TW202012008A - A vacuum-based tenaculum - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tenaculum comprising a suction head and a handle part connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle part comprising a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump comprises a vacuum tank comprising a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the suction tube is connected to the first opening; a spring; means for compressing the spring; and a piston. The piston comprises a piston head moveably arranged within the vacuum tank; an axle having a first end and a second end, its first end being connected to the piston head and its second end being connected to the means for compressing the spring; and a pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening. The spring is arranged to move the piston head.

Description

Vacuum holding hook

The invention relates to a vacuum-type holding hook, which includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction pipe, the handle including a vacuum pump.

A hook system is usually classified as one of the medical instruments in the forceps category. It consists of an elongated pointed hook attached to a scissor-like handle and is mainly used to grasp the part during surgery. One use of the hook is to grasp the vaginal fornix or other gynecological procedures before inserting an intrauterine system (IUS), and gently pull it back to straighten the uterus. In practice, the uterus is usually curved towards the cervix and it must be straightened to enable the instrument to enter the uterine cavity, or used to insert an IUS.

Some vacuum holding hooks for gynecological applications are known in the prior art. Typically, the vacuum is provided by an external source (such as a separate vacuum pump), or the handle of the device includes a hand-held vacuum pump. However, there does not seem to be an accurate description of these handheld vacuum pumps, and a syringe mechanism is the only specific example given in the prior art. For example, the document WO2016/0923458 proposes a holding hook including a suction module and a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a vacuum reserve source and a support member of the vacuum reserve source, which cooperate to form a pump, which can be manually activated by a reciprocating sliding movement of one of the vacuum reserve sources in the support member. Document WO2016/018938 discloses a similar holding hook, which also includes a vacuum source in the handle. As a practical example, the document mentions a syringe mechanism for generating vacuum. Likewise, the document US2012/0283595 discloses a holding hook including a hand-held vacuum pump, but does not give any further instructions on how to interpret the pump. Therefore, the practicality of these vacuum pumps cannot be evaluated because the prior art does not seem to give any instructions on how to operate these handheld vacuum pumps. For example, it is not clear how the device can be used with only one hand.

WO2013/082452 discloses a device for inserting a device into the uterus. The device also contains a suction assembly, which can be used as a light-transmitting vacuum/suction mechanism to temporarily attach to a holding hook of the cervix. In some embodiments of the present invention, a spring connected to the vacuum generating mechanism is also used. However, in this device, the spring is used for release and no vacuum is generated. The vacuum in this reference is created by moving a handle. This movement can displace the vacuum tip (tip), which may cause a leak between the tip and cervical tissue.

WO2017/089982 discloses a treatment device for hemorrhoids. Here, a vacuum is used to suck the hemorrhoidal tissue to perform ligation on the neck of the hemorrhoidal tissue.

WO2014/205351 discloses a device with an expansion member. The expansion member should facilitate the insertion of an intrauterine system into the uterus. However, this document does not give any instructions on how to create a vacuum and explain the vacuum pump.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a suction-type holding hook, which at least partially solves the problems of the prior art devices. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a hook that is low in manufacturing cost and simple to use, reliable, and lightweight (even with one hand). Another object of the present invention is to provide a reliable holding hook in which the amount of vacuum obtained is constant in each application. Another object is to provide a holding hook that can be used single or multiple times. Of course, the holding hook needs to be sterilizable. An object of the present invention is to provide a holding hook even for single use (ie, for one insertion of a single patient IUS at a time), in which the vacuum pump can be easily reloaded if its first attempt to use is not satisfactory .

This description relates to a holding hook including a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction pipe, the handle including a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump includes: -A vacuum tank, which includes a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the straw is connected to the first opening; -A spring; -The member used to compress the spring; and -A piston, which includes: -A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; -A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the member for compressing the spring; and -A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening.

In the holding hook, the spring is configured to move the piston head.

A typical holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle including a vacuum pump. As will be discussed below, the tip can be, for example, any suitable tip known from one of the previous technical documents mentioned above. The suction head is connected to a suction tube. The straw is also a relatively thin hollow tube as known in the prior art. It can be made of plastic or metal, with plastic being preferred. The inner diameter of the straw may be, for example, 2 mm to 5 mm, and the outer diameter thereof is, for example, 3 mm to 6 mm.

The handle is designed so that it can be easily manipulated, that is, it has a size and shape that is generally suitable for operation with one hand. The handle includes a vacuum pump that is usually at least partially disposed within the handle. The handle will be explained in more detail below, in these cases the vacuum pump is located inside the handle and in these cases it may be partially located outside the handle. The vacuum pump includes a vacuum tank including a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, wherein the suction tube is connected to the first opening. Therefore, if the vacuum tank is not directly disposed at one of the first ends of the handle, the straw can partially extend inside the handle. Of course, the suction tube is connected to both the suction head and the first opening of the vacuum tank in an airtight manner, as known to those skilled in the art. For production-oriented reasons, the vacuum tube tip can be manufactured as a separate component or it can be an integral part of the vacuum tank.

