Medical suction and fluid collection device and air vent device used therein

Abstract

To provide a medical liquid suction and collection apparatus and an air vent device which can collect liquid again with less time and effort while preventing liquid spill even if the liquid has been stored.SOLUTION: A medical liquid suction and collection apparatus 1 comprises a bag 2 which has an inflow port 12a and an outflow port 12b and can expand / contract; an extension mechanism 3 which expands the bag 2; and an air vent device 4 which is detachably attached to the outflow port 12b of the bag 2. The air vent device 4 comprises: a valve 41 which permits passage of the air from the inside to the outside of the bag 2 and restricts the passage of the air from the outside to the inside of the bag 2; and a filter 42 which has the air permeability and prevents liquid in the bag 2 from flowing out to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical suction and collection device for collecting liquid in a storage bag and an air vent device used for this medical suction and collection device.

Background Art

[0002] During surgeries and the like, blood, pus, exudate, etc. may be discharged outside the body, and it is necessary to suck these liquids and store them somewhere after the surgery. There is a medical suction and collection device having such a function, and as an example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] The medical suction and collection device of Patent Document 1 includes a drain bag in which an expansion mechanism is enclosed in a bag body, and an inlet and an outlet are provided in the bag body. Further, an inhalation tube is connected to the inlet, and a discharge tube is connected to the outlet. In such a medical suction and collection device, before use, the inhalation tube and the discharge tube are each closed with a plug, and at the time of use, only the plug of the inhalation tube is removed and a catheter is connected thereto. Then, with the plug of the discharge tube remaining closed, the tip of the catheter is immersed in a pool of body fluid such as blood. When the expansion mechanism is operated in this state to expand the bag body, a negative pressure is generated in the bag body, and thereby the body fluid is sucked into the bag body through the catheter. When the suction of the body fluid is completed, the tip of the catheter is separated from the pool of body fluid, and then the plug is removed from the discharge tube and the bag body is tilted, and the body fluid in the bag body is discharged from the discharge tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in the medical suction fluid collection device described in Patent Document 1, once fluid collection is complete and the tip of the catheter is removed from the fluid reservoir, air enters the bag body through the catheter. As a result, the negative pressure inside the bag body disappears, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bag body is eliminated. On the other hand, in some cases, it is necessary to collect fluid again after the initial collection has been completed. One method for this is to place the bag body below the fluid reservoir and collect more fluid using the pressure difference between the two. However, since pressure difference cannot be obtained if the discharge pipe remains closed, it is necessary to remove the plug from the discharge pipe when using this method.

[0006] Thus, when attempting to collect fluid again using the same medical suction and fluid collection device after the initial collection, it is necessary to remove the plug on the discharge pipe, which is cumbersome. Furthermore, removing the plug on the discharge pipe may cause bodily fluids from the bag to leak unintentionally, potentially contaminating the work environment.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a medical suction and fluid collection device, and an air vent device for use therein, that requires less effort and prevents contamination due to leakage of stored bodily fluids, even when a medical suction and fluid collection device that has already stored bodily fluids is used for fluid collection again. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A medical suction liquid collection device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises an inflatable and deflated bag having an inlet for liquid to enter and an outlet for liquid to exit; an expansion mechanism for inflating the bag to draw liquid from the inlet; and an air vent device detachably provided to the outlet of the bag, wherein the air vent device includes a valve that allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the bag and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside of the bag; and a filter that is breathable and prevents liquid inside the bag from flowing out of the bag.

[0009] As a result, even a medical suction fluid collection device that has been used once and has bodily fluids stored in the bag can be reused for fluid collection using gravity pressure, with less effort required and contamination prevention, while simultaneously preventing liquid leakage with a filter and allowing air to be discharged (degassed) from the outlet through a valve. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a medical suction fluid collection device that has already collected fluid once can be used to create negative pressure inside the bag by closing the expansion mechanism again, and to collect fluid again using this negative pressure. In this case as well, the medical suction fluid collection device according to this disclosure does not require the effort of opening the valve when closing the expansion mechanism, and prevents leakage of liquid from inside the bag.

