Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING
AND DISPOSING OF BODY FLUIDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to medical methods and apparatus
for removing body fluids from patients and disposing of the body
fluids. The invention also relates to suction canisters used in
the collection of fluids from patients.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suction canisters are used in hospital environments and
particularly during various surgical procedures to store drained
bodily fluid from a patient. In general, suction canisters are
used in conjunction with a vacuum source which enables bodily
fluid to be drained from the patient and stored in the canister.
Each canister generally includes a receptacle for holding the
bodily fluid, a lid with a vacuum port and a patient port, a
suction conduit connecting the vacuum port to a vacuum source,
and a patient conduit for conveying the bodily fluid from the
patient into the receptacle through the patient port. When the
suction conduit is connected to the vacuum source, a negative
pressure gradient is created in the interior of the receptacle so
that the bodily fluid is drawn from the patient and into the
suction canister via the patient conduit.
Other types of containers, such as urine collectors and
chest drainage devices, are also used to collect body fluids.
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It has become important in environments such as
hospitals to eliminate the handling of and thus reduce employee
exposure to bodily fluids. Currently, hospitals dispose of such
bodily fluid in various ways. Bodily fluid can be poured from
the suction canister down the hospital sink and into the sewer
system, can be incinerated as a liquid or solid, or can be
disposed of at an approved hazardous waste site. If hospital
employees have to handle the bodily fluid, spattering of the
bodily fluid can result in hospital employees contacting the
hazardous fluid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides improved methods and apparatus
for removing body fluids from patients and disposing of the body
fluids.
More particularly, the invention provides a suction
canister including a container having a chamber for collecting
fluids, a patient port, and a vacuum port. The patient and
vacuum ports communicate with the chamber. When a vacuum is
created in the chamber via the vacuum port, fluid is thereby
drawn into the container via the patient port. The chamber is
partially defined by a wall, preferably the bottom wall,
including a protrusion extending into the chamber. The
protrusion defines a passageway having an open outer end and a
closed inner end. The protrusion includes a thin portion such
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that the protrusion can be broken to provide communication
between the passageway and the chamber for draining fluid
contained in the suction canister. Preferably, the passageway
has an axis, the wall is molded with mold parts movable relative
to each other in a direction parallel to the axis, and the thin
portion has a reduced thickness in a direction parallel to the
axis. This makes it easier to control the thickness of the thin
portion during molding, because it is easier to control the
relative positions of the mold parts in the direction of parting
than in other directions. The invention preferably also provides
a drainage device for breaking the thin portion of the protrusion
and draining the canister.
The invention also provides a method of removing body
fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids. The
method includes the steps of providing a molded suction canister
including a molded-in drain, providing a drainage device for
automatically opening the molded-in drain and draining the
contents of the suction canister, collecting body fluids in the
suction canister, connecting the suction canister to the drainage
device, and operating the drainage device so that the drainage
device opens the drain and drains the contents of the suction
canister.
The invention also provides another method of removing
body fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids, the
method comprising the steps of providing a container including a
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bottom wall having therein a drain, providing a drainage device
for automatically opening the drain and draining the contents of
the container, collecting body fluids in the container, placing
the container on the drainage device, and operating the drainage
device so that the drainage device opens the drain and drains the
contents of the container. The drain can either be integrally
molded with the container or provided by a plug closing an
opening in the container.
The invention provides a suction canister or container
that is easily drained of potentially hazardous fluid without
contact with the fluid. The suction canister when used in
conjunction with the drainage device allows a convenient means of
disposing of the fluid content.
Other features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review
of the following drawings, description and claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is perspective view of an apparatus embodying
the invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the suction
canister and the drainage device;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the suction
canister connected to the drainage device;
Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the tool of the
drainage device breaking the protrusion of the suction canister.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing an
alternative construction and mold parts.
Fig. 7 is view taken along line 7--7 in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view of the drain of a
container that is a second alternative embodiment of the
nvent ion .
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the drain
being opened.
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view of the drain of a
container that is a third alternative embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the drain
being opened.
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Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view of the drain of a
container that is a fourth alternative embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the drain
being opened.
Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view of the drain of a
container that is a fifth alternative embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 15 is a view taken along line 15--15 in Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the drain
being opened.