In the present invention, the first end means the distal end of the device, that is, the end farther away from the user when using the holding hook. The second end is the proximal end, that is, the end closer to the user when using the holding hook. In addition, the terms "vacuum" and "negative pressure" are used interchangeably. In fact, the pressure in the vacuum pump is of course not a complete vacuum, that is, the vacuum tank is not completely free of air. Conversely, a pressure below atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure, is generated in the pressure tank. When compared to atmospheric pressure, the negative pressure in the vacuum tank may be, for example, about 0.2 bar to about 0.5 bar, that is, the pressure in the vacuum tank is (for example) 0.2 bar to 0.5 bar lower than atmospheric pressure or in other words, vacuum The pressure in the tank is 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar. Therefore, the term "vacuum" is used in the same sense as the prior art.

The vacuum pump further includes a spring and a member for compressing the spring. The spring is made of a suitable material, most typically metal. It has a spring constant suitable for the present invention, for example 0.7 N/mm. The spring is configured to move the piston head. The member for compressing the spring is configured in one of its compressible spring manners, usually causing the spring to compress toward the first end of the handle. The components used to compress the spring will be discussed in more detail below.

The holding hook of the present invention has the following advantages: it can be used easily and safely with only one hand. In fact, if the vacuum pump is based on a simple piston and syringe structure, pulling the piston brings the risk that the syringe will move, which may cause leakage on the tip, because even a small movement of the vacuum chamber can be transferred to the tip through the straw . In particular, in the initial stage (when the device is not vacuum), this movement will immediately cause a leak between the tip and the dome. This will damage the use of the hook. However, in the holding hook of the present invention, the vacuum source cannot actually move because the force pulling the piston is generated by the spring (rather than being pulled by any piston).

The vacuum pump further includes a piston. The piston includes: a piston head movably arranged in the vacuum tank; a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the compression spring A member; and a pressure seal, which is arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening. The piston head is configured to move from its first end toward its second end within the vacuum tank, and vice versa. The piston head is also equipped with a pressure seal, which allows the vacuum chamber to be hermetically divided into two parts by the piston head. In fact, when the holding hook is in place and the suction head is configured to contact the vaginal fornix and air cannot enter the vacuum tank through the suction head and the suction tube, the piston head moves from the first end of the vacuum tank toward the first position of the vacuum tank. When the two ends move, a negative pressure in the vacuum tank is generated.

The piston also includes a shaft whose first end is connected to the piston head and whose second end is connected to a member for compressing the spring. Therefore, the member for compressing the spring may be, for example, a solid cylinder or a button. The member for compressing the spring may be such that when the spring is in its uncompressed state, the member for compressing the spring is mostly outside the handle, and when the spring is compressed, at least most of it is pushed into the inside of the handle.

Therefore, the holding hook of the present invention is a mechanical single-use or multiple-use small device in which the tweezers-type holding hook is replaced by a suction holding hook that works using a vacuum (ie, a negative pressure). The vacuum is generated mechanically without any external vacuum source. The holding hook can be designed to fit most cervical structures and is compatible with the environmental conditions (dry, moist, tissue surface and elasticity, chemicals and drugs commonly used during gynecological surgery) at the cervix tip or vaginal fornix. The vacuum can be reapplied (if lost) and the vacuum can be released at any time during surgery. In addition, in some embodiments, the pressure reduction in the holding hook can be adjusted to a desired level, as discussed below.

According to an embodiment, the holding hook includes a spring chamber, wherein the spring is configured within the spring chamber and the shaft of the piston is configured to extend to the spring chamber through the second opening of the vacuum groove. The spring chamber is usually arranged along the same axis as the vacuum tank and immediately adjacent to the vacuum tank. In this embodiment, the member for compressing the spring may be configured to at least partially enter the spring chamber when compressing the spring.

According to another embodiment, the spring is disposed in the vacuum tank. In this embodiment, the spring is arranged around the axis of the piston, that is, when the spring is in its compressed state, the axis is usually at the center of the spring. Moreover, in this embodiment, when the spring is compressed, it does not completely fill the space in the vacuum tank. In one embodiment, a reducing container is also arranged in the vacuum tank. This reducing container is connected to the piston head on the opposite side of the piston head with respect to the axis of the piston, and usually has a cylindrical shape and is fitted in a spring. The spring may be a compression spring or a conical compression spring. If a conical compression spring is used, there is usually no need to reduce the container.

Of course, the holding hook (especially its handle) may include any other structure required, such as to achieve a reinforcement structure and even a vacuum needed to form the handle. In addition, the member for compressing the spring may be such that it is directly pushed in the longitudinal direction of the holding hook to thereby manually push the spring. Alternatively, the member for compressing the spring may include a suitable part such as a gear to allow a smaller force to be used to compress the spring.

The handle may have a length of 10 cm to 25 cm (eg about 20 cm) and its diameter may be about 2 cm. It may also include a portion of the sleeve configured to compress the spring and configured to move therein. This means that one side of the member for compressing the spring is exposed and the other side is protected by a partial sleeve. This also protects the user's hand when the spring is released (and the member used to compress the spring usually retracts to its original position). Similarly, the user's hand does not hinder the movement of the member used to compress the spring.