[0010] In the second aspect of the present disclosure, the medical suction and fluid collection device may, in the first aspect, have a diaphragm-type check valve comprising a hollow tubular valve body having a through-hole in its peripheral wall, and a flexible cylindrical member externally mounted on the valve body so as to cover the through-hole.

[0011] This makes it possible to create a valve that can vent air from a bag with a relatively simple configuration.

[0012] In the third aspect of the present disclosure, the medical suction and fluid collection device, in the first aspect, the valve may be a duckbill type check valve.

[0013] This allows the valve to be sensitively opened and closed in response to the pressure difference between the inside and outside, enabling proper air removal from the bag.

[0014] In any of the first to third embodiments, the medical suction and fluid collection device according to the fourth aspect of this disclosure may have an air vent device having a guard wall surrounding the valve from the outside.

[0015] This prevents damage to the valve from something coming into contact with it, or from the valve opening unintentionally.

[0016] In the fourth embodiment, the medical suction and fluid collection device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may have a guard wall that is cylindrical with an opening at one end and has a slit extending axially from the opening.

[0017] This allows valves to be installed inside the guard wall through openings and slits, thereby improving productivity for air vent devices.

[0018] A medical suction and fluid collection device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the air vent device has a flow pipe in which the valve is provided at the downstream end in the direction of air flow from the inside to the outside of the bag, and the filter may be provided in the flow pipe at a position closer to the downstream end than to the upstream end.

[0019] As a result, the filter is positioned relatively far from the bag in the air vent device, which helps to prevent bodily fluids inside the bag from coming into contact with the filter and impairing the filter's breathability.

[0020] An air vent device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is an air vent device detachably provided to the outlet of a medical suction and liquid collection device, which comprises an inlet for liquid to flow in and an outlet for liquid to flow out and an inflatable and deflated bag, and an expansion mechanism for inflating the bag to draw liquid from the inlet, and comprises a flow pipe through which air flows, a valve provided at one end of the flow pipe which allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the flow pipe through the one end and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside, and a filter which prevents liquid from flowing from the other end of the flow pipe toward the one end.

[0021] Thus, even when collecting liquid again using a medical suction liquid collection device in which body fluid has been stored once in the bag, it is possible to discharge (degas) the air in the bag from the outlet through the valve while preventing leakage of the liquid with a filter, so that it is possible to use it again for liquid collection using the head pressure with less labor and preventing contamination. Further, regarding a medical suction liquid collection device after collecting liquid once, even when closing the expansion mechanism again and performing suction liquid collection again by a negative pressure method, if it is a medical suction liquid collection device provided with the air vent device according to the present disclosure, there is no need for the labor of opening the stopper when closing the expansion mechanism, and it is possible to prevent leakage of the liquid in the bag.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, even when using a medical suction liquid collection device in which body fluid has been stored once again for liquid collection, it is possible to reduce labor and prevent contamination due to leakage of the stored body fluid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a medical suction liquid collection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an expansion mechanism provided in the medical suction liquid collection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective cross-sectional view seen by cutting with a virtual plane that opens the expansion mechanism of FIG. 2 and is located at the center in the width direction. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of an air vent device provided in the medical suction liquid collection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the air vent device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is an external view of an air vent device provided in a medical suction liquid collection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, including a plan view and a front view. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the air vent device shown in FIG. 6.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, a medical suction and fluid collection device and an air vent device used therein according to embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the concept of direction used in the following description is for convenience of explanation and does not limit the orientation of each disclosed configuration to that direction. Furthermore, the configuration described below is merely one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and additions, deletions, and modifications to the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0025] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 shows a front view of the medical suction fluid collection device 1 according to this disclosure. This medical suction fluid collection device 1 is used, for example, to remove blood or exudate accumulated in a patient's body for therapeutic drainage purposes, or to remove bleeding, exudate, or digestive fluid from the abdominal cavity or thoracic cavity for prophylactic drainage purposes. The medical suction fluid collection device 1 comprises a bag 2, also called a drain bag, an expansion mechanism 3 housed within the bag 2, and an air vent device 4.

[0026] [bag] Bag 2 is a rectangular bag-shaped body when viewed from the front and is configured to be expandable and contractible. Bag 2 has a storage space 10 inside, formed by welding together, for example, two rectangular sheets of transparent and flexible synthetic resin at their periphery. Bag 2 has a mounting hole 11 in the center of one predetermined end of its periphery (for example, any one of the four sides), and the medical suction and fluid collection device 1 can be suspended by passing this mounting hole 11 through a hook on a suspension device.

