US20170106127A1 - Fluid collection systems - Google Patents
Fluid collection systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170106127A1 US20170106127A1 US15/295,924 US201615295924A US2017106127A1 US 20170106127 A1 US20170106127 A1 US 20170106127A1 US 201615295924 A US201615295924 A US 201615295924A US 2017106127 A1 US2017106127 A1 US 2017106127A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- fitment
- canister
- lid
- liner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
- A61M1/60—Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source
- A61M1/604—Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both
-
- A61M1/0017—
-
- A61M1/0023—
Definitions
- a typical suction canister is a temporary storage container that uses suction to create a negative pressure inside the canister to drain liquids or secretions from the patient's body.
- the canister containing the liquid waste is transported to a utility area to be disposed of as red-bag waste or to be emptied, cleaned, and disinfected for reuse. A new or cleaned canister is then brought into the operating room for a next medical procedure.
- Most conventional fluid collection systems with a liner include two components: a canister and a liner assembly.
- the canister is closed by a lid.
- the lid is attached to the liner, such that the liner assembly includes both the liner and the lid.
- the canister is typically cleaned after a procedure and used again, while the liner assembly is a single-use component.
- the liner and the lid are both discarded after a procedure. Hospitals pay for red-bag waste disposal by weight, so it is desirable to limit the material usage in the disposable components.
- a fluid collection system comprising a canister having a cavity and an open end; a lid, the lid sealed with the open end of the canister when the fluid collection system is in a closed position; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, the liner and the fitment assembly together defining a fluid chamber, wherein the fitment assembly is sealed with the lid around an opening in the lid when the fluid collection system is in the closed position.
- a fluid receptacle for use in a fluid collection system including a canister having a lid, the fluid receptacle comprising a liner having an opening; and a fitment assembly comprising a fluid port; a fluid chamber vacuum port; and a sealing surface, wherein the fitment assembly is sealed to the liner around the opening; wherein the liner and the fitment assembly together define a fluid chamber, wherein the fluid port and the fluid chamber vacuum port allow communication into and out of the fluid chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface seals to the lid.
- a fluid collection system comprising a canister having a cavity and an open end; a lid, the lid forming a seal with a portion of the open end of the canister when the fluid collection system is in a closed position; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, the liner and fitment assembly together defining a fluid chamber, wherein the lid and the open end of the canister define an aperture between them when the fluid collection system is in the closed position, and wherein the fitment assembly seals around the aperture when the fluid collection system is in the closed position.
- Also disclosed herein is a method of collecting fluid in a fluid collection system, the method comprising providing a fluid collection system comprising: a canister; a lid having an opening; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, wherein the liner and fitment assembly define a fluid chamber, and wherein the fitment assembly includes a fluid port and a fluid chamber vacuum port; forming a seal between the fitment and the lid and a seal between the canister and the lid to define an interstitial chamber; applying a vacuum to the interstitial chamber; and transmitting the vacuum from the interstitial chamber to the fluid chamber through the fluid chamber vacuum port; and drawing a fluid into the fluid chamber through the fluid port.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above. The liner is not shown in this figure.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3 , shown from the side in a closed position.
- FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the canister of FIG. 4 taken along line 5 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above.
- FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 7 , taken along line 8 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a bracket of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly of FIG. 11 taken along line 12 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly of FIG. 11 taken along line 13 , shown from the front.
- FIG. 14 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 15 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a side view showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly of FIG. 17 taken along line 18 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly of FIG. 17 , shown from above.
- FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment of FIG. 19 taken along line 20 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a variation of the fitment of FIG. 19 including supports incorporated into the fitment, shown from above.
- FIG. 22 is a side view of the fitment of FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a filter of the fitment assembly of FIG. 17 , shown from above.
- FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the filter of FIG. 23 taken along line 24 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 , shown from above in the open position.
- FIGS. 26-28 are cross-sectional views of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3 , shown from the side in a closed position when the fluid level is at varying positions in the fluid chamber.
- FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a variation of the fluid collection system of FIG. 1 including two brackets, shown from above in the open position.
- FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application.
- FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 taken along line 31 , shown from the side in a closed position.
- FIG. 32 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 31 , shown from the side in a closed position
- FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 , shown from above in an open position.
- FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 , shown from above.
- FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the canister of FIG. 34 taken along line 35 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 , shown from above.
- FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 36 taken along line 37 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 38 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 , shown from above.
- FIG. 39 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly of FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 40 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner of FIG. 39 .
- FIG. 41 is a side view of the liner body showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner of FIG. 39 .
- FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 30 , shown from above.
- FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly of FIG. 42 taken along line 43 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 44 is an isometric view of a gland of the fitment assembly of FIG. 42 , shown from above.
- FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the gland of FIG. 44 taken along line 45 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 46 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly of FIG. 42 , shown from above.
- FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment of FIG. 46 taken along line 47 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 48 is a back view of the fitment of FIG. 46 .
- FIG. 49 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application.
- FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 taken along line 50 , shown from the side in a closed position.
- FIG. 51 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 51 , shown from the side in a closed position.
- FIG. 52 is a side view of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown in the open position. The liner is not shown in this figure.
- FIG. 53 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown from above.
- FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the canister of FIG. 53 taken along line 54 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 55 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown from above.
- FIG. 56 is an isometric view of a lid of FIG. 55 , shown from below.
- FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 55 taken along line 57 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 58 is an isometric view of a connector of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown from above.
- FIG. 59 is a detailed view of the connector of FIG. 58 , shown from above.
- FIG. 60 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown from above.
- FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly of FIG. 60 taken along line 61 , shown from the back.
- FIG. 62 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly of FIG. 60 .
- FIG. 63 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner of FIG. 62 .
- FIG. 64 is a side view showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner of FIG. 62 .
- FIG. 65 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system of FIG. 49 , shown from above.
- FIG. 66 is an exploded side view of the fitment assembly of FIG. 65 .
- FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly of FIG. 65 taken along line 67 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 68 is an isometric view of a gland of the fitment assembly of FIG. 65 , shown from the top.
- FIG. 69 is an isometric view of the gland of FIG. 68 , shown from below.
- FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of the gland of FIG. 68 , taken along line 70 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 71 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly of FIG. 65 , shown from above.
- FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment of FIG. 71 taken along line 72 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 73 is an isometric view of a pour spout adapter, shown from above.
- FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 73 taken along line 74 , shown from the side.
- FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view of the pour spout adapter of FIG. 73 inserted into the pour spout of the fitment of FIG. 20 , shown from the side.
- a first component is said to be upstream from a second component if gases or liquids flow from the first component toward the second component.
- the second component is considered to be downstream from the first component.
- a vacuum source e.g., vacuum pump
- a container to which it provides the vacuum because air moves from the container toward the vacuum source.
- the fluid collection systems of the present disclosure may include at least three components: a canister, a lid, and a liner assembly.
- the canister and the lid may be reusable components that are cleaned after a procedure and used again.
- the liner assembly is typically a single-use component that is disposed and replaced after each procedure. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the material usage in the liner assembly.
- the liner assembly may include a liner and a fitment assembly. The fitment assembly may be smaller compared to the lid, which minimizes the material usage in the liner assembly.
- the fluid collection systems of the present disclosure may include two chambers: a fluid chamber and an interstitial chamber.
- the interstitial chamber may be substantially enclosed by the canister, the lid, the liner and the fitment assembly. Applying a vacuum to the interstitial chamber may cause the liner to be drawn toward the interior walls of the canister.
- the fluid chamber may be substantially enclosed by the liner and the fitment assembly, which optionally includes a gland that couples the liner to the fitment. Applying a vacuum to the fluid chamber may draw fluid into the fluid chamber.
- a first embodiment of the fluid collection system 1000 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and may include a canister 1100 , a lid 1200 , a liner 1310 (not shown in FIG. 2 ), a fitment 1410 , a cap assembly 1550 , a filter 1560 , and an optional fitment support 1600 .
- the fitment 1410 , the filter 1560 , and the cap assembly 1550 form a fitment assembly 1400 , as shown in FIGS. 17-18 .
- the fitment assembly 1400 and the liner 1310 form a liner assembly 1300 , as shown in FIGS. 11-13 .
- the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “below” are discussed as shown in FIG. 3 .
- a fluid chamber 1002 When the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , two chambers are formed: a fluid chamber 1002 and an interstitial chamber 1001 .
- the fluid chamber 1002 is substantially enclosed by the liner 1310 and the fitment assembly 1400 .
- the interstitial chamber 1001 is substantially enclosed by the canister 1100 , the lid 1200 , the liner 1310 , and the fitment assembly 1400 .
- a filter 1560 in the fitment assembly 1400 may separate the fluid chamber 1002 from the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- FIGS. 4-5 show the canister 1100 of the first embodiment, the canister 1100 having a bottom wall 1110 , a first side wall 1121 , a second side wall 1122 , a third side wall 1123 , and a fourth side wall 1124 .
- the bottom wall 1110 has an interior surface 1112 , an exterior surface 1113 , and four ends 1111 .
- the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 each have a bottom end 1125 , two side ends 1126 , a top end 1127 , an interior surface 1128 , and an exterior surface 1129 .
- the bottom end 1125 of each side wall is connected to an end 1111 of the bottom wall 1110 .
- Each side end 1126 of each side wall is connected to a side end 1126 of an adjacent side wall.
- the first side wall 1121 may be opposite the second side wall 1122 and adjacent to the third side wall 1123 and the fourth side wall 1124 , and the second side wall 1122 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 1123 and the fourth side wall 1124 .
- the canister 1100 may be configured to have any number of side walls.
- the exterior surface 1113 of the bottom wall 1110 and the exterior surface 1129 of the side walls of the canister 1100 are exposed to the environment.
- the interior surface 1112 of the bottom wall 1110 and the interior surface 1128 of the side walls form a cavity 1130 in the canister 1100 .
- the cavity 1130 may have an open end such that the canister 1100 has an opening 1131 opposite the bottom wall 1110 .
- the top ends 1127 of the side walls of the canister 1100 may surround the opening 1131 of the cavity 1130 , and may form the open end of the canister 1100 .
- the opening 1131 may lie in the same plane as the top ends 1127 of the side walls.
- a groove 1140 may be included at the top end 1127 of each side wall. The groove 1140 surrounds the opening 1131 .
- the canister 1100 may include an interstitial vacuum port 1170 having a vacuum source end 1172 that opens on the exterior of the canister 1100 and a cavity end 1171 that opens into the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 1170 is positioned on the second side wall 1122 of the canister 1100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 1170 could be positioned on any of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 , or on the lid 1200 .
- the fluid collection system 1000 also includes a lid 1200 as shown in FIGS. 6-8 .
- the lid 1200 has an upper wall 1210 , a first side wall 1221 , a second side wall 1222 , a third side wall 1223 , and a fourth side wall 1224 .
- the upper wall 1210 of the lid 1200 has an interior surface 1211 , an exterior surface 1212 , and four ends 1215 .
- the side walls 1221 , 1222 , 1223 , 1224 each have a bottom end 1227 , a top end 1228 , an interior surface 1225 and an exterior surface 1226 .
- the top end 1228 of each side wall is connected to an end 1215 of the upper wall 1210 .
- a rib 1229 may protrude from the bottom end 1227 of the side walls of the lid 1200 .
- the lid 1200 may also have one or more tabs 1230 extending from the exterior surface 1226 of one or more of the side walls 1221 , 1222 , 1223 , 1224 to facilitate the opening and/or closing of the lid 1200 .
- the first side wall 1221 may be opposite the second side wall 1222 and adjacent to the third side wall 1223 and the fourth side wall 1223
- the second side wall 1222 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 1223 and the fourth side wall 1224
- the lid 1200 may be configured to have any number of side walls.
- the lid 1200 When the lid 1200 is in a closed position, the exterior surface 1212 of the upper wall 1210 is exposed to the environment and the interior surface 1211 of the upper wall 1210 faces the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- An opening 1213 may be included in the upper wall 1210 of the lid 1200 .
- the opening 1213 has an inner surface 1214 .
- the lid 1200 may be placed over the opening 1131 of the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 to partially close the opening 1131 of the cavity 1130 .
- the opening 1213 in the upper wall 1210 of the lid 1200 enables communication into and out of the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- the rib 1229 on the bottom end 1227 of the side walls 1221 , 1222 , 1223 , 1224 surrounds the opening 1213 in the upper wall 1210 of the lid 1200 .
- the canister 1100 and the lid 1200 are in sealing engagement with one another.
- the first side wall 1121 of the canister 1100 mates with the first side wall 1221 of the lid 1200 .
- the second, third, and fourth side walls 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 mate with the second, third, and fourth side walls 1222 , 1223 , 1224 of the lid 1200 , respectively.
- the rib 1229 on the lid 1200 may be inserted into the groove 1140 on the canister 1100 to create an interference fit. Together, the groove 1140 on the canister 1100 and the rib 1229 on the lid 1200 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between the canister 1100 and the lid 1200 .
- the canister 1100 and the lid 1200 may be coupled via a first hinge.
- the lid 1200 may have a first hinge element 1251 and the canister 1100 may have a first hinge element 1151 .
- the first hinge element 1251 on the lid 1200 and the first hinge element 1151 on the canister 1100 cooperate to form the first hinge.
- the first hinge element 1151 on the canister 1100 may be located proximate to the top end 1127 of the exterior surface 1129 of the second side wall 1122 .
- the first hinge element 1251 on the lid 1200 may be located proximate to the second side wall 1222 of the lid 1200 .
- the lid 1200 is moveable between a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and an open position shown in FIG. 25 .
- the closed position the lid 1200 and the canister 1100 are in sealing engagement with one another, and the lid 1200 partially closes the opening 1131 of the canister 1100 .
- the open position the lid 1200 and the canister 1100 are not in sealing engagement with one another, and the lid 1200 does not cover the opening 1131 of the canister 1100 .
- the user may use the tab 1230 to help move the lid 1200 between the open position and the closed position.
- the fluid collection system 1000 also includes a liner assembly 1300 as shown in FIGS. 11-13 .
- the liner assembly 1300 i.e. fluid receptacle
- the liner assembly 1300 includes a liner 1310 and a fitment assembly 1400 which cooperate to substantially enclose a fluid chamber 1002 .
- FIG. 14 The liner 1310 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 15 shows the body 1311 of the liner 1310 before the liner 1310 is assembled.
- the body 1311 of the liner 1310 is made of a thin-walled material.
- the body 1311 has been folded along a fold line 1314 to create a first panel 1315 having four ends and a second panel 1316 having four ends.
- the first panel 1315 and the second panel 1316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown in FIG. 16 .
- the remaining three ends of the first panel 1315 form a first periphery 1317
- the remaining three ends of the second panel 1316 form a second periphery 1318 .
- the first panel 1315 and the second panel 1316 are joined to one another by a seal 1319 extending along at least a portion of the first periphery 1317 and at least a portion of the second periphery 1318 as shown in FIG. 14 .
- the seal 1319 extends from the dashed line in FIG. 14 toward the first periphery 1317 and the second periphery 1318 of the liner 1310 .
- the seal may be about 3 ⁇ 8′′ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when the liner 1310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid.
- the liner 1310 of the first embodiment has an opening 1320 in the seal 1319 of the liner 1310 .
- an unsealed portion 1321 of the first periphery 1317 of the first panel 1315 and an unsealed portion 1322 of the second periphery 1318 of the second panel 1316 are not joined to one another.
- the fitment 1410 is inserted into the opening 1320 in the seal 1319 of the liner 1310 .
- the liner 1310 is positioned in the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- the liner 1310 has a canister-facing surface 1312 and a fluid chamber surface 1313 , as shown in FIG. 13 .
- the liner 1310 is oriented such that the canister-facing surface 1312 is on the outside (and may be facing the interior surface 1112 of the bottom wall 1110 and the interior surface 1128 of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 when inserted into the canister 1100 ) and the fluid chamber surface 1313 is on the inside.
- a fitment assembly 1400 of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17-18 .
- the fitment assembly 1400 includes a fitment 1410 , a filter 1560 , and a cap assembly 1550 .
- the fitment assembly 1400 also includes a fluid port 1450 , a pour spout 1460 , and a fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 which may be located on the fitment 1410 .
- the fitment 1410 is shown in FIGS. 19-20 .
- a fluid port 1450 on the fitment 1410 and a pour spout 1460 on the fitment 1410 allow fluid to enter and exit the fluid chamber 1002 .
- a fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 on the fitment 1410 allows a vacuum to be applied to the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 allows a vacuum in the interstitial chamber 1001 to be transmitted to the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fitment 1410 may also have a handle 1490 attached to the base 1411 .
- the handle 1490 may be positioned near an end of the fitment 1410 which includes the fluid port 1450 and the pour spout 1460 .
- the handle 1490 assists with removal of the liner assembly 1300 from the canister 1100 and/or from the optional fitment support 1600 .
- the fitment 1410 preferably has an elongated shape, which may help the user to orient the fitment 1410 properly in the canister 1100 and/or fitment support 1600 .
- the fitment 1410 includes a base 1411 having an upper surface 1412 and a lower surface 1413 .
- the upper surface 1412 of the base 1411 faces the lid 1200
- the lower surface 1413 of the base 1411 faces the fitment support 1600 (if present) and the bottom wall 1110 of the canister 1100 .
- a protrusion 1420 extends from the upper surface 1412 of the base 1411 of the fitment 1410 .
- the protrusion 1420 has an upper wall 1421 connected to the upper surface 1412 of the base 1411 by a side wall 1424 .
- the upper wall 1421 has a lower surface 1423 that forms part of the wall of the fluid chamber 1002 , and an upper surface 1422 that is exposed to the environment.
- the protrusion 1420 also has a side wall 1424 with an inner surface 1425 and an outer surface 1426 opposite the inner surface 1425 .
- the inner surface 1425 of the side wall 1424 of the protrusion 1420 forms part of the wall of the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fitment assembly 1400 may have a sealing surface that seals to the lid 1200 .
- the outer surface 1426 of the side wall 1424 of the protrusion 1420 may be a sealing surface that sealingly engages the inner surface 1214 of the opening 1213 in the lid 1200 .
- the side wall 1424 of the protrusion 1420 is shown as having a series of steps, but could also be one continuous wall extending from the base 1411 to the upper wall 1421 of the protrusion 1420 .
- a curved rib 1470 protrudes from the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 .
- the rib 1470 may be substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 .
- the rib 1470 may surround at least a portion of the lower surface 1413 including the openings of the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 , fluid port 1450 , and pour spout 1460 .
- the portion of the lower surface 1413 that is surrounded by the rib 1470 forms part of the wall of the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the rib 1470 has an inner surface 1472 that forms part of the wall of the fluid chamber 1002 and an outer surface 1471 opposite the inner surface 1472 .
- One or more longitudinal ribs may be provided on the outer surface 1471 of the rib 1470 to improve the strength of the seal between the fitment 1410 and the liner 1310 . These longitudinal ribs may be substantially parallel to the base 1411 of the fitment 1410 .
- the fitment 1410 and the liner 1310 are in sealing engagement with one another.
- the fitment 1410 and the liner 1310 are coupled by inserting the rib 1470 of the fitment 1410 into the opening 1320 in the seal 1319 of the liner 1310 .
- the outer surface 1471 of the rib 1470 is in sealing engagement with the fluid chamber surface 1313 of the liner 1310 at the opening 1320 of the seal 1319 of the liner 1310 . More specifically, the unsealed portion 1321 of the first periphery 1317 of the liner 1310 is sealed to a portion of the outer surface 1471 of the rib 1470 on the fitment 1410 . Likewise, the unsealed portion 1322 of the second periphery 1318 of the liner 1310 is sealed to a portion of the outer surface 1471 of the rib 1470 on the fitment 1410 .
- the protrusion 1420 on the fitment 1410 is inserted into the opening 1213 in the upper wall 1210 of the lid 1200 .
- An interference fit may be formed between the inner surface 1214 of the opening 1213 in the lid 1200 and the outer surface 1426 of the side wall 1424 of the fitment 1410 . Together, the outer surface 1426 of the side wall 1424 of the fitment 1410 and the inner surface 1214 of the opening 1213 in the lid 1200 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between the fitment 1410 and the lid 1200 .
- the canister 1100 , the lid 1200 and the fitment 1410 are in sealing engagement when the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, the lid 1200 is sealingly engaged with the canister 1100 . The fitment 1410 of the fitment assembly 1400 is sealingly engaged with the lid 1200 . Together, the fitment assembly 1400 and the lid 1200 substantially close the opening 1131 in the canister 1100 .
- An interstitial chamber 1001 is formed when the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the interstitial chamber 1001 is the space substantially enclosed by the canister 1100 , the liner 1310 , the lid 1200 and the fitment assembly 1400 .
- the canister 1100 may be in sealing engagement with the lid 1200
- the lid 1200 may be in sealing engagement with the fitment 1410
- the fitment 1410 may be in sealing engagement with the liner 1310 .
- the liner 1310 may be sealingly engaged to the fitment 1410 during the manufacturing process.
- the filter 1560 may also be in sealing engagement with the fitment 1410 to substantially enclose the interstitial chamber 1001 , and the filter 1560 may separate the interstitial chamber 1001 and the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the liner 1310 When a vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 1001 , the liner 1310 expands in the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- the canister-facing surface 1312 of the liner 1310 may at least partially conform to the bottom wall 1110 and the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 .
- a vacuum source 1700 such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum.
- the vacuum is communicated to the interstitial chamber 1001 by coupling the vacuum source 1700 to the vacuum source end 1172 of the interstitial vacuum port 1170 .
- the fitment 1410 includes a fluid port 1450 that allows fluid to enter the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid port 1450 is an opening that extends from the upper surface 1422 of the upper wall 1421 of the protrusion 1420 to the lower surface 1423 of the upper wall 1421 of the protrusion 1420 .
- the patient end 1451 of the fluid port 1450 protrudes from the upper surface 1422 of the upper wall 1421 of the protrusion 1420 , such that a patient tube may be connected to the patient end 1451 of the fluid port 1450 .
- a fluid chamber end 1452 of the fluid port 1450 opens proximate the lower surface 1423 of the upper wall 1421 .
- the fluid chamber end 1452 of the fluid port 1450 opens within the area enclosed by the rib 1470 .
- the fluid chamber end 1452 of the fluid port 1450 may protrude from the lower surface 1423 of the upper wall 1421 , or it may be simply an opening in the upper wall 1421 . Fluid flows from the patient tube and through the fluid port 1450 on the fitment 1410 before entering the fluid chamber 1002 .
- a fluid port check valve (not shown) may optionally be coupled to the fluid port 1450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through the fluid port 1450 .
- a fluid port check valve permits fluid to flow downstream from the patient toward the fluid chamber 1002 , but prevents fluid from flowing upstream from the fluid chamber 1002 toward the patient.
- the fitment 1410 includes a fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 through which a vacuum is applied to the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 may preferably be a pass-through vacuum port which allows the vacuum applied to the interstitial chamber 1001 to pass through to the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 is an opening in the base 1411 of the fitment 1410 that allows gas to move between the fluid chamber 1002 and the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 has a fluid chamber end 1441 located on, and protruding from, the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 , within the portion of the lower surface 1413 enclosed by the rib 1470 .
- An interstitial chamber end 1442 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 is located on a recessed portion 1416 of the upper surface 1412 of the base 1411 .
- the recessed portion 1416 may extend from an end of the base 1411 toward the interstitial chamber end 1442 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 .
- the vacuum source 1700 is connected to the interstitial chamber 1001 , resulting in a reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- the reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 1001 may cause air from the fluid chamber 1002 to pass through the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 and into the interstitial chamber 1001 , thereby creating a vacuum in the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid chamber 1002 is upstream of the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- the pass-through configuration may be preferred over other configurations where the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 is independently connected to the vacuum source 1700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to the fluid chamber 1002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluid chamber vacuum ports 1440 may be used.
- a filter 1560 shown in FIGS. 23-24 is coupled to the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 . Air passes through the filter 1560 when it is drawn from the fluid chamber 1002 toward the vacuum source 1700 .
- the filter 1560 serves two purposes. First, the filter 1560 prevents damage to the vacuum source 1700 by removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from the air flowing toward the vacuum source 1700 . Second, the filter 1560 acts as a vacuum shut-off, which stops the vacuum from being applied to the fluid chamber 1002 once the fluid chamber 1002 reaches its predetermined capacity.
- the filter 1560 may be made from any number of materials.
- the filter may be made from a porous hydrophobic material that has a dry state and a wet state.
- the filter material is in a dry state when it is not in contact with a liquid.
- the filter material is in a wet state when it is in contact with a liquid.
- the pores in the material are large enough that gas is able to pass through the filter material but small enough that solid materials (e.g., bacteria, particulates) cannot.
- solid materials e.g., bacteria, particulates
- the filter 1560 has a hollow cylindrical shape.
- the filter 1560 has a first end 1563 , a second end 1564 , and a side wall 1565 extending therebetween.
- the filter 1560 has a length extending from the first end 1563 to the second end 1564 .
- a cylindrical central chamber 1566 extends from an opening 1567 in the first end 1563 toward the second end 1564 .
- the central chamber 1566 does not have an opening on the second end 1564 , and thus does not extend along the entire length of the filter 1560 .
- the filter 1560 is coupled to the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 on the fitment 1410 . More specifically, an interference fit between the side wall 1565 of the filter 1560 and the fluid chamber end 1441 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 may create sealing engagement between the filter 1560 and the fitment 1410 .
- the filter 1560 has an upstream surface 1561 that may be in communication with the fluid chamber 1002 and a downstream surface 1562 that may be in communication with the interstitial chamber 1001 and the vacuum source 1700 during use.
- the inner surface of the side wall 1565 forms the downstream surface 1562 of the filter 1560 .
