Sterile disposable remote pneumatic actuators

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention relate to remote pneumatic (bellows-action) actuators for switching applications, which are preferably sterile and/or disposable. When compressed, the bellows-action actuator provides a pulse of air pressure sufficient to actuate a remotely-located pneumatic switch configured to turn on/off an electrical, mechanical or optical device. The pulse of air pressure is propagated along a non-conducting tube, thereby substantially reducing the risk of e.g., electric shock or O 2 ignition/combustion associated with conventional electric switches in wet, hazardous or medical environments.

1 . A remote actuator for a medical device that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube and a treatment member, the remote actuator comprising:
 a bellows having a pneumatic port and a coupling member for reversibly attaching the remote actuator to either the medical tube or the treatment member; and   an actuating tube pneumatically coupled at a first end to the pneumatic port and configured to pneumatically couple at a second end to the pneumatic switch on the medical device, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         2 . The remote actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment member comprises a cannula for fluid infiltration, infusion or suction. 
     
     
         3 . The remote actuator of  claim 1 , wherein at least the bellows of the remote actuator is sterile. 
     
     
         4 . The remote actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the remote actuator is configured for a single use. 
     
     
         5 . The remote actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising a saleable package comprising an outer wrapper defining a sealed and sterile interior, wherein the remote actuator is located within said sealed and sterile interior. 
     
     
         6 . The remote actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating tube further comprising an optical fiber coupled to a light source, such that the bellows can be illuminated based on the status of the pneumatic switch. 
     
     
         7 . A remote actuator for a medical device that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube and a treatment member, the remote actuator comprising:
 a bellows comprising a pneumatic port and first and second fluid ports and an internal conduit therebetween, wherein the fluid ports and internal conduit are configured to allow fluid coupling of the medical tube and the treatment member; and   an actuating tube pneumatically coupled to the pneumatic port of the bellows and configured to allow pneumatic coupling to the pneumatic switch on the medical device, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         8 . The remote actuator of  claim 7 , wherein the treatment member comprises an infiltration, infusion or suction cannula. 
     
     
         9 . The remote actuator of  claim 7 , wherein at least the bellows of the remote actuator is sterile. 
     
     
         10 . The remote actuator of  claim 7 , wherein the remote actuator is configured for a single use. 
     
     
         11 . The remote actuator of  claim 7 , wherein the internal conduit comprises first and second lumens, wherein the first lumen is fluidly coupled to the medical tube and the treatment member, and wherein the second lumen comprises the pneumatic port within the bellows, and is pneumatically coupled to the actuating tube. 
     
     
         12 . The remote actuator of  claim 7  or  11 , further comprising a saleable package comprising an outer wrapper defining a sealed and sterile interior, wherein the remote actuator is located within said sealed and sterile interior. 
     
     
         13 . A remote actuator for a surgical laser that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube having an optical fiber laser therein, and a laser treatment cannula, the remote actuator comprising:
 a bellows comprising a pneumatic port and first and second laser ports and an internal conduit therebetween, wherein the laser ports and internal conduit are configured to allow the optical fiber laser to traverse the bellows and emerge from the laser treatment cannula; and   an actuating tube pneumatically coupled to the pneumatic port of the bellows and configured to allow pneumatic coupling to the pneumatic switch on the surgical laser, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         14 . The remote actuator of  claim 13 , wherein the internal conduit comprises first and second lumens, wherein the first lumen is coupled to the medical tube and the treatment cannula, and wherein the second lumen comprises the pneumatic port within the bellows, and is pneumatically coupled to the actuating tube. 
     
     
         15 . The remote actuator of  claim 13  or  14 , further comprising a saleable package comprising an outer wrapper defining a sealed and sterile interior, wherein the remote actuator is located within said sealed and sterile interior. 
     
     
         16 . A multiple remote actuator for control of at least two surgical devices, each comprising a pneumatic switch and a medical tube, the multiple remote actuator comprising:
 at least first and second bellows coupled together in series, each comprising a pneumatic port, wherein the coupled bellows further comprise at least first and second fluid ports and an internal conduit therebetween; and   at least two actuating tubes pneumatically coupled to the pneumatic ports of each bellows, each actuating tube being configured to allow pneumatic coupling to the pneumatic switch on one of the surgical devices, such that application of pressure to a bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the respective pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         17 . The multiple remote actuator of  claim 16 , wherein the at least two surgical devices comprise a fluid pumping device and a fluid suctioning device. 
     
     
         18 . The multiple remote actuator of  claim 16 , further comprising a saleable package comprising an outer wrapper defining a sealed and sterile interior, wherein the multiple remote actuator is located within said sealed and sterile interior. 
     
     
         19 . The remote actuator of  claim 16 , wherein the internal conduit comprises at least first and second lumens pneumatically coupled to the respective first and second pneumatic ports of the first and second bellows, and at least one additional lumen fluidly coupled to the fluid ports. 
     
     
         20 . A remote actuator for a medical device that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube and a treatment member, the remote actuator comprising:
 a bellows comprising a lumen and a port that is pneumatically coupled to the lumen, wherein the bellows is configured such that walls of the bellows form a channel, which is pneumatically sealed from the lumen; and   an actuating tube pneumatically coupled to the port at a first end and configured to pneumatically couple at a second end to the pneumatic switch on the medical device, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         21 . The remote actuator of  claim 20 , wherein the treatment member comprises a cannula for fluid infiltration, infusion or suction. 
     
     
         22 . The remote actuator of  claim 20 , wherein at least the bellows of the remote actuator is sterile. 
     
     
         23 . The remote actuator of  claim 20 , wherein the remote actuator is configured for a single use. 
     
     
         24 . The remote actuator of  claim 20 , wherein the treatment member further comprises a handle, wherein a portion of the handle passes through the channel of the bellows. 
     
     
         25 . A system, comprising:
 a medical device that comprises a pneumatic switch, a medical tube and a treatment member; and   a remote actuator that comprises a bellows having an internal conduit therein, wherein the internal conduit comprises first and second lumens, wherein the first lumen is fluidly coupled to the medical tube and the treatment member, and wherein the second lumen comprises a port within the bellows, and is pneumatically coupled to an actuating tube which is pneumatically coupled to the pneumatic switch on the medical device, such that application of pressure to the bellows generates sufficient air pressure to actuate the pneumatic switch.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a dual lumen tube that integrates the medical and actuating tubes within separate lumens for at least part of the distance between the medical device and the bellows. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising at least two medical devices and at least two remote actuators. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least two remote actuators are connected in series to facilitate single-handed control of the at least two medical devices. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the treatment member comprises an infiltration, infusion or suction cannula. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein at least the bellows of the remote actuator is sterile. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the remote actuator is configured for a single use.