w W~ 93/18803 ~ y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PC'1"/1..1S93102554
-1-
FLUID COLLECTION CONTAINER
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FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collapsible and ,.'
expandable fluid collection container.
DACKGROUND OF THF INVENTION
Various autotxansfusion containers which operate under a
vacuum to collect blood from a patient during surgery also
may be used to rein~use the collected blood ib,to the "
patient;, pr~:or art' containers traditiomlly were formed from
non~collapsible glass blood collection bottles. The art then
evolved o pliable plastio collection bags which, when
compressed, would increase the, reinfusiar~ flow of the
'calleCted liquids.
To prevent he vacuum from collapsing the container, the
pliable,prior art conta3,ners are distended mechanically
during the collecta.oz~ procedure. The'following patens are
representative of such prior art devices; t7:S. Pat~r~t No.
4.4'~43.22U discloses the expanding of a ~~lindri.cal blood
,.
collection baq by engaging a plurality of sleeve-like loop
~annularly spaced about. the collection bag with the elongated
tines of a tent. U.S. Patent No. 4;838.872 discloses a
collapsible blood collection bag which is d~.stended by
compressing stiffener members connected to the bag. U.S;
Patent No. 4,943.288 discloses a reinfusion bag which is
maintained in ~n open configuration by separating frame
members'attached to he bag'with a pair of crossed-locking
arms which extend across the top and bottom of the r~~n~usion
bag.
The prior art also'discloses non-mechanical me~.ns for
holding the' collection bag in an open or expanded
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WO 93118803 1PC'f/~JS93102554
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configuration during,~he vacuum influenced fluid collection
procedure. U.S. Patent No. 3,866,608 discloses the
application of a seGOnd vacuum between the surface of the w
Collection bag and a rigid outer container to prevent
container collapse. U.S~ Patent No. 4,781,707 discloses a °
hermetically sealed chamber between a flexible collection bag
and an outer container which prevents the collection bag from
eolla~sing during the blood collection process.
These pr~.or axt devices have certain disadvantages. The
portions of the plastic collection bags which are not
directly attadhed to the mechanical support structure tend to
partially co~.lapse when the vacuum is applied to the
container interior: Consequently, the vblume scale provided
on these plastic containers gives an inaccurate measure of
the volume o~ fluids being collected. That discrepancy may
prove harmful when a course of treatment is based on the
amount of blood loss. The vacuum expanded containers provide
a more reliable contaa.ner volume buff are more difficult t~
operate. Release of the outer vacuum which is required to
allow the inner container to collapse during reinfusion of
the collected-blood, has proven problematic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates o a container for
collecting body fluids; such as surgically and
post-operatively shed blood, under,the influence of a
vacuum. The container includes a rigid front wall and a
flexible rear wall which is collapsible and dis'tehdible
relative to the rigid Front wall. A plurality of rigid flat
panels are spaced about and connected to the flexible year
wa~.l and are'engageable with a rigid, elongated scent. The
interlocked stem and flat panels provide a rigid
con~igu~ation that prevents the flexible rear wall from
collapsing.notwithstanding the vacuum applied to the
collection container during blood collection. Upon ,
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detachment of the stmt, the flexible rear wall is again
collapsible which allows the autologuus blood to be
reinfused to the patient.
It is among the various objects of the present
invention to provide a collection container which is
distendible and collapsible.
It is another of the various objects of the
invention to provide a collection container having a
relatively reliable volume when a vacuum is operating on the
interior thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a fluid collection container, comprising:
a collection bag having a variable volume interior and
including a non-collapsible, rigid front wall and a flexible
rear wall which is collapsible and distendible relative to
said non-collapsible, rigid front wall; a plurality of stmt
engaging members attached to and spaced about said flexible
rear wall; a rigid. stmt releasably engageable to said
plurality of spaced st mt engaging members to maintain said
flexible rear wall in a distended position relative to said
rigid front wall; said collection bag including a first port
in communication with said variable volume interior and
having a proximal end which is connectable to a source of
suction, and a second port in communication with said
variable volume interior and having a proximal end which is
connectable to a tube for conducting the fluid to be
collected.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a fluid collection container,
comprising: a collection bag having a variable volume
interior and including a non-collapsible, rigid front wall
and a flexible rear wall which is collapsible and
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distendible relative to said non-collapsible, rigid front
wall; a plurality of stmt engaging members spaced about and.
