Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CRITICAL CARE BACKUP VACUUM SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
Cross Reference to Related Applications
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a) and
(b) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/291,074 filed February 4,
2016,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Background
Centrally piped medical vacuum (suction) is an essential service within
acute care hospitals. It is fundamental to patient care protocols in
emergency,
intensive care, operative, post operative, and general care departments.
Without
adequate centrally piped suction service, hospitals cannot maintain critical
care
patient therapies and in certain cases must evacuate critical patients to
other
facilities.
In many medical facilities such as hospitals, there is often a central vacuum
production plant or equipment that is connected to outlets throughout the
facility
via a piping network. Failure of this central vacuum system leads to loss of
medical vacuum throughout the facility. Although the central medical vacuum
plants are generally designed to provide redundancy through multiple pumps,
these systems remain vulnerable to single faults such as loss of electrical
power,
inadvertent isolation valve closure, or pipeline breach.
Due to the critical nature of medical vacuum in patient care, many different
options have been developed to manage central vacuum system failures. The
most common solution is to deploy portable vacuum systems for direct use on
patients, or to attempt to reestablish vacuum in the main piping system. This
approach has several problems. The number of portable units required is
generally large and cost prohibitive, leading to a shortage of pumps and a
"rationing" of vacuum service. The portable units must be deployed, which
takes
considerable time. Combined with a vacuum service rationing protocol, this
time
lag to access can be long enough to compromise patient care. The situation can
be further exacerbated by the fact that the portable vacuum pumps are not in
regular service. Thus, some portables fail due to their long dormancy.
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Numerous technologies are proposed to speed facets of portable vacuum
deployment (for example CA2635506 C) or the return of central vacuum service
(for example US6131596 A). These auxiliary technologies can only achieve a
measure of improvement in the time to vacuum service restoration.
Because of the critical medical necessity for patient care, there have been
a number of alternative backup vacuum technologies and strategies proposed in
the literature. These solutions address a variety of specific central vacuum
loss
circumstances.
EP2058520 B1 titled "Backup vacuum-production installation and
corresponding vacuum-production system" proposes a combination pneumatic
vacuum motor and venturi that uses compressed air to produce suction. "As
noted, if vacuum supply loss, for example during a power failure, the response
time should be very short so as not to endanger the lives of patients in need
of
care requiring vacuum." The EP2058520 B1 system is capable of providing
vacuum in case of a complete power failure, such as loss of main power and
backup generator power. This solution addresses the critical time to vacuum
recovery issue for an entire facility by providing a short term pneumatic
powered
vacuum system for a limited period of time.
In any medical facility, there are known areas and functions where vacuum
service is expected to be of critical concern on a routine basis ("Critical
Zones").
These Critical Zones will often include a surgical theater or suite of
adjoining
surgical theaters in a surgery center. Intensive care units and emergency
rooms
are other large facility segments where vacuum service is expected to be of
critical concern. Loss of vacuum for even a few minutes in these types of
areas
may endanger patient lives.
Summary
The ModuleVideTM Solution
ModuleVideTM takes a unique approach to sustaining vacuum service in
Critical Zones within a hospital or other medical facility. This solution
relates to a
medical facility with a main vacuum plant connected via a main piping with
branches that deliver vacuum to different areas within the facility. Critical
Zone
branches off the central vacuum piping system are augmented with integrated
branch backup vacuum generating devices (ModuleVideTm). Upon failure of
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vacuum in the branch piping, the ModuleVideTM activates to reestablish vacuum
service in that branch piping segment. The branch of piping may for example
correspond to the surgical theater suite of a hospital. The vacuum capacity of
the
ModuleVideTM is sized to match the specific Critical Zone branch's expected
demand. When portable vacuum generators are used to try to create vacuum in
the medical piping system, the portable vacuums are generally attached via
gauge
ports. These gauge ports are normally 1/8 inch diameter, regardless of
pipeline
diameter, which is generally 3/4" up to as large as 2" for Critical Zones.
This
introduces a severe flow restriction between the portable vacuum generator and
the piping, further limiting the effectiveness of the portable vacuum units.
Because
ModuleVideTM is an integrated solution, the connections between ModuleVideTM
vacuum system and the Critical Zones piping branch can be appropriately sized
and designed to prevent flow restrictions. Hence, with the ModuleVideTM, the
various limitations of portable vacuum generators are avoided entirely.