- air moves through the filter 1560 in a downstream direction. Air passes from the fluid chamber 1002 into the filter 1560 at the upstream surface 1561 , moves through the filter 1560 , and leaves the filter 1560 on the downstream surface 1562 as it moves toward the vacuum source 1700 .
- FIGS. 26-28 show various stages of operation of the filter 1560 .
- the filter 1560 starts in a dry state. Air is pulled through the filter 1560 from the fluid chamber 1002 toward the vacuum source 1700 , thereby creating a vacuum in the fluid chamber 1002 . Fluid from the patient then flows through the fluid port 1450 and into the fluid chamber 1002 , causing the fluid level 1003 in the fluid chamber 1002 to rise ( FIG. 26 ). Eventually, the fluid level 1003 in the fluid chamber 1002 rises such the fluid contacts a portion of the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 ( FIG. 27 ). At this point, the pores on the upstream surface 1561 begin to close if they are in contact with the fluid.
- the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 In order to stop the flow of air through the filter 1560 , the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 should be saturated with liquid. However, it is undesirable for the fluid to penetrate through the filter 1560 from the upstream surface 1561 to the downstream surface 1562 . The presence of fluid on the downstream surface 1562 of the filter 1560 may indicate a failure of the filter 1560 . Ideally, the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 will become substantially saturated with liquid while the downstream surface 1562 of the filter 1560 remains substantially dry.
- the height of the filter 1560 relative to the bottom wall 1110 of the canister 1100 determines how much fluid can collect in the fluid chamber 1002 before the vacuum is no longer applied to the fluid chamber 1002 . Placing the filter 1560 farther from the bottom wall 1110 of the canister 1100 allows more fluid to collect in the fluid chamber 1002 before the vacuum to the fluid chamber 1002 is shut off.
- the filter 1560 is vertically positioned above the bottom wall 1110 of the canister 1100 and below the fluid port 1450 when the liner assembly 1300 is inserted into the canister 1100 .
- the fluid level 1003 will rise such that the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 becomes saturated before the fluid level 1003 reaches the fluid port 1450 , which will stop vacuum from being applied to the fluid chamber 1002 before the fluid level 1003 reaches the patient end 1451 of the fluid port 1450 . Therefore, a fluid port check valve is not needed if the filter 1560 is positioned below the fluid port 1450 because the fluid level 1003 in the fluid chamber 1002 will not typically rise high enough to allow a reverse fluid flow from the fluid chamber 1002 to the patient. This positioning of the filter 1560 relative to the fluid port 1450 is shown in FIG. 3 .
- the vacuum source 1700 cannot apply a vacuum into the fluid chamber 1002 so no more fluid will be collected in the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the fluid level 1003 is still below the patient end 1451 of the fluid port 1450 , and therefore fluid will not flow out of the fluid port 1450 and back to the patient.
- the fitment 1410 may also include a filter guard 1480 that is designed to prevent fluid in the fluid chamber 1002 from splashing onto the filter 1560 . Without a filter guard 1480 , fluid may splash onto the filter 1560 as it enters the fluid chamber 1002 . Accidental fluid splashes are undesirable because the filter 1560 will become wet and the vacuum in the fluid chamber 1002 may be significantly decreased or shut off entirely, even though the fluid level 1003 in the fluid chamber 1002 is well below the capacity. Therefore, a filter guard 1480 is built into the fitment 1410 to partially surround the filter 1560 and protect the filter 1560 from accidental fluid splashes.
- the filter guard 1480 may be a cylindrical sheath 1481 protruding from the portion of the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 that lies within the rib 1470 .
- the cylindrical sheath 1481 may have two slots 1482 to improve air flow to the filter 1560 .
- the fitment 1410 may also include a pour spout 1460 that would allow the user to empty the fluid from the fluid chamber 1002 after the surgical procedure has been completed.
- the pour spout 1460 extends between an external end 1461 that opens to the surrounding environment on the upper surface 1422 of the upper wall 1421 and a fluid chamber end 1462 that opens to the fluid chamber 1002 on the lower surface 1423 of the upper wall 1421 .
- the pour spout 1460 may have a larger diameter than a fluid port 1450 in order to facilitate an increased flow rate.
- the pour spout 1460 may also be used as an accessory port during the procedure, allowing a specimen sock or a solidifier to be inserted into the fluid chamber 1002 .
- Caps are provided to close the fluid port 1450 and the pour spout 1460 . Any unused fluid ports and/or pour spouts are capped during the procedure to ensure that adequate vacuum levels are supplied to the patient. Without a cap, air would flow into the fluid chamber 1002 through the open fluid port 1450 or the open pour spout 1460 and reduce the vacuum being provided to the patient.
- the fluid port 1450 and pour spout 1460 are also capped when removing the liner assembly 1300 from the canister 1100 . A cap on the pour spout 1460 may be removed when emptying fluid from the fluid chamber 1002 .
- a cap assembly 1550 may also be provided with the fitment assembly 1400 of the first embodiment.
- the cap assembly 1550 is shown as part of the fitment assembly 1400 in FIGS. 17-18 .
- a fluid port cap 1551 is configured to close the fluid port 1450
- a pour spout cap 1552 is configured to close the pour spout 1460 .
- the caps are connected via a bridge 1553 .
- the liner assembly 1300 may be provided such that the cap assembly 1550 is connected to the fitment 1410 , either by inserting the fluid port cap 1551 into the fluid port 1450 and the pour spout cap 1552 into the pour spout 1460 , or by connecting the bridge 1553 to the fitment 1410 .
- the fluid collection system 1000 optionally includes a fitment support 1600 , which holds the fitment 1410 in place.
- a bracket 1610 shown in FIGS. 9-10 , is one example of a fitment support 1600 .
- the bracket 1610 has an upper surface 1618 and a lower surface 1619 , and may be substantially planar.
- the bracket 1610 has a first end 1611 and a second end 1612 opposite the first end 1611 .
- the bracket 1610 may also have third and fourth ends 1613 , 1614 , both adjacent to each of the first and second ends 1611 , 1612 .
- a slot 1615 extends from the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 toward the second end 1612 , forming two prongs 1616 , one on either side of the slot 1615 .
- the third side wall 1123 and the fourth side wall 1124 of the canister 1100 may each include a ledge 1161 adjacent to the interior surface 1128 of the side wall, proximate the top end 1127 .
- Each ledge 1161 may extend along the full length of the side wall, or the ledge 1161 may extend along only a portion of the length of the side wall.
- the ledges 1161 could also extend along at least a portion of the top end 1127 of the first side wall 1121 and/or second side wall 1122 .
- the bracket 1610 may rest on the ledges 1161 while the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position.
- the bracket 1610 is positioned relative to the canister 1100 such that the bracket 1610 is surrounded by the groove 1140 on the canister 1100 . Therefore, when the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, the bracket 1610 is located entirely within the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- the bracket 1610 is moveably coupled to the canister 1100 by a second hinge.
- the bracket 1610 may have a second hinge element 1617 and the canister 1100 may have a second hinge element 1152 .
- the second hinge element 1617 on the bracket 1610 and the second hinge element 1152 on the canister 1100 cooperate to form the second hinge.
- the second hinge element 1152 on the canister 1100 may be positioned to allow the bracket 1610 to rotate around an axis that is substantially parallel to the top end 1127 of the side wall that includes the first hinge element 1151 .
- the second hinge element 1125 allows the bracket 1610 to rotate around an axis that is substantially parallel to the top end 1127 of the second side wall 1122 .
- the second hinge element 1152 may include grooves located on the top end 1127 of each of the third side wall 1123 and the fourth side wall 1124 , proximate the second side wall 1122 .
- the second hinge element 1617 on the bracket 1610 may be proximate the second end 1612 of the bracket 1610 .
- the end of the bracket 1610 that contains the second hinge element 1617 is longer than the adjacent ends. Therefore, based on the above description of the bracket 1610 , it may be preferable that the second end 1612 of the bracket 1610 is longer than the third and fourth ends 1613 , 1614 of the bracket 1610 .
- the side walls of the canister 1100 and the lid 1200 may be adjusted accordingly. Because the bracket 1610 , as described above, rotates about an axis substantially parallel to the second side wall 1122 of the canister 1100 , it may be preferable that the second side wall 1122 is longer than the third and fourth side walls 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 . Likewise, it may be preferable that the second side wall 1222 of the lid 1200 is longer than the third and fourth side walls 1223 , 1224 of the lid 1200 .
- the bracket 1610 is moveable between an open position shown in FIG. 25 and a closed position shown in FIG. 3 .
- the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 is positioned near the top end 1127 of the first side wall 1121 of the canister 1100 , and the lower surface 1619 of the bracket 1610 rests on the ledges 1161 of the canister 1100 .
- the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 is moved away from the top end 1127 of the first side wall 1121 of the canister 1100 , and the lower surface 1619 of the bracket 1610 does not rest on the ledges 1161 of the canister 1100 .
- the bracket 1610 and the lid 1200 may also be moveably coupled, such that moving the lid 1200 to the open position also causes the bracket 1610 to move to the open position and moving the lid 1200 to the closed position also causes the bracket 1610 to move to the closed position.
- the connection between the bracket 1610 and the lid 1200 may be a pin and slot connection, for example.
- the pin and slot connection allows the bracket 1610 and the lid 1200 to be opened and closed simultaneously at different yet related rates.
- the first side wall 1221 of the lid 1200 will travel farther than the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 to allow the user access to the bracket 1610 such that the fitment 1410 of the liner assembly 1300 may be inserted into the slot 1615 of the bracket 1610 .
- the first side wall 1221 of the lid 1200 may travel twice as far as the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 .
- the fitment 1410 When the fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, the fitment 1410 is resting in the slot 1615 in the bracket 1610 such that the lower surface 1413 of the base 1411 of the fitment 1410 rests on the upper surface 1618 of the bracket 1610 , and the liner 1310 is placed in the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- FIG. 29 shows an open position of a fluid collection system 1000 a having a canister 1100 a , a lid 1200 a , and two brackets 1610 a .
- the fluid collection system 1000 a may be similar to fluid collection system 1000 , and reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures are provided with like reference designations.
- the liner assembly, not shown in FIG. 29 , of fluid collection system 1000 a could be similar to the liner assembly 1300 of fluid collection system 1000 , shown in FIG. 11 .
- the lid 1200 a of fluid collection system 1000 a may be the same as the lid 1200 of fluid collection system 1000 .
- the canister 1100 a may be similar to the canister 1100 of fluid collection system 1000 ; however, the canister 1100 a may have two second hinge elements 1152 a instead of one.
- the second hinge elements 1152 a may be positioned such that the brackets 1610 a rotate about axes parallel to opposing side walls of the canister 1100 a .
- the brackets 1610 a of fluid collection system 1000 a may be similar to the bracket 1610 of fluid collection system 1000 ; however, the third and fourth ends 1613 a , 1614 a of the brackets 1610 a may be shorter in length compared to the third and fourth ends 1613 , 1614 of bracket 1610 . It may be preferable that the first ends 1611 a of the brackets 1610 a do not overlap in the closed position.
- the brackets 1610 a are moveable between an open position shown in FIG. 29 and a closed position. When the brackets 1610 a are in a closed position, the slots 1615 a in the brackets 1610 a are aligned to form a hole shaped and sized to receive the fitment. The lower surface of the base of the fitment rests on the upper surface 1618 a of each bracket 1610 a.
- Fitment 1810 is similar to fitment 1410 , and includes many of the same features as fitment 1410 . Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures are provided with like reference designations.
- Fitment 1810 includes supports 1817 , as shown in FIGS. 21-22 .
- the supports 1817 may be legs extending from any surface of the fitment 1810 .
- the supports 1817 may extend from the base 1811 of the fitment 1810 .
- Each support 1817 may have a proximal end 1818 connected to the base 1811 of the fitment 1810 , and a distal end 1819 opposite the proximal end 1818 .
- the supports 1817 may have a variety of shapes.
- the supports 1817 may be substantially planar and parallel to the upper surface 1812 of the base 1811 .
- the supports 1817 may be curved, angled, or otherwise nonplanar.
- the supports 1817 may curve or angle downward, such that the distal end 1819 of each support 1817 is farther from the upper surface 1812 of the base 1811 of the fitment 1810 compared to the proximal end 1818 of each support 1817 .
- the supports 1817 of the fitment 1810 may rest on top edge 1127 of one or more of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 . If ledges 1161 are included on the canister 1100 , the supports 1817 of the fitment 1810 may rest on the ledges 1161 . Furthermore, if nonplanar supports 1817 are used, closing the lid 1200 may cause the supports 1817 to deflect and flatten out, and thereby generate a force that pushes up on the fitment 1810 , further ensuring a proper seal between the fitment 1810 and the lid 1200 . Therefore, non-planar supports may be preferred.
- the open position of the fluid collection system 1000 is shown in FIG. 25 .
- the lid 1200 and the optional fitment support 1600 are in their respective open positions, and the lid 1200 is not sealingly engaged with the canister 1100 .
- the liner assembly 1300 has not yet been inserted into the canister 1100 .
- the liner 1310 is positioned within the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 and the fitment 1410 is resting on the fitment support 1600 or on the canister 1100 .
- the closed position of the fluid collection system 1000 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- the lid 1200 and the optional fitment support 1600 are in their respective closed positions.
- the liner assembly 1300 is inserted into the canister 1100 , such that the liner 1310 is positioned within the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 and the fitment 1410 is resting on the upper surface 1618 of the fitment support 1600 , or on the top edge 1127 of one or more of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 if no fitment support 1600 is needed.
- the canister 1100 and the lid 1200 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the lid 1200 and the fitment 1410 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the fitment 1410 and the liner 1310 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the fitment 1410 and the filter 1560 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the interstitial chamber 1001 may be sealed such that vacuum applied via the interstitial vacuum port 1170 is substantially maintained.
- the lid 1200 and the optional fitment support 1600 begin in their respective open positions as shown in FIGS. 25 and 29 .
- the user then inserts the liner assembly 1300 into the canister 1100 .
- the fitment 1410 is inserted into slot 1615 in the bracket 1610 so that the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 rests on the upper surface 1618 of the bracket 1610 .
- the fitment 1410 is positioned in the slot 1615 of the bracket 1610 such that the handle 1490 is positioned proximate to the first end 1611 of the bracket 1610 .
- the liner 1310 is positioned within the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 .
- brackets 1610 are being used as a fitment support 1600 , the liner 1310 is positioned within the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 , and the fitment 1410 is centered over the slots 1615 in each bracket 1610 so that a portion of the lower surface 1413 of the fitment 1410 rests on the upper surface 1618 of each bracket 1610 when the brackets 1610 are moved to a closed position. If the fitment support 1600 is eliminated and supports 1817 are included on the fitment 1810 itself, then the fitment 1810 is positioned relative to the canister 1100 such that the supports 1817 on the fitment 1810 rest on the top edge 1127 of one or more of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 .
- the fluid collection system 1000 is moved to the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- the lid 1200 and the fitment support 1600 are moved to their respective closed positions, and the interstitial chamber 1001 is formed.
- a patient tube is connected to the patient end 1451 of the fluid port 1450 on the fitment 1410 . Any unused ports are capped.
- Vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 1001 .
- a first method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 1001 is by physically connecting the vacuum source 1700 to the interstitial vacuum port 1170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit).
- a second method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 1001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with the vacuum source 1700 , such that the tube or other conduit between the vacuum source 1700 and the interstitial vacuum port 1170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of the interstitial chamber 1001 through the interstitial vacuum port 1170 and toward the vacuum source 1700 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 1001 may cause the liner 1310 to expand and at least partially conform to the interior surface 1112 of the bottom wall 1110 and the interior surface 1128 of the side walls 1121 , 1122 , 1123 , 1124 of the canister 1100 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 1001 may also draw air out of the fluid chamber 1002 through the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 . Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both the interstitial chamber 1001 and the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the reduced pressure in the fluid chamber 1002 creates a vacuum in the fluid chamber 1002 .
- Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through the fluid port 1450 , and into the fluid chamber 1002 where the fluid is collected. If the fluid chamber 1002 reaches its capacity (the fluid level 1003 in the fluid chamber 1002 rises high enough to saturate the upstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 ), the vacuum to the fluid chamber 1002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to the interstitial chamber 1001 by the interstitial vacuum port 1170 .
- the vacuum source 1700 When the user is ready to remove the liner assembly 1300 from the canister 1100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when the fluid chamber 1002 reaches its capacity), the vacuum source 1700 is physically disconnected from the interstitial vacuum port 1170 , or the vacuum source 1700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to the interstitial chamber 1001 , and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluid chamber vacuum port 1440 to the fluid chamber 1002 . The lid 1200 and fitment support 1600 are moved to their respective open positions.
- the liner assembly 1300 is removed from the canister 1100 by sliding the fitment 1410 out of the slot 1615 in the bracket 1610 , and removing the liner 1310 from the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 . If multiple brackets 1610 are used as the fitment support 1600 , the liner assembly 1300 is removed from the canister 1100 by lifting the fitment 1410 , opening the brackets 1610 , and removing the liner 1310 from the cavity 1130 of the canister 1100 . If supports 1817 are included in the fitment 1810 , the liner assembly is simply removed from the canister 1100 by lifting the fitment 1810 . The user may use the handle 1490 on the fitment 1410 to assist with removal of the liner assembly 1300 .
- the fluid may then then be removed from the fluid chamber 1002 .
- the pour spout cap 1552 is removed from the pour spout 1460 before fluid is poured out of the fluid chamber 1002 through the pour spout 1460 .
- the liner assembly 1300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques.
- the filter 1560 of the first embodiment is described as having a hollow cylindrical shape. However, the filter could also be substantially planar as described in the second and third embodiment.
- the fitment 1410 of the first embodiment as described above has a handle 1490 that is attached to the base 1411 of the fitment 1410 near the end which includes the fluid port 1450 and the pour spout 1460 .
- the handle could alternatively be attached anywhere else on the fitment 1410 .
- the canister 1100 is described as having two ledges 1161 , one on the third side wall 1123 of the canister 1100 and one on the fourth side wall 1124 of the canister 1100 .
- a ledge could also be provided on the top end 1127 of the second side wall 1122 , adjacent to the interior surface 1128 .
- the ledge on the second side wall 1122 could be provided in addition to, or in replacement of, the ledges 1161 on the third side wall 1123 and fourth side wall 1124 .
- an alternative method includes inserting a tube into the fluid chamber 1002 through the pour spout 1460 , and connecting the tube to a pump that suctions the fluid out of the fluid chamber 1002 .
- FIGS. 30-32 A second embodiment of the fluid collection system 2000 is shown in FIGS. 30-32 and may include a canister 2100 , a lid 2200 , a liner 2310 , a fitment 2410 , a gland 2500 , a filter 2560 , and a tether 2640 .
- the fitment 2410 , the gland 2500 and the filter 2560 form a fitment assembly 2400 , as shown in FIGS. 42-43 .
- the fitment assembly 2400 and the liner 2310 form a liner assembly 2300 , as shown in FIG. 38 .
- the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom”, “above” and “below” are discussed as shown in FIG. 31 .
- a fluid chamber 2002 When the fluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 30-31 , two chambers are formed: a fluid chamber 2002 and an interstitial chamber 2001 .
- the fluid chamber 2002 may be substantially enclosed by the fitment assembly 2400 and the liner 2310 .
- the interstitial chamber 2001 may be substantially enclosed by the canister 2100 , the lid 2200 , the fitment assembly 2400 , and the liner 2310 .
- a filter 2560 in the fitment assembly 2400 may separate the fluid chamber 2002 from the interstitial chamber 2001 .
- FIGS. 34-35 show the canister 2100 of the second embodiment, the canister 2100 having a bottom wall 2110 , a first side wall 2121 , a second side wall 2122 , a third side wall 2123 , and a fourth side wall 2124 .
- the bottom wall 2110 has an interior surface 2112 , an exterior surface 2113 , and four ends 2111 .
- the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister each have a bottom end 2125 , two side ends 2126 , a top end 2127 , an interior surface 2128 , and an exterior surface 2129 .
- the bottom end 2125 of each side wall is connected to an end 2111 of the bottom wall 2110 .
- Each side end 2126 of each side wall is connected to a side end 2126 of an adjacent side wall.
- the first side wall 2121 may be opposite the second side wall 2122 and adjacent to the third side wall 2123 and the fourth side wall 2124 , and the second side wall 2122 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 2123 and the fourth side wall 2124 .
- the canister 2100 may be configured to have any number of side walls.
- the top end 2127 of the first side wall 2121 of the canister 2100 may include a notch 2141 .
- the notch 2141 is shown in the canister 2100 of the second embodiment, the notch 2141 could alternatively be included in the lid 2200 . Furthermore, a portion of the notch 2141 could be included in the canister 2100 and a portion of the notch 2141 could be included in the lid 2200 .
- the exterior surface 2113 of the bottom wall 2110 and the exterior surface 2129 of the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 are exposed to the environment. Together, the interior surface 2112 of the bottom wall 2110 and the interior surface 2128 of the side walls form a cavity 2130 in the canister 2100 .
- the cavity 2130 may have an open end such that the canister 2100 has an opening 2131 opposite the bottom wall 2110 .
- the top ends 2127 of the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 may at least partially surround the opening 2131 of the cavity 2130 , and may form the open end of the canister 2100 .
- the canister 2100 may include an interstitial vacuum port 2170 having a vacuum source end 2172 that opens on the exterior of the canister 2100 and a cavity end 2171 that opens into the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 2170 is positioned on the second side wall 2122 of the canister 2100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 2170 could be positioned on any of the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister 2100 , or on the lid 2200 .
- the fluid collection system 2000 also includes a lid 2200 as shown in FIGS. 36-37 .
- the lid 2200 has an upper wall 2210 , a first side wall 2221 , a second side wall 2222 , a third side wall 2223 , and a fourth side wall 2224 .
- the upper wall 2210 of the lid 2200 has an interior surface 2211 , an exterior surface 2212 , and four ends 2215 .
- the side walls 2221 , 2222 , 2223 , 2224 each have a bottom end 2227 , a top end 2228 , an interior surface 2225 and an exterior surface 2226 .
- the top end 2228 of each side wall is connected to an end 2215 of the upper wall 2210 .
- the lid 2200 may also have one or more tabs 2230 on one or more of the side walls 2221 , 2222 , 2223 , 2224 to facilitate the opening and/or closing of the lid 2200 .
- An inner rib 2241 and an outer rib 2242 may extend along the bottom end 2227 of the side walls 2221 , 2222 , 2223 , 2224 of the canister 2200 .
- the inner rib 2241 and the outer rib 2242 may be substantially parallel, and separated by a groove 2243 that also extends along the bottom end 2227 of the side walls 2221 , 2222 , 2223 , 2224 . It is possible that the ribs 2241 , 2242 are not present along at least a portion 2244 of the bottom end 2227 of one or more of the side walls 2221 , 2222 , 2223 , 2224 . Alternatively, one or both of the inner rib 2241 and the outer rib 2242 may be omitted from the lid.
- the first side wall 2221 may be opposite the second side wall 2222 and adjacent to the third side wall 2223 and the fourth side wall 2223
- the second side wall 2222 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 2223 and the fourth side wall 2224 .
- the lid 2200 may be configured to have any number of side walls.
- the lid 2200 may be placed over the opening 2131 of the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 to partially close the opening 2131 .
- the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131 .
- the first side wall 2121 of the canister 2100 mates with the first side wall 2221 of the lid 2200 .
- the second, third, and fourth side walls 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister 2100 mate with the second, third, and fourth side walls 2222 , 2223 , 2224 of the lid 2200 , respectively.
- the bottom end 2227 of the side walls of the lid 2200 mate with the top end 2127 of the side walls of the canister 2100 . More specifically, the top end 2127 of the side walls of the canister 2100 may be inserted into the groove 2243 near the bottom end 2227 of the side walls of the lid 2200 .
- a sealing engagement around a portion of the opening 2131 of the canister 2100 may be formed by one or more interference fits between the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the interior surface 2128 of the side walls of the canister 2100 may have an interference fit with the exterior surface of the inner rib 2241 on the side walls of the lid 2200 .
- the exterior surface 2129 of the side walls of the canister 2100 may have an interference fit with the interior surface of the outer rib 2242 on the side walls of the lid 2200 .
- the interior surface 2128 of the side walls of the canister 2100 may have an interference fit with the exterior surface 2226 of the side walls of the lid 2200 , or the exterior surface 2129 of the side walls of the canister 2100 may have an interference fit with the interior surface 2225 of the side walls of the lid 2200 .
- the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 may be in sealing engagement around a portion of the opening 2131 of the canister 2100
- the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 may define an aperture where the canister 2100 and lid 2200 are not in sealing engagement.
- the aperture may be located at the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 .
- the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 may align with the portion of the bottom end 2227 of the side walls of lid 2200 along which the inner rib 2241 and the outer rib 2242 do not extend.
- the gap between the lid 2200 and the canister 2100 at the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 enables communication into and out of the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 may optionally be coupled via a tether 2640 .
- a tether 2640 is used to couple the canister 2100 and the lid 2200
- a pin 2153 may be included on the exterior surface 2129 of any of the side walls of the canister 2100 .
- a pin may be included on the exterior surface 2226 of any of the side walls of the lid 2200 .
- the tether 2640 may be connected to the pin 2153 on the canister 2100 and the pin 2253 on the lid 2200 .
- the pins 2153 , 2253 may be omitted the tether is not used to couple the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the lid 2200 is moveable between a closed position shown in FIGS. 30-31 and an open position shown in FIG. 33 .
- the lid 2200 and the canister 2100 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131 .
- the exterior surface 2212 of the upper wall 2210 is exposed to the environment and the interior surface 2211 of the upper wall 2210 faces the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 when the lid 2200 is in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 30-31 .
- the lid 2200 and the canister 2100 are not in sealing engagement with one another.
- the fluid collection system 2000 also includes a liner assembly 2300 as shown in FIG. 38 .