attached to said collapsible and distendible rear wall so
that said plurality of stent engaging members are contiguous
when said rear wall is collapsed; a rigid stmt releasably
engageable to said plurality of spaced stmt engaging
members to maintain said collapsible and distendible rear
wall in a distended position relative to said rigid front
wall; said collection bag including a first port in
communication with said variable volume interior and having
a proximal end which is connectable to a source of suction,
and a second port in communication with said variable volume
interior and having a proximal end which is connectable to a
tube for conducting the fluid to be collected.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there i.s provided a fluid collection container,
comprising: a collection bag having a variable volume
interior and including a non-collapsible, rigid front wall
and a plurality of collapsible and distendible walls; a
plurality of stmt connecting members connected to at least
some of said plurality of collapsible and distendible walls,
at least one of said plurality of stmt connecting members
having a perimeter substantially coextensive with the
perimeter of a collapsible and distendible wall to which it
is connected; a rigid stmt releasably engageable to said
plurality of stmt connecting members to maintain said
plurality of collapsible and distendible walls in a
distended position relative to said rigid front wall; said
collection bag including a first port in communication with
said variable volume interior and having a proximal end
which is connectable to a source of suction, and a second
port in communication with said variable volume interior and
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3b
having a proximal end which is connectable to a tube for
conducting the fluid to be collected.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a fluid collection container,
comprising: a collection bag having a variable volume
interior and including a non-collapsible, rigid front wall,
a pair of side walls and a rear wall extending between said
pair of side walls, said pair of side walls and rear wall
being collapsible and distendible relative to said non-
collapsible, rigid front wall; a pair of flat members
respectively connected to said pair of side walls, each of
said flat members having a perimeter substantially
coextensive with the perimeter of said respectively
connected side wa7_1 and including an elongated flange having
an elongated stmt-receiving space; a center flat member
connected to said rear wall and including a projecting
flange extending away from said rear wall; a rigid stmt
releasably engageable to said pair of flat members and said
central flat member to maintain said pair of side walls and
said rear wall in a distended position, said rigid stmt
including a central portion having a slot adapted to
slidably receive said projecting flange and a pair of end
portions diverging from said central portion adapted to be
slidably received within said elongated stmt-receiving
space; said collection bag including a first port in
communication with said variable volume interior and having
a proximal end which is connectable to a source of suction,
and a second port in communication with said variable volume
interior and having a proximal end which is connectable to a
tube for conducting the fluid to be collected.
According to yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a fluid collection container,
comprising: a collection bag having a variable volume
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interior and including a non-collapsible, rigid front wall
and a flexible rear wall which is collapsible and
distendible relative to said non-collapsible, rigid front
wall; a plurality of stmt engaging members attached to and
spaced about said flexible rear wall; a rigid stmt
releasably engaged to said plurality of stmt engaging
members and extending across said rear wall between said
plurality of stmt engaging members for maintaining said
flexible rear wall in a distended position relative to said
rigid front wall; said collection bag including a first port
in communication with said variable volume interior and
having a proximal end which is connectable to a tube for
conducting the fluid to be collected and a second port in
communication with said variable volume interior and having
a proximal end which is connectable to a source of suction.
Other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings which disclose multiple embodiments of the
invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are
designed for the purpose of illustration only and are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of
the invention will be appreciated more fully from the
following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front illustration of the fluid
collection container in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear illustration of the fluid
collection container in accordance with the invention;
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3d
Fig. 3A is a front illustration of the rigid front.
wall in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3B is a rear illustration of the rigid front
wall in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3C is a top illustration of the rigid front
wall in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3D is a side illustration of the rigid front
wall in accordance with the invention.