The ModuleVide TM design further addresses the situation of piping
structural failures outside the Critical Zone branch causing a loss of vacuum
in the
Critical Zone priority branch. A key element of the ModuleVideTM design is the
use of isolation valves to render the ModuleVide TM piping branch fully
autonomous
from the failed main vacuum system. As a consequence, loss of piping integrity
elsewhere in the main piping and lower priority piping branches (where the
deployment of portable vacuums is expected to be an adequate solution) has no
effect. This represents a particular benefit over having a redundant standard
backup vacuum generator for the whole piping network. While the focus of
ModuleVideTM is on Critical Zones, it is possible to apply the ModuleVideTM
device
to less critical medical piping branches or segments if desired.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
medical vacuum apparatus for supplying medical vacuum to a portion of a
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in a medical facility, the apparatus comprising:
a) a vacuum generating device (A) capable of causing a negative
pressure within piping in fluid communication therewith (P),
b) wherein the vacuum generating device (A) is fluidly connected to the
portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility,
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c) an isolation valve (02, AV2) configured to fluidically isolate the
portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility from
a
remainder of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility,
d) the isolation valve (C2, AV2) further configured to fluidically isolate
the portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) upon loss of vacuum in
the
medical vacuum piping network (P) resulting in a pre-determined vacuum
pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus
further comprises an isolation valve (Cl, AV1) configured to fluidically
isolate the
vacuum generating device (A) when a vacuum pressure in the portion of the
medical vacuum piping network (P) remains below the pre-determined vacuum
pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus
further comprises a bacteriological filter configured to remove bacteria and
particulates from air passing through the portion of the medical vacuum piping
network (P) in the medical facility fluidically connected to the vacuum
generating
device (A).
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus
further comprises a zone alarm (D) configured to measure the level of vacuum
in
the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility and further
configured to detect the pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the zone alarm
(D) is configured to communicate to the vacuum generating device (A) that the
zone alarm (D) has detected a loss of vacuum below the pre-determined vacuum
pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the vacuum
generating device (A) is configured to operate to create a vacuum within the
portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility upon
receiving a communication from the zone alarm (D) that the zone alarm (D) has
detected a loss of vacuum below the pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the isolation
valves (Cl, C2) are check valves.
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In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the isolation
valves (Cl, C2) are both in a vertical orientation relative to the floor of
the medical
facility.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the isolation
valves (AV1, AV2) are actuated valves.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the zone alarm
(D) is configured to communicate to the isolation valves that the zone alarm
(D)
has detected a loss of vacuum below the pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the isolation
valves are configured to operate to isolate the portion of the medical vacuum
piping network (P) in the medical facility upon receiving a communication from
the
zone alarm (D) that the zone alarm (D) has detected a loss of vacuum below the
pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the vacuum
generating device (A) is fluidly connected to the portion of the medical
vacuum
piping network (P) via a piping connection that is sized and configured to not
introduce a flow restriction point between the medical vacuum piping network
(P)
and the vacuum generating device (A).
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the piping
connection is a "T" piping junction.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for supplying medical vacuum to a portion of a medical
vacuum piping network (P) in a medical facility, the method comprising the
steps
of:
a) losing a pre-existing vacuum in the portion of the medical vacuum
piping network (P) in the medical facility,
b) isolating the portion of the medical vacuum piping network
(P) in the
medical facility by an isolation valve (C2, AV2) configured to fluidically
isolate the
portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility from
a
remainder of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility,
the
isolation valve (C2, AV2) configured to fluidically isolate the portion of the
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in response to the loss of the pre-existing vacuum
in
the medical vacuum piping network (P),
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c) activating a vacuum generating device (A) capable of causing
a
negative pressure within piping in fluid communication therewith (P), wherein
the
vacuum generating device (A) is fluidly connected to the portion of the
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility,
d) forming a pre-determined vacuum pressure within the portion of the
medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility by the activated
vacuum
generating device (A).
Brief Description of the Drawing
For a further understanding of the nature and aspects for the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like elements
are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
- Figure 1 illustrates the ModuleVideTM example embodiment
described below.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
medical vacuum apparatus for supplying medical vacuum to a portion of a
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in a medical facility. The apparatus includes a
vacuum
generating device (A) capable of causing a negative pressure within piping in
fluid
communication therewith (P). In an embodiment, the vacuum generating device
(A) is fluidly connected to a portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P)
in
the medical facility. An isolation valve (C2, AV2) is configured to
fluidically isolate
the portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility
from a
remainder of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility. In
a
preferred embodiment, the isolation valve (C2, AV2) is further configured to
fluidically isolate the portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) upon
loss
of vacuum in the medical vacuum piping network (P) resulting in a pre-
determined
vacuum pressure.