- the liner assembly 2300 i.e. fluid receptacle
- the liner assembly 2300 includes a liner 2310 and a fitment assembly 2400 which cooperate to substantially enclose a fluid chamber 2002 .
- FIG. 39 The liner 2310 of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 39 .
- FIG. 40 shows the body 2311 of the liner 2310 before the liner 2310 is assembled.
- the body 2311 of the liner 2310 is made of a thin-walled material.
- the body 2311 has been folded along a fold line 2314 to create a first panel 2315 having four ends and a second panel 2316 having four ends.
- the first panel 2315 and the second panel 2316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown in FIG. 41 .
- the remaining three ends of the first panel 2315 form a first periphery 2317
- the remaining three ends of the second panel 2316 form a second periphery 2318 .
- the first panel 2315 and the second panel 2316 are joined to one another by a seal 2319 extending along the first periphery 2317 and the second periphery 2318 as shown in FIG. 39 .
- the seal 2319 extends from the dashed line in FIG. 39 toward the first periphery 2317 and the second periphery 2318 of the liner 2310 .
- the seal may be about 3 ⁇ 8′′ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when the liner 2310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid.
- the liner 2310 of the second embodiment has an opening 2320 in the body 2311 of the liner 2310 .
- the opening 2320 may be located on either the first panel 2315 or the second panel 2316 .
- the opening 2320 may be substantially circular, or could be any number of other shapes.
- the body 2311 has a third periphery 2321 at the edge of the opening 2320 .
- the gland 2500 described below, is configured to be inserted into the opening 2320 in the body 2311 of the liner 2310 .
- the liner 2310 is positioned in the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the liner 2310 has a canister-facing surface 2312 and a fluid chamber surface 2313 .
- the liner 2310 is oriented such that the canister-facing surface 2312 is on the outside (and may face the interior surface 2112 of the bottom wall 2110 and the interior surfaces 2128 of the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister 2100 when inserted into the canister 2100 ) and the fluid chamber surface 2313 is on the inside.
- a fitment assembly 2400 of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 42-43 .
- the fitment assembly 2400 includes a fitment 2410 , a gland 2500 , and a filter 2560 .
- the fitment assembly 2400 also includes two fluid ports 2450 and a fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 which may be located on the fitment 2410 , as shown in FIG. 47 .
- the gland 2500 is shown in FIGS. 44-45 .
- the gland 2500 has a disc-shaped base 2501 .
- the base 2501 has a first surface 2502 , a second surface 2503 , and an opening 2504 .
- a rib 2505 protrudes from the first surface 2502 of the base 2501 and surrounds the opening 2504 .
- the rib 2505 has an inner surface 2506 facing the opening 2504 and an outer surface 2507 that faces away from the opening 2504 .
- the gland 2500 and the liner 2310 are in sealing engagement with one another.
- the gland 2500 and the liner 2310 are coupled by inserting the rib 2505 of the gland 2500 into the opening 2320 in the body 2311 of the liner 2310 .
- the first surface 2502 of the base 2501 of the gland 2500 is in sealing engagement with the fluid chamber surface 2313 of the liner 2310 near the third periphery 2321 surrounding the opening 2320 of the liner 2310 .
- the fitment 2410 is shown in FIGS. 46-48 .
- Two fluid ports 2450 on the fitment 2410 allow fluid to enter and exit the fluid chamber 2002 .
- a fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 on the fitment 2410 may allow a vacuum in the interstitial chamber 2001 to be transmitted to the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the fitment 2410 has a base 2411 having a fluid chamber surface 2414 and an exterior surface 2415 .
- the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 faces the second side wall 2122 of the canister 2100
- the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 faces the first side wall 2121 of the canister 2100 .
- One or more thumb tabs 2491 extend from the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 to aid in removal of the fitment 2410 from the gland 2500 .
- a first rib 2470 protrudes from the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 and surrounds at least a portion of the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 .
- the first rib 2470 has an inner surface 2472 and an outer surface 2471 .
- a protrusion 2420 extends from the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 .
- the protrusion 2420 has an end wall 2427 connected to the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 by an upper wall 2421 , two side walls 2424 , and a bottom wall 2428 .
- the upper wall 2421 , side walls 2424 , end wall 2427 and bottom wall 2428 each have an interior surface that forms part of the wall of the fluid chamber 2002 , and an exterior surface that is exposed to the environment.
- the protrusion 2420 on the fitment 2410 has a rib 2429 that projects outwardly from the protrusion 2420 . More specifically, the rib 2429 projects from the upper wall 2421 , the side walls 2424 , and the bottom wall 2428 of the protrusion 2420 , and is substantially parallel to the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 . A groove 2430 is formed between the rib 2429 and the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 .
- the fitment 2410 may also include a filter guard 2480 that protects the filter 2560 from accidental splashing, which could result in the same issues discussed with the first embodiment.
- the filter guard 2480 of the second embodiment also holds the filter 2560 in place within the fitment 2410 .
- the filter guard 2480 extends from a first end 2488 at the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 to a second end 2489 opposite the first end 2488 .
- the filter guard 2480 has an upper wall 2483 , a bottom wall 2484 , and two side walls 2485 which extend from the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 .
- the filter guard 2480 includes features to hold the filter 2560 in place.
- Filter support ribs 2486 are positioned within the filter guard 2480 and extend from the fluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 in the area substantially enclosed by the upper wall 2483 , bottom wall 2484 , and two side walls 2485 .
- a filter retaining rib 2487 protrudes inwardly from the upper wall 2483 , the bottom wall 2484 , and the two side walls 2485 of the filter guard 2480 .
- the second end 2489 of the filter guard 2480 opens into the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the filter guard 2480 is positioned below the fluid ramp 2453 . Therefore, the filter 2560 is positioned below the fluid ports 2450 which eliminates the need for a fluid port check valve for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment.
- a sealing engagement is formed between the fitment 2410 and the gland 2500 , as shown in FIG. 43 .
- the fitment 2410 and the gland 2500 are coupled by mating the first rib 2470 of the fitment 2410 with the rib 2505 of the gland 2500 .
- the inner surface 2506 of the rib 2505 of the gland 2500 may have an interference fit with the outer surface 2471 of the first rib 2470 of the fitment 2410 to create the sealing engagement between the fitment 2410 and the gland 2500 .
- the protrusion 2420 of the fitment 2410 When moving the fluid collection system 2000 to the closed position, the protrusion 2420 of the fitment 2410 may be inserted into the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 before the lid 2200 is closed.
- the bottom wall 2428 and the side walls 2424 of the protrusion 2420 are in sealing engagement with the notch 2141 on the canister 2100 .
- the upper wall 2421 of the protrusion 2420 is in sealing engagement with the bottom end 2227 of the first side wall 2221 of the lid 2200 .
- the bottom end 2227 of the first side wall 2221 of the lid 2200 may be inserted into the groove 2430 on the upper wall 2421 of the protrusion 2420 , and the edges of the notch 2141 on the canister 2100 are inserted into the groove 2430 on the side walls 2424 and the bottom wall 2428 of the protrusion 2420 of the fitment 2410 .
- the fitment assembly 2400 may have a sealing surface that seals to one or more of the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the groove 2430 of the fitment 2410 may be a sealing surface that allows the fitment assembly 2400 to seal to the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the canister 2100 , the lid 2200 , and the fitment 2410 are in sealing engagement when the fluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131 of the canister 2100 . However, the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 are not in sealing engagement at the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 .
- the fitment 2410 form a seal with the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the fitment may form a seal with the canister 2100 near the notch 2141 .
- the fitment 2410 is sealingly engaged to at least the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 , and to a portion of the lid 2200 . Together, the fitment assembly 2400 and the lid 2200 substantially close the opening 2131 in the canister 2100 .
- An interstitial chamber 2001 is formed when the fluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 31 .
- the interstitial chamber 2001 is the space substantially enclosed by the canister 2100 , the liner 2310 , the lid 2200 , and the fitment assembly 2400 .
- the canister 2100 may be in sealing engagement with the lid 2200 and the fitment 2410
- the lid 2200 may be in sealing engagement with the fitment 2410
- the fitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with the gland 2500
- the gland 2500 may be in sealing engagement with the liner 2310 .
- the liner 2310 may be sealingly engaged with the gland 2500 during the manufacturing process.
- the fitment 2410 may be sealingly engaged with the gland 2500 during the manufacturing process. If the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 uses a pass-through design, the filter 2560 may also be in sealing engagement with the fitment 2410 to substantially enclose the interstitial chamber 2001 , and the filter 2560 may separate the interstitial chamber 2001 and the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the liner 2310 When a vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 2001 , the liner 2310 expands in the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the canister-facing surface 2312 of the liner 2310 may be drawn toward the bottom wall 2110 and the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister 2100 .
- a vacuum source 2700 such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum.
- the vacuum is communicated to the interstitial chamber 2001 by coupling the vacuum source 2700 to the vacuum source end 2172 of the interstitial vacuum port 2170 .
- the fitment 2410 includes two fluid ports 2450 that allow fluid to enter the fluid chamber 2002 .
- Each fluid port 2450 includes an opening in the upper wall 2421 of the protrusion 2420 .
- the patient end 2451 of each fluid port 2450 may protrude from the upper surface 2422 of the upper wall 2421 of the protrusion 2420 , such that a patient tube may be connected to the patient end 2451 of the fluid port 2450 .
- the fluid chamber end 2452 of each fluid port 2450 opens proximate the lower surface 2423 of the upper wall 2421 .
- the fluid chamber end 2452 of both fluid ports 2450 open into a fluid ramp 2453 .
- the fluid ramp 2453 extends from a first end 2454 proximate the end wall 2427 of the protrusion 2420 to a second end 2455 that opens within the rib 2470 .
- a portion of the bottom wall of the fluid ramp 2453 may be formed by one or more of the upper wall 2483 of the filter guard 2480 and the bottom wall 2428 of the protrusion 2420 .
- the second embodiment may optionally include a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the fluid port 2450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through the fluid port 2450 .
- a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the fluid port 2450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through the fluid port 2450 .
- a fluid port check valve is not needed for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment.
- the fitment 2410 includes a fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 through which a vacuum is applied to the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 may preferably be an opening in the fitment 2410 that extends between the first rib 2470 of the fitment 2410 and the bottom wall 2484 of the filter guard 2480 , and allows gas to move between the fluid chamber 2002 and the interstitial chamber 2001 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 has a fluid chamber end 2441 located on the bottom wall 2484 of the filter guard 2480 .
- An interstitial chamber end 2442 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 opens on the first rib 2470 of the fitment 2410 .
- the interstitial chamber end 2442 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 opens in an area of the first rib 2470 that will not be closed by the gland 2500 when the gland 2500 and the fitment 2410 are sealingly engaged.
- the vacuum source 2700 is connected to the interstitial chamber 2001 , resulting in a reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 2001 .
- the reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 2001 may cause air from the fluid chamber 2002 to pass through the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 and into the interstitial chamber 2001 , thereby creating a vacuum in the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the fluid chamber 2002 is upstream of the interstitial chamber 2001 .
- the pass-through configuration may be preferred over other configurations where the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 is independently connected to the vacuum source 2700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to the fluid chamber 2002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluid chamber vacuum ports 2440 may be used.
- a filter 2560 shown in FIG. 43 is coupled to the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 . Similar to the filter of the first embodiment, the filter 2560 of the second embodiment has two purposes: removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from air flowing toward the vacuum source 2700 , and acting as a vacuum shut-off. The materials used to make the filter in the first embodiment may also be used for the filter of the second embodiment. However, the filter 2560 of the second embodiment is square shaped and substantially planar, having two opposing surfaces: an upstream surface 2561 and a downstream surface 2562 .
- the filter 2560 is inserted into the filter guard 2480 of the fitment 2410 .
- the downstream surface 2562 of the filter 2560 may be in communication with the interstitial chamber 2001 and the vacuum source 2700 , and rests on the filter support ribs 2486 within the filter guard 2480 .
- the upstream surface 2561 of the filter 2560 is in communication with the fluid chamber 2002 and is held in place by the filter retaining rib 2487 .
- the periphery of the filter 2560 may be in sealing engagement with the filter retaining rib 2487 , or the upper wall 2483 , the bottom wall 2484 , and the side walls 2485 of the filter guard 2480 , or combinations thereof.
- air may move through the filter 2560 in a downstream direction, from the fluid chamber 2002 , through the filter 2560 , and toward the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 , the interstitial chamber 2001 , and the vacuum source 2700 .
- any unused fluid ports 2450 in the second embodiment should be capped during the procedure.
- the fluid port caps 2551 may be connected to or integrally molded with the fitment 2410 .
- Each fluid port cap 2551 is connected to the protrusion 2420 on the fitment 2410 by a bridge 2553 .
- FIG. 33 The open position of the fluid collection system 2000 is shown in FIG. 33 .
- the lid 2200 is in the open position, and is not sealingly engaged with the canister 2100 .
- the liner assembly 2300 has not yet been inserted into the canister 2100 .
- the liner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 and the fitment 2410 is inserted into the notch 2141 of the canister 2100 .
- the closed position of the fluid collection system 2000 is shown in FIGS. 30-31 .
- the liner assembly 2300 may be inserted into the canister 2100 , such that the liner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 and the fitment 2410 is inserted into the notch 2141 of the canister 2100 .
- the lid 2200 may be in the closed position, and the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the fitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with the canister 2100 and the lid 2200 .
- the fitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with the gland 2500 and the filter 2560 .
- the gland 2500 may be in sealing engagement with the liner 2310 .
- the interstitial chamber 2001 may be sealed such that vacuum applied via the interstitial vacuum port 2170 is substantially maintained.
- the lid 2200 When using the fluid collection system 2000 , the lid 2200 begins in the open position as shown in FIG. 33 . The user then inserts the liner assembly 2300 into the canister 2100 .
- the fitment 2410 is inserted into the notch 2141 of the canister 2100 so that the protrusion 2420 on the fitment 2410 rests in the notch 2141 of the canister 2100 .
- the sides of the notch 2141 are inserted into the groove 2430 formed between the rib 2429 on the protrusion 2420 of the fitment 2410 and the exterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 of the fitment 2410 .
- the liner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the fluid collection system 2000 is moved to the closed position as shown in FIGS. 30-31 .
- the lid 2200 is moved to a closed position and the interstitial chamber 2001 is formed.
- a patient tube is connected to the patient end 2451 of the fluid port 2450 on the fitment 2410 . Any unused fluid ports 2450 are capped.
- Vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 2001 .
- a first method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 2001 is by physically connecting the vacuum source 2700 to the interstitial vacuum port 2170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit).
- a second method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 2001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with the vacuum source 2700 , such that the tube or other conduit between the vacuum source 2700 and the interstitial vacuum port 2170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of the interstitial chamber 2001 through the interstitial vacuum port 2170 and toward the vacuum source 2700 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 2001 may cause the liner 2310 to expand and at least partially conform to the interior surface 2112 of the bottom wall 2110 and the interior surface 2128 of the side walls 2121 , 2122 , 2123 , 2124 of the canister 2100 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 2001 may also draw air out of the fluid chamber 2002 through the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 . Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both the interstitial chamber 2001 and the fluid chamber 2002 .
- Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through the fluid port 2450 and the fluid ramp 2453 , and into the fluid chamber 2002 where the fluid is collected. If the fluid chamber 2002 reaches its capacity (the fluid level in the fluid chamber 2002 rises high enough to saturate the upstream surface 2561 of the filter 2560 ), the vacuum to the fluid chamber 2002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to the interstitial chamber 2001 by the interstitial vacuum port 2170 .
- the vacuum source 2700 When the user is ready to remove the liner assembly 2300 from the canister 2100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when the fluid chamber 2002 reaches its capacity), the vacuum source 2700 is physically disconnected from the interstitial vacuum port 2170 , or the vacuum source 2700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to the interstitial chamber 2001 , and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluid chamber vacuum port 2440 to the fluid chamber 2002 . The lid 2200 is moved to the open position. The liner assembly 2300 is removed from the canister 2100 by sliding the fitment 2410 out of the notch 2141 in the canister 2100 , and removing the liner 2310 from the cavity 2130 of the canister 2100 .
- the fluid may then be removed from the fluid chamber 2002 .
- the fitment 2410 may be removed from the gland 2500 , allowing the gland 2500 to be used as a pour spout.
- the thumb tabs 2491 on the fitment 2410 may be used to assist in removal of the fitment 2410 from the gland 2500 .
- the gland 2500 has a dual functionality by both connecting the fitment 2410 to the liner 2310 , and acting as a pour spout to allow fluid to be removed from the fluid chamber 2002 . Fluid is poured out of the fluid chamber 2002 through the gland 2500 .
- the liner assembly 2300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques.
- a third embodiment of the fluid collection system 3000 is shown in FIGS. 49-52 and may include a canister 3100 , a lid 3200 , a liner 3310 (not shown in FIG. 52 ), a fitment 3410 , a gland 3500 , a filter 3560 , and two connectors 3630 .
- the fitment 3410 , the gland 3500 , and the filter 3560 form a fitment assembly 3400 , as shown in FIGS. 65-67 .
- the fitment assembly 3400 and the liner 3310 form a liner assembly 3300 , as shown in FIGS. 60-61 .
- the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “below” are discussed as shown in FIG. 50 .
- a fluid chamber 3002 When the fluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 49-50 , two chambers are formed: a fluid chamber 3002 and an interstitial chamber 3001 .
- the fluid chamber 3002 may be substantially enclosed by the liner 3310 and the fitment assembly 3400 .
- the interstitial chamber 3001 may be substantially enclosed by the canister 3100 , the lid 3200 , the liner 3310 , and the fitment assembly 3400 .
- a filter 3560 in the fitment assembly 3400 may separate the fluid chamber 3002 from the interstitial chamber 3001 .
- FIGS. 53-54 show the canister 3100 of the third embodiment, the canister 3100 having a bottom wall 3110 and a cylindrical side wall 3120 .
- the bottom wall has an interior surface 3112 , an exterior surface 3113 , and an end 3111 .
- the side wall 3120 has an interior surface 3128 , an exterior surface 3129 , a bottom end 3125 , and a top end 3127 .
- the bottom end 3125 of the side wall 3120 is connected to the end 3111 of the bottom wall 3110 .
- the exterior surface 3113 of the bottom wall 3110 and the exterior surface 3129 of the side wall 3120 are exposed to the environment.
- the interior surface 3112 of the bottom wall 3110 and the interior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 cooperate to form a cavity 3130 .
- the cavity 3130 may have an open end such that the canister 3100 has an opening 3131 opposite the bottom wall 3110 .
- the top end 3127 of the side wall 3120 may surround the opening 3131 of the cavity 3130 , and may form the open end of the canister 3100 .
- the opening 3131 may lie in the same plane as the top end 3127 of the side wall 3120 .
- the bottom wall 3110 may have an indentation 3114 that extends from the interior surface 3112 of the bottom wall 3110 into the cavity 3130 .
- the canister 3100 may include an interstitial vacuum port 3170 having a vacuum source end 3172 that opens on the exterior of the canister 3100 and a cavity end 3171 that opens into the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 3170 is positioned on the side wall 3120 of the canister 3100 .
- the interstitial vacuum port 3170 could also be positioned on the lid 3200 .
- the fluid collection system 3000 also includes a lid 3200 as shown in FIGS. 55-57 .
- the lid 3200 has an upper wall 3210 and a side wall 3220 .
- the upper wall 3210 of the lid 3200 has an exterior surface 3212 , an interior surface 3211 , and an end 3215 .
- the side wall 3220 has a bottom end 3227 , a top end 3228 , an interior surface 3225 , and an exterior surface 3226 .
- the bottom end 3227 of the side wall 3220 is connected to the end 3215 of the upper wall 3210 .
- An opening 3213 is included in the upper wall 3210 of the lid 3200 .
- the opening has an inner surface 3214 .
- the lid 3200 may be placed over the opening 3131 of the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 to partially close the opening 3131 of the cavity 3130 .
- the opening 3213 in the upper wall 3210 of the lid 3200 enables communication into and out of the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- An annular rib 3216 extends from the interior surface 3211 of the upper wall 3210 .
- the annular rib has an interior surface 3217 on the inner diameter of the rib 3216 , and an exterior surface 3218 on the outer diameter of the rib 3216 .
- the rib 3216 surrounds the opening 3213 in the lid 3200
- the side wall 3220 surrounds the rib 3216 .
- the rib 3216 , the side wall 3220 , and the opening 3213 may be concentric circles.
- a groove 3219 is formed by the interior surface 3225 of the side wall 3220 , the interior surface 3211 of the upper wall 3210 , and the exterior surface 3218 of the rib 3216 .
- the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 are in sealing engagement with one another.
- the top end 3127 of the side wall 3120 of the canister 3100 is inserted into the groove 3219 in the lid 3200 .
- An interference fit may be formed between the exterior surface 3218 of the rib 3216 on the lid 3200 and the interior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 of the canister 3100 to create sealing engagement between the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 .
- the groove 3219 on the lid 3200 and the top end 3127 of the side wall 3120 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 .
- Connectors 3630 shown in FIGS. 58-59 may optionally be used to couple the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 .
- the connector 3630 is an elongated element extending from a first end 3631 to a second end 3632 .
- a first opening 3633 may be located near the first end 3631
- a second opening 3635 may extend from an area near the second end 3632 toward the first end 3631 to form a track.
- the second opening 3635 may be substantially longer than the first opening 3633 .
- the first opening 3633 may have an interior surface 3634
- the second opening 3635 may have an interior surface 3636 .
- Two ribs 3637 may extend from the interior surface 3636 of the second opening 3635 of the connector 3630 , near the second end 3632 .
- one or more pins 3153 may be included on the canister 3100
- one or more pins 3253 may also be included on the lid 3200 .
- Two protrusions 3142 may be located on the exterior surface 3129 of the side wall 3120 of the canister 3100 .
- the protrusions 3142 may be located on opposite sides of the canister 3100 .
- a short rib 3143 and a long rib 3144 extend from the protrusion 3142 and oriented in a direction that is parallel to a line extending from the bottom end 3125 of the side wall 3120 toward the top end 3127 of the side wall 3120 .
- the pin 3153 may be located between the short rib 3143 and the long rib 3144 on each protrusion 3142 .
- one or more pins 3253 may be located on the exterior surface 3226 of the side wall 3220 of the lid 3200 . If connectors 3630 are not used to couple the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 , the pins 3153 , 3253 , the protrusions 3142 , and the ribs 3143 , 3144 , may be omitted.
- each pin 3153 on the canister 3100 may be inserted into the second opening 3635 on one of the connectors 3630 .
- Each pin 3253 on the lid 3200 may be inserted into the first opening 3633 on one of the connectors 3630 .
- the pins 3153 on the canister 3100 are free to slide along the length of the second opening 3635 .
- the pins 3253 in the lid 3200 are free to rotate within the first opening 3633 .
- the lid 3200 is moveable between a closed position shown in FIGS. 49-50 and an open position shown in FIG. 52 .
- the lid 3200 and the canister 3100 are in sealing engagement with one another, and the lid 3200 partially closes the opening 3131 of the canister 3100 .
- the fitment assembly 3400 and the lid 3200 cooperate to substantially close the opening 3131 in the canister 3100 .
- Moving the lid 3200 to the closed position may cause the pins 3153 on the canister 3100 to slide from the second end 3632 of the connector 3630 toward the first end 3631 of the connector 3630 .
- the lid 3200 and the canister 3100 are not in sealing engagement with one another, and the lid 3200 does not cover the opening 3131 of the canister 3100 .
- Moving the lid 3200 to the open position may cause the pins 3153 on the canister 3100 to slide from the first end 3631 of the connector 3630 toward the second end 3632 of the connector 3630 .
- the lid may be held in the open position by sliding the pins 3153 on the canister 3100 over the ribs 3637 in the second opening 3635 of the connector 3630 .
- the fluid collection system 3000 also includes a liner assembly 3300 as shown in FIGS. 60-61 .
- the liner assembly 3300 i.e. fluid receptacle
- the liner assembly 3300 includes a liner 3310 and a fitment assembly 3400 which cooperate to substantially enclose a fluid chamber 3002 .
- FIG. 63 shows the body 3311 of the liner 3310 before the liner 3310 is assembled.
- the body 3311 of the liner 3310 is made of a thin-walled material.
- the body 3311 has been folded along a fold line 3314 to create a first panel 3315 having four ends and a second panel 3316 having four ends.
- the first panel 3315 and the second panel 3316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown in FIG. 64 .
- the remaining three ends of the first panel 3315 form a first periphery 3317
- the remaining three ends of the second panel 3316 form a second periphery 3318 .
- the first panel 3315 and the second panel 3316 are joined to one another by a seal 3319 extending along the first periphery 3317 and the second periphery 3318 as shown in FIG. 62 .
- the seal 3319 extends from the dashed line in FIG. 62 toward the first periphery 3317 and the second periphery 3318 of the liner 3310 .
- the seal may be about 3 ⁇ 8′′ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when the liner 3310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid.
- the liner 3310 of the third embodiment has an opening 3320 in the body 3311 of the liner 3310 , such that the fold line 3314 passes through the opening 3320 .
- the opening 3320 in the body 3311 of the liner 3310 may be substantially circular, or could be any number of other shapes.
- the body 3311 has a third periphery 3321 at the edge of the opening 3320 .
- the gland 3500 described below, is configured to be inserted into the opening 3320 in the body 3311 of the liner 3310 .
- the liner 3310 is positioned in the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- the liner 3310 has a canister-facing surface 3312 and a fluid chamber surface 3313 , as shown in FIG. 64 .
- the liner 3310 is oriented such that the canister-facing surface 3312 is on the outside (and may be facing the interior surface 3112 of the bottom wall 3110 and the interior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 when inserted into the canister 3100 ) and the fluid chamber surface 3313 is on the inside.
- the fitment assembly 3400 of the third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 65-67 .
- the fitment assembly 3400 includes a fitment 3410 , a gland 3500 , and a filter 3560 .
