US3777742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tantalum insufflator
Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC
•
Filing: 1972-09-18
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for insufflating the airways of a patient with tantalum dust, either by the inhalation method or the catheter method.
Inventors
- 👤 C Aumiller
- 👤 L Morrison
- 👤 D Holinbeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/08; A61B5/0813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
Apparatus for insufflating the airways of a patient with radiopaque powder, said apparatus comprising a container defining a chamber adapted to hold a pile of said powder, in insufflating circuit comprising an inlet line communicating with said chamber and also communicating with the atmosphere, said insufflating circuit also comprising an outlet line communicating with and leading from said chamber said outlet line being adapted to be sucked upon by the patient and constituting a means by which the patient may provide intermittant negative pressure in said chamber whereby, when the patient inhales, a stream of air is drawn into said chamber from said inlet line and flows through said chamber and into said outlet line for delivery into the airways of the patient, a cloud generating circuit comprising a pressure pump having inlet and outlet conduits, said outlet conduit being connected to the discharge side of said pump and being positioned with its discharge end located adjacent and directed toward said pile of powder whereby operation of said pump causes air to impinge against said pile and creates a cloud of powder within said chamber for entrainment in said air stream, and said inlet conduit being connected to the suction side of said pump and communicating with said chamber to keep the chamber substantially at atmospheric pressure and thereby prevent air and powder from being forced into said outlet line as a result of operation of said pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
Apparatus for insufflating the airways of a patient with radiopaque powder, said apparatus comprising a container defining a chamber adapted to hold a pile of said powder, in insufflating circuit comprising an inlet line communicating with said chamber and also communicating with the atmosphere, said insufflating circuit also comprising an outlet line communicating with and leading from said chamber said outlet line being adapted to be sucked upon by the patient and constituting a means by which the patient may provide intermittant negative pressure in said chamber whereby, when the patient inhales, a stream of air is drawn into said chamber from said inlet line and flows through said chamber and into said outlet line for delivery into the airways of the patient, a cloud generating circuit comprising a pressure pump having inlet and outlet conduits, said outlet conduit being connected to the discharge side of said pump and being positioned with its discharge end located adjacent and directed toward said pile of powder whereby operation of said pump causes air to impinge against said pile and creates a cloud of powder within said chamber for entrainment in said air stream, and said inlet conduit being connected to the suction side of said pump and communicating with said chamber to keep the chamber substantially at atmospheric pressure and thereby prevent air and powder from being forced into said outlet line as a result of operation of said pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second pressure pump, means for connecting the discharge side of said second pump to said inlet line whereby operation of said second pump causes a stream of air to flow in said insufflating circuit without the patient sucking on said outlet line, means in said inlet line for preventing air in the inlet line from escaping to atmosphere during operation of said second pump, a catheter tube, and means for connecting said catheter tube to said outlet line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means in said inlet line for removing moisture from said air stream before the latter enters said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including heating means in said insufflating circuit for warming said air stream before the latter passes into said outlet line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said container includes a generally frusto-conical body disposed in an upright position, said pile of powder being located at the lower end of said chamber, a biological filter located in said inlet line near the upper end of said container, said inlet line terminating adjacent the upper end of said chamber, and said outlet conduit having its discharge end located adjacent the lower end of said chamber and just above said pile of powder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said inlet conduit of said pump communicates with said chamber by way of said inlet line and communicates with said inlet line at a point located upstream of said filter whereby the air passing into said inlet conduit from said chamber is cleaned by said filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which air flowing into said chamber through said inlet line helps clean said filter by returning powder particles thereon back into said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for vibrating said filter and said container to shake powder loose from the filter and the interior surfaces of the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the discharge end of said outlet conduit is located below the downstream end of said inlet line and the inlet end of said outlet line, the downstream end of said inlet line and the inlet end of said outlet line being spaced vertically and angularly from one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
Appparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the downstream end of said inlet line is located adjacent the upper end of said chamber, said outlet conduit having its discharge end located adjacent the lower end of said chamber and just above said pile of powder, and said outlet line having its inlet end located between the downstream end of said inlet line and the discharge end of said outlet conduit and spaced angularly from the downstream end of said inlet line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said inlet line, said outlet line and said outlet conduit all extend into said chamber through the top of said container, said inlet and outlet lines being angularly spaced from each other and being located on opposite sides of said outlet conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including a nozzle on the discharge end of said outlet conduit, said nozzle including a centrally located discharge hole extending in substantially a vertical direction and including a series of discharge holes spaced angularly around said centrally located hole and inclined downwardly and outwardly from said centrally located hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means for vibrating said container to shake powder loose from the interior surfaces of the container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said means comprises a movable hammer, and mechanism for repeatedly striking said hammer against the top of said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |