DRUG ASSISTED WOUND DRAINAGE LINE

Abstract

The wound drainage apparatus for drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids includes a double-lumen tubing member connected to a customizable branched tubing member for placement in a wound cavity. A perforated inner tube connected to an anticoagulant drug delivery pump and a solid outer tube connected to a fluid drainage vacuum make up the double-lumen tubing member. The branched tubing member includes a plurality of secondary wound cavity tubes branching away from a primary wound cavity tube. The apparatus disclosed herein improves upon current drainage systems by preventing occlusions produced by blood clots forming in fluid drainage tubes.

Claims

1. A wound drainage apparatus for the drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids comprising: a double-lumen tubing member comprising: a perforated inner tube having a plurality of perforations for drug delivery; and a solid outer tube for fluid drainage; wherein the perforated inner tube and the solid outer tube are substantially concentric, each having a similarly located wound-side end and a distinct pump-side end; wherein the wound-side end of the perforated inner tube is closed and the pump-side end of the perforated inner tube is in fluid communication with a battery-powered pump that is operable to supply an anticoagulant drug through the perforated inner tube via a positive pressure gradient; wherein the wound-side end of the solid outer tube is open, and the pump-side end of the solid outer tube is in fluid communication with a vacuum that is operable to remove bodily fluids via a negative pressure gradient;

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a branched tubing member for placement in a patient wound cavity comprising: a primary wound cavity tube; and a plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members branching off of the primary wound cavity tube; wherein each of the primary would cavity tube member and plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members have a wound-side end and a pump-side end; wherein the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members are perforated, share a common open pump-side end, and have distinct open wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through the perforations and open wound-side ends; wherein the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube is configured to attach to and form an airtight seal with the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube; wherein, when the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube member and the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube are attached, the vacuum is operable to remove bodily fluids from throughout the branched tubing member via the negative pressure gradient;

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the vacuum and battery-powered pump are both activated, bodily fluids are actively drawn into the branched tubing member and drained out of the patient wound cavity via the solid outer tube, and the anticoagulant drug is delivered from the perforated inner tube to the solid outer tube via the plurality of perforations such that the anticoagulant drug does not enter any portion of the branched tubing member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein both the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary would cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are perforated and have closed wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through the perforations.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein both the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are solid-walled and have open wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through the open wound-side ends.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are integrally formed.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the solid outer tube of the double-lumen tubing member and the primary wound cavity tube of the branched tubing member are integrally formed.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the solid outer tube of the double-lumen tubing member, the primary wound cavity tube, and the plurality of secondary cavity tube members are integrally formed.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a one-way valve; wherein the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube is attached to a first end of the one-way valve and the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube is attached to a second end of the one-way valve, such that the one-way valve establishes an airtight one-way fluid connection between the two tubes and restricts fluid flow, only allowing fluid to flow in a direction away from the wound.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the branched tubing member is made of silicone.

11. A method of draining fluids from a wound, comprising the steps of: Providing a double-lumen tubing member that comprises: a perforated inner tube having a plurality of perforations for drug delivery; and a solid outer tube for fluid drainage; wherein the perforated inner tube and the solid outer tube are substantially concentric, each having a similarly located wound-side end and a distinct pump-side end; wherein the wound-side end of the perforated inner tube is closed and the wound-side end of the solid outer tube is open; Providing an anticoagulant drug; Creating a fluid connection between the pump-side end of the perforated inner tube and a battery-powered pump that is operable to produce a positive pressure gradient and supply the anticoagulant drug through the length of the perforated inner tube; Creating a fluid connection between the pump-side end of the solid outer tube and a vacuum that is operable to produce a negative pressure gradient and drain bodily fluids from inside of the outer tube member;