- the fitment assembly 3400 also includes two fluid ports 3450 and a fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 .
- the fluid ports 3450 may be located on the fitment 3410
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 may be located on the gland 3500 .
- the gland 3500 is shown in FIGS. 68-70 .
- the gland 3500 has a base 3501 shaped like a disc.
- the base 3501 has a first surface 3502 and a second surface 3503 .
- a protrusion 3510 extends from the first surface 3502 of the base 3501 .
- the protrusion 3510 has an upper wall 3511 with an upper surface 3512 and a lower surface 3513 , and a side wall 3515 with an interior surface 3516 and an exterior surface 3517 .
- the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 is shown as having a series of steps, but could also be one continuous wall extending from the base 3501 to the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 .
- An opening 3514 extends between the upper surface 3512 and the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 of the gland 3500 .
- a rib 3505 extends from the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 and surrounds the opening 3514 .
- the rib 3505 has an inner surface 3506 on the inner diameter of the rib 3505 , and an outer surface 3507 on the outer diameter of the rib 3505 .
- the gland 3500 includes the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 which may allow a vacuum in the interstitial chamber 3001 to be transmitted to the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 is an opening in the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 of the gland 3500 that may allow gas to move between the fluid chamber 3002 and the interstitial chamber 3001 .
- the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 has a fluid chamber end 3541 on an interior surface 3516 of the side wall 3515 , and an interstitial chamber end 3542 on an exterior surface 3517 of the side wall 3515 .
- the gland 3500 may also include a filter guard that protects the filter 3560 from accidental splashing, as discussed with the first embodiment.
- the filter guard of the third embodiment also holds the filter 3560 in place within the gland 3500 .
- the filter guard is formed by a portion of the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 , a portion of the rib 3505 , and two filter sealing ribs 3521 .
- the filter sealing ribs 3521 and extend between the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 and the rib 3505 , and extend from the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 toward the base 3501 of the gland 3500 .
- the filter guard includes features to hold the filter 3560 in place.
- Filter support ribs 3522 are positioned within the filter guard.
- the filter support ribs 3522 like the filter sealing ribs 3521 , extend between the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 and the rib 3505 , and extend from the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 toward the base 3501 of the gland 3500 .
- the filter sealing ribs 3521 extend closer to the base 3501 of the gland 3500 than the filter support ribs 3522 do.
- Filter retaining ribs 3523 are positioned on the interior surface 3516 of the side wall 3515 near the base 3501 .
- the filter sealing ribs 3521 may extend from the from the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 to the filter retaining ribs 3523 , or may even extend beyond the filter retaining ribs 3523 .
- the filter support ribs 3522 may extend from the lower surface 3513 of the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 , although they may not extend to the filter retaining ribs 3523 .
- One filter sealing rib 3521 may be on one side of the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 , and another filter sealing rib 3521 may be at the opposite side of the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 .
- the fluid chamber end 3541 of the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 is contained within the filter guard.
- the filter 3560 is positioned below the fluid ports 3450 on the fitment 3410 which eliminates the need for a fluid port check valve for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment.
- Two or more latches 3530 extend from the upper surface 3512 of the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 .
- Two latches 3530 are shown in FIG. 68 , but any number of latches may be used.
- Each latch 3530 has a lower end 3531 , an upper end 3532 , an inner surface 3533 and an outer surface 3534 .
- the lower end 3531 of each latch 3530 is connected to the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 .
- the inner surface 3533 of each latch 3530 faces the opening 3514
- the outer surface 3534 of each latch 3530 faces away from the opening 3514 .
- Each latch 3530 has a ramp 3536 extending from the upper end 3532 of the latch 3530 toward the lower end 3531 .
- a ledge 3535 is positioned at the bottom of the ramp 3536 , the ledge 3535 being substantially parallel to the upper wall 3511 of the protrusion 3510 .
- Latches also may be included on the lid in place of, or in addition to, the latches 3530 on the fitment assembly 3400 .
- the vacuum source 3700 is connected to the interstitial chamber 3001 , resulting in a reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 3001 .
- the reduced pressure in the interstitial chamber 3001 may cause air from the fluid chamber 3002 to pass through the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 and into the interstitial chamber 3001 , thereby creating a vacuum in the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the fluid chamber 3002 is upstream of the interstitial chamber 3001 .
- the pass-through configuration may be preferred to other configurations where the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 is independently connected to the vacuum source 3700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to the fluid chamber 3002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluid chamber vacuum ports 3540 may be used.
- a filter 3560 shown in FIG. 66 is coupled to the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 . Similar to the filter of the first embodiment, the filter 3560 of the third embodiment has two purposes: removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from air flowing toward the vacuum source 3700 , and acting as a vacuum shut-off. The materials used to make the filter in the first embodiment may also be used for the filter of the third embodiment. However, the filter 3560 of the third embodiment is arc shaped, and substantially planar having two opposing surfaces: an upstream surface 3561 and a downstream surface 3562 .
- the filter 3560 is inserted into the filter guard of the gland 3500 .
- the downstream surface 3562 of the filter 3560 may be in communication with the interstitial chamber 3001 and the vacuum source 3700 , and rests on the filter support ribs 3522 within the filter guard.
- the upstream surface 3561 of the filter 3560 is in communication with the fluid chamber 3002 and is held in place by the filter retaining ribs 3523 .
- the periphery of the filter 3560 is in sealing engagement with the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 , the rib 3505 , and the filter sealing ribs 3521 .
- air may move through the filter 3560 in a downstream direction, from the fluid chamber 3002 , through the filter 3560 , and toward the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 , the interstitial chamber 3001 , and the vacuum source 3700 .
- the gland 3500 and the liner 3310 are in sealing engagement with one another.
- the gland 3500 and the liner 3310 are coupled by inserting the protrusion 3510 of the gland 3500 into the opening 3320 in the body 3311 of the liner 3310 .
- the first surface 3502 of the base 3501 of the gland 3500 is in sealing engagement with the fluid chamber surface 3313 of the liner 3310 at the third periphery 3321 surrounding the opening 3320 of the liner 3310 .
- the fitment 3410 is shown in FIGS. 71-72 .
- the fitment has a base 3411 having an upper surface 3412 and a lower surface 3413 .
- the lower surface 3413 of the fitment 3410 faces the bottom wall 3110 of the canister 3100 , and the upper surface 3412 of the fitment 3410 is exposed to the environment.
- a first rib 3470 protrudes from the lower surface 3413 of the base 3411 of the fitment 3410 and surrounds at least a portion of the lower surface 3413 of the base 3411 .
- the first rib 3470 has an inner surface 3472 and an outer surface 3471 .
- the fitment 3410 includes a fluid port 3450 that allows fluid to enter the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the fluid port 3450 is an opening that extends from the upper surface 3412 of the base 3411 to the lower surface 3413 of the base 3411 .
- the patient end 3451 of the fluid port 3450 protrudes from the upper surface 3412 of the base 3411 , such that a patient tube may be connected to the patient end 3451 of the fluid port 3450 .
- a fluid chamber end 3452 of the fluid port 3450 opens proximate the lower surface 3413 of the base 3411 .
- the fluid chamber end 3452 of the fluid port 3450 may be an opening in the base 3411 , or it may protrude from the lower surface 3413 of the base 3411 . Fluid flows from the patient tube and through the fluid port 3450 on the fitment 3410 before entering the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the third embodiment may optionally include a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the fluid port 3450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through the fluid port 3450 .
- a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the fluid port 3450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through the fluid port 3450 .
- the fitment 3410 and the gland 3500 are coupled by mating the rib 3470 of the fitment 3410 with the rib 3505 of the gland 3500 , such that the inner surface 3506 of the rib 3505 of the gland 3500 may have an interference fit with the outer surface 3471 of the first rib 3470 of the fitment 3410 .
- the latches 3530 on the gland 3500 are inserted into the opening 3213 in the lid 3200 .
- the ledge 3535 of each latch 3530 rests on the exterior surface 3212 of the upper wall 3210 of the lid 3200 , thereby connecting the fitment assembly 3400 to the lid 3200 .
- An interference fit between the inner surface 3214 of the opening 3213 of the lid 3200 and the exterior surface 3517 of the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 on the gland 3500 may create sealing engagement between the lid 3200 and the gland 3500 . Therefore, the fitment assembly 3400 may have a sealing surface that seals to the lid 3200 .
- the exterior surface 3517 of the side wall 3515 of the protrusion 3510 on the gland 3500 may form the sealing surface of the fitment assembly 3400 that allows the fitment assembly 3400 to seal to the lid 3200 .
- the canister 3100 , the lid 3200 and the gland 3500 of the fitment assembly 3400 are in sealing engagement when the fluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, the lid 3200 is sealingly engaged with the canister 3100 . The gland 3500 of the fitment assembly 3400 is sealingly engaged with the lid 3200 . Together, the fitment assembly 3400 and the lid 3200 cooperate to substantially close the opening 3131 in the canister 3100 .
- any unused fluid ports in the third embodiment should be capped during the procedure.
- the fluid port caps 3551 are connected to or integrally molded with the fitment 3410 .
- Each fluid port cap 3551 is connected to the base 3411 of the fitment 3410 by a bridge 3553 .
- An interstitial chamber 3001 is formed when the fluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position, as shown in 50 .
- the interstitial chamber 3001 is the space substantially enclosed by the canister 3100 , the liner 3310 , the lid 3200 and the fitment assembly 3400 .
- the canister 3100 may be in sealing engagement with the lid 3200
- the lid 3200 may be in sealing engagement with the gland 3500
- the gland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with the liner 3310 .
- the liner 3310 may be sealingly engaged with the gland 3500 during the manufacturing process.
- the filter 3560 may also be in sealing engagement with the gland 3500 to substantially enclose the interstitial chamber 3001 , and the filter 3560 may separate the interstitial chamber 3001 and the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the liner 3310 When a vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 3001 , the liner 3310 expands in the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- the canister-facing surface 3312 of the liner 3310 may at least partially conform to the bottom wall 3110 and the side walls 3121 , 3122 , 3123 , 3124 of the canister 3100 .
- a vacuum source 3700 such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum.
- the vacuum is communicated to the interstitial chamber 3001 by coupling the vacuum source 3700 to the vacuum source end 3172 of the interstitial vacuum port 3170 .
- the open position of the fluid collection system 3000 is shown in FIG. 52 .
- the lid 3200 is in the open position, and is not sealingly engaged with the canister 3100 .
- the liner 3310 is not shown in FIG. 52 .
- the closed position of the fluid collection system 3000 is shown in FIGS. 49-50 .
- the lid 3200 is in the closed position.
- the liner assembly 3300 may be inserted into the canister 3100 , such that the liner 3310 is positioned within the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 and the gland 3500 is inserted into the opening 3213 on the lid 3200 .
- the canister 3100 and the lid 3200 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the lid 3200 and the gland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with one another.
- the gland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with the liner 3310 , the fitment 3410 , and the filter 3560 .
- the interstitial chamber 3001 is formed.
- the lid 3200 When using the fluid collection system 3000 , the lid 3200 begins in the open position as shown in FIG. 52 . The user then inserts the liner assembly 3300 into the canister 3100 . The fitment assembly 3400 is inserted into the opening 3213 on the lid 3200 , such that the latches 3530 on the gland 3500 couple the fitment assembly 3400 to the lid 3200 . At the same time, the liner 3310 is positioned within the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- the fluid collection system 3000 is moved to a closed position as shown in FIGS. 49-50 .
- the lid 3200 is moved to a closed position and the interstitial chamber 3001 is formed.
- a patient tube is connected to the patient end 3451 of the fluid port 3450 on the fitment 3410 . Any unused ports are capped.
- Vacuum is applied to the interstitial chamber 3001 .
- a first method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 3001 is by physically connecting the vacuum source 3700 to the interstitial vacuum port 3170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit).
- a second method for applying the vacuum to the interstitial chamber 3001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with the vacuum source 3700 , such that the tube or other conduit between the vacuum source 3700 and the interstitial vacuum port 3170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of the interstitial chamber 3001 through the interstitial vacuum port 3170 and toward the vacuum source 3700 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 3001 may cause the liner 3310 to expand and at least partially conform to the interior surface 3112 of the bottom wall 3110 and the interior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 of the canister 3100 .
- the vacuum in the interstitial chamber 3001 may also draw air out of the fluid chamber 3002 through the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 . Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both the interstitial chamber 3001 and the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the reduced pressure in the fluid chamber 3002 creates a vacuum in the fluid chamber 3002 .
- Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through the fluid port 3450 , and into the fluid chamber 3002 where the fluid is collected. If the fluid chamber 3002 reaches its capacity (the fluid level in the fluid chamber 3002 rises high enough to saturate the upstream surface 3561 of the filter 3560 ), the vacuum to the fluid chamber 3002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to the interstitial chamber 3001 by the interstitial vacuum port 3170 .
- the vacuum source 3700 When the user is ready to remove the liner assembly 3300 from the canister 3100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when the fluid chamber 3002 reaches its capacity), the vacuum source 3700 is physically disconnected from the interstitial vacuum port 3170 , or the vacuum source 3700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to the interstitial chamber 3001 , and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluid chamber vacuum port 3540 to the fluid chamber 3002 . The lid 3200 is moved to the open position.
- the liner assembly 3300 is removed from the canister 3100 by pressing on the outer surface 3534 of the latches 3530 near the upper end 3532 to release the gland 3500 from the lid 3200 , and removing the liner 3310 from the cavity 3130 of the canister 3100 .
- the fluid may then be removed from the fluid chamber 3002 .
- the fitment 3410 may be removed from the gland 3500 , at which point, the gland 3500 becomes a pour spout.
- the gland 3500 has a dual functionality by both connecting the fitment 3410 to the liner 3310 , and acting as a pour spout to allow fluid to be removed from the fluid chamber 3002 .
- Fluid is poured out of the fluid chamber 3002 through the gland 3500 .
- the liner assembly 3300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques.
- a pour spout adapter 4100 may be provided with the fluid collection systems described in this disclosure.
- the adapter 4100 is intended to be coupled to a pour spout, such that the pour spout can be converted into an additional fluid port.
- FIG. 75 shows the adapter 4100 coupled to the fitment 1410 of the first embodiment, but the adapter 4100 could be coupled to a pour spout according to any of the embodiments of a fluid collection system.
- the user could connect additional suction devices to the canister, or the user could create a tandem canister setup by which fluid can be collected in a second (or third, fourth, etc.) canister after the first canister reaches its capacity.
- the adapter 4100 has a pour spout end 4111 designed to connect to the pour spout on the fitment, and a patient end 4112 designed to connect to a patient tube.
- a channel 4113 connects the pour spout end 4111 and the patient end 4112 .
- the caps for the fluid port and the pour spout of the fitment assembly may be incorporated into the adapter 4100 , thereby eliminating the need for a separate cap assembly.
- the adapter 4100 in FIGS. 73-74 has two caps 4114 .
- One cap 4114 may be used to close a fluid port on the fitment, as shown in FIG. 75 .
- the other cap 4114 may be used to close the patient end 4112 of the adapter 4100 . If the adapter is positioned in a pour spout, placing cap 4114 over the patient end 4112 of the adapter 4100 will effectively close the pour spout as well.
- the cap 4114 is not placed over the patient end 4112 of the adapter 4100 , so the patient end 4112 of the adapter 4100 is open, and therefore fluid can flow in and out of the pour spout.
- the canisters 1100 , 2100 and lids 1200 , 2100 of the first and second embodiments are shown as having a rectangular shape, while the canister 3100 and lid 3200 of the third embodiment is shown as having a circular shape.
- any of the canisters discussed in this disclosure could have a rectangular, circular, or elliptical shape.
- the first side wall 1121 , 2121 could be a first portion of circular cross-section
- the second side wall 1122 , 2122 could be a second portion of the circular cross-section that is on an opposite side from the first portion.
- the third side wall 1123 , 2123 and the fourth side wall 1124 , 2124 could be a third portion and a fourth portion of the circular cross section, respectively, wherein the first portion is adjacent to the third portion and the fourth portion, and the second portion is adjacent to the third portion and the fourth portion. Additionally, while various features are shown having sharp corners, these corners could also be rounded.
- interference fits may be preferred because they reduce the complexity and cost of the finished product.
- one or more gaskets may optionally be provided to ensure sealing engagement between two or more of the lid, canister, gland and fitment of the any of the embodiments. If gaskets are used, it is preferable that the gaskets be positioned on the lid or the canister instead of on the gland or fitment.
- one advantage of the first and third embodiments is that the seals between the canister and the lid and between the lid and the fitment are continuous (i.e., there is no break in the seal).
- the first embodiment and the third embodiment are therefore less likely to require a gasket in order to achieve the seals required to form the interstitial chamber.
- the lid and the canister Various features for attaching the lid and the canister are described here in. Although the first embodiment describe a hinge, the second embodiment describes a tether, and the third embodiment describes sliding connectors, any of the features for attaching the lid and canister could be used in any of the embodiments.
- the fluid collection systems have caps to close any fluid port(s) and the pour spout(s) as needed.
- a separate cap assembly is included in the first embodiment, while the caps are integrally molded with the fitment of the second and third embodiment.
- a separate cap assembly could be provided with any of the embodiments.
- the bridge of the cap assembly may have a feature that enables the cap assembly to be connected to the fitment (e.g., a pin on the fitment is inserted into a hole on the bridge of the cap assembly).
- the caps could be integrally molded with the fitment in any of the embodiments.
- vacuum in the fluid chamber is supplied from the interstitial chamber through the fluid chamber vacuum port, it may be desirable to design the fluid collection system to ensure that air is able to flow between the interstitial vacuum port and the fluid chamber vacuum port.
- Vacuum is supplied to the interstitial chamber through an interstitial vacuum port. Therefore, the vacuum at the interstitial vacuum port could cause the liner to seal around the interstitial vacuum port, and stop the application of vacuum to the interstitial cavity.
- the application of vacuum in the fluid chamber may stop if the liner sealed around the interstitial vacuum port, and ultimately prevent the user from suctioning fluids.
- the fluid collection systems could be designed to reduce the possibility of the liner sealing over the interstitial vacuum port.
- the interstitial vacuum port could be positioned such that the liner would be unlikely to stop communication between the interstitial vacuum port and the fluid chamber vacuum port (e.g., the interstitial vacuum port could be positioned proximate to the fluid chamber vacuum port).
- Ribs could also be included proximate the interstitial vacuum port to prevent the liner from conforming to the interior surface of the side wall in the area surrounding the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port.
- the ribs could extend across the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port, or could protrude from the interior surface of the side wall in an area adjacent the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port.
- the liners have been described in this disclosure as being made from a single piece of a thin-walled material folded in half to create a first panel having four ends and a second panel having four ends. The fold joins one end on the first panel to one end on the second panel. Seals join the remaining three ends on the first panel to the remaining three ends on the second panel.
- the liner may be created in other ways.
- the first panel and the second panel could be formed from two separate sheets of the thin-walled material. In this case, the first panel and the second panel would be joined by seals extending along at least a portion of all four ends.
- the liner could also be formed from a tube of the thin-walled material. In this case, the tube could be flattened to create the first panel and the second panel. In this case, two opposing ends of the first panel and the second panel are joined folds, while the remaining two ends are joined by seals extending along at least a portion of the ends.
- the liners are discussed as being made from a first panel and a second panel that each have four ends, it is possible that the first panel and the second panel could be made in a triangular shape with only three ends, or in other shapes having five or more ends. Alternatively, the liner could have circular or elliptical panels. Further, the liners do not need to have only two panels. Additional panels may be included and used as gussets, which may improve the ability of the liner to expand in the cavity of the canister.
- the liner of the first embodiment is discussed as forming the seal at the periphery of the liner while leaving an opening in the seal of the liner, and then inserting the fitment into the opening.
- these two steps could be incorporated into a single process wherein the seal between the two panels of the liner and the seal between each panel of the liner and the fitment are made in a single pass.
- a gland is used to couple the fitment to the liner.
- a gland can be used (or eliminated) in any embodiments of the fluid collection system. If a gland is not included, any features on described as being included in the gland may instead be incorporated into another component (for example, these features may be incorporated into the fitment instead). However, the use of a gland may be preferable when the opening in the liner is on a side of the bag rather than at the top.
- a handle may be formed at a periphery of the liner to enable the user to easily lift the liner from the canister.
- the handle may be formed from the body of the liner, or may be formed from a separate piece of material.
- a latch or other locking feature may also be provided on the lid and/or canister of any of the embodiments of the fluid collection system to secure the lid in the closed position.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/242,869, entitled “Fluid Collection Systems”, filed on Oct. 16, 2015. The full disclosure of this reference is hereby incorporated by reference.
- Hospital operating rooms, emergency rooms, and other healthcare facilities generate a large volume of liquid waste, which may include irrigation liquids and secretions removed from a patient's body (e.g., blood and other bodily liquids). To collect and dispose of such liquid waste, suction canisters are typically used. A typical suction canister is a temporary storage container that uses suction to create a negative pressure inside the canister to drain liquids or secretions from the patient's body. After each medical procedure (e.g., surgery), the canister containing the liquid waste is transported to a utility area to be disposed of as red-bag waste or to be emptied, cleaned, and disinfected for reuse. A new or cleaned canister is then brought into the operating room for a next medical procedure.
- Most conventional fluid collection systems with a liner include two components: a canister and a liner assembly. The canister is closed by a lid. The lid is attached to the liner, such that the liner assembly includes both the liner and the lid. The canister is typically cleaned after a procedure and used again, while the liner assembly is a single-use component. The liner and the lid are both discarded after a procedure. Hospitals pay for red-bag waste disposal by weight, so it is desirable to limit the material usage in the disposable components.
- Disclosed herein is a fluid collection system comprising a canister having a cavity and an open end; a lid, the lid sealed with the open end of the canister when the fluid collection system is in a closed position; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, the liner and the fitment assembly together defining a fluid chamber, wherein the fitment assembly is sealed with the lid around an opening in the lid when the fluid collection system is in the closed position.
- Also disclosed herein is a fluid receptacle for use in a fluid collection system including a canister having a lid, the fluid receptacle comprising a liner having an opening; and a fitment assembly comprising a fluid port; a fluid chamber vacuum port; and a sealing surface, wherein the fitment assembly is sealed to the liner around the opening; wherein the liner and the fitment assembly together define a fluid chamber, wherein the fluid port and the fluid chamber vacuum port allow communication into and out of the fluid chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the sealing surface seals to the lid.
- Also disclosed herein is a fluid collection system comprising a canister having a cavity and an open end; a lid, the lid forming a seal with a portion of the open end of the canister when the fluid collection system is in a closed position; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, the liner and fitment assembly together defining a fluid chamber, wherein the lid and the open end of the canister define an aperture between them when the fluid collection system is in the closed position, and wherein the fitment assembly seals around the aperture when the fluid collection system is in the closed position.
- Also disclosed herein is a method of collecting fluid in a fluid collection system, the method comprising providing a fluid collection system comprising: a canister; a lid having an opening; and a fluid receptacle comprising a liner and a fitment assembly, wherein the liner and fitment assembly define a fluid chamber, and wherein the fitment assembly includes a fluid port and a fluid chamber vacuum port; forming a seal between the fitment and the lid and a seal between the canister and the lid to define an interstitial chamber; applying a vacuum to the interstitial chamber; and transmitting the vacuum from the interstitial chamber to the fluid chamber through the fluid chamber vacuum port; and drawing a fluid into the fluid chamber through the fluid port.
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FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. The liner is not shown in this figure. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 taken alongline 3, shown from the side in a closed position. -
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the canister ofFIG. 4 taken alongline 5, shown from the side. -
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. -
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lid ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lid ofFIG. 7 , taken alongline 8, shown from the side. -
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a bracket of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly ofFIG. 11 taken alongline 12, shown from the side. -
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly ofFIG. 11 taken along line 13, shown from the front. -
FIG. 14 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 15 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a side view showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above. -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 17 taken alongline 18, shown from the side. -
FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 17 , shown from above. -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment ofFIG. 19 taken alongline 20, shown from the side. -
FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a variation of the fitment ofFIG. 19 including supports incorporated into the fitment, shown from above. -
FIG. 22 is a side view of the fitment ofFIG. 21 . -
FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a filter of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 17 , shown from above. -
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the filter ofFIG. 23 taken alongline 24, shown from the side. -
FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 , shown from above in the open position. -
FIGS. 26-28 are cross-sectional views of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 taken alongline 3, shown from the side in a closed position when the fluid level is at varying positions in the fluid chamber. -
FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a variation of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 1 including two brackets, shown from above in the open position. -
FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application. -
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 taken along line 31, shown from the side in a closed position. -
FIG. 32 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 31 , shown from the side in a closed position -
FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 , shown from above in an open position. -
FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 , shown from above. -
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the canister ofFIG. 34 taken alongline 35, shown from the side. -
FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 , shown from above. -
FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the lid ofFIG. 36 taken alongline 37, shown from the side. -
FIG. 38 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 , shown from above. -
FIG. 39 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly ofFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 40 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner ofFIG. 39 . -
FIG. 41 is a side view of the liner body showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner ofFIG. 39 . -
FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 30 , shown from above. -
FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 42 taken alongline 43, shown from the side. -
FIG. 44 is an isometric view of a gland of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 42 , shown from above. -
FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the gland ofFIG. 44 taken alongline 45, shown from the side. -
FIG. 46 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 42 , shown from above. -
FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment ofFIG. 46 taken alongline 47, shown from the side. -
FIG. 48 is a back view of the fitment ofFIG. 46 . -
FIG. 49 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the fluid collection system, shown from above in a closed position, according to certain aspects of the present application. -
FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 taken alongline 50, shown from the side in a closed position. -
FIG. 51 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 51 , shown from the side in a closed position. -
FIG. 52 is a side view of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown in the open position. The liner is not shown in this figure. -
FIG. 53 is an isometric view of a canister of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown from above. -
FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the canister ofFIG. 53 taken alongline 54, shown from the side. -
FIG. 55 is an isometric view of a lid of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown from above. -
FIG. 56 is an isometric view of a lid ofFIG. 55 , shown from below. -
FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the lid ofFIG. 55 taken alongline 57, shown from the side. -
FIG. 58 is an isometric view of a connector of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown from above. -
FIG. 59 is a detailed view of the connector ofFIG. 58 , shown from above. -
FIG. 60 is an isometric view of a liner assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown from above. -
FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the liner assembly ofFIG. 60 taken along line 61, shown from the back. -
FIG. 62 is a side view of the liner of the liner assembly ofFIG. 60 . -
FIG. 63 is a side view of the liner body used to make the liner ofFIG. 62 . -
FIG. 64 is a side view showing how the liner body is folded to make the liner ofFIG. 62 . -
FIG. 65 is an isometric view of a fitment assembly of the fluid collection system ofFIG. 49 , shown from above. -
FIG. 66 is an exploded side view of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 65 . -
FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 65 taken alongline 67, shown from the side. -
FIG. 68 is an isometric view of a gland of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 65 , shown from the top. -
FIG. 69 is an isometric view of the gland ofFIG. 68 , shown from below. -
FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of the gland ofFIG. 68 , taken alongline 70, shown from the side. -
FIG. 71 is an isometric view of a fitment of the fitment assembly ofFIG. 65 , shown from above. -
FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment ofFIG. 71 taken alongline 72, shown from the side. -
FIG. 73 is an isometric view of a pour spout adapter, shown from above. -
FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter ofFIG. 73 taken alongline 74, shown from the side. -
FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view of the pour spout adapter ofFIG. 73 inserted into the pour spout of the fitment ofFIG. 20 , shown from the side. - It should be understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure, and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale.