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Fig. 4A is a front illustration of the distended
configuration of the flexible rear wall;
Fig. ~8 is a sectional illustration of the distended
configuration of the flexible rear wall along line 4B of Fig
BAs
Fig. 5 is an exploded illustration of the assembly of
the f7;exibl~ rear wall and the rigid front wall;
Flg. 6 is a seetianal illustration of the device with
the scent engaging members in the distended (solid) and
Collapsed ~~h~ntom). configuration;
Fig. '~A is a front elevation, partly broken away, of a
rear wall. panel:
Fxg. 7B is a rear elevation of the ream panel o~ FIG: 7A':
Fib. 7C is 'a secti:anal illustration along line 7C of the
rear ~anel:'illustrated in Figs. 7A-7S:
Fig. ZD is a side elevation of a rear panel iw
accordance with the invention:
Fig. ~A ris a perspective illustration of the center
p~rnel
Fig. BB is a secti~nal illustrat~ron of the center panel '.
along the line 8B of Fig. 8A;
F;ig.;9 is a plan illustration of the scent in accordance
with the invention;
Fig. 10 is an illustration of the attachment of the
stmt and the scent engaging panels in acc~rdance with the .
invention,
Fig. 11 is an illustration of the fluid collection
container mounted to a chest drainage device;
dig, 12A is a diagramatic sectional illustration
of a.vacuum limiter mounted to the fluid collection container
in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 12~ is a sectio~nral illustration along line 12B of
Fig. 12A~
Fig:. 13A is an illustration of a vacuum limit~r with a
venting system for dissipating the effect of the vaeuum in
he- container.; and
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WC~ 93/18803 ~ ~I ~ ~ ~ rj ~ PCT/US93/02554
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Fig. 13B is a sectional illustration of the vacuum
limit~r with ~ venting system along fine 13B of Fig. 13A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FREFE~tRED EP~iHODIMENTS
The fluid collection container 10 illustrated in Figs. 1
and 2 includes a xigid front'wall 12 and a flexible rear wall
1~ which is collapsible and'expandable relative to the rigid
(rant wall 12. In the distended ~onfiguxation, liquid and
gaseous fluid from he body cava.ty or wound being drained
flow under the influ~n~e o,f .v~auum into the collect a. on
container ' 10 . In a collapsed conf i:guxation, the flexible
rear wall 1~ is foldable relative to,the rigid front wall 12
t'o allow the co7:lected liquid fluids to be reinfused to the
pat ~. end .
The flexible rear wall 14 is held open by interlocking a
rigid, elongated stmt 16 to a plurality of stent engaging
panels 18 attached at spaced locations ~bou~t the flexible
rear wall 14. The interlocked stem 16 and stmt engaging
panels 18 restrain the;flexible rear wall 1~ against
collapsing under tie influence of the ~racuurrt operating on the '
interior o~ the collection bag during the collection
procedure. To optimize the resistance o~ the flexible rear
wall 14 to the'negat~.ve pressure in the'interior of the
container, a substantial portion of the surface'of the
flexible rear'wall'14 is attached ditec~ly to the stmt
engaging panels 18;
After' attaching the scent -16 to the st~ent engaging
pan,e7.s 18, a suction,inlet 20 is connected to a source of
suction such as the wall outlet of a hospital suction system
and a'fluid inlet 22 i's connected to a drain tube 30 which is
placed in communication wi:~h the body ,site beinig drained..
Gas or air, and blood, are drawn from the cavity thraugh the
drazn'tube 30; the f,lutid inlet 22 and a blood filter 26. The
blood filter 26 prevents clots and other semi-salids in the
colleot~ng body f-luids from being reinfused to the patient.
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'V6r~Q 93I1~~03 . PC'Tl1JS93102554
_6_
The filter 26 is sealed relative to the fluid ,inlet 22 to
prevent the collecting l~.quids from shunting directly to the
vacuum inlet 20. The filtexad blood and other body liquids '
pass into the bottom of the container. The level of the
accumulating li.duid is indicated by the volume wale 28 on ' i
the transparent or opaque front wall. The collecting gas and
ai,~ flow through the filter 26 end into'the container
interior and then a:re e~hau ted through the suction inlet
20,
After a sufficient volw~ne of liq~~id has been collected,
the drain tube and suction lines are disconnebted. The stem
16 is detached from-the stet engaging panels 18 which allaws
;,
the flexible rear wall 14 to collapse relative to the rigid
front wall ~.2. The closed end of a,reinfusion line 25
leading from a reinfusion port 24 in the front wall 12 is
spiked by the proximal end'of a connecting line (not shown)
which may hen be connected'at a distal end o.the patient's
circulatory system. Manual or mechanical campressian o~ the
flexible rear wall 14 forces the blood and other body Fluids
from the collebtion container through the reinfusion line 25 ''
and back to the patient. A s).ot 27 in the rigid front wall
12 holds the reinfusion line 25 during nonuse. The
collection container may be supported above the'patient's
body so that the fluids are returned to he patient by
gravity. Preferabllr, an adjustalale hanger o~ strap is looped ''
from tl~e r~.gid front wall 12 over the top of the container 1:0
to the back of the flexible rear wall and may be attached to
a bed rail or 'an L:V. rack.
