Removable inlet manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system, the manifold including a housing with a drip stop, the drip stop projecting out of the housing

• US 8,915,897 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2013
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Murray, Sean A., Hershberger, David, Lalomia, Brent S., Reasoner, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): BASS, DIRK R
• Application Number:
  US13/957,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20130345652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/185 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/362 for sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/63 with means for emptying the suction container, e.g. by interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/631 Emptying the suction container without interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/76 Handpieces specially for suction-irrigation A61M1/774, aspiration tips A61M1/84
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/782 using valves with freely moving parts, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/79 : Filters for solid matter specially adapted for dental use A61C17/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 : Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 : with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 : with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 : Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7545 : for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7563 : with means preventing clogging of filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 : Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87571 : Multiple inlet with single outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87676 : With flow control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 : Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a includes at least one fitting through which waste is drawn into the manifold. The fitting opens through an inlet port into a void space internal to the manifold. A backflow prevention valve is disposed in the manifold void space. The backflow prevention valve includes a static hub to which a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.

Claims

1. A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit, the waste collection unit having a receiver for receiving said manifold, said manifold comprising:

a housing defining a void space, said housing including;

at least one fitting for receiving a suction line, said fitting defining a fluid communications path into the void space;

a housing base having an outer surface and formed with an outlet opening, the outlet opening dimensioned to receive a fitting integral with the waste collection unit receiver; and

a lip that extends outwardly from the outer surface of said housing base that extends circumferentially around and is spaced radially outwardly from the outlet opening; and

a seal fitted to the housing outlet opening, said seal having;

a seal base seated over the outer surface of said housing base so as to be located within said housing lip and extend around the housing outlet opening, said seal base having an exposed surface located over the outer surface of the housing base and that defines an opening in said seal base for receiving the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver, the exposed surface having a taper such that extending inwardly from a proximal end of the surface towards the housing outlet opening, the diameter of the exposed surface decreases; and

a seal member connected to said seal base, said seal member dimensioned to, when the fitting of the receiver of the waste collection unit is disposed in the opening of the seal base, establish a barrier between said housing and the fitting; and

a first valve disposed in said housing adjacent the outlet opening, said first valve being normally closed to block fluid flow out of the housing outlet opening and being positioned to be actuated by the seating of the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver in the outlet opening so that, upon the seating of the fitting in the outlet opening, the fitting opens the valve.

2. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said seal is formed

so that the exposed surface of said seal base has plural different tapers so that extend proximally, the angle of the taper of the exposed surface changes.

3. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said seal and said first valve are formed as a single piece unit.

4. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said seal is formed as a single piece unit and is further formed to have a plurality of lips that are located distal to said seal base, said lips extending over the housing outlet opening and having a first position in which said lips abut and a second position when the waste collection unit receiver fitting is inserted in the housing outlet opening in which said lips are spaced apart from each other so that said lips function as said first valve.

5. The manifold of claim 4, wherein said lips are further dimensioned so that when the waste collection unit receiver fitting is disposed in the housing outlet opening, said lips extend around the fitting to function as said seal member between the waste collection unit receiver fitting and said manifold housing.

6. The manifold of claim 1, further including a filter disposed in the housing void space between the manifold housing fitting and the housing outlet opening.

7. The manifold of claim 1, further including a second valve, said second valve associated with said housing fitting, said second valve configured to allow fluid flow through said housing fitting into the housing void space and block fluid flow from the housing void space out through said housing fitting.

8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing is further formed with a valve driver positioned on said housing so as to be off-center from a rotational axis of the housing and positioned to engage a valve unit of the waste collection unit receiver, the valve unit configured to regulate fluid flow from the receiver, wherein said housing is adapted to be rotated around the rotational axis when said manifold is connected to the receiver such that, when the housing is rotated, said valve driver undergoes a like rotation.

9. The manifold of claim 8, wherein said housing has a section formed to define a keyhole for receiving a complementary component of the valve unit, the keyhole being said valve driver.

10. The manifold of claim 1, wherein:

said housing has a rotational axis that extends from said base to a distal end of said housing, the rotational axis being the axis around which said housing is rotated when said housing is connected to the receiver; and

the outlet opening is formed in said housing base to be off axis from the housing rotational axis.

11. The manifold of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a shell in which the outlet opening is formed and said shell has a cylindrical shape.

12. The manifold of claim 1, wherein:

the housing is shaped so that the outlet opening is positioned to be in registration with a complementary inlet port on the waste collection unit receiver; and

at least one alignment feature is integrally formed with said housing, said housing alignment feature positioned relative to the housing outlet opening so that, when said aligned feature is engaged with a complementary alignment feature on the receiver, the housing outlet opening is in registration with the receiver inlet port.

13. A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit, the waste collection unit having a receiver for receiving said manifold, said manifold comprising:

a housing defining a void space, said housing including;

at least one fitting for receiving a suction line and said fitting defining a fluid communications path into the void space;

a housing base having an outer surface and formed with an outlet opening, the outlet opening dimensioned to receive a fitting integral with the waste collection unit receiver; and

a lip that extends outwardly from the outer surface of said housing base that extends circumferentially around and is spaced radially outwardly from the outlet opening; and

a seal fitted to the housing outlet opening so as to extend around the outlet opening, said seal having;

a seal base seated over the outer surface of said housing base so as to be located within said housing lip and extend around the housing outlet opening, said seal base having an exposed surface located over the outer surface of the housing base and that defines an opening in said seal base for receiving the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver, the exposed surface having a taper such that extending inwardly from a proximal end of the surface towards the housing outlet opening, the diameter of the exposed surface decreases;

a seal member connected to said seal base, said seal member dimensioned to, when the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver is disposed in said base, establish a barrier between said housing and the fitting; and

a valve connected to said seal base and disposed in the housing void space adjacent the outlet opening, said valve being normally closed to block fluid flow out of the housing outlet opening and being positioned to be actuated by the seating of the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver in the outlet opening so that, upon the seating of the fitting in the outlet opening, the fitting opens the valve.

