Device for extracting elements from cavities, which uses a bag for extraction and an applicator

Abstract

A device to extract elements contained in cavities that uses a bag for their extraction that folds onto itself and an applier provided with an air chamber, which bag has pockets into which tentacles of the applier are introduced; and that is provided with means to pull from same; an applier that is comprised by a first piece called outer tube, that is hollow and of rigid material which, at its distal end, turns into at least two tentacles that allow its radial flexibility, and in its proximal end, means are provided to fix the second piece, called inner tube, which is a hollow tube, open at its ends, that slides into the body of the outer tube and that provides a funnel at its distal end. The device may have grade scale either on the tentacles, the inner tube as well as on the bag. Additionally, this provides two rings used as reference, on each of the folds of the bag.

Claims

1. A device to extract elements contained in cavities, comprising: a bag with pockets and means to extract the bag from a cavity, wherein the bag is a tube of flexible transparent material that is folded onto itself at a fold, and comprises an air chamber adjacent to the fold between an outer portion of the bag and an inner portion of the bag that is configured to be inflated/deflated through a conduit, an applier with an advancement measuring indicator; wherein the air chamber is configured to reduce an inner circumference of the bag when the air chamber is inflated; and said applier comprises two pieces: a first piece comprising an outer tube, that is a hollow tube, of rigid material, which, at a distal end, transitions into at least two tentacles or soft curved arms that are flexible, and a second piece comprising an inner tube, that is a hollow tube with open ends, which slides inside the outer tube and includes a funnel at a distal end of the inner tube; wherein the outer tube has, at a proximal end, means for fixing the inner tube thereto, and wherein said pockets are shaped to receive the tentacles or the soft curved arms of the applier, and wherein the inner portion of the bag is configured to move relative to the outer portion of the bag during extraction.

2. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 1, wherein said advancement measuring indicator comprises a scale on the inner tube and an open window in the outer tube that exposes the scale on the inner tube.

3. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 1, wherein said bag includes a first reference ring on the outer portion of the bag and a second reference ring on the inner portion of the bag.

4. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 1, wherein said pockets include fasteners near ends of each pocket that connect the bag to the applier.

5. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 1, wherein at least one tentacle or soft curved arm has a different length than another tentacle or soft curved arm.

6. A device to extract elements contained in cavities, comprising: a bag with pockets, and handles or holes to extract the bag from a cavity, wherein the bag is a tube of flexible transparent material and is folded onto itself at a fold, and comprises an air chamber adjacent to the fold between an outer portion of the bag and an inner portion of the bag that is configured to be inflated/deflated through a conduit, an applier with an advancement measurement indicator; wherein the air chamber is configured to reduce an inner circumference of the bag when the air chamber is inflated; and said applier comprises two pieces: a first piece comprising an outer tube, that is a hollow tube, of rigid material, which, at its distal end, transitions into at least two tentacles or soft curved arms that are flexible; and a second piece comprising an inner tube, that is a hollow tube, open at ends of the inner tube, which slides inside the outer tube and includes a funnel at its distal end, wherein the outer tube has, at a proximal end, a chamber, and the inner tube has an enlarged portion at a proximal end that is located inside the chamber, and the chamber restricts a sliding range of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube by restricting a sliding range of the enlarged portion, and wherein said pockets are shaped to receive the tentacles or the soft curved arms of the applier, wherein the inner portion of the bag is configured to move relative to the outer portion of the bag during extraction.

7. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 6, wherein said bag comprises a marking for indicating advancement of the element being extracted.

8. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 7, wherein the marking is comprised of two markings, a first marking and a second marking, located at each side of the fold, such that upon extraction, the first marking and the second marking move relative to one another as a result of relative sliding movement of the outer portion of the bag folded over the inner portion of the bag.

9. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 6, wherein said bag comprises two markings, a first marking on the inner portion of the bag and a second marking on the outer portion of the bag, and the markings coincide before extraction of an element.

10. The device to extract elements contained in cavities of claim 6, wherein said bag comprises two markings, a first marking on the inner portion of the bag and a second marking on the outer portion of the bag, and a relative distance between the markings indicates at all times a location of an element in a cavity to be extracted with respect to an initial position of the element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) In order to better understand the object of the present invention, schematic figures have been included, in its preferred embodiment, which figures have a descriptive nature, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the device to extract elements contained in a cavity with the applier inserted within the pockets of the bag, and FIGS 1B and 1C show two cross sections AA and BB.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the stages of fixing the device and of the removal of the applier.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the bag folded onto itself and of an extracting loop.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the applier.

(6) In said figures, same references correspond to identical elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) In FIG. 1A there appears the device to extract elements contained in cavities, that uses a bag for their extraction and an applier, in a first preferred embodiment, to render assistance in deliveries. Same is made up by a bag 1 and an applier 2. The bag reveals some pockets and the applier some tentacles. The latter are inserted into the pockets and are preferably fixed with fasteners. In this way, the device is ready to be used.

(8) In FIG. 1B, the cross section AA is seen. The inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303 formed by the fold of the bag and that create a space 304 between both, are observed. Tentacles 404 are inserted into the pockets 317. These pockets are made up by an additional surface 101 which is added to the inner tube of the bag. Applier 401, inner tube 402 and the channel 313 are also seen.

(9) In FIG. 1C, the cross section BB is seen. The inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303 formed by the fold of the bag and that create a space 304 between both, are observed. Tentacles 404 are inserted into the pockets 317. These pockets are made up by an additional surface 101 which is added to the inner tube of the bag. Applier 401, inner tube 402 and channel 313 are also seen. Besides, it is observed that fasteners 405 are fixed to the tentacles while fasteners 315 are fixed to the additional surface 101.