When in the compressed position, the spring can be manually maintained in this compressed position, ie, by holding the member for compressing the spring or manually maintaining the position in another way. Alternatively, the holding hook may include a member for releasably locking the spring in its compressed position and a member for releasing the spring from its compressed position. This member may be the same, that is, the member for releasing the spring may be integrated with the member for locking the spring (or vice versa) or the like may be a separate member.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft of the piston has a recess designed to cooperate with a member for releasably locking the spring and/or a member for releasing the spring. The notches may be regularly arranged along the length of the axis or they may only be arranged intermittently, or there may be only one or two such notches. For example, the member for locking the spring and/or the member for releasing the spring may be composed of a small locking/release spring and a button. The button can have a cylindrical or cubic shape and it can include an opening therethrough so that it can be configured to surround the axis of the piston. The lock/release spring can be configured under the button, and then the button will extend to the outside of the handle. When the user presses the button, the spring below the button allows the button to move downward to thereby release the notch of the shaft from the opening in the button, and the spring moves freely. The configuration may be such that the member for locking the spring in its compressed position can be automatically activated when the spring is compressed, and by pressing the button when the user is ready (ie, the hook is properly positioned and the tip is in place) To release the spring.

According to an embodiment, the member for releasing the spring is configured to be set to at least two different positions to generate at least two different negative pressure levels for the suction tube and the suction head. This can be configured such that the notches are configured in the shaft, and such notches (or the like) allow the spring to be set at different positions when ready to use the holding hook. In fact, the user can move the member used to compress the spring (usually by pushing it) to an intermediate position between the position of the uncompressed spring and the position of the fully compressed spring. There can be one, two, three, four, five or even more of these intermediate positions, usually one, two, three, four, five or more notches in the shaft . The user must decide what kind of vacuum (almost negative pressure) is needed before positioning the holding hook. If it is decided to start with a slight vacuum (a small negative pressure), the member for compressing the spring can be pressed into only one first or second recess. If the result shows that the vacuum is insufficient to hold the cervix, the user can make a second attempt and press the component further into a third or fourth recess, or until the spring is fully compressed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is only one notch in the shaft, which keeps the spring in the fully compressed position.

In another embodiment, the handle may be equipped with several button locks (as described above) so that the level of negative pressure used during surgery can be adjusted to a desired level. This adjustment can be done before the operation begins (ie, during compression of the spring), or it can be done during the operation.

The vacuum tank may include an air inlet covered by a removable cover. The air inlet is in gas communication with the outside of the holding hook (ie, atmospheric environment), and it is covered by a removable cover. Of course, the air inlet of the vacuum tank is gas-connected to one of the openings of the handle. The cover is airtight when covering the air inlet, that is, no air can enter the vacuum tank through this air inlet. Only after the operation is completed and the holding hook is removed, the cover is moved to expose the air inlet to allow air to enter the vacuum chamber and thus release the tip from the tip of the dome. The cover may, for example, take the form of a ring movably arranged on the handle. The ring can be moved forward (toward the first end of the handle) or backward (toward the second end of the handle) to expose the handle and the air inlet of the vacuum tank to outside air.

The air inlet can be located on the cylindrical wall of the vacuum tank or, alternatively, on the front surface of the cylindrical wall (also referred to as the tip of the vacuum tube in this application) (see FIGS. 15B and 15C for details). When the air inlet is located on the front surface, the cover may be in the form of a slider, which operates to seal the tip lock of the air inlet on the front surface. It is advantageous to attach a seal (ring or band) to the front surface of the cylindrical wall to ensure an airtight (vacuum) connection. In the rest position (the position where the tip lock is in contact with the front surface of the cylinder, the seal, and therefore the air inlet, respectively), the tip lock will be closed by a holding spring (16a), as shown in Figure 14A or 15B.

According to yet another embodiment, the vacuum tank includes a third opening, the third opening is covered by a cover, and the cover is structurally designed to deform under the vacuum generated in the vacuum tank. In this embodiment, the cover is usually made of a flexible material, such as a plastic film, and it is structurally designed to have a concave shape when generating a vacuum in the vacuum tank, that is, toward the inner part of the vacuum tank bending. This allows the user to easily see that a negative pressure has indeed been generated in the vacuum tank.

The characteristics of the spring are selected so that it is suitable for the present invention. For example, the spring may be structured to provide a negative pressure of 0.2 bar to 0.5 bar in the vacuum tank and a vacuum of 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar in the vacuum tank when compared to atmospheric pressure, respectively. As another example, the spring is made of stainless spring steel. The thickness of the product used to manufacture the spring may be, for example, 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, usually about 1 mm. In one example, the uncompressed length of the spring is about 100 mm, and the compressed length of the spring is about 20 mm.

The holding hook of the present invention can be made of various materials. It can, for example, be made of easily sterilizable metal and the holding hook can therefore be reused. It can also be made of plastic materials (such as polyethylene or polypropylene), which are generally lighter and cheaper to manufacture. Different parts can also be made of different materials, for example, the handle and its inner part are made of metal and the straw and the suction head are made of plastic. In addition, at least two of the suction head, the suction tube, and the handle can be detachably connected to each other. This means that the suction head can be detached from the remaining part of the holding hook, or the suction tube can be detached from the handle, the suction head or both. In this way, for example, the handle can be reused, and the straw and/or tip can be disposable, ie, replaced after each use.