Fig. 17 is a partial sectional view of the drain of a
container that is a sixth alternative embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing the drain
being opened.
Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description
or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout the views, there is shown
in Figs. 1 through 5 an apparatus 5 embodying the invention. The
apparatus comprises a suction canister 10. The suction canister
includes a container 14 which defines a chamber 18 for collecting
drained fluid. The container 14 is preferably plastic (such as
clear polystyrene) and is injection molded. The container 18 has
an open upper end 22 and a closed lower end 26. The container 18
is defined by an annular side wall 30 and by a bottom wall 34.
The bottom wall 34 includes a molded-in drain formed by a
protrusion 38 extending into the chamber 18. By "molded-in" it
is meant that the container 14 and the drain are formed in a
single injection molding process.
As best shown in Fig. 2, the protrusion 38 defines a
passageway 42 that tapers upwardly and has an open lower or outer
end 46 and a blind or closed upper or inner end 50. More
particularly, the protrusion 38 includes a first wall portion 54.
The first wall portion 54 defines the outer end 46 of the
passageway 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the first wall portion 54 is
not uniform in height throughout its entire circumference due to
a curvature of the bottom wall 34. However, it should be noted
that the first wall portion 54 can be uniform in height
throughout its circumference. Further, the height of the first
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wall portion 54 is preferably minimized to minimize the volume of
fluid that remains in the suction canister 10 after it has been
drained.
The protrusion 38 also includes a second wall portion
58 that defines the closed inner end 50 of the passageway 42.
The second wall portion 58 defines an outwardly or downwardly
opening, non-circular socket 62 at the inner end 50 of the
passageway 42 as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The socket is
preferably hexagonal.
Referring now to Fig. 2, a thin or frangible wall
portion 66 integrally connects the first wall portion 54 and the
second wall portion 58. As will be explained in more detail
hereafter, the frangible wall portion 66 can be broken to provide
communication between the passageway 42 and the chamber 18 to
enable draining of the fluid from the suction canister 10. The
frangible wall portion 66 is small in size (preferably about .010
inch thick) to provide for ease of breakage when draining is
desired yet is also strong enough to withstand the tensile and
circumferential stresses when a vacuum is created in the chamber
18 when the suction canister 10 is being filled with fluid.
Further, due to the placement and configuration of the frangible
wall portion 66 and the socket 62, inadvertent breaking of the
protrusion 38 is minimized.
As shown in Fig. 1, the suction canister 10 also
includes a lid 70 which closes the upper end 22 of the container
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14. The lid 70 has therein a patient port 74 which communicates
with the chamber 18. Extending upwardly from the patient port is
a patient port wall 78. To enable communication between the
fluid to be drained and the patient port 74, a patient conduit 82
is affixed to the patient port wall 78 by forcing one end 86 of
the patient conduit 82 over the patient port wall 78. The other
end 90 of the patient conduit 82 communicates with the fluid to
be drained such as in a patient cavity 94. When the patient
conduit 82 is not attached to the patient port wall 78, a cap
(not shown) can be placed over the patient port wall 78 to
prevent any fluid from leaking from the suction canister 10.
The lid 70 of the suction canister 10 also includes a
vacuum port 98 which communicates with the chamber 18 via a
filter (not shown). The filter can be, for example, a
hydrophobic filter. Extending upwardly from the vacuum port 98
is a vacuum port wall 102. To enable a vacuum to be created in
the chamber 18 of the suction canister 10, the vacuum port 98
communicates with a vacuum source 106 via a suction conduit 110.
The suction conduit 110 is affixed to the vacuum port wall 102 by
forcing one end 114 of the suction conduit 110 over the vacuum
port wall 102. The other end 118 of the suction conduit 110 is
placed in communication with the vacuum source 106. The filter
prevents contamination of the vacuum source 106. When the
suction conduit 110 is not attached to the vacuum port wall 102,
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15~5/9283/CAN2
a cap (not shown) can be placed over the vacuum port wall 102 to
prevent any fluid from leaking from the suction canister 10.
The suction canister 10 is used in the collection of
fluids as follows. One end 114 of the suction conduit 110 is
affixed to the vacuum port wall 102 as previously described and
the other end 118 iS placed in communication with the vacuum
source 106. One end 86 of the patient conduit 82 iS affixed to
the patient port wall 78 as previously described and the other
end 90 is placed in communication with the fluid to be drained
such as in the patient cavity 94. When the vacuum source 106 iS
on, a vacuum is created in the chamber 18 of the container 14
such that fluid is drawn from the patient cavity 94, through the
patient conduit 82 and into the container 14 via the patient port
74.
