Patent Application
20070203463
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to fluid collection systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to fluid collection systems including improved venting structure and means for obtaining a fresh sample of fluid from the system without contaminating fluid within the system or risking injury to medical personnel.
2. Background of Related Art
Urine collection systems for collecting urine from a catheterized patient are well known in the art. Such systems typically include a drain tube having a first end connected to a urinary catheter of a catheterized patient and a second end connected to a urine collection bag. The urine collection bag includes an outlet port for draining fluid from the bag.
It is sometimes desirable in fluid collection systems to access fluid in the system to obtain a sample for laboratory analysis. In known collection systems, samples have been extracted using syringes or hypodermic needles which were inserted through walls of the drain tubing. Samples have also been obtained by piercing a rubber port on the collection bag itself or by draining fluid from the collection bag through the outlet port. Such sampling techniques expose medical personnel to potential needlestick injury and to urine contact. Moreover, such sampling techniques run the risk of contamination of fluid within the collection system, thus exposing a patient to potential infections.
When obtaining a urine sample from a urine collection system, it is desirable to take the most recent sample from the collection system. Old or stale samples can become contaminated rendering the urine sample unfit for analysis and subjecting medical personnel to contamination.
Urine collection systems including collection bags having a vent or vents formed therein are also well known. Such vents allow air to enter or exit the collection bag during emptying or filling of the collection bag. Although vents in the collection bag are somewhat effective, emptying of the collection bag can still effect siphoning of fluid from a patients bladder.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a fluid collection system which facilitates the collection of fresh fluid samples from a collection system while minimizing the risk of contamination or injury of medical personnel and/or contamination of fluid within the collection system. It would also be desirable to provide a fluid collection system having more effective venting to prevent siphoning of fluid from a patient's bladder.
A urine collection system is provided which includes a fluid collection bag defining a fluid reservoir, a drain tube, and a sampling port. The collection bag includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with one end of the drain tube and a fluid outlet. The drain tube has a second end adapted to be in fluid communication with a urinary catheter. The sampling port is supported in fluid communication with the drain tube upstream of the fluid inlet of the collection bag.
In one embodiment, the sampling port is adapted to engage a luer-lock or slip-tip type syringe. In another embodiment, the sampling port includes a flexible pierceable member which is self-sealing after use.
The urine collection system can also include an in-line vent located upstream from the collection bag. The in-line vent limits siphoning of a patient's bladder during emptying of the urine collection bag.
In another embodiment, the urine collection system includes a support member for hanging the urine collection bag on a support structure, e.g., bedframe. The support member includes a central body portion and at least one hook portion. The central body portion has first and second vertically spaced mounting structures for securing the support member to a urine collection bag. The first mounting structure facilitates securement of the support member to the urine collection bag at a first vertical position in relation to the bag and the second mounting structure facilitates securement of the support member to the urine collection bag at a second vertical position in relation to the bag different from the first vertical position. The first and second mounting structures can include first and second openings dimensioned to receive a pin or dowel. The urine collection bag would also include such an opening dimensioned to receive the pin or dowel.
In one embodiment, the at least one hook portion includes first and second hook portions depending from opposite sides of the central body portion. Each of the hook portions can be pivotally secured to the central body portion such as with a living hinge to enable adjustment of the hook portions. Adjustable hook portions allow the support member/collection bag assembly to be more easily hung on a support structure.
Various embodiments of the presently disclosed fluid collection system are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the presently disclosed fluid collection system will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views:
Referring to
Fluid collection system 10 is used to collect fluid from a catheterized patient. The fluid flows via a transfer tube (not shown), through sampling port 16 and into drain tube 14. Fluid in tube 14 enters collection bag 12 through anti-reflux valve 22 where it collects in collection bag 12. Discharge valve 18 is operable in a known manner to selectively drain the fluid from collection bag 12.
Referring to
Top valve housing 36 includes an outer surface having a thread 60 configured to releasably engage a luer lock or slip-tip type syringe (not shown). In use, when a slip tip or luer lock type syringe is attached to, i.e., secured onto thread 60, a tip of the syringe (not shown), enters inlet 46 of valve 34 and urges valve stem 52 downwardly against the bias of gland 44 to open valve 34. In the open position, fluid can be withdrawn by a syringe through opening 32 in body portion 24 of sampling port 16, such that fluid flows around valve stem 52 and exits opening 46 into the syringe. By withdrawing fluid from collection system 10 upstream from collection bag 12, a less stale, uncontaminated sample can be obtained.
As illustrated in
A valve such as valve 34 of sampling port 16 is available from NP Medical, Inc., a division of Nypro, Inc., of Clinton, Mass. It is envisioned that other valves which function in a similar manner may also be incorporated into body portion 24 of sampling port 16.
Inlet end 128 and outlet end 130 of body portion 124 are substantially as described above with respect to ends 26 and 28 of body portion 24 of sampling port 16 and will not be described in further detail herein. In use, inlet end 128 of sampling port 116 is connected to a transfer tube (not shown) which is connected to a urinary catheter of a catheterized patient and outlet end 130 is connected to one end of drain tube 14 (
Referring to
Referring to
Central body portion 202 includes upper and lower mounting structure for securing support member 200 to collection bag 12 at vertically spaced positions. In one embodiment, upper and lower mounting structure includes an upper mounting opening 208 and a lower mounting opening 210. Mounting openings 208 and 210 are dimensioned to receive a securement dowel or pin 214 (
Central body portion 202 also includes a pair of spring arms 220. Spring arms 220 extend outwardly from central body portion 202 of support member 200 and are positioned to releasably engage drain tube 14. Spring arms 220 minimize the likelihood of drain tube 14 becoming twisted or kinked. Alternately, other tube support structure may be employed.
Drain tube 14 and collection bag 12 are formed from a flexible material or materials, e.g., polyvinylchloride (“PVC”). In one embodiment, the collection bag and drain tube are formed of a material having a durometer of between about 60 and about 100 and preferably about 78. By constructing the collection bag and/or the drain tube of a higher durometer material than typically employed, kinking of the bag and/or tube is minimized.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the exact positioning of in-line vent and/or sampling port upstream of the collection bag can be altered and need not be exactly as shown. Further, although shown with two vertically spaced mounting structures, e.g., openings, the support member may include multiple vertically spaced mounting structures, e.g., 3 or more. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