The size of the vacuum tank is also selected so that it is sufficient for the present invention. For example, its size can be 5 ml to 25 ml. It is estimated that the force required to pull the cervix is 7 N to 10 N.

During use, first compress and lock the spring or manually keep the spring compressed. Then, the holding hook is positioned so that the suction head is arranged on the dome. When the tip is properly seated, the spring is released (either manually or by using a spring release member) to thereby create a negative pressure in the vacuum chamber to thereby straighten the uterus by pulling the uterus. This means that the user only has to release the button when applying the suction hook and the compression (preload) spring will generate a vacuum. In this way, the user does not need to use any force when applying the hook and therefore can concentrate on placing the suction tip in the correct position. In addition, there is no need to lock the handle to maintain vacuum during use. A suitable spring size also ensures that too much force is not applied to the tissue to thereby minimize possible tissue trauma.

Once the hook is no longer needed (for example, an intrauterine system has been properly placed in the uterus), the pressure is released from the vacuum tank and the hook is removed.

The suction head needs to be extended to an area high enough so that a sufficient suction force can be applied without causing a large area of tissue trauma. The suction head can have any suitable shape and the holding hook of the present invention works with any type of suction head. Therefore, the tip is according to the known technique in the holding hook of the present invention, that is, a cup-shaped portion. Tips are usually made of a slightly flexible plastic material, such as soft polyethylene, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE).

The vacuum holding hook may also have another structure compared to the structure discussed above. In fact, according to an embodiment, the holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle including a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump includes: -A vacuum tank, which includes a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the straw is connected to the first opening; -A piston, which includes: -A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; -A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to a member for moving the piston; and -A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening.

The member for moving the piston is movably arranged in an opening arranged in the handle, the opening having a first end and a second end. The member for moving the piston includes a knob attached to the shaft of the piston. Preferably, the size of the opening is such that when the piston head abuts the first opening of the vacuum groove, at its first end, the knob abuts the first end of the opening. Similarly, when the piston head has moved to the second opening of the vacuum tank, at its second end (ie, a negative pressure has been generated in the vacuum tank), the knob abuts the second end of the opening. Preferably, the knob also includes a member for locking it into position, such as a member similar to the member explained above.

In this embodiment, once the holding hook is properly positioned, the user pulls the knob on the handle to thereby reduce the pressure in the vacuum tank. Reducing the pressure will create a suction force on the hook-holding tip and the tip will attach to the tissue (eg vaginal fornix). The knob is preferably equipped with a member for locking it when pulled back and therefore will maintain the vacuum for the required time. Thus, the means for locking the knob to its position at the second end of the opening can cause it to be automatically activated when the knob abuts the second end of the opening.

After the operation is completed and the hook is no longer needed (but needs to be removed), the member for locking is released and the vacuum tank is repressurized to atmospheric pressure to thereby also release the fixed suction head. This repressurization can be achieved by only allowing the piston to move towards the first end of the vacuum tank, or the vacuum tank can be equipped with a movable collar that closes an opening to the outside air. When the collar is moved, the opening is exposed and air can enter the vacuum tank. The details and embodiments explained above in connection with the hook described in the patent application scope of the present invention are applicable to the hook of the present invention after making necessary modifications in any applicable circumstances.

The vacuum holding hook may also have another structure compared to the structure discussed above. In fact, according to an embodiment, the holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle including a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump includes: -A vacuum tank, which includes a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the straw is connected to the first opening; -A piston, which includes: -A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; -A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to a member for moving the piston; and -A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening.

The member for moving the piston is movably arranged in an opening arranged in the handle, the opening having a first end and a second end. The member for moving the piston includes a knob connected to the shaft of the piston via a transmission device. The transmission device may be, for example, a gear type, such as a combination of a wheel and a lever, with a series of cooperating protrusions on its edges, which transmit motion by engaging with the respective protrusions.

Preferably, the size of the opening is such that when the piston head abuts the first opening of the vacuum groove, the knob abuts the second end of the opening. Similarly, when the piston head has moved to the second opening of the vacuum tank (ie, a negative pressure has been generated in the vacuum tank), the knob abuts the first end of the opening. Preferably, the knob also includes a member for locking it into position, such as a member similar to the member explained above.

Therefore, this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment except that the device includes a transmission device. In this way, the user pushes (moves away from the user) the knob instead of pulling (moves towards the user), which may give the possibility of achieving a higher negative pressure level in a way that is easier than the previous embodiment, It depends on the required negative pressure. As in other embodiments, a release mechanism and an updated vacuum generation are equally feasible.

The details and embodiments explained above in connection with the hook described in the patent application scope of the present invention are applicable to the hook of the present invention after making necessary modifications in any applicable circumstances. The same applies to the above embodiment.

There are still further options for the structure of the vacuum-type hook, and the like are similar to a certain extent. In fact, in a first embodiment, the holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle including a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump includes: -A vacuum tank, which includes a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the straw is connected to the first opening; -A piston, which includes: -A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; -The member used to move the piston; -A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the member for moving the piston; and -A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening.