14. The manifold of claim 13, wherein said seal base, said seal and said valve are formed as a single piece unit.

15. The manifold of claim 13, wherein said seal base, said seal member and said valve are formed as a single piece unit and further formed to have a plurality of lips that are disposed distal to said base, said lips extending over the housing outlet opening and having a first position in which said lips abut and a second position when the waste collection unit receiver fitting is inserted in the housing outlet opening wherein said lips are spaced apart from each other so that said lips function as said valve.

16. The manifold of claim 15, wherein said lips are further dimensioned so that when the waste collection unit receiver fitting is disposed in the housing outlet opening, said lips extend around the fitting to function as said seal member between the fitting and said manifold housing.

17. The manifold of claim 13, further including a filter disposed in the housing void space between the manifold housing fitting and the housing outlet opening.

18. The manifold of claim 13, wherein said housing is further formed with a valve driver positioned on said housing so as to be off-center from a rotational axis of the housing and positioned to engage a valve unit of the receiver the valve unit configured to regulate fluid flow from the receiver, wherein said housing is adapted to be rotated around the rotational axis when said manifold is connected to the waste collection unit receiver such that, when said housing is rotated, said valve driver undergoes a like rotation.

19. The manifold of claim 13, wherein:

said housing has a rotational axis that extends from said base to a distal end of said housing, the rotational axis being the axis around which said housing is rotated when said manifold is connected to the waste collection unit receiver; and

the outlet opening is formed in said housing base to be off axis from the housing rotational axis.

20. The manifold of claim 13, wherein said housing includes a shell in which the outlet opening is formed and said shell has a cylindrical shape.

21. The manifold of claim 13, wherein:

said housing is shaped so that the outlet opening is positioned to be in registration with a complementary inlet port on the waste collection unit receiver; and

at least one alignment feature is integrally formed with said housing, said housing alignment feature positioned relative to the housing outlet opening so that, when said aligned feature is engaged with a complementary alignment feature on the receiver, the housing outlet opening is in registration with the receiver inlet port.

22. A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit, the waste collection unit having a receiver for receiving said manifold, said manifold comprising:

a housing defining a void space, said housing including;

at least one fitting for receiving a suction line, said fitting defining a fluid communications path into the void space; and

a housing base having an outer surface and formed with an outlet opening, the outlet opening dimensioned to receive a fitting integral with the waste collection unit receiver;

a drip stop, said drip stop including;

a drip stop base, said drip stop base having a slot that extends circumferentially around an outer perimeter of the base wherein said drip stop base is mounted to said housing base so that the portion of said housing base that defines the housing outlet opening seats in the slot in said drip stop base, and said drip stop base having an exposed surface that is disposed over the outer surface of said housing base and that defines an opening in the drip stop base for receiving the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver, the exposed surface of said drip stop base having a taper such that extending inwardly from a proximal end of the exposed surface towards the housing outlet opening, the diameter of the exposed surface decreases; and

a seal integral with said drip stop base that is configured to, when the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver is disposed in said base, establish a barrier between said housing and the fitting; and

a valve connected to said drip stop and disposed in said housing adjacent the housing outlet opening that is normally closed to block fluid flow out of the housing outlet opening and is positioned to be actuated by the seating of the fitting of the waste collection unit receiver in the outlet opening so that, upon the seating of the fitting in the opening of the drip stop base, the fitting opens the valve.

23. The manifold of claim 22, wherein said drip stop and said valve are formed as a single piece unit.

24. The manifold of claim 22, wherein a plurality of lips are formed integrally with said drip stop base, said lips positioned to extend over the housing outlet opening and having a first position in which said lips abut and a second position when the receiver fitting is inserted in the housing outlet opening wherein said lips are spaced apart from each other so that said lips function as said valve.

25. The manifold of claim 24, wherein said lips are further dimensioned so that when the receiver fitting is disposed in the housing outlet opening, said lips extend around the receiver fitting to function as said seal between the fitting and said manifold housing.

26. The manifold of claim 22, further including a filter disposed in the housing void space between the manifold housing fitting and the housing outlet opening.

27. The manifold of claim 22, wherein said housing is further formed with a valve driver positioned on said housing so as to be off-center from a rotational axis of the housing and positioned to engage a valve unit of the waste collection unit receiver, the valve unit configured to regulate fluid flow from the receiver, wherein said housing is adapted to be rotated around the rotational axis when said manifold is connected to said waste collection unit receiver such that, when said housing is rotated, said valve driver undergoes a like rotation.

28. The manifold of claim 22, wherein:

said housing has a rotational axis that extends from said base to a distal end of said housing, the rotational axis being the axis around which said housing is rotated when said manifold is connected to the waste collection unit receiver; and

said outlet opening is formed in said housing base to be off axis from the housing rotational axis.

29. The manifold of claim 22, wherein said housing includes a shell in which the outlet opening is formed and said shell has a cylindrical shape.

30. The manifold of claim 22, wherein:

the housing is shaped so that the outlet opening is positioned to be in registration with a complementary inlet port on the waste collection unit receiver; and

at least one alignment feature is integrally formed with said housing, said alignment feature positioned relative to the housing outlet opening so that, when said aligned feature is engaged with a complementary alignment feature on the receiver, the housing outlet opening is in registration with the receiver inlet port.

31. The manifold of claim 22, wherein:

said housing is further formed to have a lip that extends outwardly from said base, said lip extending around and being located radially outwardly from the housing outlet opening; and

said drip stop base extends outwardly from said housing base and is disposed within said housing lip.