The present disclosure relates to a device to aid in suction for people with swallowing disorders and/or issues with hypersalivation, and more particularly, a portable handheld oral aspirator to evacuate liquid waste from a person's oral cavity, preferably without outside assistance.
Dysphagia and other oral conditions (e.g., cancer, cleft lip, cleft palate) may cause difficulty in swallowing. Although sometimes classified under “symptoms and signs” of other medical condition, dysphagia may be classified as a condition in its own right. People with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and may even experience pain while swallowing (“odynophagia”). Some people may be completely unable to swallow or may have trouble safely swallowing liquids, foods, or saliva. When that happens, eating becomes a challenge. Dysphagia can present immediate problems, such as choking and aspiration of fluid into the lungs, and more long-term problems as it makes it difficult to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish the body and can lead to additional serious medical problems. Suction devices are typically used to assist in the removal of saliva and other liquids from the oral cavities of people affected with dysphagia or hypersalivation.
A handheld portable oral aspirator device comprising a main unit having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may include a battery, circuity mounted on a substrate, and a vacuum pump. The upper portion may be configured to house a reservoir coupled to one of a vacuum pump and a vacuum passageway connected to the vacuum pump via a hose. A reservoir cap may be configured to be affixed to one of the reservoir and the upper portion. A flexible mouthpiece may be coupled to the reservoir cap. A handle may be coupled to one or more of the lower portion and the upper portion. The handle may include a trigger that is configured to cause the circuitry to activate the vacuum pump only when pressed. The device may include a charging base configured to receive the lower portion. The charging base may include charging circuitry configured to charge the battery.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and appended claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and in which:
The figures are for purposes of illustrating example embodiments, but it is understood that the inventions are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. In the figures, identical reference numbers identify at least generally similar elements.
The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses configured to provide suction for patients to assist with dysphagia and hypersalivation. Conventional devices used to provide suction for patients to assist with dysphagia and hypersalivation, even those branded as “compact” or “portable,” are large and cumbersome. Most conventional suction devices have dimensions of close to, or even more than, a foot and weigh multiple pounds. Further, they are conspicuous and difficult, if not impossible, for patients to use. Accordingly, there is a need for a compact, portable, discreet, handheld, and user-controlled suction device to assist, but not limited to people with swallowing disorders to evacuate liquid waste from the oral cavity without outside assistance.
The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of non-limiting illustration, certain examples. Subject matter may, however, be described in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any examples set forth herein. Among other things, subject matter may be described as methods, devices, components, or systems. Accordingly, examples may take the form of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof (other than software per se). The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
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The charging base 104 may be countered to receive a lower portion 110 of the main unit 102 and serve as a table-top cup holder. In an example, the charging base 104 may include contact points that correspond to contact points on the main unit 102 to enable electricity from the power cord 106 to travel through the charging base 104 to a battery within in the main unit 102 for charging. In another example, the main unit 102 may include circuitry (e.g., a magnetic coil) configured to use inductive charging and/or wirelessly charging to charge the battery within the main unit 102. In an example, the charging base 104 and/or the main unit 102 may have one or more indicators (e.g., lights) that provide information about charging of the main unit 102.
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The main unit 102 may be a discreet mug-shaped unit with the lower portion 110 that is contoured/shaped to fit a cup holder (e.g., in a vehicle, walker, or wheelchair) and a handle 108 that facilitates one handed operation by users. As described in additional detail below, the lower portion 110 may contain on or more components that enable vacuum operation (e.g., a pump, a battery, and circuitry). In an example, the handle 108 may include a trigger 112 that is configured to provide a user-friendly on/off switch that can be operated by the user with one hand. In another example, the handle 108 may include one or more buttons to control operation of the main unit 102. In an example, the handle 108 may be connected to the lower portion 110. In another example, the handle 108 may be connected an upper portion of the main unit 102. In another example, the handle 108 may be connected to the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 114.