The ind2vidual components of the collection container
will now be explained in greater detail.
The collection bag portion of the container consists of
the rigid front wall l2.and the flexible rear wall 1:4.
,The rigid from wall 12 illustrated in Figs. 3A--D is
foamed of vtransparent polyGarbonate material, such as Mobay
Corp. FAR-2458 or General Electric, 1,24R1i~2 and includes a
front. f.aoe 50 and -a rear f ace 58 . The f L,ont . f ace. 50' ine ludes o:;
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a projecting portion 5~ which contains the graduation scale
28 for measuring the amount of blood accumulating in the
collection container 10: The reinfusion port 24 extends from
fihe front gall 12 and is in communication with an opening 56
extending through the lower end of the front wall 12.
Preferably, the port 24 is injection molded with the front
wall 12. A pair of projections 57 extend perpendicularly
from the rear Face 58 a~.ong opposite edges of the opening 56
and provide support for the portion of the flexible rear wall
14 which deffines a rein~usi:on channel, when the rear wall 14
is attached to the (rout wall 12:.
The'~ear face 58 includes a rearwardly extending collar
60 which i5 attached to the suction inlet and the fluid
inlet.) A pair of flanges 59, are integrally molded, to the
rear face 58 and include respective U-shaped openings 61 for
aligning the suction inlet and the fluid inlet within the
container interior: Two rows of rib-shaped prajections 62
extend longitudinally along the rear face 58 app~site the
rear wall 14; preventing the flexible rear wall from
collapsing directly against the front wall which could block
Mood flow to the rein~usion port during the reinfuoion
procedure. Alternative2y, the rib-shaped projections may
extend transversely relative to the axis of the front wa7.l.
The rib-shaped projections-62 deffine a vertical channel for
the passage of blood to the front wallopening 56. Vertical
spaoing of the projections 62 allowo transv~rs~ blood flow
ixzto the channel.
A third row of rib-shaped projections 64 extends
longitudia~ally along, he rear szde and provides an edge
against which a label bearing the volume scale 28 may be
aligned. A ~lat ~nargi:n 5i surrounds the rear face 58 and is
connectable to the margin of the flexibl2 rear wall. The
margin 51 is bordered by opposing lips 65.66 which deffine a
shallow recess for holding the ultraviolet act~,vated adhesive
used to join the front wall and rear wall together.
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The flexible rear wall 14 illustrated in Figs. 4A-B is
formed of pliable polyvinyl chloride, such as Regalxte
299.-998, and includes a main collapsible portion 70, a top
portion 72 and a lower portion 74, In the distended
configuration; the main collapsible portion 70 includes a
pair o~ spaced converging side portions 76~ a s~eond pair of
spaced converging side portions 78 extending from the first
pair 76, and a center portion 80 which extends between the
second pair of spaced converging portions 78, brie main
collapsible portion 70 preferably includes a pair of opposed,
paraxlel lateral portions 81 which further increase the
volume of the fully expanded 'collection container:
The top portion 72 includes a first chamber 82 which is
adapted, to receive the vacuum inlet 20 and a second chamber
84 whidh is adapted' to receive the fluid inlet 22. The
chamber walls 8~ surround the distal ends of the vacuum inlet
and the (laid inlet; preventing inflowing body liquids from
shunting directly to the suction inlet 2~. The lower portion
74 ~.ncludes an inclined reinfusion channel 91 which
cor~perates with the opening 56 in the from wall 12 to form a
path into the reinfusion port 24. A flat margin 90 of the
flexible rear wall surrounds the main collapsible portion 70,
tho top portion 72 and he lower portion 74 and includes an
upstandingout~r edge~92. The edge-92 Cooperates with the
libs 65,66 of the front wall margin 51 to hold the
ultraviolet activated adhesive when the front wall 12 and
rear wall ~14 are being attached.
