting the components of the pressure regulator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the connection of the mechanical components of the vacuum pressure controls  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a block circuit diagram of the vacuum pressure sensor and display. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention to be described herein is in one embodiment described in relation to air and a vacuum. However, the invention is applicable to any gas with the appropriate selection of materials. Furthermore, the invention can be used with fluids. Moreover, the invention can be used for both positive and negative pressures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  it will be seen that the invention is there illustrated in the form of a vacuum regulator  10  having a housing  12 , a vacuum source connection  14 , and a vacuum patient connection  16 . Typically the vacuum connection  14  will be connected to a known vacuum conduit  18  common in many hospitals, and paramedical vehicles. The conduit, in a hospital is located in or on a wall, and has connection points in various rooms, by means of which a paramedic, doctor or nurse, may have quick access to a source of vacuum wherever required. The patient connection  16  may be connected by a patient hose  20  to a vacuum tube or device (not shown), by means of which the patient may be treated with a vacuum in any desired circumstances. 
     Typically a collector bottle  24  is provided in the patient hose, for collecting any mucous or other material removed from the patient via the hose. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  the components within the vacuum regulator housing are seen in more detail. On the housing  12  there is a manually operable control knob  30 , connected to a pressure control valve  32  within housing  12 . By operation of knob  30  the vacuum pressure can be adjusted, manually, as desired. Knob  30  is coupled with a control sensor, in this case a potentiometer ring  31  known per se ( FIG. 4 ), for reasons described below. 
     The vacuum regulator  10  has a visual indicator or window  34  for a display (described below), on which the treatment vacuum pressure is displayed, and also has an alarm  36 . The alarm may be a flashing light, an audible buzzer or a combination of warning alert devices. 
     A mode select switch  38  is operable to select either automatic regulation or manual override, as desired. 
     In accordance with the invention a power source, in this case a battery  40  is located within housing  12  and is connected to a circuit board of the vacuum sensor as will be described below. Other forms of power source could replace the battery or could be combined with the battery, a rechargeable storage device, solar power, or a mains power supply and transformer. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the vacuum conduit connections within the housing  12  between the various mechanical components, corresponding to  FIG. 3  but in schematic form. The vacuum source  14  is shown connected to the control valve  32 . Such control valves are known, and the details are not shown for the sake of clarity. The control knob  30  connects to the control valve for manual operation and adjustment of the control valve, by an operator. This permits the operator to manually adjust the level of vacuum being supplied to the patient. The mode selection control  38  allows an operator to select either an off position or an automatic operation position, of the control valve at a selected vacuum pressure, or manual override position, which cuts out the control valve and applies full vacuum to the patient. A pressure sensor  44  senses the vacuum pressure and provides a pressure signal. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the electronic circuit by which the pressure signal is sampled at intervals. A further vent  46  is provided in the line connection to the patient. 
     A sampler circuit  48  is located in housing  12 , which is described below. A pressure sampler  50  is connected to the pressure sensor  44 , and operates at intervals to sample the pressure detected in the pressure sensor. Sampler  50  is powered by power supply  40 . This can be any one of, or a combination of the various different power supplies listed above. 
     Pressure sampler  50  is connected to amplifier  52  to amplify the pressure signal. Amplifier  52  is connected to micro controller  54 . Controller  54  is connected to a digital display, typically a LCD display, shown as  56 . The controller  54  is also connected to the potentiometer of control knob  30 . 
     This greatly reduces the power consumption of the system. Thus a power supply in the form of a long-life battery will provide extended operation, without the need for a main connection. 
     The sampling rate can be changed by the controller  54 . Thus as the control knob  30  is rotated the controller  54  will temporarily increase the sampling rate of the sampler  50 . In this way the display will give an instantaneous reading of the new pressure setting. 
     The micro controller  54  generally comprises an electronic chip, which has embodied therein the logic for controlling the sampler  50 . The micro controller controls the time interval at which the vacuum pressure is monitored and sampled and read. The reason for sampling at intervals rather than continuously is to extend the life of the power supply such as the battery or the like. Accordingly, batteries can be used to provide DC power. 
     The life of the batteries can be further extended by including a light sensor  97  associated with the digital display  56  and part of the circuitry that would sense when light would be present in the vicinity of the vacuum regulator in which case the sampler circuit  48  would continue to intermittently sample the vacuum pressure as previously described. However, whenever it was dark (for example at night or the unit in a package) or whenever the room was exposed to a selected low light or candle power the digital display would shut down. In other words the numeric display on the digital display would go out since it would be too dark in the room for anyone to walk around. This then saves battery power, as the LCD display for example would not be powered. However, the vacuum would still be sampled intermittently as described if the patient was on vacuum since the alarm may go off if the vacuum is blocked as previously described. Once the light was back into the room the light sensor would sense this condition and turn the digital display back on. Alternatively, the display and the intermittent sampling can be shut down, (when the room is dark) but the light sensor remains active. Once the light sensor senses light the display is powered, and the pressure sensor is intermittently sampled. 
     The micro controller can be programmed so that when the digital display is reactivated because it is no longer dark, or when the control knob  30  is rotated to different vacuum level the intermittent time period when the vacuum is sampled is temporarily increased, i.e. the sampling rate is increased to give a more accurate reflection of the vacuum during this transition period. 
     Furthermore, the regulator could carry a solar panel  99  to charge or recharge rechargeable batteries to further extend the life of the battery power. Examples of batteries that can be used include AA or 3.6 volt batteries. In one embodiment two of such batteries are used. 
     Moreover, although the vacuum is sampled intermittently the display will show the level of vacuum continuously. Therefore the digital display will show numerical numbers continuously which are generally easier to read more accurate and reliable than a needle dial. 
     A memory  58  is connected to controller  54  to store data. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the invention, which shows a vacuum regulator  12  presenting a vacuum inlet  14  and vacuum outlet  16 . A selector dial  38  is utilized to select the vacuum regulator in the “Off”, “Full Vacuum” or “Regulated Vacuum” modes of the vacuum regulator in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. A regulator  48  communicates with a regulator well in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. A control knob  30  is shown to adjust the level of vacuum, however, a potentiometer ring is not used in this embodiment. A digital display  56  however is shown. 
     The digital display  56  is adapted to engage an aperture  54  of hollow flange  56 . 
     Prior art vacuum regulators show needle dials engaged with hollow flanges as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,132. Therefore, the digital display  56  described herein can be substituted in place of the prior art needle dials. The digital display is sealed against leakage by “O” rings  60 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  the pressure sensor  44 , sampler circuit  50  including the power supply  40  would be disposed or contained within the display housing  57 . Furthermore, the light sensor  97  and solar panel  99  is disposed on the housing  57 . 
     By utilising the invention described herein the life of the battery is extended. For example in one such application a one year battery has been extended to ten years. 
     Moreover, as a further alternative the invention described herein can include a microprocessor that may continuously enable the sensor to sense the pressure and generate a signal. 
     The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.