Collection container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a collection container for medical or surgical procedures. The collection container comprises a lid (4), a storage space (16) for a coagulant and an inlet (6) for a collection container tube. The inlet (6) in turn comprises a first channel (17) and a second channel (18). Each channel (17, 18) has a front end (17a, 18b) and a rear end (17b, 18b). The first channel (17) and the second channel (18) are coupled to each other such that the front end (18a) of the second channel (18) is removably attached to the rear end (17b) of the first channel (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection container for medical or surgical procedures. The collection container includes a lid, a storage space for a coagulant, and an inlet for a collection container tube. The inlet is configured to connect to the interior of the collection container through the lid.

Background Art

[0002] One disadvantage associated with collection containers is that there is a separate mechanism for releasing the coagulant into the liquid. The separate mechanism requires an extra step when emptying the collection container containing the liquid.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a collection container that overcomes the above disadvantages. The object of the present invention is achieved by a collection container characterized by the matters described in the independent claims. More preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention is based on the idea of combining closing the inlet and releasing the coagulant, i.e., both actions occur simultaneously in the same step.

[0005] The advantage of the collection container is that it does not require an extra step for releasing the coagulant, which necessarily occurs when the inlet of the collection container is closed. The surgical nurse saves time during the surgical procedure and has fewer steps to remember.

[0006] The collection container is for collecting body fluids during internal or surgical operations. The collection container is provided with a lid. The lid usually has a circular shape, but other shapes are also possible. The lid is provided with a storage space for the coagulant and an inlet for the collection container tube. The storage space may be inside the lid, or the storage space may be attached to the lid so that it is inside the collection container when the lid is closed. The coagulant makes the liquid more viscous so that it is easier to handle. In addition to the coagulant, the storage space is also suitable for other fluids such as powdery, granular or liquid substances. An example of such a substance is a disinfectant.

[0007] The inlet is configured to connect to the inside of the collection container through the lid. The inlet may be concentric or eccentric with the lid. The collection container is provided with a mechanism for opening the storage space, that is, the inlet sequentially comprises a first channel and a second channel. At least a part of the second channel is surrounded by the storage space. The first channel and the second channel have a front end and a rear end. The first channel and the second channel are coupled to each other such that the front end of the second channel is removably attached inside or outside the rear end of the first channel, or the front end of the second channel is provided with a groove and the rear rim of the first channel is arranged in the groove. The rear end of the second channel is removable from the wall of the storage space adjacent to the inside of the lid or the collection container.

[0008] The mechanism for opening the collection container is actuated by a stopper. When the liquid inside the collection liner is to be coagulated, the stopper is pushed into the inlet. The stopper may be integrated with the collection liner or may be a separate stopper. The stopper hits the front end of the second channel and pushes the second channel out of place, thereby allowing the coagulant to freely flow into the collection liner.

[0009] Alternatively, the inner surfaces of the stopper and the first channel may be at least partially threaded, and the stopper is screwed in so as to push aside the second channel.

[0010] The mechanism for opening the collection container can be applied to an arrangement comprising a collection container having a lid, such as a can and a collection liner having a fixed lid inside the can, or an arrangement comprising a can having an openable lid. In other words, the collection container may be a collection liner or a collection can.

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of more preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art arrangement comprising a collection liner 1, i.e., a suction bag, and a collection can 2. The bag portion 3 of the suction bag 1 has a lid 4 fixedly attached thereto, and the lid 4 is attached inside the can 2 so as to close the can 2. The lid 4 has a groove 5, and the edge of the can 2 is disposed within the groove 5.

[0014] The lid 4 of the suction bag 1 has an inlet 6, i.e., a connection to the patient, and an angle connector 7 may be pre-attached to the inlet 6. A hose extending from the patient and carrying body fluid sucked in from the patient is connected to the inlet 6 via the angle connector 7. Further, the inlet 6 may be used to carry body fluid sucked in from other objects to the collection liner 1. Such an object may be, for example, the floor of an operating room.

[0015] The inlet 6 may be closed by an inlet plug 8, which is fixed to the edge of the lid 4 by a cord 9.

[0016] The can 2 has a negative pressure coupling part 10 to which an angle connector 11 of the negative pressure coupling part may be pre-attached, and a suction pipe of a negative pressure source is connected to the negative pressure coupling part 10. From the negative pressure coupling part 10, a negative pressure channel 12 of the can starts, which contacts the negative pressure channel 12 of the collection liner 1 at the lid 4 of the collection liner and in the space between the collection liner 1 and the can 2. The negative pressure acts inside the collection liner 1 through a porous filter 13. The filter 13 is a cylindrical part attached in a mounting recess 14 at the mouth of the negative pressure channel 12 inside the collection liner 1. The filter 13 closes when the liquid level reaches the bottom surface 13b of the filter 13. At this time, the negative pressure suction also stops acting.

