US9339595 (B2) - DISPOSABLE VACUUM SOURCE AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS THEREOF

In an aspect, an apparatus is provided including: a vacuum container configured to provide and substantially maintain a built-in vacuum pressure; a contact member configured to contact and substantially enclose a surface area; a vacuum device configured to couple the built-in vacuum pressure to the surface area thereby applying a suction force over the surface area; and a conduit coupled to the vacuum container; wherein the vacuum container is also configured to retain a substance collected from adjacent the surface area, wherein the conduit is configured to direct the substance to the vacuum container, and to maintain substantially the same level of vacuum pressure as the vacuum container, wherein the vacuum container comprises a collapsible container, and wherein the collapsible container comprises a spring member configured to maintain a tension in a wall of the vacuum container.

In some embodiments, the vacuum device includes: a first valve configured to, if opened, couple the built-in vacuum pressure to the surface area; and a second valve configured to equalize a pressure over the surface area with an ambient atmospheric pressure thereby releasing the suction force.

In some embodiments, the first valve, if closed, is also configured to maintain a pressure difference between the vacuum container and the surface area.

In some embodiments, the vacuum device includes a first vacuum valve configured to equalize the built-in vacuum pressure with the pressure on the surface area.

In some embodiments, the vacuum device further includes a second vacuum valve configured to release the suction force from the surface area.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus further includes a needle and a catheter, wherein the suction force is configured for fixation of the needle and the catheter, and wherein the apparatus is configured as an anesthesia apparatus.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus further includes a needle, wherein the apparatus is configured as a disposable lancing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus further includes a suction tube, and wherein the apparatus is configured as a uterine tissue extraction device.

In some embodiments, the vacuum device includes a suction cup, and wherein the apparatus is configured as a fetal attraction apparatus.

In another aspect, a vacuum apparatus is provided including: a vacuum container configured to provide and substantially maintain a built-in vacuum pressure; a contact member configured to contact and substantially enclose a surface area; a vacuum device configured to couple the built-in vacuum pressure to the surface area thereby applying a suction force over the surface area; wherein the vacuum container is also configured to retain a substance collected from adjacent the surface area, wherein the vacuum container comprises a collapsible container, and wherein the collapsible container comprises a spring member configured to maintain a tension in a wall of the vacuum container; wherein the vacuum device comprises: a first valve configured to apply the built-in vacuum pressure to the surface area thereby causing the contact member to apply a suction force over the surface area; and a second valve configured to couple an ambient atmospheric pressure to the surface area thereby releasing the surface area from the suction force.

In some embodiments, the contact member comprises a funnel.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus is configured as an acupressure therapy apparatus.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus is configured as a skin care apparatus.

In some embodiments, the vacuum apparatus is configured as a physical therapy apparatus.

In another aspect, a method is provided including: providing and substantially maintaining a built-in vacuum pressure with a vacuum container; contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member; coupling the built-in vacuum pressure to the surface area thereby applying a suction force over the surface area with a vacuum device; directing, with a conduit coupled to the vacuum container, the substance to the vacuum container, wherein the conduit is also configured to maintain substantially the same level of vacuum pressure as the vacuum container; wherein the vacuum container comprises a collapsible container and is configured to retain a substance collected from adjacent the surface area with the vacuum container; and wherein the collapsible container comprises a spring member configured to maintain a tension in a wall of the vacuum container.

In some embodiments, said contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member comprises contacting and substantially enclosing an acupressure point on a patient's skin; the method further comprising releasing the suction force by equalizing the pressure on the skin with an ambient atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, said contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member comprises contacting and substantially enclosing a skin area for skin care.

In some embodiments, said contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member comprises contacting and substantially enclosing an area of a patient's skin for physical therapy.

In some embodiments, said contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member comprises contacting and substantially enclosing an area of a patient's skin, the method further comprising fixing an anesthesia needle/catheter adjacent the area of the patient's skin.

In some embodiments, said contacting and substantially enclosing a surface area with a contact member comprises contacting and substantially enclosing a uterine tissue, the method further comprising extracting and retaining the uterine tissue with the vacuum container.