- Throughout this disclosure, the words “upstream” and “downstream” are used. As used herein, a first component is said to be upstream from a second component if gases or liquids flow from the first component toward the second component. Likewise, in the same scenario, the second component is considered to be downstream from the first component. For example, a vacuum source (e.g., vacuum pump) is said to be downstream from a container to which it provides the vacuum because air moves from the container toward the vacuum source.
- The fluid collection systems of the present disclosure may include at least three components: a canister, a lid, and a liner assembly. The canister and the lid may be reusable components that are cleaned after a procedure and used again. The liner assembly is typically a single-use component that is disposed and replaced after each procedure. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the material usage in the liner assembly. The liner assembly may include a liner and a fitment assembly. The fitment assembly may be smaller compared to the lid, which minimizes the material usage in the liner assembly.
- During use, the fluid collection systems of the present disclosure may include two chambers: a fluid chamber and an interstitial chamber. The interstitial chamber may be substantially enclosed by the canister, the lid, the liner and the fitment assembly. Applying a vacuum to the interstitial chamber may cause the liner to be drawn toward the interior walls of the canister. The fluid chamber may be substantially enclosed by the liner and the fitment assembly, which optionally includes a gland that couples the liner to the fitment. Applying a vacuum to the fluid chamber may draw fluid into the fluid chamber.
- A first embodiment of the
fluid collection system 1000 is shown inFIGS. 1-3 and may include acanister 1100, alid 1200, a liner 1310 (not shown inFIG. 2 ), afitment 1410, acap assembly 1550, afilter 1560, and anoptional fitment support 1600. Together, thefitment 1410, thefilter 1560, and thecap assembly 1550 form afitment assembly 1400, as shown inFIGS. 17-18 . Together, thefitment assembly 1400 and theliner 1310 form aliner assembly 1300, as shown inFIGS. 11-13 . With respect to this embodiment, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “below” are discussed as shown inFIG. 3 . - When the
fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 , two chambers are formed: afluid chamber 1002 and aninterstitial chamber 1001. Thefluid chamber 1002 is substantially enclosed by theliner 1310 and thefitment assembly 1400. Theinterstitial chamber 1001 is substantially enclosed by thecanister 1100, thelid 1200, theliner 1310, and thefitment assembly 1400. Afilter 1560 in thefitment assembly 1400 may separate thefluid chamber 1002 from theinterstitial chamber 1001. -
FIGS. 4-5 show thecanister 1100 of the first embodiment, thecanister 1100 having abottom wall 1110, afirst side wall 1121, asecond side wall 1122, a third side wall 1123, and afourth side wall 1124. Thebottom wall 1110 has an interior surface 1112, anexterior surface 1113, and four ends 1111. Theside walls canister 1100 each have abottom end 1125, two side ends 1126, atop end 1127, aninterior surface 1128, and an exterior surface 1129. Thebottom end 1125 of each side wall is connected to anend 1111 of thebottom wall 1110. Eachside end 1126 of each side wall is connected to aside end 1126 of an adjacent side wall. - In embodiments of
canisters 1100 with four side walls, such as those shown inFIGS. 4-5 , thefirst side wall 1121 may be opposite thesecond side wall 1122 and adjacent to the third side wall 1123 and thefourth side wall 1124, and thesecond side wall 1122 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 1123 and thefourth side wall 1124. However, thecanister 1100 may be configured to have any number of side walls. - During use, the
exterior surface 1113 of thebottom wall 1110 and the exterior surface 1129 of the side walls of thecanister 1100 are exposed to the environment. Together, the interior surface 1112 of thebottom wall 1110 and theinterior surface 1128 of the side walls form acavity 1130 in thecanister 1100. Thecavity 1130 may have an open end such that thecanister 1100 has anopening 1131 opposite thebottom wall 1110. Together, the top ends 1127 of the side walls of thecanister 1100 may surround theopening 1131 of thecavity 1130, and may form the open end of thecanister 1100. Theopening 1131 may lie in the same plane as the top ends 1127 of the side walls. A groove 1140 may be included at thetop end 1127 of each side wall. The groove 1140 surrounds theopening 1131. - The
canister 1100 may include aninterstitial vacuum port 1170 having avacuum source end 1172 that opens on the exterior of thecanister 1100 and a cavity end 1171 that opens into thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. InFIG. 5 , theinterstitial vacuum port 1170 is positioned on thesecond side wall 1122 of thecanister 1100. However, theinterstitial vacuum port 1170 could be positioned on any of theside walls canister 1100, or on thelid 1200. - The
fluid collection system 1000 also includes alid 1200 as shown inFIGS. 6-8 . Thelid 1200 has anupper wall 1210, a first side wall 1221, asecond side wall 1222, a third side wall 1223, and afourth side wall 1224. Theupper wall 1210 of thelid 1200 has an interior surface 1211, anexterior surface 1212, and four ends 1215. Theside walls bottom end 1227, a top end 1228, aninterior surface 1225 and anexterior surface 1226. The top end 1228 of each side wall is connected to anend 1215 of theupper wall 1210. Arib 1229 may protrude from thebottom end 1227 of the side walls of thelid 1200. Thelid 1200 may also have one ormore tabs 1230 extending from theexterior surface 1226 of one or more of theside walls lid 1200. - In embodiments of
lids 1200 with four side walls, such as those shown inFIGS. 6-8 , the first side wall 1221 may be opposite thesecond side wall 1222 and adjacent to the third side wall 1223 and the fourth side wall 1223, and thesecond side wall 1222 may also be adjacent to the third side wall 1223 and thefourth side wall 1224. However, thelid 1200 may be configured to have any number of side walls. - When the
lid 1200 is in a closed position, theexterior surface 1212 of theupper wall 1210 is exposed to the environment and the interior surface 1211 of theupper wall 1210 faces thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 . - An
opening 1213 may be included in theupper wall 1210 of thelid 1200. Theopening 1213 has aninner surface 1214. Thelid 1200 may be placed over theopening 1131 of thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100 to partially close theopening 1131 of thecavity 1130. Theopening 1213 in theupper wall 1210 of thelid 1200 enables communication into and out of thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. Therib 1229 on thebottom end 1227 of theside walls opening 1213 in theupper wall 1210 of thelid 1200. - When the
lid 1200 is in a closed position, thecanister 1100 and thelid 1200 are in sealing engagement with one another. Thefirst side wall 1121 of thecanister 1100 mates with the first side wall 1221 of thelid 1200. Likewise, the second, third, andfourth side walls canister 1100 mate with the second, third, andfourth side walls lid 1200, respectively. Therib 1229 on thelid 1200 may be inserted into the groove 1140 on thecanister 1100 to create an interference fit. Together, the groove 1140 on thecanister 1100 and therib 1229 on thelid 1200 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between thecanister 1100 and thelid 1200. - The
canister 1100 and thelid 1200 may be coupled via a first hinge. Thelid 1200 may have afirst hinge element 1251 and thecanister 1100 may have afirst hinge element 1151. When assembled, thefirst hinge element 1251 on thelid 1200 and thefirst hinge element 1151 on thecanister 1100 cooperate to form the first hinge. Thefirst hinge element 1151 on thecanister 1100 may be located proximate to thetop end 1127 of the exterior surface 1129 of thesecond side wall 1122. Thefirst hinge element 1251 on thelid 1200 may be located proximate to thesecond side wall 1222 of thelid 1200. - The
lid 1200 is moveable between a closed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 and an open position shown inFIG. 25 . In the closed position, thelid 1200 and thecanister 1100 are in sealing engagement with one another, and thelid 1200 partially closes theopening 1131 of thecanister 1100. In the open position, thelid 1200 and thecanister 1100 are not in sealing engagement with one another, and thelid 1200 does not cover theopening 1131 of thecanister 1100. The user may use thetab 1230 to help move thelid 1200 between the open position and the closed position. - The
fluid collection system 1000 also includes aliner assembly 1300 as shown inFIGS. 11-13 . The liner assembly 1300 (i.e. fluid receptacle) includes aliner 1310 and afitment assembly 1400 which cooperate to substantially enclose afluid chamber 1002. - The
liner 1310 of the first embodiment is shown inFIG. 14 .FIG. 15 shows thebody 1311 of theliner 1310 before theliner 1310 is assembled. Thebody 1311 of theliner 1310 is made of a thin-walled material. Thebody 1311 has been folded along afold line 1314 to create afirst panel 1315 having four ends and asecond panel 1316 having four ends. Thefirst panel 1315 and thesecond panel 1316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown inFIG. 16 . The remaining three ends of thefirst panel 1315 form afirst periphery 1317, and the remaining three ends of thesecond panel 1316 form asecond periphery 1318. Thefirst panel 1315 and thesecond panel 1316 are joined to one another by aseal 1319 extending along at least a portion of thefirst periphery 1317 and at least a portion of thesecond periphery 1318 as shown inFIG. 14 . Theseal 1319 extends from the dashed line inFIG. 14 toward thefirst periphery 1317 and thesecond periphery 1318 of theliner 1310. The seal may be about ⅜″ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when theliner 1310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid. - The
liner 1310 of the first embodiment has anopening 1320 in theseal 1319 of theliner 1310. At theopening 1320 in theseal 1319, an unsealedportion 1321 of thefirst periphery 1317 of thefirst panel 1315 and an unsealed portion 1322 of thesecond periphery 1318 of thesecond panel 1316 are not joined to one another. Thefitment 1410, described below, is inserted into theopening 1320 in theseal 1319 of theliner 1310. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theliner 1310 is positioned in thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. Theliner 1310 has a canister-facingsurface 1312 and afluid chamber surface 1313, as shown inFIG. 13 . When theliner assembly 1300 is ready for use, theliner 1310 is oriented such that the canister-facingsurface 1312 is on the outside (and may be facing the interior surface 1112 of thebottom wall 1110 and theinterior surface 1128 of theside walls canister 1100 when inserted into the canister 1100) and thefluid chamber surface 1313 is on the inside. - A
fitment assembly 1400 of the first embodiment is shown inFIGS. 17-18 . Thefitment assembly 1400 includes afitment 1410, afilter 1560, and acap assembly 1550. Thefitment assembly 1400 also includes afluid port 1450, a pourspout 1460, and a fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 which may be located on thefitment 1410. - The
fitment 1410 is shown inFIGS. 19-20 . Afluid port 1450 on thefitment 1410 and a pourspout 1460 on thefitment 1410 allow fluid to enter and exit thefluid chamber 1002. A fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 on thefitment 1410 allows a vacuum to be applied to thefluid chamber 1002. Preferably, the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 allows a vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 1001 to be transmitted to thefluid chamber 1002. Thefitment 1410 may also have ahandle 1490 attached to thebase 1411. Thehandle 1490 may be positioned near an end of thefitment 1410 which includes thefluid port 1450 and the pourspout 1460. Thehandle 1490 assists with removal of theliner assembly 1300 from thecanister 1100 and/or from theoptional fitment support 1600. Thefitment 1410 preferably has an elongated shape, which may help the user to orient thefitment 1410 properly in thecanister 1100 and/orfitment support 1600. - The
fitment 1410 includes abase 1411 having an upper surface 1412 and a lower surface 1413. When thefitment 1410 is positioned as shown inFIG. 3 , the upper surface 1412 of the base 1411 faces thelid 1200, and the lower surface 1413 of the base 1411 faces the fitment support 1600 (if present) and thebottom wall 1110 of thecanister 1100. - A
protrusion 1420 extends from the upper surface 1412 of thebase 1411 of thefitment 1410. Theprotrusion 1420 has anupper wall 1421 connected to the upper surface 1412 of thebase 1411 by aside wall 1424. Theupper wall 1421 has alower surface 1423 that forms part of the wall of thefluid chamber 1002, and anupper surface 1422 that is exposed to the environment. Theprotrusion 1420 also has aside wall 1424 with aninner surface 1425 and anouter surface 1426 opposite theinner surface 1425. Theinner surface 1425 of theside wall 1424 of theprotrusion 1420 forms part of the wall of thefluid chamber 1002. Thefitment assembly 1400 may have a sealing surface that seals to thelid 1200. Theouter surface 1426 of theside wall 1424 of theprotrusion 1420 may be a sealing surface that sealingly engages theinner surface 1214 of theopening 1213 in thelid 1200. Theside wall 1424 of theprotrusion 1420 is shown as having a series of steps, but could also be one continuous wall extending from thebase 1411 to theupper wall 1421 of theprotrusion 1420. - A
curved rib 1470 protrudes from the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410. Therib 1470 may be substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410. Therib 1470 may surround at least a portion of the lower surface 1413 including the openings of the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440,fluid port 1450, and pourspout 1460. The portion of the lower surface 1413 that is surrounded by therib 1470 forms part of the wall of thefluid chamber 1002. Therib 1470 has an inner surface 1472 that forms part of the wall of thefluid chamber 1002 and anouter surface 1471 opposite the inner surface 1472. One or more longitudinal ribs (not shown) may be provided on theouter surface 1471 of therib 1470 to improve the strength of the seal between thefitment 1410 and theliner 1310. These longitudinal ribs may be substantially parallel to thebase 1411 of thefitment 1410. - The
fitment 1410 and theliner 1310 are in sealing engagement with one another. Thefitment 1410 and theliner 1310 are coupled by inserting therib 1470 of thefitment 1410 into theopening 1320 in theseal 1319 of theliner 1310. Theouter surface 1471 of therib 1470 is in sealing engagement with thefluid chamber surface 1313 of theliner 1310 at theopening 1320 of theseal 1319 of theliner 1310. More specifically, the unsealedportion 1321 of thefirst periphery 1317 of theliner 1310 is sealed to a portion of theouter surface 1471 of therib 1470 on thefitment 1410. Likewise, the unsealed portion 1322 of thesecond periphery 1318 of theliner 1310 is sealed to a portion of theouter surface 1471 of therib 1470 on thefitment 1410. - When moving the
fluid collection system 1000 to the closed position, theprotrusion 1420 on thefitment 1410 is inserted into theopening 1213 in theupper wall 1210 of thelid 1200. An interference fit may be formed between theinner surface 1214 of theopening 1213 in thelid 1200 and theouter surface 1426 of theside wall 1424 of thefitment 1410. Together, theouter surface 1426 of theside wall 1424 of thefitment 1410 and theinner surface 1214 of theopening 1213 in thelid 1200 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between thefitment 1410 and thelid 1200. - The
canister 1100, thelid 1200 and thefitment 1410 are in sealing engagement when thefluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, thelid 1200 is sealingly engaged with thecanister 1100. Thefitment 1410 of thefitment assembly 1400 is sealingly engaged with thelid 1200. Together, thefitment assembly 1400 and thelid 1200 substantially close theopening 1131 in thecanister 1100. - An
interstitial chamber 1001 is formed when thefluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, as shown inFIG. 3 . Theinterstitial chamber 1001 is the space substantially enclosed by thecanister 1100, theliner 1310, thelid 1200 and thefitment assembly 1400. To enable theinterstitial chamber 1001 to maintain vacuum pressure, thecanister 1100 may be in sealing engagement with thelid 1200, thelid 1200 may be in sealing engagement with thefitment 1410, and thefitment 1410 may be in sealing engagement with theliner 1310. Preferably, theliner 1310 may be sealingly engaged to thefitment 1410 during the manufacturing process. If the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 uses a pass-through design, thefilter 1560 may also be in sealing engagement with thefitment 1410 to substantially enclose theinterstitial chamber 1001, and thefilter 1560 may separate theinterstitial chamber 1001 and thefluid chamber 1002. - When a vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 1001, theliner 1310 expands in thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. The canister-facingsurface 1312 of theliner 1310 may at least partially conform to thebottom wall 1110 and theside walls canister 1100. Avacuum source 1700, such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum. The vacuum is communicated to theinterstitial chamber 1001 by coupling thevacuum source 1700 to thevacuum source end 1172 of theinterstitial vacuum port 1170. - The
fitment 1410 includes afluid port 1450 that allows fluid to enter thefluid chamber 1002. Thefluid port 1450 is an opening that extends from theupper surface 1422 of theupper wall 1421 of theprotrusion 1420 to thelower surface 1423 of theupper wall 1421 of theprotrusion 1420. The patient end 1451 of thefluid port 1450 protrudes from theupper surface 1422 of theupper wall 1421 of theprotrusion 1420, such that a patient tube may be connected to the patient end 1451 of thefluid port 1450. Afluid chamber end 1452 of thefluid port 1450 opens proximate thelower surface 1423 of theupper wall 1421. Thefluid chamber end 1452 of thefluid port 1450 opens within the area enclosed by therib 1470. Thefluid chamber end 1452 of thefluid port 1450 may protrude from thelower surface 1423 of theupper wall 1421, or it may be simply an opening in theupper wall 1421. Fluid flows from the patient tube and through thefluid port 1450 on thefitment 1410 before entering thefluid chamber 1002. - In order to prevent contamination, it is desirable to prevent fluid from flowing upstream (from the
fluid chamber 1002, out of thefluid port 1450 and into the patient tube, toward the patient) after the fluid has entered thefluid chamber 1002. Accordingly, a fluid port check valve (not shown) may optionally be coupled to thefluid port 1450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through thefluid port 1450. A fluid port check valve permits fluid to flow downstream from the patient toward thefluid chamber 1002, but prevents fluid from flowing upstream from thefluid chamber 1002 toward the patient. - The
fitment 1410 includes a fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 through which a vacuum is applied to thefluid chamber 1002. The fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 may preferably be a pass-through vacuum port which allows the vacuum applied to theinterstitial chamber 1001 to pass through to thefluid chamber 1002. The fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 is an opening in thebase 1411 of thefitment 1410 that allows gas to move between thefluid chamber 1002 and theinterstitial chamber 1001. The fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 has afluid chamber end 1441 located on, and protruding from, the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410, within the portion of the lower surface 1413 enclosed by therib 1470. Aninterstitial chamber end 1442 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 is located on a recessed portion 1416 of the upper surface 1412 of thebase 1411. The recessed portion 1416 may extend from an end of the base 1411 toward theinterstitial chamber end 1442 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440. - The
vacuum source 1700 is connected to theinterstitial chamber 1001, resulting in a reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 1001. The reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 1001 may cause air from thefluid chamber 1002 to pass through the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 and into theinterstitial chamber 1001, thereby creating a vacuum in thefluid chamber 1002. In this pass-through configuration, thefluid chamber 1002 is upstream of theinterstitial chamber 1001. The pass-through configuration may be preferred over other configurations where the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 is independently connected to thevacuum source 1700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to thefluid chamber 1002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluidchamber vacuum ports 1440 may be used. - A
filter 1560 shown inFIGS. 23-24 is coupled to the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440. Air passes through thefilter 1560 when it is drawn from thefluid chamber 1002 toward thevacuum source 1700. Thefilter 1560 serves two purposes. First, thefilter 1560 prevents damage to thevacuum source 1700 by removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from the air flowing toward thevacuum source 1700. Second, thefilter 1560 acts as a vacuum shut-off, which stops the vacuum from being applied to thefluid chamber 1002 once thefluid chamber 1002 reaches its predetermined capacity. - The
filter 1560 may be made from any number of materials. Preferably, the filter may be made from a porous hydrophobic material that has a dry state and a wet state. The filter material is in a dry state when it is not in contact with a liquid. The filter material is in a wet state when it is in contact with a liquid. When the filter material is in the dry state, the pores in the material are large enough that gas is able to pass through the filter material but small enough that solid materials (e.g., bacteria, particulates) cannot. In the wet state, when the filter material comes into contact with a liquid, the material swells and the pores shrink such that gas is no longer able to pass through the filter material. - The
filter 1560 has a hollow cylindrical shape. Thefilter 1560 has afirst end 1563, asecond end 1564, and aside wall 1565 extending therebetween. Thefilter 1560 has a length extending from thefirst end 1563 to thesecond end 1564. A cylindricalcentral chamber 1566 extends from anopening 1567 in thefirst end 1563 toward thesecond end 1564. However, thecentral chamber 1566 does not have an opening on thesecond end 1564, and thus does not extend along the entire length of thefilter 1560. - The
filter 1560 is coupled to the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 on thefitment 1410. More specifically, an interference fit between theside wall 1565 of thefilter 1560 and thefluid chamber end 1441 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 may create sealing engagement between thefilter 1560 and thefitment 1410. Thefilter 1560 has anupstream surface 1561 that may be in communication with thefluid chamber 1002 and a downstream surface 1562 that may be in communication with theinterstitial chamber 1001 and thevacuum source 1700 during use. The inner surface of theside wall 1565 forms the downstream surface 1562 of thefilter 1560. During use, air moves through thefilter 1560 in a downstream direction. Air passes from thefluid chamber 1002 into thefilter 1560 at theupstream surface 1561, moves through thefilter 1560, and leaves thefilter 1560 on the downstream surface 1562 as it moves toward thevacuum source 1700. -
FIGS. 26-28 show various stages of operation of thefilter 1560. Thefilter 1560 starts in a dry state. Air is pulled through thefilter 1560 from thefluid chamber 1002 toward thevacuum source 1700, thereby creating a vacuum in thefluid chamber 1002. Fluid from the patient then flows through thefluid port 1450 and into thefluid chamber 1002, causing thefluid level 1003 in thefluid chamber 1002 to rise (FIG. 26 ). Eventually, thefluid level 1003 in thefluid chamber 1002 rises such the fluid contacts a portion of theupstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 (FIG. 27 ). At this point, the pores on theupstream surface 1561 begin to close if they are in contact with the fluid. However, if a portion of theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 is still dry, air may still flow through thefilter 1560 at the dry areas on theupstream surface 1561. Vacuum is therefore still being provided to thefluid chamber 1002 through pores on theupstream surface 1561 that are not in contact with the fluid (i.e., areas of theupstream surface 1561 that are above the fluid level 1003). Finally, thefluid level 1003 rises to the uppermost point on theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 such that fluid is contacting substantially all of theupstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560 (FIG. 28 ). Once theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 is saturated with liquid, the pores on thefilter 1560 close. Therefore, air cannot flow through thefilter 1560 and the vacuum is no longer applied to thefluid chamber 1002, which prevents additional fluid from collecting in thefluid chamber 1002. - In order to stop the flow of air through the
filter 1560, theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 should be saturated with liquid. However, it is undesirable for the fluid to penetrate through thefilter 1560 from theupstream surface 1561 to the downstream surface 1562. The presence of fluid on the downstream surface 1562 of thefilter 1560 may indicate a failure of thefilter 1560. Ideally, theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 will become substantially saturated with liquid while the downstream surface 1562 of thefilter 1560 remains substantially dry. - The height of the
filter 1560 relative to thebottom wall 1110 of thecanister 1100 determines how much fluid can collect in thefluid chamber 1002 before the vacuum is no longer applied to thefluid chamber 1002. Placing thefilter 1560 farther from thebottom wall 1110 of thecanister 1100 allows more fluid to collect in thefluid chamber 1002 before the vacuum to thefluid chamber 1002 is shut off. In a preferred embodiment, thefilter 1560 is vertically positioned above thebottom wall 1110 of thecanister 1100 and below thefluid port 1450 when theliner assembly 1300 is inserted into thecanister 1100. Thefluid level 1003 will rise such that theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560 becomes saturated before thefluid level 1003 reaches thefluid port 1450, which will stop vacuum from being applied to thefluid chamber 1002 before thefluid level 1003 reaches the patient end 1451 of thefluid port 1450. Therefore, a fluid port check valve is not needed if thefilter 1560 is positioned below thefluid port 1450 because thefluid level 1003 in thefluid chamber 1002 will not typically rise high enough to allow a reverse fluid flow from thefluid chamber 1002 to the patient. This positioning of thefilter 1560 relative to thefluid port 1450 is shown inFIG. 3 . Once thefluid level 1003 reaches the upper most point of theupstream surface 1561 of thefilter 1560, thevacuum source 1700 cannot apply a vacuum into thefluid chamber 1002 so no more fluid will be collected in thefluid chamber 1002. However, thefluid level 1003 is still below the patient end 1451 of thefluid port 1450, and therefore fluid will not flow out of thefluid port 1450 and back to the patient. - The
fitment 1410 may also include a filter guard 1480 that is designed to prevent fluid in thefluid chamber 1002 from splashing onto thefilter 1560. Without a filter guard 1480, fluid may splash onto thefilter 1560 as it enters thefluid chamber 1002. Accidental fluid splashes are undesirable because thefilter 1560 will become wet and the vacuum in thefluid chamber 1002 may be significantly decreased or shut off entirely, even though thefluid level 1003 in thefluid chamber 1002 is well below the capacity. Therefore, a filter guard 1480 is built into thefitment 1410 to partially surround thefilter 1560 and protect thefilter 1560 from accidental fluid splashes. The filter guard 1480 may be a cylindrical sheath 1481 protruding from the portion of the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410 that lies within therib 1470. The cylindrical sheath 1481 may have two slots 1482 to improve air flow to thefilter 1560. - The
fitment 1410 may also include a pourspout 1460 that would allow the user to empty the fluid from thefluid chamber 1002 after the surgical procedure has been completed. The pourspout 1460 extends between an external end 1461 that opens to the surrounding environment on theupper surface 1422 of theupper wall 1421 and afluid chamber end 1462 that opens to thefluid chamber 1002 on thelower surface 1423 of theupper wall 1421. The pourspout 1460 may have a larger diameter than afluid port 1450 in order to facilitate an increased flow rate. The pourspout 1460 may also be used as an accessory port during the procedure, allowing a specimen sock or a solidifier to be inserted into thefluid chamber 1002. - Caps are provided to close the
fluid port 1450 and the pourspout 1460. Any unused fluid ports and/or pour spouts are capped during the procedure to ensure that adequate vacuum levels are supplied to the patient. Without a cap, air would flow into thefluid chamber 1002 through theopen fluid port 1450 or the open pourspout 1460 and reduce the vacuum being provided to the patient. Thefluid port 1450 and pourspout 1460 are also capped when removing theliner assembly 1300 from thecanister 1100. A cap on the pourspout 1460 may be removed when emptying fluid from thefluid chamber 1002. - Therefore, a