The means for moving the piston includes at least a portion hingedly connected to the shaft of the piston, "articulated" means that the portions can rotate relative to each other. In fact, there is a shaft portion hingedly connected to the second end of the shaft of the piston by its first end. The shaft portion is connected to a grip portion by its second end. The shaft part and the grip part may be integrated or the like may be made of separate parts attached to each other. Generally, the shaft portion is disposed inside the handle portion and the grip portion is disposed at least most outside the handle portion. The grip part is arranged at an angle relative to the vacuum tank and the handle, so that the user can squeeze the handle and the grip part together with one hand to thereby move the shaft of the piston, so that the piston head is separated from one of the vacuum tanks The first end moves to its second end. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft portion and the grip portion are arranged substantially at an angle of 90° relative to each other. Therefore, a pumping movement is used to generate negative pressure. In this way, the user can easily determine the vacuum level.

The details and embodiments explained above in connection with the hook described in the patent application scope of the present invention are applicable to the hook of the present invention after making necessary modifications in any applicable circumstances. The same applies to the other embodiments described above.

In a second embodiment, the holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction tube, the handle including a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump includes: -A vacuum tank, which includes a first opening at its first end and a second opening at its second end, wherein the straw is connected to the first opening; -A piston, which includes: -A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; -The member used to move the piston; -A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the member for moving the piston; and -A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening.

In this embodiment, the components used to move the piston are slightly different. In fact, it includes a rack (rod gear) disposed within the handle and extending toward a second (proximal) end of the handle. Generally, this rack is configured to be connected to the shaft of the piston or the shaft of the piston is used as a rack, ie, it is integrated. It also includes a gear (wheel gear) configured to be connected to the rack and also disposed within the handle. A grip portion is connected to the gear and protrudes from the handle.

In this embodiment, the negative pressure is generated by pumping several times. Each squeeze of the grip portion rotates the gear moving on the rack, where the piston head moves toward the second end of the vacuum tank to thereby generate a reduced pressure in the vacuum tank. Preferably, one of the ratchets in the gear only allows rotational movement in one direction. When the grip portion returns to its original position, the reduced pressure is therefore retained in the groove. The grip portion returns to its starting position due to a spring force. In this embodiment, the force required to generate a suitable negative pressure is reduced compared to the previous embodiment. The holding hook also preferably includes means for releasing the negative pressure from the vacuum tank, for example by releasing the gear from the rack, thereby allowing the piston head to move back toward the first end of the vacuum tank and thus releasing the suction head. This embodiment also allows easy control of the amount of negative pressure in the vacuum tank.

The details and embodiments explained above in connection with the hook described in the patent application scope of the present invention are applicable to the hook of the present invention after making necessary modifications in any applicable circumstances. The same applies to the other embodiments described above. Detailed description

1A to 1D illustrate a holding hook according to an embodiment. The holding hook includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2, and a handle 3. A vacuum pump is located in the handle and is therefore not visible in this figure. The component part for compressing the spring 4 can be seen at a second end 3b of the handle 3, the second end 3b is opposed to a first end 3a, and the suction tube 2 is connected to the first end 3a.

When the user wishes to start using the holding hook, it pushes the member for compressing the spring 4 in the direction of arrow 5. In FIG. 1B, the member for compressing the spring 4 is shown in the position where the spring is compressed, that is, the member is mostly located in the handle 3. Compared to its position in FIG. 1A, a button 6 is in an up position. This upper position shows that the spring is locked to the compressed position.

Once the suction head 1 is properly placed, the user presses the button 6 in the direction of the arrow 7 to thereby release the spring and allow the member for compressing the spring 4 to return to its original position along an arrow 8. Now a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum chamber and the hook pulls the cervical channel.

When the operation is completed and the hook is no longer required, the user pulls a cover 9 in the direction of arrow 10 toward the second end of the handle to thereby expose an air inlet 11 (as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D) . The air inlet 11 is in gas communication with the vacuum tank, and then air can enter the vacuum tank and from then into the suction tube 2 and the suction head 1 to thereby release the holding hook.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 1. It shows a vacuum tank 12, a piston head 13 in the vacuum tank 12, and a seal 14 disposed around the piston head 13. The piston head is attached to a shaft 15 which in turn is attached to the member for compressing the spring 4 and is arranged in a spring 16. The figure further shows the button 6 and a small spring 17 under the button 6. In addition, the figure shows a spring chamber 8 in which one of the springs (16) is arranged.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the holding hook of FIG. 1. The figure shows the various parts of the holding hook, namely, the suction head 1, the suction tube 2, the handle 3, the member for compressing the spring 4, the button 6, the cover 9, the air inlet 11, the vacuum groove 12, the piston head 13, the seal Piece 14, shaft 15, spring 16 and small spring 17. The figure further shows a grip ridge 18 which is designed to facilitate the movement of the cover 9 by the user. Similarly, the notch 19 is shown in the shaft 15 for locking and releasing the spring together with the button 6.

4A-4D illustrate a holding hook according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the holding hook has a suction head 1, a suction tube 2 and a handle 3 similar to one of the previous embodiments. The member for compressing the spring 20 moves in the direction of the arrow 24 to compress the spring (within the handle 3) and automatically locks in place. A third opening is disposed in the handle 3 covered by a third cover 23 made of an elastic material. The handle 3 also includes a cover 22 and a button 21 as parts for releasing the spring.

