Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for the aspiration of a pneumothorax through a hollow needle inserted between the ribs of a patient comprising: hollow needle means for insertion between the ribs of a patient a hose connected to said hollow needle means for flow communication therebetween; means for suction of a gas from said pneumothorax, said means for suction connected to said hose for flow communication therebetween; means for sensing the flow rate of said gas drawn from said pneumothorax by said means for suction and for generating an electrical signal which is proportional to said gas flow rate, said means for sensing mounted in said hose between said needle means and said means for suction; and electronic control means responsive to said electrical signal from said means for sensing for calculating and displaying a total volume of gas that has flowed through said hose.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A device for the aspiration of a pneumothorax through a hollow needle inserted between the ribs of a patient comprising: hollow needle means for insertion between the ribs of a patient a hose connected to said hollow needle means for flow communication therebetween; means for suction of a gas from said pneumothorax, said means for suction connected to said hose for flow communication therebetween; means for sensing the flow rate of said gas drawn from said pneumothorax by said means for suction and for generating an electrical signal which is proportional to said gas flow rate, said means for sensing mounted in said hose between said needle means and said means for suction; and electronic control means responsive to said electrical signal from said means for sensing for calculating and displaying a total volume of gas that has flowed through said hose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said means for sensing comprises: a float-type flow-meter, the float of said float-type flow-meter floating in the gas flowing through said flow-meter; a magnetic core connected to said float and movable therewith; and an induction coil surrounding said magnetic core for sensing said flow rate of the gas flowing through said flow-meter by sensing the position of said magnetic core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said float-type flow-meter is connected in series between said hollow needle means and said means for suction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device according to claim 2 further comprising: a vent line extending from said hose between said means for suction and said float-type flow-meter, said vent line being exposed at one end to outside atmosphere; and a three-way valve mounted between said hose and said vent line for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said hose and for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said vent line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 4 further comprising: a low pressure gauge gage for measuring the pressure mounted in said hose between said three-way valve and said float-type flow-meter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device according to claim 2 further comprising: a vent line extending from said hose between said means for suction and said float-type flow-meter, said vent line being parallel to said float-type flow-meter and being exposed at one end to outside atmosphere; and a three-way valve mounted between said hose and said vent line for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said hose and for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said vent line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device according to claim 2 further comprising: a vent line extending from said hose between said means for suction and said float-type flow-meter, said vent line being parallel to said float-type flow-meter and being exposed at one end to outside atmosphere; and a three-way valve mounted between said hose and said vent line for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said hose and for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said vent line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device according to claim 1 further comprising: a vent line extending from said hose between said means for suction and said means for sensing, said vent line being exposed at one end to outside atmosphere; and a three-way valve mounted between said hose and said vent line for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said hose and for adjusting said flow rate of gas drawn through said vent line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 8 further comprising: a low pressure gauge for measuring the pressure mounted in said hose between said three-way valve and said means for sensing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control means further comprises: means for stopping the aspiration of gas from said pneumothorax at a predetermined level of total volume of gas drawn through said means for sensing, said means for stopping responsive to said electrical signal from said means for sensing to stop the aspiration of gas.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of aspirating a pneumothorax comprising the steps of: inserting a hollow needle between the ribs of a patient; connecting a hose and suction means to said needle; aspirating gas from said pneumothorax with said suction means; sensing the rate of flow of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax with a sensor; generating an electrical signal with said sensor in response to the rate of flow of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax; calculating the total volume of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax with an electronic control means; and stopping the aspiration of gas from said pneumothorax with said electronic control means when said total volume of gas reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of aspirating a pneumothorax comprising the steps of: inserting a hollow needle between the ribs of a patient; connecting a hose and suction means to said needle; aspirating gas from said pneumothorax with said suction means; sensing the rate of flow of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax with a sensor; generating an electrical signal with said sensor in response to the rate of flow of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax; calculating the total volume of gas aspirated from said pneumothorax with an electronic control means; and stopping the aspiration of gas from said pneumothorax with said electronic control means when said total volume of gas reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said method further comprises, after said step of aspirating, the step of: regulating the flow rate of said gas by venting said hose a predetermined amount to atmospheric conditions.