The upper portion 114 of the main unit 102 may house a removable, and optionally disposable, reservoir 116 to collect any liquid suctioned through the flexible mouthpiece 118. The upper portion 114 may have a larger diameter than the lower portion 110. The reservoir 116 may be configured to be easy to clean and to keep sterile. In an example, as shown in
The flexible mouthpiece 118 may be removable, and optionally disposable. The flexible mouthpiece 118 may be composed, at least partially, of silicone. In an example, one or more of the reservoir 116 and the flexible mouthpiece 118 may include a filter membrane. The reservoir cap 120 may be affixed (e.g., screwed) to the reservoir 116 in an air-tight manner. The upper portion 114 may have an opening 122 through which the reservoir 116 is visible, such that a liquid level within the reservoir 116 is visible. At least a portion of the reservoir 116 that is visible through the opening 122 may be semi-transparent (e.g., frosted) such that the liquid level is visible, but still somewhat concealed from easy view. This portion of the reservoir 116 may also have markings to show the fluid level.
The components of the device 100 may be of any size and volume. In a non-limiting example, the device 100 may have a height of approximately 6 in. The charging base 104 may have a height of approximately 1 in. The upper portion 114 may have a circumference of approximately 11 in. The lower portion 110 may have a circumference of approximately 4 in. The reservoir 116 may have a high of approximately 4 in and a circumference of approximately 10.75 in to fit snugly, but not too tightly, in the main unit 102. The reservoir 116 may have a volume ranging from approximately 200 ml to approximately 500 ml. Overall, the main unit 102, the reservoir 116, the reservoir cap 120, and the flexible mouthpiece 118 may have a dry weight of approximately 12.8 oz. Any and all other sizes, dimensions, and volumes of the device 100 and its components are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure.
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In operation, a user may pick up the main unit 102 by the handle and press the trigger 112 to activate the vacuum pump 304. In an example, the device 100 may be configured so this may be done simultaneously. In an example, a resistance device 402, such as a spring, may be used to provide resistant to the trigger 112. The trigger 112 and or the resistance device 402 may be electrically coupled to one or more of the circuitry mounted on a substrate 308, the vacuum pump 304, and the battery 310. The user may place the flexible mouthpiece 118 in his/her mouth to suction out excessive liquids. Once the liquids are removed, the user may either release the trigger 112 or put the main unit 102 down, either of which will automatically stop suction from the vacuum pump 304. Optionally, the user may place the main unit 102 into the charging base 104 to recharge the battery 310. Once fluid in the reservoir 116 has reached a certain level (e.g., approximately 6-8 oz) the vacuum pump 304 will no longer be able to suction. The user and/or a caregiver may then remove the reservoir 116 to empty and/or replace it.
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Additional examples of the presently described method and device embodiments are suggested according to the structures and techniques described herein. Other non-limiting examples may be configured to operate separately or may be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of the other examples provided above or throughout the present disclosure.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, terms, such as “and”, “or”, or “and/or,” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that may depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context.
The terms “including” and “comprising” should be interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to.” If not already set forth explicitly in the claims, the term “a” should be interpreted as “at least one” and the terms “the, said, etc.” should be interpreted as “the at least one, said at least one, etc.”
It is understood that the circuitry mounted on a substrate 308 may include analog or digital hardware and computer program instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer to alter its function as detailed herein, a special purpose computer, ASIC, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, implement the functions/acts specified.
For the purposes of this disclosure, non-transitory computer readable medium (or computer-readable storage medium/media) stores computer data, which data may include computer program code (or computer-executable instructions) that is executable by a computer, in machine readable form. By way of example, and not limitation, a computer readable medium may comprise computer readable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data, or communication media for transient interpretation of code-containing signals. Computer readable storage media, as used herein, refers to physical or tangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includes without limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for the tangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, cloud storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical or material medium which may be used to tangibly store the desired information or data or instructions and which may be accessed by a computer or processor.
A computing device may be capable of sending or receiving signals, such as via a wired or wireless network, or may be capable of processing or storing signals, such as in memory as physical memory states, and may, therefore, operate as a server. Thus, devices capable of operating as a server may include, as examples, dedicated rack-mounted servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, set top boxes, integrated devices combining various features, such as two or more features of the foregoing devices, or the like.
It is the Applicant's intent that only claims that include the express language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/280,617 entitled “Handheld Portable Oral Vacuum Liquid Aspirator” filed Nov. 18, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/389,072 entitled “Handheld Portable Oral Aspirator” filed Jul. 14, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/423,566 entitled “Handheld Portable Oral Aspirator” filed Nov. 8, 2022 and is related to PCT Application entitled “Handheld Portable Oral Aspirator” filed concurrently on Nov. 18, 2022. The full disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63423566 | Nov 2022 | US | |
63389072 | Jul 2022 | US | |
63280617 | Nov 2021 | US |