Systems, methods, and connectors are provided that introduce a working gas at certain times into a reduced-pressure dressing into order to break or avoid vacuum locks in the conduits removing fluids. In one instance, a reduced-pressure connector includes a connector body for applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site. The connector body is formed with a venting port, a body conduit, and a receptacle to receive a reduced-pressure delivery conduit. The reduced-pressure connector includes a flexible member coupled to the connector body over the venting port. The flexible member is formed with at least one venting aperture. The flexible member is biased away from the venting port and is configured to collapse and seal the venting port under a reduced pressure greater than a threshold pressure. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

A pump generates a vacuum at a wound site via first tubing. A negative pressure circuit is defined by a canister, the first tubing and the wound site. A controller of a therapy device operates the pump to apply a first negative pressure to the entirety of the negative pressure circuit, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the negative pressure circuit. The controller also operates the pump to apply a second negative pressure to a selected portion of the negative pressure circuit exclusive of the wound site, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the selected portion. A quantity of fluid to be delivered to the wound site via a second tubing is determined by comparing measured parameters related to the flow of air into the negative pressure circuit to parameters measured with respect to the flow of air into the selected portion.

A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a pump assembly, canister, and a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The pump assembly, canister, and the wound dressing can be fluidically connected to facilitate delivery of negative pressure to a wound. The system can additionally include a valve configured to control the introduction of positive pressure to the wound.

A pneumatic cross-connect proportional valve provides the capability to calibrate pressure and vacuum sensors in a surgical cassette associated with a surgical console. Calibration of non-invasive pressure and vacuum sensors in a cassette by utilizing a proportional cross-connect to pressurize the lines with set pressure or vacuum the lines with set vacuum and measure the response of respective sensors in the cassette. The use of proportional pressure may be used along with other clearing methods to clear material clogging the aspiration channel pathways and tubing of the surgical system. Utilize the cross-connect functionality to more rapidly pressurize the aspiration line upon detection or prediction of a post occlusion surge, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the surgical field, the eye chamber, and aspiration line which may prevent, for example, a surge of fluid out of the anterior chamber of the eye.

A surgical instrument for cutting a tissue includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an alignment system. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a shaft opening. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen to cyclically move from an open state to a closed state. The cutting member includes a sidewall, a cutting window, and a suction lumen. The cutting window opening in the open state aligns with the shaft opening such that the cutting window opening and the shaft opening are in fluid communication. The sidewall in the closed state aligns with the shaft opening such that the sidewall blocks fluid communication to the shaft opening for inhibiting suctioning the tissue therethrough. The alignment system urges movement of the cutting member moving the open state toward the closed state such that the cutting member stops in the closed state.

A digitally controlled aspirator is provided with a processor that allows the user to select operating conditions including one or more default settings. The processor further includes sensors for sensing operational and environmental conditions and adjusts the operation of the aspirator to reflect the sensed conditions.

A medical suction device with a medical suction pump for generating a suction pressure, which is connected at a suction side to a drainage container communicating with a suction line including a proximal end adapted to be arranged in a human body, in particular in the pericardium, a ventilation side (II) including a ventilation line the proximal end of which communicates with the distal end of the suction line and the distal end of which is provided with a controllable ventilation valve, a patient pressure sensor assigned to the ventilation side (II), and a control unit controllably connected to the ventilation valve and the patient pressure sensor. The control unit is adapted to set the ventilation valve for regulating a pressure on the ventilation side (II).

A mechanical fluid pressure modification valve, or MFLP-valve, is set forth. The MFLP-valve can be actuated upon movement of a movable pressure system member of a medical pressure system reaching a selected position. Additionally, the MFLP-valve can be actuated based on a pressure condition of the system. When the MFLP-valve unseals, a pressure differential between a pressure chamber and a volume outside of the chamber can be relieved. Disengagement of the movable pressure system member from the MFLP-valve can enable the MFLP-valve to re-seal. The MFLP-valve may include a flag that indicates the position of the movable pressure system member. The MFLP-valve may be provided in a diaphragm-type pressure source.