US 12,109,349 B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for aspirating airways
Forhad Akhter, San Antonio, TX (US); Austin R. Schoppe, San Antonio, TX (US); Omar Navarro, San Antonio, TX (US); Bruce Adams, San Antonio, TX (US); Yusheng Feng, San Antonio, TX (US); Robert Delorenzo, San Antonio, TX (US); and Robert L. Hood, San Antonio, TX (US)
Assigned to Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US)
Appl. No. 17/286,404
Filed by The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 18, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/057008
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 16, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/081981, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 23, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/747,520, filed on Oct. 18, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0386924 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. A61M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 1/74 (2021.05) [A61M 1/60 (2021.05); A61M 1/73 (2021.05); A61M 1/76 (2021.05); A61M 1/774 (2021.05); A61M 1/79 (2021.05); A61M 1/80 (2021.05); A61M 1/84 (2021.05); A61M 1/842 (2021.05); A61M 1/86 (2021.05); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01); A61M 2205/50 (2013.01); A61M 2205/587 (2013.01); A61M 2205/7545 (2013.01); A61M 2210/1025 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for aspirating an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a main body comprising:
a pressure sensor;
a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, the controller comprising:
a processor;
a centrifugal pump; and
a memory;
a power source in communication with the controller;
a storage canister housing coupled to the main body, the storage canister housing comprising:
a first end coupled to the main body;
a second end having a weighted portion and configured to be coupled to the first end to permit free rotation, such that the second end gravitationally rotates about a first longitudinal axis;
an inlet disposed on the second end, where the inlet is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is offset by a distance from the first longitudinal axis;
a storage canister disposed within the storage canister housing and coupled to the inlet of the storage canister housing;
a suction tube having a proximal end coupled to the inlet and a distal end; and
a handle coupled to the distal end of the suction tube, the handle comprising:
a first portion having an opening configured to receive a suction catheter; and
a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion and configured to receive the distal end of the suction tube.
 
20. An apparatus for aspirating an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a main body comprising:
a pressure sensor;
a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, the controller comprising:
a processor;
a centrifugal pump; and
a memory;
a power source in communication with the controller;
a storage canister housing coupled to the main body, the storage canister housing comprising:
a first end coupled to the main body;
a second end having a weighted portion and configured to be coupled to the first end to permit free rotation, such that the second end gravitationally rotates about a first longitudinal axis;
an inlet disposed on the second end, where the inlet is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is offset by a distance from the first longitudinal axis;
a storage canister disposed within the storage canister housing and coupled to the inlet of the storage canister housing, the storage canister comprising:
a first portion having a plurality of ribs defining a fixed volume;
a second portion coupled to the first portion and defining a second volume; and
a suction tube having a proximal end coupled to the inlet and a distal end; and
a handle coupled to the distal end of the suction tube, the handle comprising:
a first portion having an opening configured to receive a suction catheter; and
a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion and configured to receive the distal end of the suction tube.