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Providing a branched tubing member comprising: a primary wound cavity tube; and a plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members branching off from the primary wound cavity tube; wherein each of the primary would cavity tube member and plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members have a wound-side end and a pump-side end; wherein the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members are perforated, share a common open pump-side end, and have distinct open wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through the perforations and open wound-side ends; Placing the branched tubing member inside of a patient's wound cavity and sealing the branched tubing member therein; Attaching the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube to the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube such that an airtight seal is created between the two ends; wherein, when the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube and the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube are attached, the vacuum is operable to remove bodily fluids from throughout the branched tubing member via the negative pressure gradient;

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: Activating the vacuum to produce a negative pressure gradient and drain bodily fluids away from the patient wound cavity via the branched tubing member and the double-lumen tubing member; Activating the battery-powered pump to produce positive pressure gradient and deliver the anticoagulant drug to the solid outer tube via the plurality of perforations in the perforated inner tube, such that the anticoagulant drug does not enter any portion of the branched tubing member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein both the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary would cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are perforated and have closed wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through the perforations thereon.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are solid-walled and have open wound-side ends, such that bodily fluids can enter the primary and secondary wound cavity tube members through their respective open wound-side ends.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary wound cavity tube and the plurality of secondary cavity tube members of the branched tubing member are integrally formed.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the solid outer tube of the double-lumen tubing member and the primary wound cavity tube of the branched tubing member are integrally formed.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the solid outer tube of the double-lumen tubing member, the primary wound cavity tube, and the plurality of secondary cavity tube members are integrally formed.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Attaching the open wound-side end of the solid outer tube to a first end of a one-way valve; Attaching the open pump-side end of the primary wound cavity tube to a second end of the one-way valve, such that the valve establishes an airtight one-way fluid connection between the two tubes and restricts fluid flow, only allowing fluid to flow in a direction away from the wound.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the branched tubing member is made of silicone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a wound drainage apparatus for the drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the exemplary embodiment of a double-lumen tubing member of the wound drainage apparatus identified in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIGS. 3A & 3B are schematics of two embodiments of a branched tubing member of the wound drainage apparatus.

[0020] FIG. 4 depicts yet another embodiment of a double-lumen tubing member inside of a patient's wound cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0022] In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

[0023] The wound drainage apparatus for drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids disclosed herein includes a double-lumen tubing member connected to a customizable branched tubing member for placement in a wound cavity. A perforated inner tube connected to an anticoagulant drug delivery pump and a solid outer tube connected to a fluid drainage vacuum make up the double-lumen tubing member. The branched tubing member includes a plurality of secondary wound cavity tubes branching away from a primary wound cavity tube. The apparatus disclosed herein improves upon current drainage systems by preventing occlusions produced by blood clots forming in fluid drainage tubes.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a wound drainage apparatus 10 for the drug-assisted removal of bodily fluids generally comprises a double-lumen tubing member 12. The double-lumen tubing member 12 may further comprise a perforated inner tube 14 having a plurality of perforations 16 for drug delivery spaced throughout the tube 14 and a solid outer tube 18 for fluid drainage from a body cavity. In this embodiment, the perforated inner tube 14 and the solid outer tube 18 are substantially concentric tubes, with one being located inside of the other. While the perforated inner tube 14 and solid outer tube 18 have similarly located wound-side ends 20 and 22, respectively, they have separate and distinct pump-side ends. This is because each of their respective wound-side ends 20 and 22 must attach to different pressure devices in order for the wound drainage apparatus 10 to serve its intended purpose.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment of apparatus 10 depicted in FIG. 1, the pump-side end of the perforated inner tube 24 is connected to a battery-powered pump 28. Battery-powered pump 28 is responsible for producing a positive pressure gradient throughout the internal length of perforated inner tube 14 and supplying a drug to the solid outer tube 18. The drug supply enters solid outer tube 18 after being forced in a flow direction 48 through the plurality of perforations 16 as a result of the positive pressure gradient produced by the battery-powered pump 28. While the supplied drug can be an anticoagulant like heparin in an exemplary embodiment, the supplied drug may be a number of other types of drug in other embodiments. Further, the pump-side end of the solid outer tube 26 is connected to a vacuum 30. In such an embodiment, the vacuum 30 is responsible for producing a negative pressure gradient throughout the internal length of the solid outer tube 18 and removing bodily fluids contained within the double-lumen tubing member 12. Due to the negative pressure gradient produced by vacuum 30, the flow direction of bodily fluids 46 contained within double-lumen tubing member 12 is a direction directly away from wound-side end 22.

