DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR RECEIVING SUCTIONED SECRETION, INCLUDING A BACKFLOW BARRIER

Abstract

A collection device and a collection process provide the capability of receiving secretions, which have been suctioned out of a patient (P). A collecting unit including a bag (3) and a cover (2) encloses a collecting unit interior space (In1). The suctioned secretions flow through a patient-side fluid connection and through a patient-side port (4) in the cover into the collecting unit interior space. A backflow barrier includes a blocking body, which is fastened to a surface of the cover of the collecting unit interior space. In a blocking state, the blocking body closes the patient-side port. A restoring force generator exerts a restoring force on the blocking body, to hold the backflow barrier in the blocking state. A flow of secretions through the patient-side port into the collecting unit interior space brings about a transference of the backflow barrier into a flow stat e against the restoring force.

Claims

1. A collection device for receiving secretions suctioned out of a patient, the collection device comprising: a collecting unit comprising a closure and a bag, the collecting unit enclosing a collecting unit interior space, the collecting unit being configured to receive secretions in the collecting unit interior space; a patient-side port; and a backflow barrier for the patient-side port, wherein the backflow barrier comprises a blocking body and a restoring force generator and is configured to be transferred into a passing state and into a blocking state, wherein the patient-side port is configured to enable a patient-side fluid connection between a patient-side coupling unit located outside the collecting unit and the collecting unit interior space, wherein the blocking body is fastened to a surface of the closure, which surface faces the collecting unit interior space, wherein the backflow barrier, in the blocking state, at least partially closes the patient-side port and at least reduces or inhibits a flow of secretions out of the collecting unit interior space into the patient-side port, wherein the restoring force generator exerts a restoring force on the blocking body which acts for transferring the backflow barrier into the blocking state and for keeping the backflow barrier in the blocking state, and wherein the backflow barrier is arranged such that a flow of secretions through the patient-side port into the collecting unit interior space brings about a transfer of the backflow barrier, against the restoring force, into the passing state.

2. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the backflow barrier is in the blocking state, the blocking body is in contact with the closure and covers the patient-side port from an inside.

3. A collection device in accordance with claim 2, wherein with the backflow barrier in the blocking state, the blocking body extends in a plane, which is at right angles or is arranged obliquely to a flow direction of secretions through the patient-side port, and with the backflow barrier in the passing state, the blocking body protrudes into the collecting unit interior space.

4. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in the closure through which the patient-side port is in a fluid connection with the collecting unit interior space, wherein the blocking body is fastened to a surface of the closure at a spaced location from the opening.

5. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein with the backflow barrier being in the passing state, the blocking body engages with a stream of secretions, which flow into the collecting unit interior space, and changes a direction of the stream of secretions.

6. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the blocking body is configured as a reversibly deformable closing element, wherein the closing element being in a non-deformed state is in a blocking position, which brings about the blocking state, and being in a deformed state is in a passing position, which brings about the passing state, wherein the closing element in the blocking position is in contact with the closure, and wherein the closing element in case of a deformation exerts a restoring force, acting against the deformation and thereby acting to bring the closing element into the blocking position.

7. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the blocking body is configured as a rigid flap, and the restoring force generator is mechanically connected to the closure and to the flap, wherein the flap is movable back and forth between a passing position, which brings about the passing state, and a blocked blocking position, which brings about the blocking state in relation to the closure, and wherein the restoring force generator acts to move the flap into the blocked blocking position and to hold the flap in the blocked blocking position.

8. A collection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bag is expandable, wherein an expansion of the bag brings about a restoring force, which acts to reduce the volume of the bag, wherein the collection device is configured such that the restoring force, which is brought about by an expansion of the bag, brings about secretions being in the collecting unit interior space being pushed against the blocking body and transferring the backflow barrier into the blocking state and keeping the backflow barrier in the blocking state.