In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise an isolation
valve (Cl, AV1) configured to fluidically isolate the vacuum generating device
(A)
when a vacuum pressure in the portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P)
remains below a pre-determined vacuum pressure.
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In another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a
bacteriological filter configured to remove bacteria and particulates from air
passing through a portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the
medical
facility fluidically connected to the vacuum generating device (A).
In another embodiment there is provided an additional zone alarm (D)
configured to measure the level of vacuum in the medical vacuum piping network
(P) in the medical facility. The zone alarm may be further configured to
detect a
pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In another embodiment the zone alarm (D) is configured to communicate to
ci the vacuum generating device (A) that the zone alarm (D) has detected a
loss of
vacuum below a pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In another embodiment the vacuum generating device (A) is configured to
operate to create a vacuum within a portion of the medical vacuum piping
network
(P) in the medical facility upon receiving a communication from the zone alarm
(D)
that the zone alarm (D) has detected a loss of vacuum below a pre-determined
vacuum pressure.
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the isolation valves (Cl, 02) are check valves.
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the isolation valves (Cl, C2) are both in a vertical orientation
relative to the
floor of the medical facility.
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the isolation valves (AV1, AV2) are actuated valves.
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the zone alarm (D) is configured to communicate to the isolation
valves that
the zone alarm (D) has detected a loss of vacuum below a pre-determined
vacuum pressure.
In accordance with another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus
for supplying medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network
(P)
in a medical facility the isolation valves are configured to operate to
isolate the
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portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility upon
receiving a communication from the zone alarm (D) that the zone alarm (D) has
detected a loss of vacuum below a pre-determined vacuum pressure.
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the vacuum generating device (A) is fluidly connected to the portion
of the
medical vacuum piping network (P) via a piping connection that is sized and
configured not to introduce a flow restriction point between the medical
vacuum
piping network (P) and the vacuum generating device (A).
In another embodiment of the medical vacuum apparatus for supplying
medical vacuum to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a
medical
facility the piping connection is a "T" piping junction.
In another preferred embodiment a method for supplying medical vacuum
to a portion of a medical vacuum piping network (P) in a medical facility is
provided. The method includes the steps of:
a) losing a pre-existing vacuum in the portion of the medical vacuum
piping network (P) in the medical facility,
b) isolating a portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the
medical facility by an isolation valve (C2, AV2) configured to fluidically
isolate the
portion of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility from
a
remainder of the medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility,
the
isolation valve (C2, AV2) configured to fluidically isolate the portion of the
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in response to the loss of the pre-existing vacuum
in
the medical vacuum piping network (P),
c) activating a vacuum generating device (A) capable of causing a
negative pressure within piping in fluid communication therewith (P), wherein
the
vacuum generating device (A) is fluidly connected to the portion of the
medical
vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility, and/or
d) forming a pre-determined vacuum pressure within the portion
of the
medical vacuum piping network (P) in the medical facility by the activated
vacuum
generating device (A).
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ModuleVideTM Example System
A wall mounted DC current direct drive suction pump (A) interconnected to
the zone piping via a full bore pipe "T" situated downstream of the zone
isolation
valve (E). The ModuleVideTM may (for example) be connected via low voltage
wiring to the dry contacts within the local (zone) alarm (D) monitoring, and
activates when the local alarm detects a loss of pressure in the central
pipeline.
Integral to the ModuleVide TM pipeline interconnect are two check valves (Cl,
C2)
serving to isolate the ModuleVideTM (A) emergency vacuum service to the
Critical
Zone. C2 prevents the ModuleVide TM pump from attempting to draw down
vacuum across the central pipeline and thus the entire vacuum piping network.
When not in use, the Cl prevents the central vacuum system from drawing air
through the idle ModuleVideTM vacuum pump. In a preferred arrangement, Cl
and C2 are both installed in a vertical orientation.
The check valves may in some instances be replaced with actuated valves
(AV1, AV2) for additional control over the system via a PLC. This provides
further
flexibility in the uses of ModuleVide TM . For example, a variety of issues
can cause
the vacuum level in a piping network to be sustained, but insufficient. An AV2
for
example could allow for use of the ModuleVide TM to supplement an insufficient
level of vacuum in the entire piping network to thereby reestablish sufficient
vacuum service in the entire facility.
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