Noise attenuating high-volume suction tip with automatic integral on demand vacuum release valve mechanism

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a high volume suction tip, including a tubular body with peripheral side wall, a functional orifice, and a vacuum source end. An aperture in a wall of the tubular body forms a vacuum release orifice, wherein the aperture is between the functional orifice and the vacuum source end. A plurality of tubes are placed within a lumen of the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and provide at least one channel for transmitting a material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end. A first tube occludes the vacuum release orifice at a first pressure, and, at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, a compressible side wall of a second tube collapses inwardly to disengage the first tube from the vacuum release orifice.

1 . A method for evacuating a material from a surgical field, comprising:
 attaching a suction tip to a vacuum source, wherein the suction tip comprises:   a tubular body with a second end attached to the vacuum source and a first end comprising a functional orifice;   an aperture in a wall of the tubular body, wherein the aperture is proximal the functional orifice; and   a plurality of tubes within the tubular body, wherein at least one of the tubes is compressible, and wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and provide channels within and around the tubes for transmitting the material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end of the tubular body, and wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a side wall of the tubes comprises a pattern of at least one of air-flow modifying micro-scale and nano-scale structures; and   placing the functional orifice of the suction tip within the surgical field and removing the material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are frictionally retained within the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are bonded to the tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body comprises therein at least three tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein all the tubes are compressible. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are disposable. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the functional tip comprises a plastic selected from high-density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, polyvinylchloride, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a side wall of the tube seals the aperture if the functional orifice is open, and collapses inwardly to open the aperture if the functional orifice is at least partially occluded by the material. 
     
     
         10 . A method for removing a material from a surgical field, comprising:
 attaching a suction tip to a vacuum source, wherein the suction tip comprises:
 a tubular body with a side wall, a functional orifice, and a vacuum source end opposite the functional orifice; 
 an aperture in a wall of the tubular body, wherein the aperture is proximal the functional orifice; and 
 a plurality of compressible tubes within the tubular body, wherein the tubes have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and provide channels within and around the tubes for transmitting a suctioned material from the functional orifice to the vacuum source end of the tubular body, wherein tubes comprise compressible side walls, and wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the side walls of the tubes comprise a pattern of at least one of micro-scale and nano-scale surface treatments to minimize turbulence in the air flow through the tubular body and attenuate noise; 
   sealing the aperture with a side wall of a tube if the functional orifice is open; and   collapsing the side wall of the tube inwardly to open the aperture if the functional orifice is at least partially occluded.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tubes are frictionally retained within the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tubes are bonded to the tubular body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular body comprises therein at least three tubes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein all the tubes are compressible. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tubes are disposable. 
     
     
         17 . A method for making a suction tip, comprising:
 inserting into and frictionally retaining a plurality of tubes in a tubular body, wherein the tubular body comprises a side wall, a functional orifice and a vacuum source end opposite the functional orifice, and an aperture in a wall of the tubular body proximal the functional orifice; and   wherein the tubes comprise a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body, wherein at least one of the tubes is compressible, wherein at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of a side wall of the tubes comprises a pattern of at least one of micro-scale and nano-scale surface treatments, and wherein the side wall of at least one of the tubes seals the aperture.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising bonding at least one of the tubes to the tubular body. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein ends of the tubes proximal the functional orifice are staggered with respect to the functional orifice. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising inserting at least three tubes into the tubular body.