9. (canceled)

10. A system comprising: a collection device comprising: a collecting unit comprising a closure and a bag, the collecting unit enclosing a collecting unit interior space, the collecting unit being configured to receive secretions in the collecting unit interior space; a patient-side port configured to establish a patient-side fluid connection between a patient-side coupling unit located outside the collecting unit and the collecting unit interior space; and a backflow barrier for the patient-side port, the backflow barrier comprising a blocking body and a restoring force generator and being configured to be transferred into a passing state and into a blocking state, the blocking body being fastened to a surface of the closure, which surface is directed towards the collecting unit interior space, in the blocking state, the blocking body at least partially closing the patient-side port to reduce or inhibit a flow of secretions out of the collecting unit interior space into the patient-side port, the restoring force generator exerting a restoring force on the blocking body which acts for transferring the backflow barrier into the blocking state and for keeping the backflow barrier in the blocking state, and wherein the backflow barrier is arranged such that a flow of secretions through the patient-side port into the collecting unit interior space brings about a transfer of the backflow barrier, against the restoring force, into the passing state; a container; and a device-side port, wherein the container accommodates and carries the collecting unit and wherein the device-side port is configured to enable a vacuum fluid connection to be established between the collecting unit interior space and a vacuum source outside the container.

11. A system according to claim 10, further comprising: a vacuum source; and a patient-side coupling unit, wherein the patient-side coupling unit is fluid-tightly connected to the patient-side port, wherein the vacuum source is fluid tightly connected to the device-side port, wherein a patient-side fluid connection is established or establishable between the patient-side coupling unit and the collecting unit interior space and leads through the patient-side port and wherein a vacuum fluid connection is established or establishable between the vacuum source and the collecting unit interior space and wherein the vacuum fluid connection leads through the device-side port.

12. A process for receiving secretions suctioned out of a patient, the process comprising the steps of: providing a collection device, which collection device comprises a collecting unit, a patient-side port and a backflow barrier for the patient-side port, wherein the collecting unit comprises a closure and a bag and encloses a collecting unit interior space, wherein the backflow barrier comprises a blocking body and a restoring force generator, wherein the blocking body is fastened to a surface of the closure, which surface is directed towards the collecting unit interior space; exerting, with the restoring force generator a restoring force, which keeps the backflow barrier in a blocking state; connecting the patient-side port to a patient-side coupling, so that a patient-side fluid connection is established between the patient-side coupling unit and the collecting unit interior space, wherein the patient-side fluid connection leads through the patient-side port; bringing about a flow of secretions through the patient-side fluid connection into the collecting unit; with the backflow barrier is transferred against the restoring force into a passing state by the brought-about flow of secretions; terminating the flow of secretions into the collecting unit; with the restoring force again transferring the backflow barrier into the blocking state; and with the backflow barrier in the blocking state completely or at least partially closing the patient-side port and as a result, reducing or inhibiting compared with the passing state a flow of secretions out of the collecting unit interior space through the patient-side port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] In the drawings:

[0063] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a collection system, which comprises a collection device according to the present invention, a patient-side coupling unit and a vacuum source;

[0064] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the backflow barrier according to the present invention in the form of a flexible membrane on the inner side of a cover;

[0065] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the backflow barrier from FIG. 2 with a modified cover; and

[0066] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the backflow barrier according to the present invention in the form of a rigid cap or a spring on the inner side of the cover.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0067] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically shows a suctioning device, which comprises a collection system with a collection device according to the present invention. The suctioning device is connected from time to time to a patient P and is capable of suctioning and receiving secretions out of the patient P.

[0068] The collection device of the exemplary embodiment comprises [0069] a cover 2, which is connected tightly, but detachably to the container 1, [0070] an expandable bag 3, which hangs at the cover 2 and is connected to the cover 2 in a fluid-tight manner, [0071] a hollow patient-side port 4, which is connected to the cover 2 permanently and in a fluid-tight manner and protrudes outwards, and [0072] a cap 30, with which the patient-side port 4 can be closed.