cap assembly 1550 may also be provided with thefitment assembly 1400 of the first embodiment. Thecap assembly 1550 is shown as part of thefitment assembly 1400 inFIGS. 17-18 . A fluid port cap 1551 is configured to close thefluid port 1450, and a pour spout cap 1552 is configured to close the pourspout 1460. The caps are connected via a bridge 1553. Theliner assembly 1300 may be provided such that thecap assembly 1550 is connected to thefitment 1410, either by inserting the fluid port cap 1551 into thefluid port 1450 and the pour spout cap 1552 into the pourspout 1460, or by connecting the bridge 1553 to thefitment 1410. - The
fluid collection system 1000 optionally includes afitment support 1600, which holds thefitment 1410 in place. Abracket 1610, shown inFIGS. 9-10 , is one example of afitment support 1600. Thebracket 1610 has anupper surface 1618 and alower surface 1619, and may be substantially planar. Thebracket 1610 has afirst end 1611 and asecond end 1612 opposite thefirst end 1611. Thebracket 1610 may also have third andfourth ends second ends first end 1611 of thebracket 1610 toward thesecond end 1612, forming twoprongs 1616, one on either side of the slot 1615. - When the
fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 , theupper surface 1618 of thebracket 1610 faces thelid 1200 and thelower surface 1619 of thebracket 1610 faces thebottom wall 1110 of thecanister 1100. The third side wall 1123 and thefourth side wall 1124 of thecanister 1100 may each include aledge 1161 adjacent to theinterior surface 1128 of the side wall, proximate thetop end 1127. Eachledge 1161 may extend along the full length of the side wall, or theledge 1161 may extend along only a portion of the length of the side wall. Furthermore, theledges 1161 could also extend along at least a portion of thetop end 1127 of thefirst side wall 1121 and/orsecond side wall 1122. Thebracket 1610 may rest on theledges 1161 while thefluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position. Thebracket 1610 is positioned relative to thecanister 1100 such that thebracket 1610 is surrounded by the groove 1140 on thecanister 1100. Therefore, when thefluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, thebracket 1610 is located entirely within theinterstitial chamber 1001. - The
bracket 1610 is moveably coupled to thecanister 1100 by a second hinge. Thebracket 1610 may have asecond hinge element 1617 and thecanister 1100 may have asecond hinge element 1152. When assembled, thesecond hinge element 1617 on thebracket 1610 and thesecond hinge element 1152 on thecanister 1100 cooperate to form the second hinge. Thesecond hinge element 1152 on thecanister 1100 may be positioned to allow thebracket 1610 to rotate around an axis that is substantially parallel to thetop end 1127 of the side wall that includes thefirst hinge element 1151. As shown inFIG. 3 , thesecond hinge element 1125 allows thebracket 1610 to rotate around an axis that is substantially parallel to thetop end 1127 of thesecond side wall 1122. Thesecond hinge element 1152 may include grooves located on thetop end 1127 of each of the third side wall 1123 and thefourth side wall 1124, proximate thesecond side wall 1122. Thesecond hinge element 1617 on thebracket 1610 may be proximate thesecond end 1612 of thebracket 1610. - In order to facilitate the insertion of the
fitment assembly 1400 into thebracket 1610, it may be preferable that the end of thebracket 1610 that contains thesecond hinge element 1617 is longer than the adjacent ends. Therefore, based on the above description of thebracket 1610, it may be preferable that thesecond end 1612 of thebracket 1610 is longer than the third andfourth ends bracket 1610. The side walls of thecanister 1100 and thelid 1200 may be adjusted accordingly. Because thebracket 1610, as described above, rotates about an axis substantially parallel to thesecond side wall 1122 of thecanister 1100, it may be preferable that thesecond side wall 1122 is longer than the third andfourth side walls 1123, 1124 of thecanister 1100. Likewise, it may be preferable that thesecond side wall 1222 of thelid 1200 is longer than the third andfourth side walls 1223, 1224 of thelid 1200. - The
bracket 1610 is moveable between an open position shown inFIG. 25 and a closed position shown inFIG. 3 . In the closed position, thefirst end 1611 of thebracket 1610 is positioned near thetop end 1127 of thefirst side wall 1121 of thecanister 1100, and thelower surface 1619 of thebracket 1610 rests on theledges 1161 of thecanister 1100. In the open position, thefirst end 1611 of thebracket 1610 is moved away from thetop end 1127 of thefirst side wall 1121 of thecanister 1100, and thelower surface 1619 of thebracket 1610 does not rest on theledges 1161 of thecanister 1100. - The
bracket 1610 and thelid 1200 may also be moveably coupled, such that moving thelid 1200 to the open position also causes thebracket 1610 to move to the open position and moving thelid 1200 to the closed position also causes thebracket 1610 to move to the closed position. The connection between thebracket 1610 and thelid 1200 may be a pin and slot connection, for example. The pin and slot connection allows thebracket 1610 and thelid 1200 to be opened and closed simultaneously at different yet related rates. Preferably, the first side wall 1221 of thelid 1200 will travel farther than thefirst end 1611 of thebracket 1610 to allow the user access to thebracket 1610 such that thefitment 1410 of theliner assembly 1300 may be inserted into the slot 1615 of thebracket 1610. For example, the first side wall 1221 of thelid 1200 may travel twice as far as thefirst end 1611 of thebracket 1610. - When the
fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, thefitment 1410 is resting in the slot 1615 in thebracket 1610 such that the lower surface 1413 of thebase 1411 of thefitment 1410 rests on theupper surface 1618 of thebracket 1610, and theliner 1310 is placed in thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. - Any number of brackets may be used. For example,
FIG. 29 shows an open position of afluid collection system 1000 a having acanister 1100 a, alid 1200 a, and twobrackets 1610 a. Thefluid collection system 1000 a may be similar tofluid collection system 1000, and reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures are provided with like reference designations. The liner assembly, not shown inFIG. 29 , offluid collection system 1000 a could be similar to theliner assembly 1300 offluid collection system 1000, shown inFIG. 11 . Thelid 1200 a offluid collection system 1000 a may be the same as thelid 1200 offluid collection system 1000. Thecanister 1100 a may be similar to thecanister 1100 offluid collection system 1000; however, thecanister 1100 a may have twosecond hinge elements 1152 a instead of one. Thesecond hinge elements 1152 a may be positioned such that thebrackets 1610 a rotate about axes parallel to opposing side walls of thecanister 1100 a. Thebrackets 1610 a offluid collection system 1000 a may be similar to thebracket 1610 offluid collection system 1000; however, the third andfourth ends brackets 1610 a may be shorter in length compared to the third andfourth ends bracket 1610. It may be preferable that the first ends 1611 a of thebrackets 1610 a do not overlap in the closed position. - The
brackets 1610 a are moveable between an open position shown inFIG. 29 and a closed position. When thebrackets 1610 a are in a closed position, theslots 1615 a in thebrackets 1610 a are aligned to form a hole shaped and sized to receive the fitment. The lower surface of the base of the fitment rests on theupper surface 1618 a of eachbracket 1610 a. - Alternatively, the fitment support 1600 (for example, the bracket 1610) may be eliminated, and the fitment itself may instead be modified.
Fitment 1810 is similar tofitment 1410, and includes many of the same features asfitment 1410. Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures are provided with like reference designations.Fitment 1810 includessupports 1817, as shown inFIGS. 21-22 . Thesupports 1817 may be legs extending from any surface of thefitment 1810. In preferred embodiments, thesupports 1817 may extend from the base 1811 of thefitment 1810. Eachsupport 1817 may have aproximal end 1818 connected to the base 1811 of thefitment 1810, and adistal end 1819 opposite theproximal end 1818. - The
supports 1817 may have a variety of shapes. Thesupports 1817 may be substantially planar and parallel to theupper surface 1812 of the base 1811. Alternatively, thesupports 1817 may be curved, angled, or otherwise nonplanar. In particular, thesupports 1817 may curve or angle downward, such that thedistal end 1819 of eachsupport 1817 is farther from theupper surface 1812 of the base 1811 of thefitment 1810 compared to theproximal end 1818 of eachsupport 1817. - When the
fluid collection system 1000 is in the closed position, thesupports 1817 of thefitment 1810 may rest ontop edge 1127 of one or more of theside walls canister 1100. Ifledges 1161 are included on thecanister 1100, thesupports 1817 of thefitment 1810 may rest on theledges 1161. Furthermore, if nonplanar supports 1817 are used, closing thelid 1200 may cause thesupports 1817 to deflect and flatten out, and thereby generate a force that pushes up on thefitment 1810, further ensuring a proper seal between thefitment 1810 and thelid 1200. Therefore, non-planar supports may be preferred. - The open position of the
fluid collection system 1000 is shown inFIG. 25 . Thelid 1200 and theoptional fitment support 1600 are in their respective open positions, and thelid 1200 is not sealingly engaged with thecanister 1100. InFIG. 25 , theliner assembly 1300 has not yet been inserted into thecanister 1100. When theliner assembly 1300 is inserted into thecanister 1100, theliner 1310 is positioned within thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100 and thefitment 1410 is resting on thefitment support 1600 or on thecanister 1100. - The closed position of the
fluid collection system 1000 is shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 . Thelid 1200 and theoptional fitment support 1600 are in their respective closed positions. Theliner assembly 1300 is inserted into thecanister 1100, such that theliner 1310 is positioned within thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100 and thefitment 1410 is resting on theupper surface 1618 of thefitment support 1600, or on thetop edge 1127 of one or more of theside walls canister 1100 if nofitment support 1600 is needed. Thecanister 1100 and thelid 1200 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thelid 1200 and thefitment 1410 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thefitment 1410 and theliner 1310 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thefitment 1410 and thefilter 1560 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thus, theinterstitial chamber 1001 may be sealed such that vacuum applied via theinterstitial vacuum port 1170 is substantially maintained. - When using the
fluid collection system 1000, thelid 1200 and theoptional fitment support 1600 begin in their respective open positions as shown inFIGS. 25 and 29 . The user then inserts theliner assembly 1300 into thecanister 1100. If onebracket 1610 is being used as afitment support 1600, thefitment 1410 is inserted into slot 1615 in thebracket 1610 so that the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410 rests on theupper surface 1618 of thebracket 1610. Thefitment 1410 is positioned in the slot 1615 of thebracket 1610 such that thehandle 1490 is positioned proximate to thefirst end 1611 of thebracket 1610. At the same time, theliner 1310 is positioned within thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. Ifmultiple brackets 1610 are being used as afitment support 1600, theliner 1310 is positioned within thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100, and thefitment 1410 is centered over the slots 1615 in eachbracket 1610 so that a portion of the lower surface 1413 of thefitment 1410 rests on theupper surface 1618 of eachbracket 1610 when thebrackets 1610 are moved to a closed position. If thefitment support 1600 is eliminated and supports 1817 are included on thefitment 1810 itself, then thefitment 1810 is positioned relative to thecanister 1100 such that thesupports 1817 on thefitment 1810 rest on thetop edge 1127 of one or more of theside walls canister 1100. - Next, the
fluid collection system 1000 is moved to the closed position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 . Thelid 1200 and thefitment support 1600 are moved to their respective closed positions, and theinterstitial chamber 1001 is formed. A patient tube is connected to the patient end 1451 of thefluid port 1450 on thefitment 1410. Any unused ports are capped. - Vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 1001. A first method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 1001 is by physically connecting thevacuum source 1700 to the interstitial vacuum port 1170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit). A second method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 1001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with thevacuum source 1700, such that the tube or other conduit between thevacuum source 1700 and theinterstitial vacuum port 1170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of theinterstitial chamber 1001 through theinterstitial vacuum port 1170 and toward thevacuum source 1700. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 1001 may cause theliner 1310 to expand and at least partially conform to the interior surface 1112 of thebottom wall 1110 and theinterior surface 1128 of theside walls canister 1100. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 1001 may also draw air out of thefluid chamber 1002 through the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440. Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both theinterstitial chamber 1001 and thefluid chamber 1002. - The reduced pressure in the
fluid chamber 1002 creates a vacuum in thefluid chamber 1002. Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through thefluid port 1450, and into thefluid chamber 1002 where the fluid is collected. If thefluid chamber 1002 reaches its capacity (thefluid level 1003 in thefluid chamber 1002 rises high enough to saturate theupstream surface 1561 of the filter 1560), the vacuum to thefluid chamber 1002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to theinterstitial chamber 1001 by theinterstitial vacuum port 1170. - When the user is ready to remove the
liner assembly 1300 from the canister 1100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when thefluid chamber 1002 reaches its capacity), thevacuum source 1700 is physically disconnected from theinterstitial vacuum port 1170, or thevacuum source 1700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to theinterstitial chamber 1001, and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluidchamber vacuum port 1440 to thefluid chamber 1002. Thelid 1200 andfitment support 1600 are moved to their respective open positions. If abracket 1610 is used as thefitment support 1600, theliner assembly 1300 is removed from thecanister 1100 by sliding thefitment 1410 out of the slot 1615 in thebracket 1610, and removing theliner 1310 from thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. Ifmultiple brackets 1610 are used as thefitment support 1600, theliner assembly 1300 is removed from thecanister 1100 by lifting thefitment 1410, opening thebrackets 1610, and removing theliner 1310 from thecavity 1130 of thecanister 1100. Ifsupports 1817 are included in thefitment 1810, the liner assembly is simply removed from thecanister 1100 by lifting thefitment 1810. The user may use thehandle 1490 on thefitment 1410 to assist with removal of theliner assembly 1300. - The fluid may then then be removed from the
fluid chamber 1002. The pour spout cap 1552 is removed from the pourspout 1460 before fluid is poured out of thefluid chamber 1002 through the pourspout 1460. Theliner assembly 1300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques. - The
filter 1560 of the first embodiment is described as having a hollow cylindrical shape. However, the filter could also be substantially planar as described in the second and third embodiment. - The
fitment 1410 of the first embodiment as described above has ahandle 1490 that is attached to thebase 1411 of thefitment 1410 near the end which includes thefluid port 1450 and the pourspout 1460. However, the handle could alternatively be attached anywhere else on thefitment 1410. - The
canister 1100 is described as having twoledges 1161, one on the third side wall 1123 of thecanister 1100 and one on thefourth side wall 1124 of thecanister 1100. However, a ledge could also be provided on thetop end 1127 of thesecond side wall 1122, adjacent to theinterior surface 1128. The ledge on thesecond side wall 1122 could be provided in addition to, or in replacement of, theledges 1161 on the third side wall 1123 andfourth side wall 1124. - There are also several ways to empty the fluid in the
fluid chamber 1002, in addition to simply pouring the fluid out of the pourspout 1460 as described above. The user could also leave the pour spout cap 1552 in the pourspout 1460 and create a hole in the liner (e.g., by cutting, tearing, or any other method). The fluid may be poured out through this hole. If the user does not prefer to pour the fluid out of thefluid chamber 1002, an alternative method includes inserting a tube into thefluid chamber 1002 through the pourspout 1460, and connecting the tube to a pump that suctions the fluid out of thefluid chamber 1002. - A second embodiment of the
fluid collection system 2000 is shown inFIGS. 30-32 and may include acanister 2100, alid 2200, aliner 2310, afitment 2410, agland 2500, afilter 2560, and atether 2640. Together, thefitment 2410, thegland 2500 and thefilter 2560 form afitment assembly 2400, as shown inFIGS. 42-43 . Together, thefitment assembly 2400 and theliner 2310 form aliner assembly 2300, as shown inFIG. 38 . With respect to this embodiment, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom”, “above” and “below” are discussed as shown inFIG. 31 . - When the
fluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position as shown inFIGS. 30-31 , two chambers are formed: afluid chamber 2002 and aninterstitial chamber 2001. Thefluid chamber 2002 may be substantially enclosed by thefitment assembly 2400 and theliner 2310. Theinterstitial chamber 2001 may be substantially enclosed by thecanister 2100, thelid 2200, thefitment assembly 2400, and theliner 2310. Afilter 2560 in thefitment assembly 2400 may separate thefluid chamber 2002 from theinterstitial chamber 2001. -
FIGS. 34-35 show thecanister 2100 of the second embodiment, thecanister 2100 having abottom wall 2110, afirst side wall 2121, asecond side wall 2122, athird side wall 2123, and afourth side wall 2124. Thebottom wall 2110 has an interior surface 2112, anexterior surface 2113, and four ends 2111. Theside walls bottom end 2125, two side ends 2126, atop end 2127, aninterior surface 2128, and anexterior surface 2129. Thebottom end 2125 of each side wall is connected to anend 2111 of thebottom wall 2110. Eachside end 2126 of each side wall is connected to aside end 2126 of an adjacent side wall. - In embodiments of
canisters 2100 with four side walls, such as those shown inFIGS. 34-35 , thefirst side wall 2121 may be opposite thesecond side wall 2122 and adjacent to thethird side wall 2123 and thefourth side wall 2124, and thesecond side wall 2122 may also be adjacent to thethird side wall 2123 and thefourth side wall 2124. However, thecanister 2100 may be configured to have any number of side walls. - The
top end 2127 of thefirst side wall 2121 of thecanister 2100 may include anotch 2141. Although thenotch 2141 is shown in thecanister 2100 of the second embodiment, thenotch 2141 could alternatively be included in thelid 2200. Furthermore, a portion of thenotch 2141 could be included in thecanister 2100 and a portion of thenotch 2141 could be included in thelid 2200. - During use, the
exterior surface 2113 of thebottom wall 2110 and theexterior surface 2129 of theside walls bottom wall 2110 and theinterior surface 2128 of the side walls form a cavity 2130 in thecanister 2100. The cavity 2130 may have an open end such that thecanister 2100 has an opening 2131 opposite thebottom wall 2110. The top ends 2127 of theside walls canister 2100. - The
canister 2100 may include aninterstitial vacuum port 2170 having avacuum source end 2172 that opens on the exterior of thecanister 2100 and acavity end 2171 that opens into the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. InFIG. 35 , theinterstitial vacuum port 2170 is positioned on thesecond side wall 2122 of thecanister 2100. However, theinterstitial vacuum port 2170 could be positioned on any of theside walls canister 2100, or on thelid 2200. - The
fluid collection system 2000 also includes alid 2200 as shown inFIGS. 36-37 . Thelid 2200 has anupper wall 2210, afirst side wall 2221, asecond side wall 2222, athird side wall 2223, and afourth side wall 2224. Theupper wall 2210 of thelid 2200 has aninterior surface 2211, anexterior surface 2212, and four ends 2215. Theside walls bottom end 2227, a top end 2228, aninterior surface 2225 and anexterior surface 2226. The top end 2228 of each side wall is connected to an end 2215 of theupper wall 2210. Thelid 2200 may also have one ormore tabs 2230 on one or more of theside walls lid 2200. - An inner rib 2241 and an
outer rib 2242 may extend along thebottom end 2227 of theside walls canister 2200. The inner rib 2241 and theouter rib 2242 may be substantially parallel, and separated by agroove 2243 that also extends along thebottom end 2227 of theside walls ribs 2241, 2242 are not present along at least a portion 2244 of thebottom end 2227 of one or more of theside walls outer rib 2242 may be omitted from the lid. - In embodiments of
lids 2200 with four side walls, such as those shown inFIGS. 36-37 , thefirst side wall 2221 may be opposite thesecond side wall 2222 and adjacent to thethird side wall 2223 and thefourth side wall 2223, and thesecond side wall 2222 may also be adjacent to thethird side wall 2223 and thefourth side wall 2224. However, thelid 2200 may be configured to have any number of side walls. - The
lid 2200 may be placed over the opening 2131 of the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100 to partially close the opening 2131. When thelid 2200 is in a closed position, thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131. Thefirst side wall 2121 of thecanister 2100 mates with thefirst side wall 2221 of thelid 2200. Likewise, the second, third, andfourth side walls canister 2100 mate with the second, third, andfourth side walls lid 2200, respectively. Thebottom end 2227 of the side walls of thelid 2200 mate with thetop end 2127 of the side walls of thecanister 2100. More specifically, thetop end 2127 of the side walls of thecanister 2100 may be inserted into thegroove 2243 near thebottom end 2227 of the side walls of thelid 2200. - A sealing engagement around a portion of the opening 2131 of the
canister 2100 may be formed by one or more interference fits between thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200. Theinterior surface 2128 of the side walls of thecanister 2100 may have an interference fit with the exterior surface of the inner rib 2241 on the side walls of thelid 2200. Theexterior surface 2129 of the side walls of thecanister 2100 may have an interference fit with the interior surface of theouter rib 2242 on the side walls of thelid 2200. If theribs 2241, 2242 are not present, theinterior surface 2128 of the side walls of thecanister 2100 may have an interference fit with theexterior surface 2226 of the side walls of thelid 2200, or theexterior surface 2129 of the side walls of thecanister 2100 may have an interference fit with theinterior surface 2225 of the side walls of thelid 2200. - Although the
canister 2100 and thelid 2200 may be in sealing engagement around a portion of the opening 2131 of thecanister 2100, thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200 may define an aperture where thecanister 2100 andlid 2200 are not in sealing engagement. The aperture may be located at thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100. Thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100 may align with the portion of thebottom end 2227 of the side walls oflid 2200 along which the inner rib 2241 and theouter rib 2242 do not extend. The gap between thelid 2200 and thecanister 2100 at thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100 enables communication into and out of the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. - The
canister 2100 and thelid 2200 may optionally be coupled via atether 2640. If atether 2640 is used to couple thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200, apin 2153 may be included on theexterior surface 2129 of any of the side walls of thecanister 2100. Likewise, a pin may be included on theexterior surface 2226 of any of the side walls of thelid 2200. Thetether 2640 may be connected to thepin 2153 on thecanister 2100 and thepin 2253 on thelid 2200. Thepins canister 2100 and thelid 2200. - The
lid 2200 is moveable between a closed position shown inFIGS. 30-31 and an open position shown inFIG. 33 . In the closed position, thelid 2200 and thecanister 2100 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131. Theexterior surface 2212 of theupper wall 2210 is exposed to the environment and theinterior surface 2211 of theupper wall 2210 faces the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100 when thelid 2200 is in the closed position, as shown inFIGS. 30-31 . - In the open position, the
lid 2200 and thecanister 2100 are not in sealing engagement with one another. - The
fluid collection system 2000 also includes aliner assembly 2300 as shown inFIG. 38 . The liner assembly 2300 (i.e. fluid receptacle) includes aliner 2310 and afitment assembly 2400 which cooperate to substantially enclose afluid chamber 2002. - The
liner 2310 of the second embodiment is shown inFIG. 39 .FIG. 40 shows thebody 2311 of theliner 2310 before theliner 2310 is assembled. Thebody 2311 of theliner 2310 is made of a thin-walled material. Thebody 2311 has been folded along afold line 2314 to create afirst panel 2315 having four ends and a second panel 2316 having four ends. Thefirst panel 2315 and the second panel 2316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown inFIG. 41 . The remaining three ends of thefirst panel 2315 form afirst periphery 2317, and the remaining three ends of the second panel 2316 form asecond periphery 2318. Thefirst panel 2315 and the second panel 2316 are joined to one another by a seal 2319 extending along thefirst periphery 2317 and thesecond periphery 2318 as shown inFIG. 39 . The seal 2319 extends from the dashed line inFIG. 39 toward thefirst periphery 2317 and thesecond periphery 2318 of theliner 2310. The seal may be about ⅜″ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when theliner 2310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid. - The
liner 2310 of the second embodiment has anopening 2320 in thebody 2311 of theliner 2310. Theopening 2320 may be located on either thefirst panel 2315 or the second panel 2316. Theopening 2320 may be substantially circular, or could be any number of other shapes. Thebody 2311 has athird periphery 2321 at the edge of theopening 2320. Thegland 2500, described below, is configured to be inserted into theopening 2320 in thebody 2311 of theliner 2310. - As shown in
FIG. 31 , theliner 2310 is positioned in the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. Theliner 2310 has a canister-facingsurface 2312 and afluid chamber surface 2313. When theliner assembly 2300 is ready for use, theliner 2310 is oriented such that the canister-facingsurface 2312 is on the outside (and may face the interior surface 2112 of thebottom wall 2110 and theinterior surfaces 2128 of theside walls canister 2100 when inserted into the canister 2100) and thefluid chamber surface 2313 is on the inside. - A
fitment assembly 2400 of the second embodiment is shown inFIGS. 42-43 . Thefitment assembly 2400 includes afitment 2410, agland 2500, and afilter 2560. Thefitment assembly 2400 also includes twofluid ports 2450 and a fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 which may be located on thefitment 2410, as shown inFIG. 47 . - The
gland 2500 is shown inFIGS. 44-45 . Thegland 2500 has a disc-shapedbase 2501. Thebase 2501 has afirst surface 2502, asecond surface 2503, and anopening 2504. Arib 2505 protrudes from thefirst surface 2502 of thebase 2501 and surrounds theopening 2504. Therib 2505 has aninner surface 2506 facing theopening 2504 and anouter surface 2507 that faces away from theopening 2504. - The
gland 2500 and theliner 2310 are in sealing engagement with one another. Thegland 2500 and theliner 2310 are coupled by inserting therib 2505 of thegland 2500 into theopening 2320 in thebody 2311 of theliner 2310. Thefirst surface 2502 of thebase 2501 of thegland 2500 is in sealing engagement with thefluid chamber surface 2313 of theliner 2310 near thethird periphery 2321 surrounding theopening 2320 of theliner 2310. - The
fitment 2410 is shown inFIGS. 46-48 . Twofluid ports 2450 on thefitment 2410 allow fluid to enter and exit thefluid chamber 2002. A fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 on thefitment 2410 may allow a vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 2001 to be transmitted to thefluid chamber 2002. - The
fitment 2410 has abase 2411 having afluid chamber surface 2414 and anexterior surface 2415. When thefitment 2410 is positioned as shown inFIG. 31 , thefluid chamber surface 2414 of the base 2411 faces thesecond side wall 2122 of thecanister 2100, and theexterior surface 2415 of the base 2411 faces thefirst side wall 2121 of thecanister 2100. One ormore thumb tabs 2491 extend from thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410 to aid in removal of thefitment 2410 from thegland 2500. - A
