Medical suction apparatus and methods for draining same

• US 20040059303A1
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Hand, Joseph M., Anderson, Barry G.
• Application Number:
  US10/657,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059303A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/604 Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both

Abstract

A method and apparatus for draining a liner-type medical suction apparatus. The method includes the acts of positioning the liner-type medical suction apparatus relative to a drainage device including a conduit, causing the conduit to communicate with the liner interior, and draining the fluid from the liner interior through the conduit. The apparatus includes a support member adapted to support the liner-type medical suction apparatus and a drainage device housing adjacent to the support member. The device also includes a conduit including a first end coupled to the drainage device housing and a second end for communication with the liner interior.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus comprising:

a medical suction apparatus including an interior for containing fluid, a cover, a first port in the cover, a pre-attached tube coupled to the first port and extending into the interior, and a second port in the cover;

a drainage device including a housing and a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and

a conduit including a first end coupled to the drainage device housing and a second end coupleable to the second port so that fluid in the interior can flow through the pre-attached tube and out of the second port to the drainage device.

2. The medical apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover includes a first boss extending upwardly from the second port and a second boss extending downwardly from the first port, and wherein the conduit is coupleable to the first boss and the pre-attached tube is coupled to the second boss.

3. The medical apparatus of claim 1 wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.

4. A medical apparatus comprising:

a medical suction apparatus including an interior, a cover, and a port in the cover;

a first conduit coupled to the port and extending into the interior;

a station including a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and

a second conduit including a first end coupled to the station and a second end coupled to the port, the second conduit being in fluid communication with the first conduit.

5. The medical apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first and second conduits include flexible tubing.

6. The medical apparatus of claim 4 wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.

7. A medical apparatus comprising:

a medical suction apparatus including an interior, a cover, and a port in the cover;

a first fluid connector coupled to the port and extending into the interior;

a drainage station including a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and

a second fluid connector including a first end coupled to the drainage station and a second end coupled to the port, whereby fluid in the interior flows through the first fluid connector and to the drainage station via the second fluid connector.

8. The medical apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first and second fluid connectors include flexible tubing.

9. The medical apparatus of claim 7 wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.

10. A medical suction apparatus comprising:

a fluid container having an interior;

a cover secured to the container, the cover having therein a port, a first port wall extending into the interior, and a second port wall extending in a direction opposite the interior; and

a conduit coupled to the first port wall and extending into the interior.

11. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid container is a liner-type fluid container.

12. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 and further including a second conduit coupled to the second port wall.

13. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first port wall and the second port wall are integrally connected.

14. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid container has a bottom wall portion and the conduit has a first end coupled to the first port wall and a second end adjacent the bottom wall portion.

15. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid container has a length and wherein the first conduit extends into the interior at least 75% of the length of the container.

16. The medical suction apparatus of claim 10 wherein the conduit is coupled to the first port wall via a friction fit.

17. A medical suction apparatus comprising:

a fluid container having an interior;

a cover secured to the container, the cover having therein a port; and

a conduit coupled to the port and extending into the interior.

18. The medical suction apparatus of claim 17 and further including a second conduit coupled to the port and in fluid communication with the conduit.

19. The medical suction apparatus of claim 17 wherein the conduit is flexible.

20. The medical suction apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fluid container is a liner-type container.