[0073] The collection system comprises this collection device 2, 3, 4, 30 and furthermore [0074] a container, which is permanently connected to a foot 18, which stands on the base or is placed detachably onto such a foot 18, wherein the expandable bag 3 protrudes into the container 1, [0075] a suction hose 6, which can be placed onto the patient-side port or into the patient-side port 4 or be screwed into or inserted into same, [0076] a cap 30, with which the patient-side port 4 can be closed when the suction hose 6 is pulled off, and [0077] a device-side port 11 in a wall of the container 1.

[0078] The suctioning device comprises the collection system with the collection device according to the present invention and, moreover, [0079] a catheter 7, which is connected to the suction hose 6 in a fluid-tight manner and is used at the patient P, [0080] a vacuum source 8, which can be switched on and switched off, [0081] a pressure difference measuring device 9, which measures and displays the vacuum, which the vacuum source 8 has generated, [0082] a device-side hose 17, which connects the vacuum source 8 to the device-side port 11 in a fluid-tight manner, and [0083] optionally a filter 10, which prevents drops of secretions from reaching the vacuum source 8.

[0084] The container 1 is manufactured from a solid plastic, is preferably transparent and is used a plurality of times. The container 1 is cleaned after each use.

[0085] The cover is manufactured from solid or flexible plastic. One or two grips are preferably arranged on the side of the cover 2 in order to be able to open and to carry the cover 2. The bag 3 is expandable, preferably transparent and preferably attached to the circumferential projection 19. Because the container 1 and the bag 3 are transparent, the fill level of secretions in the bag 3 can be seen from outside. The patient-side port 4 provides an opening Ö between the outer side of the cover 2 and the collecting unit interior space In1 in the bag 3.

[0086] The bag 3, the cover 2 and the patient-side port 4 belong to the collecting unit of the exemplary embodiment.

[0087] The cover 2 and the expandable bag 3 together enclose a collecting unit interior space In1. An interior space In2 is formed between the outer wall of the bag 3 and the inner wall of the container 1. The patient-side port 2 is in a fluid connection with the collecting unit interior space In1, wherein the opening Ö provided by the patient-side port 4 is led through the cover 2.

[0088] The suction hose 6 can be placed or pushed onto the patient-side port or into the patient-side port 4 or even screwed into the patient-side port 4. When the suction hose 6 is inserted or placed on or screwed in, the suction hose 6 encloses the patient-side port 4 in a fluid-tight manner. The cap 30 can then be placed onto the patient-side port 4 when the suction hose 6 is pulled off or removed from the patient-side port 4 in a different manner.

[0089] In one embodiment, the device-side port 11 is in fluid connection with the interior space In2. In a preferred embodiment, by contrast, the device-side port 11 is also in fluid connection with the collecting unit interior space In1. A channel, which establishes a fluid connection between the device-side port 11 and the collecting unit interior space In1 when the cover 2 is inserted, is led through the interior space of the cover 2.

[0090] The entire collecting unit 2,3, 4 is carried in a suitable packaging to the container and there the components are assembled to form the collection system in one embodiment. The cover 2, the patient-side port 4 and the bag 3 are used once, wherein the bag 3 receives suctioned secretions, and are subsequently removed from the container 1 and disposed of.

[0091] The suction device according to the exemplary embodiment is operated as described below, after the components are connected as just described and the catheter 7 is placed: [0092] The vacuum source 8 is switched on. [0093] The pressure difference measuring device 9 measures the vacuum generated in relation to the surrounding area and displays it. A control device, not shown, or even a monitoring person ensures that the generated vacuum is not greater than a predefined threshold, i.e., a maximum allowable vacuum is observed. [0094] Air is suctioned out of the container 1 through the device-side port 11 and in a direction U through the device-side hose 17. [0095] In one embodiment, the vacuum generated in the container 1 expands the bag 3. In another embodiment, air is suctioned out of the bag 3 through the channel in the cover 2. The bag 3 is expanded in both embodiments. [0096] This vacuum in the bag 3 brings about that secretions are suctioned in the flow direction F out of the patient P through the catheter 7, through the suction hose 6, through the patient-side port 4 and through the channel in the cover 2 into the bag 3. [0097] The suction hose 6 is removed from the patient-side port 4 as soon as enough secretions have been suctioned or the bag 3 is filled up to a predefined threshold. As a result, the suctioning is ended. The vacuum source 8 at first remains switched on in order to keep the bag 3 expanded. [0098] The cap 30 is placed onto the patient-side port 4. [0099] The vacuum source 8 is now switched off. It is not necessary to remove the device-side hose 17 from the device-side port 11 in a preferred embodiment. [0100] The collecting unit with the filled bag 3, with the cover 3 and with the patient-side port 4 closed by means of the cap 30 is removed from the container 1 and disposed of. [0101] The container 1 is cleaned and is available for a new use.