[0027] In the following explanation of Figures 1 to 3, the direction of each component will be described using the concept of the vertical direction when the medical suction and fluid collection device 1 is suspended. Therefore, one end of the bag 2 where the mounting hole 11 is provided is also the upper end, and the other end located on the opposite side is also the lower end. Furthermore, among the directions along the surface of the bag 2 when the medical suction and fluid collection device 1 is suspended, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is defined as the left-right direction (or width direction), and the thickness direction of the bag 2 is defined as the front-back direction.

[0028] An inlet 12a and an outlet 12b are provided on the left and right sides of the upper end of bag 2, flanking the mounting hole 11. The inlet 12a opens diagonally upward and outward to the left and right (i.e., away from the outlet 12b), and the outlet 12b also opens diagonally upward and outward to the left and right (i.e., away from the inlet 12a). An inlet pipe 13a is inserted through the inlet 12a, and an outlet pipe 13b is inserted through the outlet 12b. The inside and outside of bag 2 are in communication through the inlet pipe 13a and the outlet pipe 13b.

[0029] The inlet pipe 13a is a pipe through which the liquid collected in the storage space 10 flows. One end of the pipe is located in the storage space 10, and a catheter is connected to the other end of the pipe during liquid collection. The outlet pipe 13b is a pipe through which the liquid collected in the storage space 10 and then discharged to the outside flows. One end of the pipe is located in the storage space 10, and an air vent device 4 is connected to the other end of the pipe during liquid collection. The air vent device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0030] [Expansion mechanism] Figures 2 and 3 show the expansion mechanism 3 located inside the bag 2. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the expansion mechanism 3, and Figure 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the expansion mechanism 3 when opened and cut by a virtual plane located in the center in the width direction. This expansion mechanism 3 is variable between a flat form, which is the first form, as shown in Figure 2, and an expanded form, which is the second form, as shown in Figure 3, through a predetermined operation. When the expansion mechanism 3 is in the flat form, the bag 2 is in a contracted state, and when the expansion mechanism 3 is in the expanded form, the bag 2 is in an expanded state. The expansion mechanism 3 inflates the bag 2, thereby drawing liquid from the inlet 12a into the storage space 10.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the expansion mechanism 3 has a bottom plate 20 and a top plate 21 having similar configurations to each other, and a spring 22 positioned between these plates 20 and 21.

[0032] The bottom plate 20 and the top plate 21 are both rectangular in shape, elongated vertically, and each has a central plate portion 30, an upper plate portion 31, and a lower plate portion 32, respectively. The central plate portion 30 is rectangular in shape, with the lower end of the upper plate portion 31 connected to its upper end and the lower plate portion 32 connected to its lower end. The connection point between the central plate portion 30 and the upper plate portion 31 has a smaller thickness than other parts, and the connection point between the central plate portion 30 and the lower plate portion 32 also has a smaller thickness than other parts. Therefore, two adjacent plate portions among the plate portions 30, 31, and 32 can be easily bent using their connection points as a base point.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, downward notches 31a are formed at two locations on the left and right of the upper end of the upper plate portion 31, and reinforcing pieces 31b are provided across the upper end openings of these notches 31a from left to right. The reinforcing pieces 31b of the bottom plate 20 are curved backward in the left and right central portions, and the reinforcing pieces 31b of the top plate 21 are curved forward in the left and right central portions. Therefore, whether the expansion mechanism 3 is in a flat or expanded form, a gap 31c of a predetermined size is formed between the front and rear opposing reinforcing pieces 31b, 31b, and as shown in Figure 1, the lower ends of the inlet pipe 13a and outlet pipe 13b pass through this gap 31c.

[0034] The upper and lower ends of plates 20 and 21 are rotatably connected to each other. Specifically, a through hole 31d running in the front-to-back direction is formed in the center of the upper end of each upper plate portion 31, 31 of plates 20 and 21, and the upper ends of each upper plate portion 31, 31 are connected to each other by a cable tie passed through this through hole 31d. In addition, hinge pins 32a are provided at two locations on the left and right of the lower end of one of the lower plate portions 32, 32 of plates 20 and 21, and hinge hooks 32b are provided at two locations on the left and right of the lower end of the other lower end. These hinge pins 32a and hinge hooks 32b engage with each other, and when engaged, the hinge hooks 32b are rotatable with respect to the axis of the hinge pin 32a.