Therefore, the user compresses the spring by pushing the member for compressing the spring 20 in the direction of the arrow 24. To release the spring, the user presses the button 21 in the direction of arrow 25 (FIG. 4B). Thereafter, the member for compressing the spring 20 moves in the direction of arrow 26 (ie, in the direction opposite to the compression direction). Next, the third cover 23 (also called a pressure indicating dome) is snapped inward to show that a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum chamber. To release the hook, the cover 22 moves in the direction of the arrow 27 (or in the opposite direction) to thereby expose an opening 28 to allow air to enter the vacuum chamber.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 4. It can be seen that in this embodiment, a spring 28 is disposed in the vacuum tank 29, and a reducing container 30 is also disposed in the vacuum tank 29. A piston head 31 is equipped with a seal 32 and is attached to a shaft 33. A small spring 34 is arranged below the button 21. The figure further illustrates a third cover 23, a cover 22 and an opening 48 to allow air to enter the vacuum tank 29 when the cover 22 is moved. The shaft 33 further includes a recess 35 designed to cooperate with the button 21.

6A-6B illustrate a holding hook according to yet another embodiment. The holding hook includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2, and a handle 3. The handle includes an opening 45 having a first end 45a and a second end 45b. In this opening 45, a knob 40 is configured to move in the direction of arrow 46 and in the opposite direction, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 6 (ie, FIGS. 6A and 6B) and shows a vacuum groove 41 having a piston head 42 disposed therein. The piston head 42 includes a seal 43 and is attached to a shaft 44. The shaft 44 is attached to the knob 40 (a member for moving the piston) so that when the knob 40 is moved, the piston head 42 is also moved. Before using the holding hook, the knob moves to the first end 45a and preferably abuts this end of the opening 45. At this time, the piston head 42 is located at one of the first ends 41a of the vacuum groove 41. Next, the user pulls the knob 40 in the direction of arrow 46, in which the piston head 42 also moves in the same direction (shown by arrow 47). This movement is performed until the knob 40 abuts the second end 45b of the opening 45. Thereafter, it is mechanically locked there or manually held there during operation, ie until the hook is no longer needed.

8A to 8B illustrate a holding hook according to another embodiment. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, and the holding hook includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2 and a handle 3. The handle includes an opening 51 having a first end 51a and a second end 51b. In this opening 51, a knob 50 (a member for moving the piston) is configured to move in the direction of arrow 52 and in the opposite direction, as shown in more detail in FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 8 (ie, FIGS. 8A and 8B) and shows a vacuum groove 53 having a piston head 54 disposed therein. The piston head 54 includes a seal 55 and is attached to a shaft (not visible in the figure). The shaft includes a rack designed to cooperate with a wheel 56 disposed in the knob 50.

Before using the holding hook, the knob 50 is moved to the second end 51b and preferably abuts this end of the opening 54. At this time, the piston head 54 is located at one of the first ends 53a of the vacuum groove 53. Next, the user pushes the knob 45 in the direction of arrow 52, where the piston head 54 moves in the opposite direction (shown by arrow 57), that is, the gear system (wheel 56 and shaft) reverses the movement. This movement is performed until the knob 50 abuts the first end 51a of the opening 51. Thereafter, the lock button 58 is used to mechanically lock the knob there.

10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another holding hook according to an embodiment. The holding hook also includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2, and a handle 3. A vacuum pump disposed in the handle 3 includes a vacuum tank 60. A piston head 61 and its seal 62 are movably arranged in the vacuum tank 60 and attached to a shaft 63. The member for moving the piston includes a shaft portion 64 hingedly connected to the second end of the shaft 63 of the piston by its first end 64a. The shaft portion 64 is connected to a grip portion 65 through its second end. The grip portion 65 is arranged at an angle relative to the vacuum tank 60 and the handle 3, so that the user can squeeze the handle 3 and the grip portion 65 together with one hand to move in the direction of arrow 66 The shaft 63 of the piston moves the piston head 61 from one first end of the vacuum groove 60 to its second end.

11A to 11C illustrate cross-sectional views of another holding hook according to an embodiment. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 except for the way the piston head is moved. In fact, the holding hook includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2, and a handle 3. A vacuum pump disposed in the handle 3 includes a vacuum tank 70. A piston head 71 and its seal 72 are movably arranged in the vacuum tank 70 and attached to a shaft 73. The shaft 73 is in the form of a rack designed to cooperate with a member for moving the piston. The member for moving the piston includes a gear 74 (wheel gear) configured to be connected to the rack 73 (ie, the shaft of the piston) and also configured within the handle 3. A grip portion 75 is connected to the gear 74 and protrudes from the handle 3.

In this embodiment, the negative pressure is generated by pumping several times (ie, moving the grip portion 75 in the direction of arrow 78). Each squeeze of the grip portion 75 rotates the gear 74 moving on the rack 73, wherein the piston head 71 moves along the arrows 76, 79 to thereby generate a reduced pressure in the vacuum tank 70. One ratchet 77 in the gear only allows rotational movement in one direction. When the grip portion 75 returns to its original position (as shown in FIG. 11A), the reduced pressure is therefore retained in the groove. The grip portion 75 returns to its starting position due to a spring force.