[0102] The vacuum that is generated in the container 1 expands the bag 3. As soon as the vacuum source 8 is switched off, the vacuum no longer opposes the aim of the bag 3 to contract again and as a result to discharge secretions. If it was forgotten to place the cap 30 onto the patient-side port 4, or if the cap is not placed on correctly, it may happen without the backflow barrier according to the present invention that a large quantity of secretions will abruptly be released from the bag 3 through the patient-side port 4 after switching off the vacuum source 8. This is undesirable. In addition, the collecting unit 2, 3, 4 may fall on the floor on the way to being disposed of, and a cap that is placed on incorrectly may fall off from the patient-side port 4.

[0103] The backflow barrier according to the present invention also prevents the undesirable event that secretions will be abruptly released from the bag 3 in these situations.

[0104] FIG. 2 through FIG. 4 schematically show in a sectional view two possible embodiments of a backflow barrier according to the present invention with a blocking body. Both embodiments provide a backflow barrier with a restoring force generator. The restoring force generator exerts a restoring force, which aims to bring the backflow barrier into a blocking state and to hold it in this state. The flow of secretions in the flow direction F into the bag 3 brings about that the backflow barrier is brought into a passing state against the restoring force. As soon as the flow of secretions dries up in the flow direction F, especially after switching off of the vacuum source 8, the restoring force automatically moves the backflow barrier into the blocking state. The backflow barrier prevents secretions from being abruptly released from the bag 3, even if the cap 30 is not placed on at all or is placed on incorrectly or if the collecting unit 2, 3, 4 falls onto the floor. If anything, secretions are only released from the patient-side port 4 in the form of drops thanks to the backflow barrier.

[0105] In FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, the following components are shown: [0106] an upper area of the container 1, [0107] the cover 2 with the ring-shaped circumferential section 19, which carries the bag 3, [0108] optionally a circumferential sealing element 22 at the cover 2, [0109] an upper part of the bag 3, [0110] the patient-side port 4, [0111] the opening Ö, which provides the patient-side port 4, [0112] a part of the suction hose 6 connected to the patient-side port 4, which is placed onto the patient-side port 4, and [0113] the flow direction F, in which suctioned secretions flow through the patient-side port 4 into the bag 3.

[0114] The cover 2 has the circumferential ring-shaped projection 19, which in one embodiment forms a ring-shaped groove, which extends around the upper edge of the container 1, and which is inserted into the container 1 in another embodiment. The optional sealing element 22 encloses the ring-shaped circumferential section 19 and has a distance to the circumferential section 19.

[0115] In all three embodiments, the backflow barrier is exclusively embodied with passive mechanical elements, i.e., without an actuation being necessary and without an adjusting element being needed. The elements of the backflow barrier are small, easy to manufacture and to assemble and can be disposed of together with the rest of the collecting unit 2, 3, 4, without a separate disposal of the backflow barrier being necessary.

[0116] The backflow barrier of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 comprises a reversibly deformable membrane 5, which is fastened to the cover 2 on the inside via a connection 12. The membrane 5 thus faces towards the interior space In1 of the collecting unit 2, 3, 4. The connection 12 is located on the inside at the cover 2 with a distance to the opening Ö. As soon as the bag 3 is fastened to the cover 2, the membrane 5 is not accessible from the outside.