[0017] The filter 13 is surrounded by a sleeve 15. A gap exists between the inner wall of the sleeve 15 and the outer surface of the filter 13, and an additional filter may be attached to the gap. The cross-sectional shape of the sleeve 15 may be circular or different from circular.

[0018] The lids 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be replaced by the lids 4 in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is, the lids 4 represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be applied in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 show partial views of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. However, the lid 4 may be the lid of the collection can. The lid 4 is provided with an inlet 6 for a collection container tube, that is, body fluid collected from a patient passes through the inlet 6 and enters the collection liner 1. The inlet 6 is configured to lead to the inside 22 of the collection liner 1 through the lid 4.

[0020] The lid 4 may be similar to the lids in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is provided with a storage space 16 for the coagulant and an inlet 6 consisting of two parts. The storage space 16 may be formed between an upper wall 20 and a lower wall 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or the storage space 16 may be a specific space surrounding the inlet 6.

[0021] The inlet sequentially comprises a first channel 17 and a second channel 18. At least a part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a front end portion 17a and a rear end portion 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixed part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a front end portion 18a and a rear end portion 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are coupled to each other such that the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 is removably attached inside the rear end portion 17b of the first channel 17. The front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 forms a shoulder inside the rear end portion 17b of the first channel 17. The rear end portion 18b of the second channel 18 is removably attached to the lid 4. The rear end portion 18b has a groove 26, and a rim 27 in the lid 4 is disposed inside the groove 26. The first channel 17 may be, for example, cylindrical. The second channel 18 may be, for example, cylindrical or funnel-shaped.

[0022] When the liquid inside the collection liner 1 is to be coagulated, the plug 19 is pushed inside the inlet 6 as shown in FIG. 4. The plug 19 may be integrated with the collection liner 1 or may be a separate plug such as an appropriate tool for this purpose, for example. The plug 19 can replace the plug 8 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plug 19 may have a body portion 23 and a head portion 24. The plug 19 hits the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 and pushes the second channel 18 out of its place, thereby allowing the coagulant 25 to flow freely into the collection liner 1. The body portion 23 is adapted to the inlet 6 such that the second channel 18 can be removed. The body portion 23 may be cylindrical. The body portion 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

[0023] Alternatively, at least a part of the body 23 and at least a part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the plug 19 is screwed into the first channel 17, it finally hits the front end 18a of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 from its place. Other details are as shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the coagulant flows out more efficiently from the storage space 16. The storage space 16 may include, for example, an inclined surface such as a funnel-shaped surface.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a partial view of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. However, the lid 4 may be the lid of the collection can. The lid 4 includes an inlet 6 for the collection container tube, i.e., the liquid collected from the patient enters the collection liner 1 through the inlet 6. The inlet 6 is configured to connect to the interior 22 of the collection liner 1 through the lid 4.

[0026] The lid 4 may be similar to the lids of FIGS. 1 and 2, but is provided with a storage space 16 for the coagulant and an inlet 6 consisting of two parts. The storage space 16 is formed between the upper wall 20 and the lower wall 21 as shown in FIG. 5, or the storage space 16 may be a specific space surrounding the inlet 6.

[0027] The inlet sequentially includes a first channel 17 and a second channel 18. At least a part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a front end portion 17a and a rear end portion 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixing part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a front end portion 18a and a rear end portion 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are connected to each other such that the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 is removably attached outside the rear end portion 17b of the first channel 17. The front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 includes a flange 28 that at least partially extends around the inner surface of the second channel as a one-piece component. The flange 28 may include more than one-piece components. The rear end portion 18b of the second channel 18 is removably attached to the lid 4. The rear end portion 18b may have a groove 26, and the rim 27 of the lid 4 is disposed inside the groove 26. The first channel 17 may be, for example, cylindrical. The second channel 18 may be, for example, cylindrical or funnel-shaped.

[0028] When the liquid inside the collection liner 1 is to be solidified, the plug 19 is pushed into the inlet 6 as shown in FIG. 4. The plug 19 may be integrated with the collection liner 1 or may be a separate plug such as a suitable tool for this purpose. The plug 19 can be replaced with the plug 8 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plug 19 may have a body portion 23 and a head portion 24. The plug 19 abuts against the flange 28 of the second channel 18 and pushes the second channel 18 out of its place, thereby allowing the coagulant 25 to freely flow into the collection liner 1. The body portion 23 is adapted to the inlet 6 such that the second channel 18 can be removed. The body portion 23 may be cylindrical. The body portion 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

[0029] Alternatively, at least a part of the body 23 and at least a part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the plug 19 is screwed into the first channel 17, it eventually abuts against the flange 28 of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 from its location. Other details are as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the coagulant flows out more efficiently from the storage space 16. The storage space 16 may comprise an inclined surface, such as a funnel-shaped surface, for example.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a partial view of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. However, the lid 4 may be the lid of the collection can. The lid 4 comprises an inlet 6 for the collection container tube, i.e., the liquid collected from the patient enters the collection liner 1 through the inlet 6. The inlet 6 is configured to lead to the interior 22 of the collection liner 1 through the lid 4.