When the container 14 is filled with fluid or fluid no
longer needs to be collected, the patient conduit 82 and the
suction conduit 110 can be detached from the lid 70 of the
suction canister 10. The caps can then be placed on the patient
port wall 78 and the vacuum port wall 114 as previously described
to prevent fluid from leaking from the container 14. The suction
canister 10 can then be stored until the suction canister is to
be drained of its fluid contents.
The apparatus 5 also comprises a drainage device 122
with an upwardly tapered drain conduit 126 and a movable tool 130
as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, the drainage device 122 uses
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water pressure and a venturi to create a vacuum that suctions the
fluid from the container 14 and delivers this fluid directly to
the sanitary sewer line. The drainage device 122 can include a
device such as the Deknatel EDUCTOR~ manufactured by Deknatel,
Inc. of Fall River, Massachusetts. A suitable drainage device is
also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,217,038, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
To enable the fluid in the container 14 to be drained,
the drainage device 122 breaks the protrusion 38 as follows.
When a suction canister 10 needs to be drained, the suction
canister 10 is placed onto the drainage device 122 so that the
drain conduit 126 of the drainage device 122 is inserted into the
passageway 42 of the suction canister 10 as shown in Fig. 3. The
drain conduit 126 has a configuration that is complementary to
the passageway 42. A friction fit between the drain conduit 126
and the first wall portion 54 of the suction canister 10 provides
a fluid seal. When the drain conduit 126 is fully wedged into
the passageway 42 and the seal formed, the tool 130 is extended
upwardly from the drainage device 122 and into the socket 62 of
the passageway 42 as shown in Fig. 3. The tool 130 has a
configuration that is complementary to that of the socket 62.
Referring now to Fig. 5, further upward movement of the tool 130
(as depicted by arrow A) in conjunction with rotational movement
of the tool 130 (as depicted by arrow B) breaks the frangible
wall portion 66 of the protrusion 38, thereby disconnecting the
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second wall portion 58 from the first wall portion 54. The
breakage of the protrusion 38 allows the fluid within the
container 14 to exit the chamber 18 and enter the drainage device
122 via the drain conduit 126. As shown by the small arrows in
Fig. 5, the fluid flows through the conduit 126 around the tool
130. The seal between the drain conduit 126 and the first wall
portion 54 of the protrusion 38 prevents fluid from flowing
anywhere but through the passageway 42 and into the drainage
device 122.
During drainage of the fluid from the suction canister
10, the caps on the patient port wall 78 and/or the vacuum port
wall 102 can be removed to vent the chamber 18 to aid in drainage
of the fluid. Alternatively, a vent could be provided in the
drainage device 122 to aid in drainage of the fluid from the
suction canister 10.
An apparatus 200 which is a first alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.
Except as described below, the apparatus 200 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
The apparatus 200 comprises a suction canister 210
including a container 214. The container 214 is preferably made
of clear polystyrene. The passageway 42 has an axis 226, and the
container 214 is preferably injection molded using mold parts 218
and 222 which are movable relative to each other or part in the
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direction of the axis 226. In other words, the mold parts 218
and 222 part vertically as shown in Fig. 6. This is identical to
the manner in which the container 14 shown in Figs. 1-5 is
preferably molded.
It has been found that it can be difficult to control
the thickness of the thin wall portion 66 of the container 14
because it can be difficult to precisely maintain the relative
horizontal positions of the mold parts during molding. Any
sideways or horizontal movement of one mold part relative to the
other can have a significant effect on the thickness of the thin
wall portion 66, because the wall portion 66 has a reduced
thickness in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, it is
relatively easy to maintain the relative vertical positions of
the mold parts, i.e., the spacing of the mold parts in the
direction of parting.