(10) In FIG. 2, the stages of fixing the device and of the removal of the applier are seen. In FIG. 2 A, the device has been introduced into the delivery channel and the funnel makes contact with the fetus' head. In FIG. 2 B, while further pushing the device towards the fetus, the funnel causes the tentacles to open. In FIG. 2 C, the device already completely surrounds the fetus' head and is ready to remove the applier once the fasteners fixing the bag to the applier are unfastened. In FIG. 2 D, it is seen that the bag has remained inside the delivery channel and is surrounding the fetus' head, and the applier has been removed.

(11) In FIG. 3, the bag is seen; this bag is an open tube 301 made of a flexible material, preferably transparent and wide enough so as to easily allow its folding to get adapted to the fetus' head and the delivery channel. To be used, the bag is folded onto itself near the centre, creating an inner tube 302 and an outer tube 303, with a space 304 in the middle. It is seen, at a first end 305 that it has at least two openworks 306 on its surface that work as handles at the time of pulling the device in a tractive manner. Further to the centre of the tube, two holds 307, preferably reinforced with metallic or rigid plastic ledges through which an axis 308 linked to a disc 309 of a traction handle 310 may pass, in a second tractive manner. Closer to the centre of the tube, a first ring of one color 311 is provided, which will work as a first reference for folding the bag. In the centre of the bag, an air chamber 312 is provided along all of its perimeter. Preferably, the air chamber, of toroidal shape, is welded to the tube by its inner diameter. The air chamber may be inflated and deflated by a conduct 313 which links it with the outside and which inflating and deflating means are not part of this present invention. In the second end of the bag 314, opposite to the first, a plurality of fasteners 315 are provided, which will fasten this end, once the bag is folded, to the applier as will be further seen. Closer to the centre, a second colored ring 316 is provided, which will work as a second reference for folding the bag and, preferably, will have a different color than that of the first colored ring. Toward the centre of the tube, a plurality of pockets 317 is provided, distributed on the perimeter of the bag. The opening 318 of said pockets is reinforced and aims at the direction of the second end of the tube while in the bottom of the pocket, it reaches the fold. The junction of the pockets to the tube is made with weldings, the latter may be reinforced and show rounded ledges. These pockets may be provided on the outer or inner side of the bag. Optionally, the bag may have a longitudinal grade scale, preferably as from the fold of same.

(12) In FIG. 4, an applier is seen, which applier is comprised by two pieces: an outer tube 401 and an inner tube 402. The outer tube is a hollow tube, of rigid material, that, at its distal end 403, turns into at least two tentacles 404 or soft curved arms that allow their radial flexibility. On the body of each tentacle, a fastener 405 is provided. Close to the proximal end, an openwork window 406 is provided. The proximal end is closed with a threaded lid 407. In the inner diameter of the outer tube, on its body 408, a butt 409 and a groove 410 are provided to lock, both longitudinally as well as axially, the inner tube. Optionally, at least one of the tentacles shows a longitudinal scale 411. In one embodiment, one of the tentacles is longer than the rest. This is so since the fetus has its chin leaning on its chest, for which reason the distance of the back part of its head is lesser than the distance of the front part of same.

(13) The inner tube is a hollow flexible tube that has at its distal end a flexible funnel 413. This tube is entered and slided along the interior of the outer tube. Optionally, it may provide a longitudinal scale 414. Along the interior of this tube, fluids, such as innocuous antiseptics or lubricants, may be provided. The funnel may provide holes in the way of a watering can so that the injected fluids may easily spread out and not be provided in an isolated point. A lighting video camera may also be inserted.

(14) In the method of use in the preferred embodiment as assistance in deliveries, the set is formed folding the bag and introducing the tentacles into the pockets. Once inside, the bag is fixed to the applier, fixing its fasteners to those of the tentacles. In this way, the reference colored rings coincide and the funnel arises by the fold of the bag. This set is introduced into the vagina until the cone contacts the fetus' head. At this time, and if some tentacle has a longitudinal scale, it may be clearly determined how deep the fetus is in relation to the vulva. If the set is further introduced, tentacles are forced to open due to the funnel. This introductory covering movement is softer and even due to the presence of the applier. At this moment, it is read on the scale of the inner tube and through the openwork window, how deep the device has entered surrounding the cephalic pole.

(15) Once this position is reached, the bag is unfastened of the tentacles and the applier is removed, leaving the bag in position, inside the woman in labor and around the fetus' head and with the reference rings in coincidence. The air chamber is inflated, by any means, creating the air plier and traction is made from the latter from the openworks acting as handles. In case of using another way of traction, the disc is introduced inside the bag, the holes are threaded with the axis of said disc and same is fixed to the traction handle.

(16) References of rings or of a longitudinal scale on the bag indicate, at all times, the fetus' advance in relation to its initial position. Once the fetus has crowned, the bag alone loosens. Delivery continues by normal means.

(17) Some fluid may be provided to the fetus' environment through the inner tube that leads to a bell. Preferably, the fluid is liquid antiseptics, but some lubricant innocous to the fetus may also be provided. A lighting video camera may also be inserted.

(18) With the present invention, the following distances may be clearly, certainly and easily read:

(19) Distance up to which the applier was introduced when same contacts the fetus' head, measured with the scale on a tentacle and taking the vulva as reference;

(20) Distance up to which the bag was introduced over the fetus' head, measured on the scale of the inner tube; and

(21) Distance of advance of the fetus pulled by the bag, which is read from the scale on the bag or by the distance between reference rings.