[0035] In the expansion mechanism 3, the upper ends and lower ends of the bottom plate 20 and top plate 21 are rotatably connected to each other, and the connection points of adjacent plate portions 30, 31, and 32 can be easily bent. Therefore, while the upper ends and lower ends remain connected, the central plate portions 30, 30 can be transformed from a flat configuration where they are overlapping to an expanded configuration where they are separated from each other. A spring 22 is provided between plates 20 and 21 to transform from the flat configuration to the expanded configuration.

[0036] The spring 22 is a coil-shaped compression spring and, in its natural state, has a roughly frustoconical shape. That is, the spring 22 is positioned with its axis oriented in the front-rear direction, and its diameter decreases from the rear end to the front end, with the rear end having a larger diameter than the front end. Therefore, when the spring 22 is compressed in the front-rear direction, the front portion is housed inward of the rear portion, becoming flat and spiral-shaped. Such a spring 22 is interposed between the central plate portions 30, 30 of plates 20, 21.

[0037] The plates 20 and 21, biased in the expansion direction by the spring 22, maintain their flat shape by a locking mechanism 35. The locking mechanism 35 consists of a first hook 35a provided on the central plate portion 30 of either plate 20 or 21, and a second hook 35b provided on the central plate portion 30 of the other plate 20 or 21. The first hook 35a and the second hook 35b engage with each other when the opposing central plate portions 30, 30 approach a predetermined position, limiting the separation of the central plate portions 30, 30. On the other hand, when the engaged central plate portions 30, 30 are shifted in opposite directions vertically, the engagement of the first hook 35a and the second hook 35b is released.

[0038] When not in use, the expansion mechanism 3 is housed in the bag 2 in a flat shape due to the engagement of the first hook 35a and the second hook 35b. When using it to aspirate liquid, the bottom plate 20 and the top plate 21 are operated from the outside of the bag 2 to slide in opposite directions vertically. This releases the engagement of the first hook 35a and the second hook 35b, and the central plate portions 30, 30 are biased by the spring 22 to move apart from each other, causing the expansion mechanism 3 to deform from a flat shape to an expanded shape. As a result, the bag 2 changes from a contracted state to an expanded state, and negative pressure is generated in the storage space 10. The liquid that immerses the tip of the catheter is drawn into the storage space 10 through the catheter, the inlet tube 13a, and the inlet 12a by this negative pressure.

[0039] [Air vent device] Next, the air vent device 4 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the air vent device 4, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the air vent device 4. This air vent device 4 is detachably attached to the outlet 12b of the bag 2 via an outlet pipe 13b. The air vent device 4 has the function of allowing air to flow from the inside of the bag 2 to the outside through the air vent device 4 and restricting air flow in the reverse direction, and the function of preventing liquid inside the bag 2 from flowing out to the outside through the air vent device 4.

[0040] This air vent device 4 has a roughly cylindrical body 40, a valve 41, and a filter 42. In the following description relating to Figures 4 and 5, the direction along the axis A1 of the body 40 of the air vent device 4 is defined as the vertical direction as shown in the figures, and the direction of each component is referred to accordingly. In addition, regarding the direction of air flow, the downstream side in the direction of flow is above the axis A1, and the upstream side in the direction of flow is below the axis A1.

[0041] The main body 40 has a connector section 50. The connector section 50 is inserted into the opening at the other end of the outflow pipe 13b to connect the air vent device 4 and the outflow pipe 13b, and to allow air from the outflow pipe 13b to pass through. Such a connector section 50 has a tubular body 51, and a flow path 51a is formed inside the tubular body 51. Furthermore, the tubular body 51 of the connector section 50 has a tapered structure that narrows towards the end, so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller at the lower end (other end, tip, or upstream end) than at the upper end (one end, base end, or downstream end) in the direction along the axis A1, in order to facilitate insertion into the outflow pipe 13b.

