Sterile disposable remote pneumatic actuators

摘要

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 O2 ignition/combustion associated with conventional electric switches in wet, hazardous or medical environments.

主权项

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 an external coupling member disposed along an external surface of the bellows, the external coupling member being configured to reversibly attach the remote actuator to an external portion of the medical tube and/or treatment member, wherein the coupling member is configured so that the remote actuator can be attached to the medical tube and/or treatment member, detached from the medical tube and/or treatment member, and then reattached to the medical tube and/or treatment member; and an actuating conduit 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.