The assembly of the rigid front wall 12 and the flexible
rear wall.l4 is illustrated'in Fig. 5. 'the flat margin 51 of
the rear f ace 58 of'the rigid front wall'12 and the margin 9Q
of the flexible side wall 14 are aligned to'pr~perly position
respec~ive inbercozW ect'ing elements: Thus, the collar 60 is
seated on the outer surf ace of the first and second chambers
82; 84 wa.th the inlet openings in the Collar 60 being aligned
with the inlet ope~zings in the top wall of the first and
Second Chambers 82-, 84: The flanges 59 abut the inner
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surface of the first and second chambers 82, 84 opposite the
collar ~0, and the xeinfusion channel 91 is positioned
adjacent the opening 56: of the reinfusion port 24. The rigid
front wall 12 and the flexible rear wall Z4 are then joined
together preferably by bonding the flat margin 51 of the
rigid front wall 12 and the flat margin 90 of ~ehe flexible
reax ~aal1 with an ultraviolet activated adhesive such as
Dymax 20n82-Vii.
The interlocking o~ the stent and scent engaging panels
prevents the rear wall from collapsing against the front wall
during vacuum collection. The stem engagi~,g panels
illustrated iri Figs. 6 include'flat side panels 40, 42 and a
flat wall panel 44; all of which are banded to the flexible
rear will 14, preferably with an ultra-violet activated
adhesive such as Dymax 20082-M: The side panels 40, 42 and
center'pan~l 44 preferably are sgaced about the flexible rear
wall 14 so that their edge are contiguous when the rear wall
is collapsed. The side panels 40, 42 and center panel 44
also preferably have a perimeter coextensive with the
perimeter of the respective por;.ions of the rear wall to
which hey are connected. That arrangement of the panels j:
optimizes the vacuum resisting ,strength of the rear wall when ;:;
the stent is interlocked to the panel while still allowing
the rear wall to be fully dollapsed .against the'front wall
when the s~ent'is detached. As illustrated, the side panels
4a, ~2'are'bonded to the first pair.of converging portions of
the flexible rear wall and'the center panel is bonded to the
rear portion of the flexible rear wall.
~'he side panel 40 illustrated in Figs. ~A-D includes an.
elongated main flat body 100 formed of a rigid polycarbc~nate
material such as Mobay Corp. FCR'-2458 or General Electrio
1.248112. A portion 106 of the side panel diverges from he ~'.
main body 100 and has a perimeter which substantially matches
the perimeter of the lateral portion 81 of the Fully
distended fle:~ible rear wall 14 shown in Figs. 4A~4B. An
elongated flange 108 extends from the main body 100 and
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def fines a scent edge receiving space Ilo . The inner surf ace
113 of the flange 108 preferably is flared to facilitate
insertion and removal of the stem . A plurality of ribs 114
extend lengthwise along the bottom~~wall 116 of the flange 108
and help to prevent the side panels ~0° 42 from bowing when a
vacuum is applied to the fluid collection container l0. A
pair o~ spaced fingers 117 resiliently hold the reinfusion
tube or other tubular equipment used with the container, The
back of the side panel 40 includes a plurality of elongated
recesses,lo4 which hold th.e ultraviolet activated adhesive .