[0032] The lid 4 may be similar to the lids of FIGS. 1 and 2, but is provided with a storage space 16 for the coagulant and an inlet 6 consisting of two parts. The storage space 16 may be formed between the upper wall 20 and the lower wall 21 as shown in FIG. 6, or the storage space 16 may be a specific space surrounding the inlet 6.

[0033] The inlet sequentially comprises a first channel 17 and a second channel 18. At least a part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a front end portion 17a and a rear end portion 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixing part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a front end portion 18a and a rear end portion 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are coupled to each other such that the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 is removably attached to the first channel 17. The front end portion 18a may have a groove 29, and the rim 30 of the first channel 17 is disposed inside the groove 29. The front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 forms a shoulder inside the rear end portion 17b of the first channel 17. The rear end portion 18b of the second channel 18 is removably attached to the lid 4. The rear end portion 18b may be attached as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the second channel 18 may be a fixing part of the lid 4, and the lid 4 may include a weakened portion 31. The weakened portion 31 may be a circular weakened portion around the rear end portion 18b of the second channel 18. The first channel 17 may be, for example, cylindrical. The second channel 18 may be, for example, cylindrical or funnel-shaped. The second channel 18 in FIG. 6 has a cylindrical outer shape and a funnel-shaped inner shape.

[0034] When the liquid inside the collection liner 1 is to be solidified, the plug 19 is pushed into the inlet 6 as shown in FIG. 4. The plug 19 may be integrated with the collection liner 1 or may be a separate plug such as a suitable tool for this purpose. The plug 19 can be replaced with the plug 8 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plug 19 may have a body portion 23 and a head portion 24. The plug 19 hits the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18 and pushes the second channel 18 out of its place, whereby the coagulant 25 can freely flow into the collection liner 1. When the second channel 18 is a fixing part of the lid 4 and the lid 4 includes the weakened portion 31, the weakened portion 31 breaks when the plug 19 pushes the second channel 18. The body portion 23 is adapted to the inlet 6 so that the second channel 18 can be removed. The body portion 23 may be cylindrical. The body portion 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

[0035] Alternatively, at least a part of the body 23 and at least a part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the plug 19 is screwed into the first channel 17, it finally abuts against the front end portion 18a of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 from its place and destroying the weakened portion 31. Other details are as shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the coagulant flows out of the storage space 16 more efficiently. The storage space 16 may include an inclined surface such as, for example, a funnel-shaped surface.

[0037] The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are dimensioned such that during a medical or surgical procedure, the angled connector 7 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and the second channel 18 form channels with smooth inner surfaces, but when the angled connector 7 is removed after the procedure, there are shoulders or flanges that can be used to remove the second channel 18. The above dimensions are applicable, inter alia, to the solutions shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0038] As technology advances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but may be modified within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A collection container (1) for internal or surgical procedures, wherein the collection container comprises a lid (4), a storage space (16) containing a coagulant, an inlet (6) for a collection container tube, and a stopper (19), wherein the inlet (6) is configured to lead into the interior (22) of the collection container (1) through the lid (4), wherein the inlet (6) sequentially comprises a first channel (17) and a second channel (18), at least a part of the second channel (18) being surrounded by the storage space (16) containing the coagulant, each channel (17, 18) having a front end (17a, 18a) and a rear end (17b, 18b), the front end (17a) of the first channel (17) being for connecting the collection container tube, the rear end (18b) of the second channel (18) being open, and the first channel (17) and the second channel (18) being connected to each other such that the front end (18a) of the second channel (18) is removably attached to the rear end (17b) of the first channel (17), and the stopper (19) being configured to remove the second channel (18) from its position when the inlet (6) is closed by the stopper (19), thereby allowing the coagulant to be released into the interior (22) of the collection container (1), A collection container, characterized by the above.

2. The collection container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first channel (17) and the second channel (18) are connected to each other such that the front end (18a) of the second channel (18) is removably attached inside the rear end (17b) of the first channel (17).

3. The collection container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first channel (17) and the second channel (18) are connected to each other such that the front end (18a) of the second channel (18) is removably attached outside the rear end (17b) of the first channel (17).

4. The collection container according to claim 3, characterized in that the second channel (18) comprises a flange (28).

5. The first channel (17) and the second channel (18) are joined to each other such that the front end portion (18a) of the second channel (18) has a groove (29), and the rear end portion (17b) of the first channel (17) is disposed in the groove. The collection container according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. There is a weakened portion (31) around the rear end portion (18b) of the second channel (18). The collection container according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The first channel (17) and the second channel (18) have a circular cross-section. The collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The collection container is a collection liner provided on a fixed lid. The collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. The collection container is a collection can having an openable lid. The collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

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