first rib 2470 protrudes from thefluid chamber surface 2414 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410 and surrounds at least a portion of thefluid chamber surface 2414 of thebase 2411. Thefirst rib 2470 has aninner surface 2472 and anouter surface 2471. - A
protrusion 2420 extends from theexterior surface 2415 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410. Theprotrusion 2420 has anend wall 2427 connected to theexterior surface 2415 of thebase 2411 by anupper wall 2421, twoside walls 2424, and abottom wall 2428. Theupper wall 2421,side walls 2424,end wall 2427 andbottom wall 2428 each have an interior surface that forms part of the wall of thefluid chamber 2002, and an exterior surface that is exposed to the environment. - The
protrusion 2420 on thefitment 2410 has arib 2429 that projects outwardly from theprotrusion 2420. More specifically, therib 2429 projects from theupper wall 2421, theside walls 2424, and thebottom wall 2428 of theprotrusion 2420, and is substantially parallel to theexterior surface 2415 of thebase 2411. Agroove 2430 is formed between therib 2429 and theexterior surface 2415 of thebase 2411. - The
fitment 2410 may also include afilter guard 2480 that protects thefilter 2560 from accidental splashing, which could result in the same issues discussed with the first embodiment. In addition, thefilter guard 2480 of the second embodiment also holds thefilter 2560 in place within thefitment 2410. Thefilter guard 2480 extends from afirst end 2488 at thefluid chamber surface 2414 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410 to asecond end 2489 opposite thefirst end 2488. Thefilter guard 2480 has anupper wall 2483, abottom wall 2484, and twoside walls 2485 which extend from thefluid chamber surface 2414 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410. - The
filter guard 2480 includes features to hold thefilter 2560 in place.Filter support ribs 2486 are positioned within thefilter guard 2480 and extend from thefluid chamber surface 2414 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410 in the area substantially enclosed by theupper wall 2483,bottom wall 2484, and twoside walls 2485. Afilter retaining rib 2487 protrudes inwardly from theupper wall 2483, thebottom wall 2484, and the twoside walls 2485 of thefilter guard 2480. During use, thesecond end 2489 of thefilter guard 2480 opens into thefluid chamber 2002. When thefitment 2410 is positioned as shown inFIG. 31 , thefilter guard 2480 is positioned below thefluid ramp 2453. Therefore, thefilter 2560 is positioned below thefluid ports 2450 which eliminates the need for a fluid port check valve for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment. - A sealing engagement is formed between the
fitment 2410 and thegland 2500, as shown inFIG. 43 . Thefitment 2410 and thegland 2500 are coupled by mating thefirst rib 2470 of thefitment 2410 with therib 2505 of thegland 2500. Theinner surface 2506 of therib 2505 of thegland 2500 may have an interference fit with theouter surface 2471 of thefirst rib 2470 of thefitment 2410 to create the sealing engagement between thefitment 2410 and thegland 2500. - When moving the
fluid collection system 2000 to the closed position, theprotrusion 2420 of thefitment 2410 may be inserted into thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100 before thelid 2200 is closed. Thebottom wall 2428 and theside walls 2424 of theprotrusion 2420 are in sealing engagement with thenotch 2141 on thecanister 2100. Theupper wall 2421 of theprotrusion 2420 is in sealing engagement with thebottom end 2227 of thefirst side wall 2221 of thelid 2200. Specifically, thebottom end 2227 of thefirst side wall 2221 of thelid 2200 may be inserted into thegroove 2430 on theupper wall 2421 of theprotrusion 2420, and the edges of thenotch 2141 on thecanister 2100 are inserted into thegroove 2430 on theside walls 2424 and thebottom wall 2428 of theprotrusion 2420 of thefitment 2410. Thefitment assembly 2400 may have a sealing surface that seals to one or more of thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200. Thegroove 2430 of thefitment 2410 may be a sealing surface that allows thefitment assembly 2400 to seal to thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200. - The
canister 2100, thelid 2200, and thefitment 2410 are in sealing engagement when thefluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200 are in sealing engagement with one another around a portion of the opening 2131 of thecanister 2100. However, thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200 are not in sealing engagement at thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100. Thefitment 2410 form a seal with thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200. The fitment may form a seal with thecanister 2100 near thenotch 2141. Thefitment 2410 is sealingly engaged to at least thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100, and to a portion of thelid 2200. Together, thefitment assembly 2400 and thelid 2200 substantially close the opening 2131 in thecanister 2100. - An
interstitial chamber 2001 is formed when thefluid collection system 2000 is in the closed position, as shown inFIG. 31 . Theinterstitial chamber 2001 is the space substantially enclosed by thecanister 2100, theliner 2310, thelid 2200, and thefitment assembly 2400. In order to enable theinterstitial chamber 2001 to maintain vacuum pressure, thecanister 2100 may be in sealing engagement with thelid 2200 and thefitment 2410, thelid 2200 may be in sealing engagement with thefitment 2410, thefitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with thegland 2500, and thegland 2500 may be in sealing engagement with theliner 2310. Preferably, theliner 2310 may be sealingly engaged with thegland 2500 during the manufacturing process. Additionally, thefitment 2410 may be sealingly engaged with thegland 2500 during the manufacturing process. If the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 uses a pass-through design, thefilter 2560 may also be in sealing engagement with thefitment 2410 to substantially enclose theinterstitial chamber 2001, and thefilter 2560 may separate theinterstitial chamber 2001 and thefluid chamber 2002. - When a vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 2001, theliner 2310 expands in the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. The canister-facingsurface 2312 of theliner 2310 may be drawn toward thebottom wall 2110 and theside walls canister 2100. Avacuum source 2700, such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum. The vacuum is communicated to theinterstitial chamber 2001 by coupling thevacuum source 2700 to thevacuum source end 2172 of theinterstitial vacuum port 2170. - The
fitment 2410 includes twofluid ports 2450 that allow fluid to enter thefluid chamber 2002. Eachfluid port 2450 includes an opening in theupper wall 2421 of theprotrusion 2420. Thepatient end 2451 of eachfluid port 2450 may protrude from the upper surface 2422 of theupper wall 2421 of theprotrusion 2420, such that a patient tube may be connected to thepatient end 2451 of thefluid port 2450. Thefluid chamber end 2452 of eachfluid port 2450 opens proximate thelower surface 2423 of theupper wall 2421. - The
fluid chamber end 2452 of bothfluid ports 2450 open into afluid ramp 2453. Thefluid ramp 2453 extends from afirst end 2454 proximate theend wall 2427 of theprotrusion 2420 to asecond end 2455 that opens within therib 2470. A portion of the bottom wall of thefluid ramp 2453 may be formed by one or more of theupper wall 2483 of thefilter guard 2480 and thebottom wall 2428 of theprotrusion 2420. During use, fluid enters thefirst end 2454 of thefluid ramp 2453 from thefluid ports 2450 and travels along thefluid ramp 2453 to thesecond end 2455, where it enters thefluid chamber 2002. - As discussed in the first embodiment, the second embodiment may optionally include a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the
fluid port 2450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through thefluid port 2450. However, because thefilter 2560 is positioned below thefluid ports 2450, a fluid port check valve is not needed for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment. - The
fitment 2410 includes a fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 through which a vacuum is applied to thefluid chamber 2002. The fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 may preferably be an opening in thefitment 2410 that extends between thefirst rib 2470 of thefitment 2410 and thebottom wall 2484 of thefilter guard 2480, and allows gas to move between thefluid chamber 2002 and theinterstitial chamber 2001. The fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 has afluid chamber end 2441 located on thebottom wall 2484 of thefilter guard 2480. Aninterstitial chamber end 2442 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 opens on thefirst rib 2470 of thefitment 2410. Preferably, theinterstitial chamber end 2442 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 opens in an area of thefirst rib 2470 that will not be closed by thegland 2500 when thegland 2500 and thefitment 2410 are sealingly engaged. - The
vacuum source 2700 is connected to theinterstitial chamber 2001, resulting in a reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 2001. The reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 2001 may cause air from thefluid chamber 2002 to pass through the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 and into theinterstitial chamber 2001, thereby creating a vacuum in thefluid chamber 2002. In this pass-through configuration, thefluid chamber 2002 is upstream of theinterstitial chamber 2001. The pass-through configuration may be preferred over other configurations where the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 is independently connected to thevacuum source 2700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to thefluid chamber 2002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluidchamber vacuum ports 2440 may be used. - A
filter 2560 shown inFIG. 43 is coupled to the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440. Similar to the filter of the first embodiment, thefilter 2560 of the second embodiment has two purposes: removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from air flowing toward thevacuum source 2700, and acting as a vacuum shut-off. The materials used to make the filter in the first embodiment may also be used for the filter of the second embodiment. However, thefilter 2560 of the second embodiment is square shaped and substantially planar, having two opposing surfaces: anupstream surface 2561 and adownstream surface 2562. - The
filter 2560 is inserted into thefilter guard 2480 of thefitment 2410. Thedownstream surface 2562 of thefilter 2560 may be in communication with theinterstitial chamber 2001 and thevacuum source 2700, and rests on thefilter support ribs 2486 within thefilter guard 2480. Theupstream surface 2561 of thefilter 2560 is in communication with thefluid chamber 2002 and is held in place by thefilter retaining rib 2487. The periphery of thefilter 2560 may be in sealing engagement with thefilter retaining rib 2487, or theupper wall 2483, thebottom wall 2484, and theside walls 2485 of thefilter guard 2480, or combinations thereof. During use, air may move through thefilter 2560 in a downstream direction, from thefluid chamber 2002, through thefilter 2560, and toward the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440, theinterstitial chamber 2001, and thevacuum source 2700. - For the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment, any
unused fluid ports 2450 in the second embodiment should be capped during the procedure. In the second embodiment, thefluid port caps 2551 may be connected to or integrally molded with thefitment 2410. Eachfluid port cap 2551 is connected to theprotrusion 2420 on thefitment 2410 by abridge 2553. - The open position of the
fluid collection system 2000 is shown inFIG. 33 . Thelid 2200 is in the open position, and is not sealingly engaged with thecanister 2100. InFIG. 33 , theliner assembly 2300 has not yet been inserted into thecanister 2100. When theliner assembly 2300 is inserted into thecanister 2100, theliner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100 and thefitment 2410 is inserted into thenotch 2141 of thecanister 2100. - The closed position of the
fluid collection system 2000 is shown inFIGS. 30-31 . Theliner assembly 2300 may be inserted into thecanister 2100, such that theliner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100 and thefitment 2410 is inserted into thenotch 2141 of thecanister 2100. Thelid 2200 may be in the closed position, and thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thefitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with thecanister 2100 and thelid 2200. Thefitment 2410 may be in sealing engagement with thegland 2500 and thefilter 2560. Thegland 2500 may be in sealing engagement with theliner 2310. Thus, theinterstitial chamber 2001 may be sealed such that vacuum applied via theinterstitial vacuum port 2170 is substantially maintained. - When using the
fluid collection system 2000, thelid 2200 begins in the open position as shown inFIG. 33 . The user then inserts theliner assembly 2300 into thecanister 2100. Thefitment 2410 is inserted into thenotch 2141 of thecanister 2100 so that theprotrusion 2420 on thefitment 2410 rests in thenotch 2141 of thecanister 2100. The sides of thenotch 2141 are inserted into thegroove 2430 formed between therib 2429 on theprotrusion 2420 of thefitment 2410 and theexterior surface 2415 of thebase 2411 of thefitment 2410. At the same time, theliner 2310 is positioned within the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. - Next, the
fluid collection system 2000 is moved to the closed position as shown inFIGS. 30-31 . Thelid 2200 is moved to a closed position and theinterstitial chamber 2001 is formed. A patient tube is connected to thepatient end 2451 of thefluid port 2450 on thefitment 2410. Anyunused fluid ports 2450 are capped. - Vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 2001. A first method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 2001 is by physically connecting thevacuum source 2700 to the interstitial vacuum port 2170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit). A second method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 2001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with thevacuum source 2700, such that the tube or other conduit between thevacuum source 2700 and theinterstitial vacuum port 2170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of theinterstitial chamber 2001 through theinterstitial vacuum port 2170 and toward thevacuum source 2700. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 2001 may cause theliner 2310 to expand and at least partially conform to the interior surface 2112 of thebottom wall 2110 and theinterior surface 2128 of theside walls canister 2100. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 2001 may also draw air out of thefluid chamber 2002 through the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440. Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both theinterstitial chamber 2001 and thefluid chamber 2002. - Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through the
fluid port 2450 and thefluid ramp 2453, and into thefluid chamber 2002 where the fluid is collected. If thefluid chamber 2002 reaches its capacity (the fluid level in thefluid chamber 2002 rises high enough to saturate theupstream surface 2561 of the filter 2560), the vacuum to thefluid chamber 2002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to theinterstitial chamber 2001 by theinterstitial vacuum port 2170. - When the user is ready to remove the
liner assembly 2300 from the canister 2100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when thefluid chamber 2002 reaches its capacity), thevacuum source 2700 is physically disconnected from theinterstitial vacuum port 2170, or thevacuum source 2700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to theinterstitial chamber 2001, and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluidchamber vacuum port 2440 to thefluid chamber 2002. Thelid 2200 is moved to the open position. Theliner assembly 2300 is removed from thecanister 2100 by sliding thefitment 2410 out of thenotch 2141 in thecanister 2100, and removing theliner 2310 from the cavity 2130 of thecanister 2100. - The fluid may then be removed from the
fluid chamber 2002. Thefitment 2410 may be removed from thegland 2500, allowing thegland 2500 to be used as a pour spout. Thethumb tabs 2491 on thefitment 2410 may be used to assist in removal of thefitment 2410 from thegland 2500. Thegland 2500 has a dual functionality by both connecting thefitment 2410 to theliner 2310, and acting as a pour spout to allow fluid to be removed from thefluid chamber 2002. Fluid is poured out of thefluid chamber 2002 through thegland 2500. Theliner assembly 2300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques. - A third embodiment of the
fluid collection system 3000 is shown inFIGS. 49-52 and may include acanister 3100, alid 3200, a liner 3310 (not shown inFIG. 52 ), afitment 3410, agland 3500, afilter 3560, and twoconnectors 3630. Together, thefitment 3410, thegland 3500, and thefilter 3560 form afitment assembly 3400, as shown inFIGS. 65-67 . Together, thefitment assembly 3400 and theliner 3310 form aliner assembly 3300, as shown inFIGS. 60-61 . With respect to this embodiment, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “below” are discussed as shown inFIG. 50 . - When the
fluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position as shown inFIGS. 49-50 , two chambers are formed: afluid chamber 3002 and aninterstitial chamber 3001. Thefluid chamber 3002 may be substantially enclosed by theliner 3310 and thefitment assembly 3400. Theinterstitial chamber 3001 may be substantially enclosed by thecanister 3100, thelid 3200, theliner 3310, and thefitment assembly 3400. Afilter 3560 in thefitment assembly 3400 may separate thefluid chamber 3002 from theinterstitial chamber 3001. -
FIGS. 53-54 show thecanister 3100 of the third embodiment, thecanister 3100 having abottom wall 3110 and a cylindrical side wall 3120. The bottom wall has aninterior surface 3112, anexterior surface 3113, and an end 3111. The side wall 3120 has aninterior surface 3128, anexterior surface 3129, abottom end 3125, and atop end 3127. Thebottom end 3125 of the side wall 3120 is connected to the end 3111 of thebottom wall 3110. - During use, the
exterior surface 3113 of thebottom wall 3110 and theexterior surface 3129 of the side wall 3120 are exposed to the environment. Theinterior surface 3112 of thebottom wall 3110 and theinterior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 cooperate to form a cavity 3130. The cavity 3130 may have an open end such that thecanister 3100 has anopening 3131 opposite thebottom wall 3110. Thetop end 3127 of the side wall 3120 may surround theopening 3131 of the cavity 3130, and may form the open end of thecanister 3100. Theopening 3131 may lie in the same plane as thetop end 3127 of the side wall 3120. Thebottom wall 3110 may have anindentation 3114 that extends from theinterior surface 3112 of thebottom wall 3110 into the cavity 3130. - The
canister 3100 may include aninterstitial vacuum port 3170 having avacuum source end 3172 that opens on the exterior of thecanister 3100 and acavity end 3171 that opens into the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. InFIG. 53 , theinterstitial vacuum port 3170 is positioned on the side wall 3120 of thecanister 3100. However, theinterstitial vacuum port 3170 could also be positioned on thelid 3200. - The
fluid collection system 3000 also includes alid 3200 as shown inFIGS. 55-57 . Thelid 3200 has anupper wall 3210 and aside wall 3220. Theupper wall 3210 of thelid 3200 has anexterior surface 3212, aninterior surface 3211, and anend 3215. Theside wall 3220 has abottom end 3227, atop end 3228, aninterior surface 3225, and anexterior surface 3226. Thebottom end 3227 of theside wall 3220 is connected to theend 3215 of theupper wall 3210. When thelid 3200 is in a closed position, theexterior surface 3212 of theupper wall 3210 is exposed to the environment and theinterior surface 3211 of theupper wall 3210 faces the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100, as shown inFIGS. 49-50 . - An
opening 3213 is included in theupper wall 3210 of thelid 3200. The opening has aninner surface 3214. Thelid 3200 may be placed over theopening 3131 of the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100 to partially close theopening 3131 of the cavity 3130. Theopening 3213 in theupper wall 3210 of thelid 3200 enables communication into and out of the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. - An
annular rib 3216 extends from theinterior surface 3211 of theupper wall 3210. The annular rib has aninterior surface 3217 on the inner diameter of therib 3216, and anexterior surface 3218 on the outer diameter of therib 3216. Therib 3216 surrounds theopening 3213 in thelid 3200, and theside wall 3220 surrounds therib 3216. Therib 3216, theside wall 3220, and theopening 3213 may be concentric circles. Agroove 3219 is formed by theinterior surface 3225 of theside wall 3220, theinterior surface 3211 of theupper wall 3210, and theexterior surface 3218 of therib 3216. - When the
lid 3200 is in a closed position, thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200 are in sealing engagement with one another. Thetop end 3127 of the side wall 3120 of thecanister 3100 is inserted into thegroove 3219 in thelid 3200. An interference fit may be formed between theexterior surface 3218 of therib 3216 on thelid 3200 and theinterior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 of thecanister 3100 to create sealing engagement between thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200. Together, thegroove 3219 on thelid 3200 and thetop end 3127 of the side wall 3120 cooperate to enable sealing engagement between thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200. -
Connectors 3630 shown inFIGS. 58-59 may optionally be used to couple thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200. Theconnector 3630 is an elongated element extending from afirst end 3631 to asecond end 3632. Afirst opening 3633 may be located near thefirst end 3631, and asecond opening 3635 may extend from an area near thesecond end 3632 toward thefirst end 3631 to form a track. Thesecond opening 3635 may be substantially longer than thefirst opening 3633. Thefirst opening 3633 may have aninterior surface 3634, and thesecond opening 3635 may have aninterior surface 3636. Tworibs 3637 may extend from theinterior surface 3636 of thesecond opening 3635 of theconnector 3630, near thesecond end 3632. - If
connectors 3630 are used to couple thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200, one ormore pins 3153 may be included on thecanister 3100, and one ormore pins 3253 may also be included on thelid 3200. Twoprotrusions 3142 may be located on theexterior surface 3129 of the side wall 3120 of thecanister 3100. Theprotrusions 3142 may be located on opposite sides of thecanister 3100. Ashort rib 3143 and along rib 3144 extend from theprotrusion 3142 and oriented in a direction that is parallel to a line extending from thebottom end 3125 of the side wall 3120 toward thetop end 3127 of the side wall 3120. Thepin 3153 may be located between theshort rib 3143 and thelong rib 3144 on eachprotrusion 3142. Likewise, one ormore pins 3253 may be located on theexterior surface 3226 of theside wall 3220 of thelid 3200. Ifconnectors 3630 are not used to couple thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200, thepins protrusions 3142, and theribs - If
connectors 3630 are used to couple thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200, eachpin 3153 on thecanister 3100 may be inserted into thesecond opening 3635 on one of theconnectors 3630. Eachpin 3253 on thelid 3200 may be inserted into thefirst opening 3633 on one of theconnectors 3630. Thepins 3153 on thecanister 3100 are free to slide along the length of thesecond opening 3635. Thepins 3253 in thelid 3200 are free to rotate within thefirst opening 3633. - The
lid 3200 is moveable between a closed position shown inFIGS. 49-50 and an open position shown inFIG. 52 . In the closed position, thelid 3200 and thecanister 3100 are in sealing engagement with one another, and thelid 3200 partially closes theopening 3131 of thecanister 3100. Together, thefitment assembly 3400 and thelid 3200 cooperate to substantially close theopening 3131 in thecanister 3100. Moving thelid 3200 to the closed position may cause thepins 3153 on thecanister 3100 to slide from thesecond end 3632 of theconnector 3630 toward thefirst end 3631 of theconnector 3630. In the open position, thelid 3200 and thecanister 3100 are not in sealing engagement with one another, and thelid 3200 does not cover theopening 3131 of thecanister 3100. Moving thelid 3200 to the open position may cause thepins 3153 on thecanister 3100 to slide from thefirst end 3631 of theconnector 3630 toward thesecond end 3632 of theconnector 3630. The lid may be held in the open position by sliding thepins 3153 on thecanister 3100 over theribs 3637 in thesecond opening 3635 of theconnector 3630. - The
fluid collection system 3000 also includes aliner assembly 3300 as shown inFIGS. 60-61 . The liner assembly 3300 (i.e. fluid receptacle) includes aliner 3310 and afitment assembly 3400 which cooperate to substantially enclose afluid chamber 3002. - The
liner 3310 of the third embodiment is shown inFIGS. 62 .FIG. 63 shows thebody 3311 of theliner 3310 before theliner 3310 is assembled. Thebody 3311 of theliner 3310 is made of a thin-walled material. Thebody 3311 has been folded along afold line 3314 to create afirst panel 3315 having four ends and asecond panel 3316 having four ends. Thefirst panel 3315 and thesecond panel 3316 are joined along one end by the fold, as shown inFIG. 64 . The remaining three ends of thefirst panel 3315 form afirst periphery 3317, and the remaining three ends of thesecond panel 3316 form asecond periphery 3318. Thefirst panel 3315 and thesecond panel 3316 are joined to one another by aseal 3319 extending along thefirst periphery 3317 and thesecond periphery 3318 as shown inFIG. 62 . Theseal 3319 extends from the dashed line inFIG. 62 toward thefirst periphery 3317 and thesecond periphery 3318 of theliner 3310. The seal may be about ⅜″ wide, or may have a different width as long as an appropriate seal strength is maintained when theliner 3310 is exposed to vacuum and/or contains fluid. - The
liner 3310 of the third embodiment has anopening 3320 in thebody 3311 of theliner 3310, such that thefold line 3314 passes through theopening 3320. Theopening 3320 in thebody 3311 of theliner 3310 may be substantially circular, or could be any number of other shapes. Thebody 3311 has athird periphery 3321 at the edge of theopening 3320. Thegland 3500, described below, is configured to be inserted into theopening 3320 in thebody 3311 of theliner 3310. - As shown in
FIG. 50 , theliner 3310 is positioned in the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. Theliner 3310 has a canister-facingsurface 3312 and afluid chamber surface 3313, as shown inFIG. 64 . When theliner assembly 3300 is ready for use, theliner 3310 is oriented such that the canister-facingsurface 3312 is on the outside (and may be facing theinterior surface 3112 of thebottom wall 3110 and theinterior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 when inserted into the canister 3100) and thefluid chamber surface 3313 is on the inside. - The
fitment assembly 3400 of the third embodiment is shown inFIGS. 65-67 . Thefitment assembly 3400 includes afitment 3410, agland 3500, and afilter 3560. Thefitment assembly 3400 also includes twofluid ports 3450 and a fluidchamber vacuum port 3540. Thefluid ports 3450 may be located on thefitment 3410, and the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 may be located on thegland 3500. - The
gland 3500 is shown inFIGS. 68-70 . Thegland 3500 has a base 3501 shaped like a disc. Thebase 3501 has afirst surface 3502 and asecond surface 3503. Aprotrusion 3510 extends from thefirst surface 3502 of thebase 3501. Theprotrusion 3510 has anupper wall 3511 with anupper surface 3512 and alower surface 3513, and aside wall 3515 with aninterior surface 3516 and anexterior surface 3517. Theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 is shown as having a series of steps, but could also be one continuous wall extending from thebase 3501 to theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510. - An
opening 3514 extends between theupper surface 3512 and thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 of thegland 3500. Arib 3505 extends from thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 and surrounds theopening 3514. Therib 3505 has aninner surface 3506 on the inner diameter of therib 3505, and anouter surface 3507 on the outer diameter of therib 3505. - In the third embodiment, the
gland 3500 includes the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 which may allow a vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 3001 to be transmitted to thefluid chamber 3002. The fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 is an opening in theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 of thegland 3500 that may allow gas to move between thefluid chamber 3002 and theinterstitial chamber 3001. The fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 has afluid chamber end 3541 on aninterior surface 3516 of theside wall 3515, and aninterstitial chamber end 3542 on anexterior surface 3517 of theside wall 3515. - The