useel to join the side panel and the flexible rear wall 14,
The center panel 120 i~;lustrated in Figs. 8A-B includes
an elongated main~flat body 122 formed of a'rigid
polycarbonate maternal such as Mobay Corp. FCR 2458 or
General Electric 1248112. A T-shaped flange 124 extends from
the elongated main fl~.t body 122 and includes a slot 126
which is adapted to lockingly
receive a projection from the scent. The back of the cenaer
panel 120 includes an elongated recess for holding an
ultra~riolet activated adhesive for bonding the center panel
to the-flexible rear walZ,;
The rigid. elongated stent 16 illustrated in Fig; 9 is
formed of a polycarbonate material such as Mobay Corp,
FCR-2458 or General,~lectric 1248112° and includes a ffirst
pair of spaced converging portions 152° a second pair of
spaced converging portions 154 extending from the ffirst pair,
and a central portion 156, extending between he se~and pair
154. A slot 158 longitudinally extends along the central
portien arid slidably receives the T-shaped projectir~n of the
center panel. A re ilient locking projection 160 extends
upwardly from the central region and ~.ncludes a tapered
locking portion 162 which is relea5ably engagea~le with the
locking slot in the T-shaped flange. A recess 163 surrounds
the resilient locking ~aortion 160 and provides an opining
into which the locking portion depends when camminc~ against
the leading edge of the T-shaped flange, and when depressed
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communicates with the pleural cavity of the patient. Suction
applied to the chest drainage device 204, which is governed
by the regulator (not shown?, is correspondingly applied
i
through the tube 208 to the interior of the fluid collection
i
container and to the patient's pleural cavity through the
thoracic drain tube 213. The regulated vacuum assists,~he
flow o~ gas and liquid fluids from the patient's pleural a
cavity along the thoracic drain tube 2~.3, through the fluad
inlet 212 and the depending filter, and into the'interior of
the fluid collection container 200. The blood and other body
fluids accumulate in the fluid collection container 200 while
the collecting gases are ~xhaust~d through the suction inlet
206; the tube 208, the chest drainage device 204 and
ultimately into~the hospital suction supply system.
The fluid collection container is de~achably connected
to the'chest drainage device by a hook 220 and a stabilizer,
flange 222 The hook 220 extends from the top of the side
panel and wraps around the tube 208. The stabiliser flange
222 extends from the same side wall panel axed abuts a
compatible stabilizer ~~.ange 224 extending from the chest 1;
;:
drainage device, preventing tk~e fluad co~.lection container
from pivoting: ,,
in Figs. 12A-B, a vacuum limiter 300 limits (to within
safe levers) 'the vacuum appliod to the fluid Collection
container 302,; and ultimately to the wound or cavity being
drained, preventing trauma and excessive bleeding which may
result from high vacuum conditions. The vacuum limiter 300
includes a housing havs,ng a suotion chamber 304 and a fluid
,; inlet'chamber 306... An opening 308 extending through the top
of the suction chamber 304 is flitted with a valve seat frame
310 and a collar 312 for holding the stem of an umbrella.
valve 314. A divider,plate 316 separates the suction chamber
30.4 between a suction source side 318 and a-fluid collection
c~ntainer side 320. ~ A gas fluid outlet 322 extends from he
collection container side 320 through the divider plate 316
and is.fitted with a resilient one-way duckbill valve 323
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dY~ 93/8803 PCT/US93/02554
-14-
the face of the valve head 412 seals the opening 416 to the
venting chamber when the valve 408 is in the normally closed
position. A spring 418 biases the valve head 412 against the
vent housing surrounding the opening 416. A lever 420 '
extends downwardly from the vacuum limner which has a male
r
projection 422 fog engaging a notch 424 in the scent. i
Selective depression of the button 426 pivots the lever 420
against the va7.ve stem 410, reciprocally advancing the valve
head 412 away from the w'a~.l of the vent chamber . In chi s
o~aen position, atmospheric air bleeds through the grooves in
he valve stem 414, into the Ve~,t chamber 404, through the
vent part 406, and xnta the fluid collection side 407 of-the
suction chamber, The atmospheric air then flows through tine
suction, inlet 428 and into the collection bag diminishing
the negative pressures operating therein,
The present invent~.on thus provides a collapsible and
expandable container for collecting f7:uids under the
influence of a vacuum. Ta prevent the'pliabl2 container
walls' from collapsing, a rigid scent is interlocked to a
series of rigid stent engaging panels spaced about the
surface of the container. Collapse of the bag walls, which
facilitates rei,nfusion of the collected liquids, is permitted
by the quick aa~d easy detachment of the stent.
It should be understood that the fpreg'oing description
n~ the'in~rention is intended merely to be illustrative ,
there~f an~i that other equivalents, embodiments and
~odifacations of the invention may be apparent to those
sgilled in the art.
SU~STiT~T~ ~~' =rT'