For this reason, the container 214 has a thin wall
portion 266 with a reduced thickness in the direction of parting
of the mold parts 218 and 222, i.e., in the vertical direction in
Fig. 6. Viewed another way, the thin wall portion 266 has a
reduced thickness in a direction parallel to the axis 226. The
thickness of the wall portion 266 is preferably .O10 inch, and
can be relatively easily controlled. The wall portion 266 also
has a radial or horizontal dimension that is substantially
greater than the reduced thickness. This radial dimension is
preferably approximately . 060 inch. Variation of this dimension
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during molding is not critical. The thin wall portion 266 is
easily broken when draining is desired yet is also strong enough
to withstand the stress of a vacuum in the chamber 18. In fact,
it has been found that the thin wall portion 266 can be broken
simply by pushing upwardly on the second wall portion 58. It is
not necessary to twist the wall portion 58 in order to break the
wall portion 266.
The container 214 also differs from the container 14 in
that the socket 62 is star-shaped rather than hexagonal.
Obviously, any non-circular shape can be employed.
It should be noted that the bottom wall of the
container could be conical or sloped toward the drain for
improved drainage.
An apparatus 300 which is a second alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.
Except as described below, the apparatus 300 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
The apparatus 300 comprises a container 305 with a
bottom wall 309 having therein an opening 313 closed by a plug
317 inserted in the opening 313. The plug 317 is preferably made
of an elastomer or thermoplastic and snaps into the opening. The
plug has therein a blind central passageway 321 with a closed
upper end 325. As shown in Fig. 9, the drainage device 122
includes a pointed conduit or hollow needle 329 that pierces the
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upper end 325 of the passageway 321 so that fluid flows out of
the container 305 through the needle or conduit 329.
An apparatus 400 which is a third alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.
Except as described below, the apparatus 400 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
The apparatus 400 comprises a container 405 with a
bottom wall 409 having therein an opening 413 closed by a plug
417 inserted in the opening 413. The plug 417 is preferably made
of an elastomer or thermoplastic and snaps into the opening. As
shown in Fig. 11, the drainage device 122 includes a conduit 429
with a closed upper end and side openings 433. The conduit 429
pushes the plug up into the container 405 so that fluid flows out
of the container 405 through the openings 433 and into the
conduit 429.
An apparatus 500 which is a fourth alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13.
Except as described below, the apparatus 500 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
The apparatus 500 comprises a container 505 with a
bottom wall 509 having therein an opening 513 closed by a plug
517 inserted in the opening 513. The plug 517 is preferably made
of a thermoplastic and snaps into the opening. The plug has
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therein a blind central passageway 521 with a closed lower end
525. As shown in Fig. 13, the drainage device 122 includes a
pointed conduit or hollow needle 529 that pierces the lower end
525 of the passageway 521 so that fluid flows out of the
container 505 through the needle or conduit 529.
An apparatus 600 which is a fifth alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 14-16.
Except as described below, the apparatus 600 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
The apparatus 600 comprises a container 605 with a
bottom wall 609 having therein an internally threaded opening 613
closed by a plug 617. The plug 617 is preferably made of a
thermoplastic and threads into the opening 613. As shown in Fig.
15, the plug has a hexagonal head 621. As shown in Fig. 16, the
drainage device 122 includes a tool 629 with a socket 633 that
engages the plug head 621 and unthreads the plug 617 from the
opening 613 so that fluid flows out of the container 605 through
the opening 613.
An apparatus 700 which is a sixth alternative
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18.
Except as described below, the apparatus 700 is identical to the
apparatus 5, and common elements have been given the same
reference numerals.
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The apparatus 700 comprises a container 705 with a
bottom wall 709 having therein an opening 713 closed by a plug
717. The plug 717 is preferably made of a thermoplastic and is
glued, ultrasonically welded or otherwise secured over the
opening. The plug 717 has a construction similar to the bottom
wall of the container 214 shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus, the plug
717 has a first wall portion 54, a second wall portion 58 and a
frangible wall portion 266 like those of the suction canister
210. As shown in Fig. 18, the drainage device 122 includes a
conduit 729 with a closed upper end and side openings 733. The
conduit 729 breaks the thin wall portion 721 and extends into the
container 705 so that fluid flows out of the container 705
through the openings 733 and into the conduit 729.
While several drain arrangements and drain opening
devices have been disclosed, it should be understood that other
types of drains and other devices for opening drains are within
the scope of the invention.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims, wherein the term "container" includes suction
canisters, urine collectors, chest drainage devices and other
types of containers for collecting body fluids.