[0117] The non-deformed membrane 5 (solid line) is flatly in contact with the cover 2 and brings about the blocking state. If after switching off the vacuum source 8, the bag 3 contracts and presses secretions in the direction of the cover 2, then the membrane is also pressed against the cover 2 and closes the opening Ö from the inside, especially completely or at least such that at most a few drops can be released from the patient-side port 4, i.e., the membrane 5 is held in the blocking state. In this embodiment, the membrane 5 itself applies the restoring force or at least a part of the restoring force.

[0118] The flow of secretions in the flow direction F brings about that the membrane 5 is deformed against the restoring force (broken line) and the opening Ö is no longer blocked, but lets secretions through. The membrane 5 engages with the flow of secretions, which is directed into the bag 3, and deflects the secretions stream. As a result, the risk that the secretions in the bag 3 will foam up, which is undesirable, is reduced.

[0119] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the flap 13 is fastened on the inside to the cover 2, especially to an axis 12 and such that the flap 13 can be rotated about the axis 12 in relation to the cover 2. The flap 13 is preferably configured as a rigid element. FIG. 4 shows the flap 13 in the passing state. A tension spring 14 is supported at the cover 2 and aims to pull the flap 13 towards the cover 2 and as a result to bring the flap 13 into the blocking state. An optional coil spring 15 is arranged around the axis 12 and likewise aims to bring the flap 15 into the blocking state. In turn, the contracting bag 3 brings about that pressed-out secretions press the flap 13 against the cover 2 and as a result closes the opening Ö.

[0120] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0121] 1 Container; it accommodates the bag 3; it carries the device-side port 11; it belongs to the collection system [0122] 2 Cover for the container 1; it carries the patient-side port 4; it belongs to the collecting unit [0123] 3 Expandable bag, it receives secretions from the patient; it is held by the cover 2 in the interior space of the container 1; it belongs to the collecting unit [0124] 4 Hollow patient-side port; it is connected permanently to the cover 2; it is closed from the inside by the backflow barrier 5, 13, 16; it can be closed from the outside by the cap 30 [0125] 5 Reversibly deformable closing element (membrane); it is attached to the cover 2; it belongs to the backflow barrier [0126] 6 Suction hose; it is connected to the patient-side port 4; it belongs to the patient-side coupling unit [0127] 7 Catheter; it is connected to the suction hose 6; it belongs to the patient-side coupling unit [0128] 8 Vacuum source; it comprises a pump; it is connected via the device-side hose 17 to the device-side port 11 [0129] 9 Pressure difference measuring device, which measures and displays the vacuum generated by the vacuum source 8 [0130] 10 Filter between the device-side port 11 and the vacuum source 8; it is arranged in the device-side hose 17 [0131] 11 Device-side port; it is arranged at the container 1; it is connected to the vacuum source 8 via the device-side hose 17; it is in fluid connection with the bag 3 [0132] 12 Mechanical connection between the backflow barrier 5, 13 and the cover 2 [0133] 13 Rigid flap; it is pulled or pushed by the springs 14, 15 into the blocking state; it belongs to the backflow barrier [0134] 14 Tension spring; it is supported at the cover 2; it pulls the flap 13 into the blocking state [0135] 15 Coil spring; it rotates and pushes the flap 13 into the blocking state [0136] 17 Device-side hose; it connects the device-side port 11 to the vacuum source 8 [0137] 18 Foot, on which the container 1 stands [0138] 19 Circumferential projection on the inside at the cover 2; it carries the bag 3; it is connected to the container 1 [0139] 22 Circumferential sealing element at the cover 2; it encloses the circumferential projection 19 [0140] 30 Cap for closing the patient-side port 4 [0141] F Flow direction of secretions through the suction hose 6 [0142] In1 Interior space in the bag 3; it is filled by suctioned secretions [0143] In2 Space between the bag 3 and the inner wall of the container 1 [0144] Ö Opening, which connects the outer side of the cover 2 to the bag interior space In1; it can be closed by the backflow barrier 5, 13, 16 [0145] U Flow direction of air through the device-side hose 17