[0026] In a further embodiment of apparatus 10, the double-lumen tubing member 12 may be connected to a branched tubing member 32. As can be seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, branched tubing member 32 may comprise a plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members 36 that branch from a primary wound cavity tube 42. Additional tube members can also branch off of the plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members 36 in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, primary and secondary wound cavity tubing members 34 and 36 may further comprise open or closed wound-side ends 38 and 40 in addition to a plurality of perforations 44. In other embodiments, the primary and secondary wound cavity tubing members 34 and 36 may comprise open wound-side ends 38 and 40 and contain no perforations (i.e. have solid walls). In these embodiments, the bodily fluids contained in a wound cavity 50 will enter primary and secondary wound cavity tube members 34 and 36 via their open wound-side ends 38 and 40 and/or the plurality of perforations 44. While the primary and plurality of secondary wound cavity tube members 34 and 36 may be separate and distinct pieces in an exemplary embodiment, they can be an integrally formed single piece in other embodiments. Further, the open wound-side end of solid outer tube 22 can be attached to an open pump-side end of the branched tubing member 42 in order to form an airtight fluid connection between the double-lumen tubing member 12 and branched tubing member 32. Once attached, the negative pressure gradient produced by vacuum 30 helps the removal of bodily fluids contained within the branched tubing member 32 in addition to those contained in double-lumen tubing member 12. In some embodiments, a one-way valve may be provided at the attachment point between members 12 and 32 so as to keep all fluids flowing in direction 46 and prevent the flow of any drug from reaching branched tubing member 32. The extra security a one-way valve may provide is desirable, as complications arising from anticoagulant drugs entering a recovering patient's surgical wound cavity can be potentially life-threatening. In other embodiments, the solid outer tube 18 of double-lumen tubing member 12, primary wound cavity tube 34, and the plurality of secondary cavity tube members 36 may be integrally formed.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, such as that depicted in FIG. 4, the branched tubing member 32 of wound drainage apparatus 10 can be placed inside a patient's body or wound cavity 50 by a surgeon to aide in the proper drainage of fluids from cavity 50. The branched tubing's dimensions may be customizable on a patient-by-patient basis, in order to fit the unique geometry of a specific patient's wound cavity 50. For example, the branched tubing member 32 could be produced in three different sizes—small, medium, and/or large—and then subsequently cut by the surgeon to better fit a specific patient's wound dimensions. Thanks to its bifurcated design, the branched tubing member 32 has an increased surface area as compared to traditional single tube members, which allows for better fluid removal capability where the branched tubing member 32 is indirectly connected to the vacuum 30 or other negative pressure device via its direct connection with the wound-side end of the solid outer tube 22. While in some embodiments, the double-lumen tubing member 12 may extend to, but not enter, the patient wound cavity 50, the double-lumen tubing member 12 may enter wound cavity 50 in other embodiments.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment where the branched tubing member 32 of the wound drainage apparatus 10 has been properly placed and secured in the patient's wound cavity 50, the activation of the vacuum 30 will initiate the drainage flow of bodily fluids, such as blood, in a direction 46 away from the wound cavity 50 and through both the branched tubing member 32 and the solid outer tube 18 of double-lumen tubing member 12. Furthermore, activation of battery-powered pump 28 will help to prevent blood clots from forming inside the double-lumen tubing member 12 by distributing an anticoagulant drug throughout the solid outer tube 18 via the plurality of perforations 16 located along the perforated inner tube 14. In this manner, wound drainage apparatus 10 improves the quality of patient care by alleviating the formation of dangerous blood clots and occlusions in wound drainage lines.

[0029] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful wound drainage apparatus, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention.