Fluid and bioaerosol management vacuum connector and system
The present invention comprises a central vacuum producing system suitable for collecting both liquid and gaseous material, one or more end effectors for use at a site at which liquid and gaseous material are produced, and a coupling device or connector for operably coupling one or more end effectors to the central vacuum. In this embodiment, the connector may be made of various materials, and may include a suitable liquid monitor or counter such as a flow meter.
1. A vacuum connector adapted to be operably coupled to a vacuum source, the vacuum connector comprising:
one or more inlets, at least one of which is adapted to be operably coupled with an end effector;
an outlet adapted to be operably coupled with the vacuum source;
one or more separation chambers in communication with one or more of the inlets;
an air pathway from the separation chamber to the outlet;
a fluid pathway from the separation chamber to the outlet, the fluid pathway being separate from the air pathway; and
a removable decontamination unit adapted to be coupled to an inlet of the connector;
wherein the decontamination unit comprises a collapsible container containing a pre-measured amount of decontaminating solution; and
wherein the collapsible container is configured such that upon actuation of the vacuum source, the decontaminating solution flows from the collapsible container to the separation chamber and the collapsible container collapses.
2. The vacuum connector of claim 1 , wherein the separation chamber includes a baffle in cooperation with the inlet for optimizing the separation of liquid and gaseous material.
3. A vacuum system comprising:
a vacuum source;
a connector comprising an inlet, an outlet coupled directly with the vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is positioned downstream from the outlet, a separation chamber in communication with the inlet, an air pathway in communication with the separation chamber and the outlet, and a fluid pathway separate from the air pathway and in communication with the separation chamber;
an end effector in communication with the inlet; and
a removable decontamination unit adapted to be coupled to the connector;
wherein the decontamination unit comprises a collapsible container containing a pre-measured amount of decontaminating solution; and
wherein the collapsible container is configured such that upon actuation of the vacuum source, the decontaminating solution flows from the collapsible container to the separation chamber and the collapsible container collapses.
4. A vacuum system comprising:
a vacuum source;
a connector comprising an inlet, an outlet operably coupled directly with the vacuum source, wherein the vacuum source is positioned downstream from the outlet, a separation chamber in communication with the inlet, an air pathway from the separation chamber to the outlet, and a fluid pathway separate from the air pathway, from the separation chamber to the outlet;
an end effector in communication with the inlet; and
a removable decontamination unit adapted to be coupled to the connector, wherein the decontamination unit comprises a collapsible container containing a pre-measured amount of decontaminating solution, wherein the collapsible container is configured such that upon actuation of the vacuum source, the decontaminating solution flows from the collapsible container to the separation chamber and the collapsible container collapses.
5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a flowmeter coupled to the fluid pathway, and a microprocessor in communication with the flowmeter and capable of calculating flow rates and total volume.
6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising an input device in communication with the microprocessor.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the input device includes a key pad.
8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the connector further comprises a collection chamber in communication with the separation chamber.
9. The system of claim 4 , wherein the connector further comprises a vacuum regulator in cooperation with the inlet.
10. The system of claim 4 , wherein the separation chamber includes a baffle in cooperation with the inlet for optimizing the separation of liquid and gaseous material.
11. The system of claim 4 , wherein the separation chamber includes a filter in cooperation with the inlet for optimizing the separation of solid materials.