12A to 12D illustrate a holding hook according to another embodiment of the invention. The holding hook includes a suction head 1, a suction tube 2, and a handle 3. A vacuum pump is located in the handle and is therefore not visible in this figure. The part of the component for compressing the spring 4 can be seen at a second end 3b of the handle 3, which is opposite to the first end 3a of which the straw 2 is connected.

When the user wishes to start using the holding hook, it pushes the member for compressing the spring 4 in the direction of arrow 5. In FIG. 12B, the member for compressing the spring 4 is shown in the position where the spring is compressed, that is, the member is mostly located in the handle 3. Compared to its position in FIG. 12A, a button 6 is in an up position. This upper position shows that the spring is locked to the compressed position.

Once the tip 1 is properly placed, the user presses the button 6 in the direction of the arrow 7 to thereby release the spring and allow the member for compressing the spring 4 to return to its original position along an arrow 8. Now a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum chamber and the hook pulls the cervical channel.

When the operation is completed and the hook is no longer needed, the user pushes a cover shaped as a slider 91 according to this embodiment toward the first end of the handle to expose an air inlet 11 in the direction of arrow 10 (As shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D). The air inlet 11 (details shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 12D) are in gas communication with the vacuum tank, and then air can enter the vacuum tank and from there into the suction tube 2 and the suction head 1 to thereby release the holding hook. The slider may have a grip ridge 18. The air inlet 11 is surrounded by a seal 14a in the form of a ring or band.

13A to 13C illustrate a cross-sectional view of the holding hooks of FIGS. 12A to 12D. It shows a vacuum tank 12, a piston head 13 in the vacuum tank 12 and a seal 14a arranged around the piston head 13, where the seal is optional if a gas-tight connection between the piston head and the wall of the vacuum tank is ensured of. The piston head is attached to a shaft 15 having a notch 19, which in turn is attached to a member for compressing the spring 4 and is arranged in a spring 16. The figure further shows the button 6 and a small spring 17 under the button 6. In addition, the figure shows a spring chamber 8 in which one of the springs is arranged and a slide 91 for releasing vacuum from the vacuum tank and therefore the hook.

14 is an exploded view of the holding hook of FIG. 13 (A to C). The figure shows the parts of the holding hook, namely, the suction head 1, the suction tube 2, the handle 3, the member for compressing the spring 4, the button 6, the cover in the form of a slide 91, the air inlet 11, the vacuum groove 12. Piston head 13, seal 14, shaft 15, spring 16, and small spring 17. The figure further shows that the spine 18 is designed to facilitate movement of one of the cover/slider 91 by the user. In this embodiment, there is only one notch 19 at the distal end of the shaft 15 for locking and releasing the spring together with the button 6. In addition, the figure shows a seal 14a on the piston head 13 and another seal 14a needed to seal the air inlet 11 for ensuring an airtight connection between the piston head 13 and the wall of the vacuum groove. A second spring 16a presses the cover/slider 91 on the air inlet 11 into the original position. The vacuum tube tip may be manufactured as a separate component (as shown in FIG. 14 and marked by the element symbol 81), or it may be an integral part of the vacuum chamber (12, 41, 53, 70). For production-oriented reasons, the vacuum tube tip is preferably manufactured as a separate part.

Figure 15A is a detailed view of the second end of the handle. It shows in detail the straw 2, the cover/slider 91, the tip lock 80 that seals the air inlet 11 on the front surface, and the vacuum tube tip 81.

In enlarged detail, the pin that locks the tip lock (80) to the vacuum tube tip (81) is shown. The tip lock 80 pushes the slider (91) for pressure release and the sealing band (14a) mounted on the slider (91) against the tip of the vacuum tube (81) via a spring (16a).

15B and 15C show a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A. 14a marks a seal that ensures that the air inlet 11 and one of the second springs 16a are hermetically closed, and the second spring 16a compresses the cover/slider 91 to the air inlet 11 in the original position (FIG. 15B).

15C shows the air inlet 11 in the open position by moving the cover/slider 91 to the proximal end of the holding hook. A sealing ring or sealing tape 14a is added between the tip of the vacuum tube and the cover/slider of the moving pressure release mechanism.

1: suction head 2: straw 3: handle 3a: the first end 3b: the second end 4: spring 5: Arrow 6: Button 7: Arrow 8: Arrow 9: cover 10: Arrow 11: Air inlet 12: Vacuum tank 13: Piston head 14: Seal 14a: sealing ring/seal tape/seal 15: axis 16: Spring 16a: second spring 17: small spring 18: Hold the ridge 19: Notch 20: Spring 21: Button 22: Cover 23: Third cover 24: Arrow 25: Arrow 26: Arrow 27: Arrow 28: opening/spring 29: Vacuum tank 30: Reduce container 31: Piston head 32: Seal 33: axis 34: small spring 35: Notch 40: knob 41: Vacuum tank 41a: the first end 42: Piston head 43: Seal 44: Shaft 45: opening 45a: the first end 45b: second end 46: Arrow 47: Arrow 48: opening 50: knob 51: opening 51a: the first end 51b: the second end 52: Arrow 53: Vacuum tank 53a: the first end 54: Piston head 55: Seal 56: round 57: Arrow 58: Lock button 60: Vacuum tank 61: Piston head 62: Seal 63: axis 64: shaft part 64a: the first end 65: Holding part 66: Arrow 70: Vacuum tank 71: Piston head 72: Seal 73: Shaft 74: Gear 75: Holding part 76: Arrow 77: Ratchet 78: Arrow 79: Arrow 80: tip lock 81: Vacuum tube tip 82: screw anchor 91: cover/slider

1A to 1D illustrate a holding hook according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the holding hook of FIG. 1.