gland 3500 may also include a filter guard that protects thefilter 3560 from accidental splashing, as discussed with the first embodiment. In addition, the filter guard of the third embodiment also holds thefilter 3560 in place within thegland 3500. The filter guard is formed by a portion of theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510, a portion of therib 3505, and twofilter sealing ribs 3521. Thefilter sealing ribs 3521 and extend between theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 and therib 3505, and extend from thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510 toward thebase 3501 of thegland 3500. - The filter guard includes features to hold the
filter 3560 in place.Filter support ribs 3522 are positioned within the filter guard. Thefilter support ribs 3522, like thefilter sealing ribs 3521, extend between theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 and therib 3505, and extend from thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510 toward thebase 3501 of thegland 3500. However, thefilter sealing ribs 3521 extend closer to thebase 3501 of thegland 3500 than thefilter support ribs 3522 do.Filter retaining ribs 3523 are positioned on theinterior surface 3516 of theside wall 3515 near thebase 3501. - The
filter sealing ribs 3521 may extend from the from thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510 to thefilter retaining ribs 3523, or may even extend beyond thefilter retaining ribs 3523. Thefilter support ribs 3522 may extend from thelower surface 3513 of theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510, although they may not extend to thefilter retaining ribs 3523. Onefilter sealing rib 3521 may be on one side of the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540, and anotherfilter sealing rib 3521 may be at the opposite side of the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540. Thefluid chamber end 3541 of the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 is contained within the filter guard. Thefilter 3560 is positioned below thefluid ports 3450 on thefitment 3410 which eliminates the need for a fluid port check valve for the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment. - Two or
more latches 3530 extend from theupper surface 3512 of theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510. Twolatches 3530 are shown inFIG. 68 , but any number of latches may be used. Eachlatch 3530 has alower end 3531, anupper end 3532, aninner surface 3533 and anouter surface 3534. Thelower end 3531 of eachlatch 3530 is connected to theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510. Theinner surface 3533 of eachlatch 3530 faces theopening 3514, and theouter surface 3534 of eachlatch 3530 faces away from theopening 3514. Eachlatch 3530 has aramp 3536 extending from theupper end 3532 of thelatch 3530 toward thelower end 3531. Aledge 3535 is positioned at the bottom of theramp 3536, theledge 3535 being substantially parallel to theupper wall 3511 of theprotrusion 3510. Latches also may be included on the lid in place of, or in addition to, thelatches 3530 on thefitment assembly 3400. - The
vacuum source 3700 is connected to theinterstitial chamber 3001, resulting in a reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 3001. The reduced pressure in theinterstitial chamber 3001 may cause air from thefluid chamber 3002 to pass through the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 and into theinterstitial chamber 3001, thereby creating a vacuum in thefluid chamber 3002. In this pass-through configuration, thefluid chamber 3002 is upstream of theinterstitial chamber 3001. The pass-through configuration may be preferred to other configurations where the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 is independently connected to thevacuum source 3700 because the user does not need to connect a vacuum tube to thefluid chamber 3002 during each procedure. However, either configuration of fluidchamber vacuum ports 3540 may be used. - A
filter 3560 shown inFIG. 66 is coupled to the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540. Similar to the filter of the first embodiment, thefilter 3560 of the third embodiment has two purposes: removing bacteria, particulates and other solid matter from air flowing toward thevacuum source 3700, and acting as a vacuum shut-off. The materials used to make the filter in the first embodiment may also be used for the filter of the third embodiment. However, thefilter 3560 of the third embodiment is arc shaped, and substantially planar having two opposing surfaces: anupstream surface 3561 and adownstream surface 3562. - The
filter 3560 is inserted into the filter guard of thegland 3500. Thedownstream surface 3562 of thefilter 3560 may be in communication with theinterstitial chamber 3001 and thevacuum source 3700, and rests on thefilter support ribs 3522 within the filter guard. Theupstream surface 3561 of thefilter 3560 is in communication with thefluid chamber 3002 and is held in place by thefilter retaining ribs 3523. The periphery of thefilter 3560 is in sealing engagement with theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510, therib 3505, and thefilter sealing ribs 3521. During use, air may move through thefilter 3560 in a downstream direction, from thefluid chamber 3002, through thefilter 3560, and toward the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540, theinterstitial chamber 3001, and thevacuum source 3700. - The
gland 3500 and theliner 3310 are in sealing engagement with one another. Thegland 3500 and theliner 3310 are coupled by inserting theprotrusion 3510 of thegland 3500 into theopening 3320 in thebody 3311 of theliner 3310. Thefirst surface 3502 of thebase 3501 of thegland 3500 is in sealing engagement with thefluid chamber surface 3313 of theliner 3310 at thethird periphery 3321 surrounding theopening 3320 of theliner 3310. - The
fitment 3410 is shown inFIGS. 71-72 . The fitment has abase 3411 having anupper surface 3412 and alower surface 3413. When thefitment 3410 is positioned as shown inFIG. 50 , thelower surface 3413 of thefitment 3410 faces thebottom wall 3110 of thecanister 3100, and theupper surface 3412 of thefitment 3410 is exposed to the environment. - A
first rib 3470 protrudes from thelower surface 3413 of thebase 3411 of thefitment 3410 and surrounds at least a portion of thelower surface 3413 of thebase 3411. Thefirst rib 3470 has aninner surface 3472 and anouter surface 3471. - The
fitment 3410 includes afluid port 3450 that allows fluid to enter thefluid chamber 3002. Thefluid port 3450 is an opening that extends from theupper surface 3412 of the base 3411 to thelower surface 3413 of thebase 3411. Thepatient end 3451 of thefluid port 3450 protrudes from theupper surface 3412 of thebase 3411, such that a patient tube may be connected to thepatient end 3451 of thefluid port 3450. Afluid chamber end 3452 of thefluid port 3450 opens proximate thelower surface 3413 of thebase 3411. Thefluid chamber end 3452 of thefluid port 3450 may be an opening in thebase 3411, or it may protrude from thelower surface 3413 of thebase 3411. Fluid flows from the patient tube and through thefluid port 3450 on thefitment 3410 before entering thefluid chamber 3002. - As discussed in the first embodiment, the third embodiment may optionally include a fluid port check valve (not shown) coupled to the
fluid port 3450 to allow one-directional flow of fluid through thefluid port 3450. - The
fitment 3410 and thegland 3500 are coupled by mating therib 3470 of thefitment 3410 with therib 3505 of thegland 3500, such that theinner surface 3506 of therib 3505 of thegland 3500 may have an interference fit with theouter surface 3471 of thefirst rib 3470 of thefitment 3410. - When moving the
fluid collection system 3000 to the closed position, thelatches 3530 on thegland 3500 are inserted into theopening 3213 in thelid 3200. Theledge 3535 of eachlatch 3530 rests on theexterior surface 3212 of theupper wall 3210 of thelid 3200, thereby connecting thefitment assembly 3400 to thelid 3200. An interference fit between theinner surface 3214 of theopening 3213 of thelid 3200 and theexterior surface 3517 of theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 on thegland 3500 may create sealing engagement between thelid 3200 and thegland 3500. Therefore, thefitment assembly 3400 may have a sealing surface that seals to thelid 3200. In some embodiments, theexterior surface 3517 of theside wall 3515 of theprotrusion 3510 on thegland 3500 may form the sealing surface of thefitment assembly 3400 that allows thefitment assembly 3400 to seal to thelid 3200. - The
canister 3100, thelid 3200 and thegland 3500 of thefitment assembly 3400 are in sealing engagement when thefluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position. As discussed above, thelid 3200 is sealingly engaged with thecanister 3100. Thegland 3500 of thefitment assembly 3400 is sealingly engaged with thelid 3200. Together, thefitment assembly 3400 and thelid 3200 cooperate to substantially close theopening 3131 in thecanister 3100. - For the same reasons discussed in the first embodiment, any unused fluid ports in the third embodiment should be capped during the procedure. In the third embodiment, the
fluid port caps 3551 are connected to or integrally molded with thefitment 3410. Eachfluid port cap 3551 is connected to thebase 3411 of thefitment 3410 by abridge 3553. - An
interstitial chamber 3001 is formed when thefluid collection system 3000 is in the closed position, as shown in 50. Theinterstitial chamber 3001 is the space substantially enclosed by thecanister 3100, theliner 3310, thelid 3200 and thefitment assembly 3400. In order to enable theinterstitial chamber 3001 to maintain vacuum pressure, thecanister 3100 may be in sealing engagement with thelid 3200, thelid 3200 may be in sealing engagement with thegland 3500, and thegland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with theliner 3310. Preferably, theliner 3310 may be sealingly engaged with thegland 3500 during the manufacturing process. If the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 uses a pass-through design, thefilter 3560 may also be in sealing engagement with thegland 3500 to substantially enclose theinterstitial chamber 3001, and thefilter 3560 may separate theinterstitial chamber 3001 and thefluid chamber 3002. - When a vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 3001, theliner 3310 expands in the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. The canister-facingsurface 3312 of theliner 3310 may at least partially conform to thebottom wall 3110 and theside walls 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124 of thecanister 3100. Avacuum source 3700, such as a vacuum pump, is used to provide a vacuum. The vacuum is communicated to theinterstitial chamber 3001 by coupling thevacuum source 3700 to thevacuum source end 3172 of theinterstitial vacuum port 3170. - The open position of the
fluid collection system 3000 is shown inFIG. 52 . Thelid 3200 is in the open position, and is not sealingly engaged with thecanister 3100. Theliner 3310 is not shown inFIG. 52 . - The closed position of the
fluid collection system 3000 is shown inFIGS. 49-50 . Thelid 3200 is in the closed position. Theliner assembly 3300 may be inserted into thecanister 3100, such that theliner 3310 is positioned within the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100 and thegland 3500 is inserted into theopening 3213 on thelid 3200. Thecanister 3100 and thelid 3200 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thelid 3200 and thegland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with one another. Thegland 3500 may be in sealing engagement with theliner 3310, thefitment 3410, and thefilter 3560. Thus, theinterstitial chamber 3001 is formed. - When using the
fluid collection system 3000, thelid 3200 begins in the open position as shown inFIG. 52 . The user then inserts theliner assembly 3300 into thecanister 3100. Thefitment assembly 3400 is inserted into theopening 3213 on thelid 3200, such that thelatches 3530 on thegland 3500 couple thefitment assembly 3400 to thelid 3200. At the same time, theliner 3310 is positioned within the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. - Next, the
fluid collection system 3000 is moved to a closed position as shown inFIGS. 49-50 . Thelid 3200 is moved to a closed position and theinterstitial chamber 3001 is formed. A patient tube is connected to thepatient end 3451 of thefluid port 3450 on thefitment 3410. Any unused ports are capped. - Vacuum is applied to the
interstitial chamber 3001. A first method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 3001 is by physically connecting thevacuum source 3700 to the interstitial vacuum port 3170 (e.g., connecting a tube or other conduit). A second method for applying the vacuum to theinterstitial chamber 3001 is by adjusting a regulator or on/off valve associated with thevacuum source 3700, such that the tube or other conduit between thevacuum source 3700 and theinterstitial vacuum port 3170 may remain connected between procedures. Air is drawn out of theinterstitial chamber 3001 through theinterstitial vacuum port 3170 and toward thevacuum source 3700. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 3001 may cause theliner 3310 to expand and at least partially conform to theinterior surface 3112 of thebottom wall 3110 and theinterior surface 3128 of the side wall 3120 of thecanister 3100. The vacuum in theinterstitial chamber 3001 may also draw air out of thefluid chamber 3002 through the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540. Therefore, a vacuum may be applied to both theinterstitial chamber 3001 and thefluid chamber 3002. - The reduced pressure in the
fluid chamber 3002 creates a vacuum in thefluid chamber 3002. Fluid from the patient flows along the patient tube, through thefluid port 3450, and into thefluid chamber 3002 where the fluid is collected. If thefluid chamber 3002 reaches its capacity (the fluid level in thefluid chamber 3002 rises high enough to saturate theupstream surface 3561 of the filter 3560), the vacuum to thefluid chamber 3002 is shut off, even though vacuum may still be applied to theinterstitial chamber 3001 by theinterstitial vacuum port 3170. - When the user is ready to remove the
liner assembly 3300 from the canister 3100 (for example, at the end of a procedure or when thefluid chamber 3002 reaches its capacity), thevacuum source 3700 is physically disconnected from theinterstitial vacuum port 3170, or thevacuum source 3700 is turned off using the regulator or on/off switch. The vacuum is no longer applied to theinterstitial chamber 3001, and therefore the vacuum is also no longer applied through the fluidchamber vacuum port 3540 to thefluid chamber 3002. Thelid 3200 is moved to the open position. Theliner assembly 3300 is removed from thecanister 3100 by pressing on theouter surface 3534 of thelatches 3530 near theupper end 3532 to release thegland 3500 from thelid 3200, and removing theliner 3310 from the cavity 3130 of thecanister 3100. - The fluid may then be removed from the
fluid chamber 3002. Thefitment 3410 may be removed from thegland 3500, at which point, thegland 3500 becomes a pour spout. Thegland 3500 has a dual functionality by both connecting thefitment 3410 to theliner 3310, and acting as a pour spout to allow fluid to be removed from thefluid chamber 3002. Fluid is poured out of thefluid chamber 3002 through thegland 3500. Theliner assembly 3300 may then be disposed using standard medical waste disposal techniques. - A pour
spout adapter 4100, shown inFIGS. 73-74 , may be provided with the fluid collection systems described in this disclosure. Theadapter 4100 is intended to be coupled to a pour spout, such that the pour spout can be converted into an additional fluid port. For illustrative purposes,FIG. 75 shows theadapter 4100 coupled to thefitment 1410 of the first embodiment, but theadapter 4100 could be coupled to a pour spout according to any of the embodiments of a fluid collection system. There are at least two reasons that a user would want to convert a pour spout into a fluid port: the user could connect additional suction devices to the canister, or the user could create a tandem canister setup by which fluid can be collected in a second (or third, fourth, etc.) canister after the first canister reaches its capacity. - The
adapter 4100 has a pourspout end 4111 designed to connect to the pour spout on the fitment, and apatient end 4112 designed to connect to a patient tube. Achannel 4113 connects the pourspout end 4111 and thepatient end 4112. During use, fluid will flow from the patient tube through theadapter 4100, through the pour spout on the fitment and into the fluid chamber. Theadapter 4100 may be removed at the end of the procedure such that fluid can be emptied from the fluid chamber using the pour spout. - The caps for the fluid port and the pour spout of the fitment assembly may be incorporated into the
adapter 4100, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cap assembly. Theadapter 4100 inFIGS. 73-74 has twocaps 4114. Onecap 4114 may be used to close a fluid port on the fitment, as shown inFIG. 75 . Theother cap 4114 may be used to close thepatient end 4112 of theadapter 4100. If the adapter is positioned in a pour spout, placingcap 4114 over thepatient end 4112 of theadapter 4100 will effectively close the pour spout as well. InFIG. 75 , thecap 4114 is not placed over thepatient end 4112 of theadapter 4100, so thepatient end 4112 of theadapter 4100 is open, and therefore fluid can flow in and out of the pour spout. - The
canisters lids canister 3100 andlid 3200 of the third embodiment is shown as having a circular shape. However, any of the canisters discussed in this disclosure could have a rectangular, circular, or elliptical shape. For example, ifcanisters first side wall second side wall third side wall 1123, 2123 and thefourth side wall - In general, interference fits may be preferred because they reduce the complexity and cost of the finished product. However, one or more gaskets may optionally be provided to ensure sealing engagement between two or more of the lid, canister, gland and fitment of the any of the embodiments. If gaskets are used, it is preferable that the gaskets be positioned on the lid or the canister instead of on the gland or fitment.
- Seals created by an interference fit are more reliable if the seals are continuous. Therefore, one advantage of the first and third embodiments is that the seals between the canister and the lid and between the lid and the fitment are continuous (i.e., there is no break in the seal). The first embodiment and the third embodiment are therefore less likely to require a gasket in order to achieve the seals required to form the interstitial chamber.
- Various features for attaching the lid and the canister are described here in. Although the first embodiment describe a hinge, the second embodiment describes a tether, and the third embodiment describes sliding connectors, any of the features for attaching the lid and canister could be used in any of the embodiments.
- The fluid collection systems have caps to close any fluid port(s) and the pour spout(s) as needed. A separate cap assembly is included in the first embodiment, while the caps are integrally molded with the fitment of the second and third embodiment. However, a separate cap assembly could be provided with any of the embodiments. The bridge of the cap assembly may have a feature that enables the cap assembly to be connected to the fitment (e.g., a pin on the fitment is inserted into a hole on the bridge of the cap assembly). Likewise, the caps could be integrally molded with the fitment in any of the embodiments.
- Because vacuum in the fluid chamber is supplied from the interstitial chamber through the fluid chamber vacuum port, it may be desirable to design the fluid collection system to ensure that air is able to flow between the interstitial vacuum port and the fluid chamber vacuum port. Vacuum is supplied to the interstitial chamber through an interstitial vacuum port. Therefore, the vacuum at the interstitial vacuum port could cause the liner to seal around the interstitial vacuum port, and stop the application of vacuum to the interstitial cavity. In embodiments where the fluid chamber vacuum port has a pass-through design, the application of vacuum in the fluid chamber may stop if the liner sealed around the interstitial vacuum port, and ultimately prevent the user from suctioning fluids.
- The fluid collection systems could be designed to reduce the possibility of the liner sealing over the interstitial vacuum port. The interstitial vacuum port could be positioned such that the liner would be unlikely to stop communication between the interstitial vacuum port and the fluid chamber vacuum port (e.g., the interstitial vacuum port could be positioned proximate to the fluid chamber vacuum port). Ribs could also be included proximate the interstitial vacuum port to prevent the liner from conforming to the interior surface of the side wall in the area surrounding the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port. The ribs could extend across the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port, or could protrude from the interior surface of the side wall in an area adjacent the cavity end of the interstitial vacuum port.
- The liners have been described in this disclosure as being made from a single piece of a thin-walled material folded in half to create a first panel having four ends and a second panel having four ends. The fold joins one end on the first panel to one end on the second panel. Seals join the remaining three ends on the first panel to the remaining three ends on the second panel.
- However, the liner may be created in other ways. The first panel and the second panel could be formed from two separate sheets of the thin-walled material. In this case, the first panel and the second panel would be joined by seals extending along at least a portion of all four ends. The liner could also be formed from a tube of the thin-walled material. In this case, the tube could be flattened to create the first panel and the second panel. In this case, two opposing ends of the first panel and the second panel are joined folds, while the remaining two ends are joined by seals extending along at least a portion of the ends.
- Although the liners are discussed as being made from a first panel and a second panel that each have four ends, it is possible that the first panel and the second panel could be made in a triangular shape with only three ends, or in other shapes having five or more ends. Alternatively, the liner could have circular or elliptical panels. Further, the liners do not need to have only two panels. Additional panels may be included and used as gussets, which may improve the ability of the liner to expand in the cavity of the canister.
- The liner of the first embodiment is discussed as forming the seal at the periphery of the liner while leaving an opening in the seal of the liner, and then inserting the fitment into the opening. However, these two steps could be incorporated into a single process wherein the seal between the two panels of the liner and the seal between each panel of the liner and the fitment are made in a single pass.
- In some embodiments, a gland is used to couple the fitment to the liner. A gland can be used (or eliminated) in any embodiments of the fluid collection system. If a gland is not included, any features on described as being included in the gland may instead be incorporated into another component (for example, these features may be incorporated into the fitment instead). However, the use of a gland may be preferable when the opening in the liner is on a side of the bag rather than at the top.
- Furthermore, a handle may be formed at a periphery of the liner to enable the user to easily lift the liner from the canister. The handle may be formed from the body of the liner, or may be formed from a separate piece of material.
- It is believed that the vacuum in the interstitial space will be sufficient to secure the lid in place, and prevent a user from accidentally moving the lid from the closed position to the open position during a procedure. However, a latch or other locking feature may also be provided on the lid and/or canister of any of the embodiments of the fluid collection system to secure the lid in the closed position.
- The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various example implementations described herein. Various modifications to these variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various illustrious examples described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Claims (26)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/295,924 US20170106127A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2016-10-17 | Fluid collection systems |
US17/141,101 US20210196866A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2021-01-04 | Fluid collection systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201562242869P | 2015-10-16 | 2015-10-16 | |
US15/295,924 US20170106127A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2016-10-17 | Fluid collection systems |
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US17/141,101 Continuation US20210196866A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2021-01-04 | Fluid collection systems |
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US20170106127A1 true US20170106127A1 (en) | 2017-04-20 |
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US15/295,924 Abandoned US20170106127A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2016-10-17 | Fluid collection systems |
US17/141,101 Pending US20210196866A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2021-01-04 | Fluid collection systems |
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US17/141,101 Pending US20210196866A1 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2021-01-04 | Fluid collection systems |
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US (2) | US20170106127A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP4349379A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3001861A1 (en) |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20210138122A1 (en) * | 2019-11-07 | 2021-05-13 | Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA | Collecting unit for medical suctions with a folded bag |
US11129928B2 (en) | 2016-07-06 | 2021-09-28 | Serres Oy | Assembly for collecting fluid during a medical or a surgical operation |
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US6780309B2 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2004-08-24 | Allegiance Corporation | Tapered hydrophobic filter for suction canisters |
US20090005747A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2009-01-01 | Michaels Thomas L | Fluid collection and disposal system having interchangeable collection and other features and methods relating thereto |
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US4681571A (en) * | 1981-04-23 | 1987-07-21 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Suction canister with disposable liner and check valve |
CH686027A5 (en) * | 1991-07-26 | 1995-12-15 | Elp Rochat | Unit of recovery and blood filtration. |
US6152902A (en) * | 1997-06-03 | 2000-11-28 | Ethicon, Inc. | Method and apparatus for collecting surgical fluids |
US8337475B2 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2012-12-25 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Corporeal drainage system |
FI125150B (en) * | 2013-10-16 | 2015-06-15 | Serres Oy | Emptying device, configuration and method for emptying the suction bag |
US9707324B2 (en) * | 2014-04-09 | 2017-07-18 | The Cleveland Clinic Foundation | Container, system, and method for collecting medical waste |
-
2016
- 2016-10-17 EP EP24159787.1A patent/EP4349379A2/en active Pending
- 2016-10-17 CA CA3001861A patent/CA3001861A1/en active Pending
- 2016-10-17 US US15/295,924 patent/US20170106127A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-10-17 EP EP16788360.2A patent/EP3362112B1/en active Active
- 2016-10-17 WO PCT/US2016/057413 patent/WO2017066798A1/en active Application Filing
-
2021
- 2021-01-04 US US17/141,101 patent/US20210196866A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
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US3745999A (en) * | 1971-12-08 | 1973-07-17 | Deaton Medical Co | Medical suction method and apparatus |
US6056730A (en) * | 1997-02-26 | 2000-05-02 | Medela Holding Ag | Device and method for the drainage of fluids |
US6183453B1 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2001-02-06 | Sherwood Services, Ag | Blood evacuation container with blood spike nesting feature |
US6780309B2 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2004-08-24 | Allegiance Corporation | Tapered hydrophobic filter for suction canisters |
US20090005747A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2009-01-01 | Michaels Thomas L | Fluid collection and disposal system having interchangeable collection and other features and methods relating thereto |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11129928B2 (en) | 2016-07-06 | 2021-09-28 | Serres Oy | Assembly for collecting fluid during a medical or a surgical operation |
US11285255B2 (en) | 2016-07-06 | 2022-03-29 | Serres Oy | Collection liner for a medical or a surgical operation |
US20210138122A1 (en) * | 2019-11-07 | 2021-05-13 | Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA | Collecting unit for medical suctions with a folded bag |
US11806463B2 (en) * | 2019-11-07 | 2023-11-07 | Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA | Collecting unit for medical suctions with a folded bag |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP4349379A2 (en) | 2024-04-10 |
EP3362112C0 (en) | 2024-02-28 |
EP3362112A1 (en) | 2018-08-22 |
WO2017066798A1 (en) | 2017-04-20 |
CA3001861A1 (en) | 2017-04-20 |
US20210196866A1 (en) | 2021-07-01 |
EP3362112B1 (en) | 2024-02-28 |
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