The present invention provides a device for removing sweat from the inner ear by creating a vacuum in connecting tubing between the inner ear and a converging-diverging nozzle. When air enters the front of the converging-diverging nozzle, its velocity accelerates as it flows through the smaller cross-sectional area in the middle section, which causes a drop in pressure in the middle section and a resulting vacuum in the connecting tubing. This vacuum draws sweat from the bottom of the inner ear toward the middle of the converging-diverging nozzle, where it drips out of either end, resulting in sweat being removed from the inner ear.

An intraluminal system for aspirating biological material from a lumen of a patient includes a disposable intraluminal device having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The system includes a disposable pump configured to aspirate the biological material from the lumen of the patient. The disposable pump is coupled to the proximal portion of the intraluminal device. The disposable pump comprises a pump chassis that houses: an inlet port configured to sealably attach to the proximal portion of the intraluminal device; an outlet port configured to expel the aspirated biological from the pump; and a flow controller configured to adjust a fluid flow through the pump, wherein the pump chassis is sized and shaped to be manually supported by a user.

A specimen collection assembly including a flow control member for adjustably altering a flow path is disclosed. In one configuration, the flow control member defines a regulation channel in fluid communication with a lumen of a cannula, wherein the flow control member is configured to adjustably alter an effective flow distance between the lumen of the cannula and an interior of an evacuated collection container. In another configuration, the flow control member is positioned to vary an effective cross-sectional area of at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port adapted to be in fluid communication with the lumen and the evacuated collection container.

A surgical instrument for suction and irrigation, includes: an insertion tube inserted into the body of a patient; an instrument body coupled to the insertion tube and disposed outside the body of the patient; an irrigation fluid control valve coupled to the instrument body; and a drainage fluid control valve coupled to the instrument body and separated a predetermined distance from the irrigation fluid control valve in a longitudinal direction of the instrument body.

A flow control system for an ultrasonic aspirator handpiece having an aspiration pathway having an inner nosecone operatively connected to the handpiece. A flow control mechanism is disposed over the inner nosecone defining a flow control channel therebetween. The flow control channel is operatively connected to the aspiration pathway. A control aperture of the flow control mechanism is configured for variable engagement by a digit of an operator between an open position and a closed position for corresponding variable adjustment of an aspiration flow rate.

A phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification probe, an electromechanical valve, and an electromechanical mechanism. The probe having a fluid channel for exchanging fluid with a patient's eye. The electromechanical valve is coupled with the fluid channel and is configured to regulate a fluid flow through the fluid channel. The valve including a cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into a first cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a second cavity, and one or more fluid communication links, which are formed between the first and second cavities. The piston is configured to move inside the cylinder to regulate the flow of the fluid, and the one or more fluid communication links are configured to allow the fluid to flow between the first and second cavities during motion of the piston. The electromechanical mechanism is configured to move the piston.

A module for controlling irrigation and aspiration of a phacoemulsification probe inserted into an eye includes an irrigation link, an aspiration link, a bypass channel, an aspiration valve, a diversion valve, a first and second sensors and a processor. The first sensor and second sensor are configured to measure fluid parameters in the irrigation link and in the aspiration link. The processor is in communication with the sensors, and is configured to identify a change in at least one of the fluid parameters by reading at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, and, in response to the identified change in the at least one of the fluid parameters, (i) close the aspiration valve and (ii) maintain a pressure of the irrigation fluid delivered to the probe within a predefined range, by regulating the fluid flow via the bypass channel using the diversion valve.

A cleaning catheter (200) insertable into a tracheal ventilation tube (160) and an input module (156) are provided for use with a suction source (601), the input module (156) coupled to the cleaning catheter (200) and including (i) an inflation module (330), including an inflation chamber (335) separate from the suction source (601); (ii) a flow regulator (700), configured to assume first and second fluid-control states; and (iii) a mechanical user control element (320), which is configured (a) to mechanically and non-electrically set the fluid-control states, (b) to assume first and second configurations, and (c) to mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in an interior of an inflation chamber (335) during a transition of the mechanical user control element (320) from the first configuration to the second configuration. The flow regulator (700), when in the first fluid-control state connects the suction source (601) and an interior of an inflatable element (588) of the cleaning catheter (200) in fluid communication to deflate the inflatable element (588).

Airway adapters, suction catheter systems, and methods of using the same are described herein. An exemplary airway adapter assembly may comprise a connector body portion having a first end and a second end, an elongate cavity having an axial center can be defined between the first and the second end, and a valve can be coupled to the second end of the connector body. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a ventilation base member comprising a tubular portion coupled to the second end of the connector body portion and ventilator port. The ventilator port may comprises a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, and the first conduit end may be coupled to the tubular portion through an articulable connection. An exemplary closed suction catheter system may comprise a suction control valve assembly and a closed suction catheter sheath.

An aspiration control device can have an aspiration control valve and a switch, button, slider, trigger, grip, lever, rotating wheel, rotating valve, handle or other interface for resizing the aspiration control valve. The aspiration control interface can be conveniently positioned and configured to be manipulated while simultaneously stabilizing a catheter and/or retracting an elongated member. The aspiration control device can be integrated with a hemostasis valve, integrated with a wire gripping device, and/or attached to an inlet, outlet, hose, pump, or syringe in series with an aspiration flow path.