4A to 4D illustrate a holding hook according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 4.

6A-6B illustrate a holding hook according to an embodiment.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 6.

8A-8B illustrate a holding hook according to an embodiment.

9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the holding hook of FIG. 8.

10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a holding hook according to an embodiment.

11A to 11C illustrate cross-sectional views of a holding hook according to an embodiment.

12A-12D illustrate a holding hook according to another embodiment.

13A to 13C illustrate a cross-sectional view of the holding hooks of FIGS. 12A to 12D.

14A is an exploded view of the holding hook of FIG. 13.

14B shows the details of FIG. 14A, namely, the piston head 13 with the seal 14 and the screw anchor 82, which ensures a firm connection between the piston head 13 and the shaft 15.

15A shows a pressure (vacuum) release mechanism with a cover, which exposes the air inlet in detail.

15B to 15C illustrate a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A.

1: suction head

2: straw

3: handle

3a: the first end

3b: the second end

4: spring

5: Arrow

Claims (30)

A holding hook includes a suction head and a handle connected to each other by a suction pipe, the handle includes a vacuum pump, the holding hook is characterized in that the vacuum pump includes: A vacuum tank including a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, wherein the suction tube is connected to the first opening; A spring The component used to compress the spring; A piston, which includes: A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the member for compressing the spring; A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening; The spring is configured to move the piston head. The holding hook of claim 1, further comprising a spring chamber, wherein the spring is disposed in the spring chamber and the shaft of the piston is configured to extend to the spring chamber through the second opening of the vacuum tank. The holding hook according to claim 1, wherein the spring is disposed in the vacuum tank. The holding hook of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a member for releasably locking the spring in its compressed position and a member for releasing the spring from its compressed position. The holding hook of claim 4, wherein the shaft has a recess designed to cooperate with the member for releasably locking the spring and/or the member for releasing the spring. The holding hook of claim 4, wherein the member for releasing the spring is integrated with the member for locking the spring. The holding hook of claim 4, wherein the member for releasing the spring is configured to be set in a position to generate a maximum negative pressure on the suction tube and the suction head. The holding hook of claim 4, wherein the member for releasing the spring is configured to be set at two different positions to generate at least two different negative pressure levels for the suction tube and the suction head. The holding hook according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vacuum tank includes an air inlet covered by a movable cover. The holding hook according to claim 9, wherein the cover is in the form of a ring movably arranged on the handle. The holding hook of claim 9, wherein the cover is in the form of a slider movably disposed on the handle, wherein the slider exposes an air inlet in gas communication with the vacuum tank. The holding hook of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vacuum tank includes a third opening, the third opening is covered by a cover, and the cover is structured to be under the vacuum generated in the vacuum tank Deformed. The holding hook of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spring is structurally designed to provide a pressure of 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar in the vacuum tank. The holding hook according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two of the suction head, the suction tube, and the handle are detachably connected to each other. The holding hook according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the size of the vacuum tank is 5 ml to 25 ml. A vacuum pump for a holding hook, the holding hook has a suction head connected to the vacuum pump through a suction pipe, the vacuum pump is characterized in that the vacuum pump includes: A vacuum tank including a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, wherein the suction tube is connected to the first opening; A spring The member used to compress the spring; A piston, which includes: A piston head, which is movably arranged in the vacuum tank; A shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the piston head and the second end of which is connected to the member for compressing the spring; A pressure seal arranged on the piston head to isolate a vacuum space of the vacuum tank from the second opening; The spring is configured to move the piston head. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a spring chamber, wherein the spring is disposed in the spring chamber and the shaft of the piston is configured to extend through the second opening of the vacuum tank to the Spring room. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spring is disposed in the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising means for releasably locking the spring in its compressed position and for releasing the spring from its compressed position member. A vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 19, wherein the shaft has a recess designed to cooperate with the member for releasably locking the spring and/or the member for releasing the spring. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 19, wherein the member for releasing the spring is integrated with the member for locking the spring. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 19, wherein the member for releasing the spring is configured to be set in a position to generate a maximum negative pressure on the suction tube and the suction head. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 19, wherein the member for releasing the spring is configured to be set at two different positions to generate at least two different negative pressure levels for the suction tube and the suction head. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the vacuum tank includes an air inlet covered by a movable cover. A vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cover is in the form of a ring movably arranged on the handle. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cover is in the form of a slider movably arranged on the handle, wherein the slider exposes an air inlet in gas communication with the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the vacuum tank includes a third opening, the third opening is covered by a cover, and the cover is structurally designed to be in the vacuum tank Deformed under the generated vacuum. The vacuum pump for a hook as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the spring is structurally designed to provide a pressure of 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar in the vacuum tank. The vacuum pump for a hook according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein at least two of the suction head, the suction tube, and the handle are detachably connected to each other. The vacuum pump for a hook according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the size of the vacuum tank is 5 ml to 25 ml.

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