[0042] The main body 40 further has a functional section 53, which is connected to the upper end of the connector section 50. The functional section 53 has a cylindrical section 54 in which a flow path 54a is formed inside. This cylindrical section 54 is provided coaxially with the pipe body 51 of the connector section 50, and the flow path 54a communicates with the flow path 51a of the pipe body 51. A constrictor 55 is also provided inside the cylindrical section 54. The constrictor 55 is positioned towards the upper end of the cylindrical section 54, which is offset from the vertical center, and this constrictor 55 defines the upper end (downstream end) of the flow path 54a inside the cylindrical section 54.

[0043] A recess 56 is formed in the upper part of the cylindrical portion 54. This recess 56 is a recess that opens upward, and the upper surface of the aperture 55 forms the bottom surface of the recess 56. Furthermore, the internal space 56a of the recess 56 communicates with the flow path 54a of the cylindrical portion 54 through an opening 55a formed in the center of the aperture 55. Note that the opening 55a of the aperture 55 has a smaller diameter than the flow path 54a of the cylindrical portion 54, while the internal space 56a of the recess 56 has a larger diameter than the flow path 54a of the cylindrical portion 54.

[0044] A filter 42 is disposed in the internal space 56a of the recess 56. The filter 42 is, for example, disc-shaped and is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 56 so as to cover the opening 55a of the constriction 55, with the portion outside the opening 55a and the bottom surface of the recess 56 connected by adhesive. This filter 42 is permeable while restricting the flow of liquid, and can be made of a known filter material having such functions.

[0045] Here, the aforementioned pipe body 51 and cylindrical portion 54 are integrally constructed and form a flow pipe 58 through which air flows from the inside to the outside of the bag 2. The filter 42 is positioned in the flow pipe 58 closer to the downstream end (upper end in the figure) than to the upstream end (lower end in the figure) in the direction of air flow. Therefore, since the filter 42 is positioned away from the liquid inside the bag 2, it is possible to suppress liquid adhesion that reduces air permeability. In particular, in the configuration according to this embodiment, the filter 42 is positioned downstream in the direction of flow with the throttling 55 in between, so liquid adhesion can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0046] A valve 41 is fitted to the cylindrical portion 54 of the functional unit 53. The valve 41 is a so-called duckbill type check valve, which allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the bag 2 and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside of the bag 2.

[0047] The valve 41 is integrally molded from a flexible material such as synthetic resin and has a mounting portion 65, a pair of flexible pieces 66, 66, and a pair of side walls 67, 67. The mounting portion 65 is cylindrical in shape with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 54, and is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 54 in an expanded state. The lower ends of the pair of flexible pieces 66, 66 are connected at a distance from the upper end of the mounting portion 65, and extend upward from there. The flexible pieces 66, 66 extend diagonally so that they get closer to each other as they extend upward (in other words, they move closer to the axis A1). The upper ends of the flexible pieces 66, 66 are not connected to each other, but are in contact with each other in a natural state without external pressure. The pair of side walls 67, 67 connect the lateral ends of the flexible pieces 66, 66 as described above. Furthermore, the flexible pieces 66, 66 have a smaller thickness than the mounting portion 65.

[0048] Such a valve 41 has a slit-shaped valve opening 41a between the upper ends of a pair of flexible pieces 66, 66. The valve opening 41a opens and closes in accordance with the pressure between the pair of flexible pieces 66, 66 (hereinafter referred to as internal pressure) and the pressure outside the flexible pieces 66, 66 (hereinafter referred to as external pressure). Specifically, when the internal pressure and external pressure are equal, or when the external pressure is greater than the internal pressure, the valve opening 41a is closed. On the other hand, when the external pressure is less than the internal pressure, the valve opening 41a opens. Therefore, when the pressure inside the bag 2 is higher than the pressure outside, the valve 41 allows air to flow from the inside of the bag 2 to the outside. Conversely, when the pressure inside and outside the bag 2 are the same, or when the internal pressure is lower than the external pressure, the valve 41 restricts the flow of air from the outside of the bag 2 to the inside.

[0049] The main body 40 further has a guard wall 60. The guard wall 60 is cylindrical in shape, surrounding the valve 41 from the outside, and has an opening 60a at one end on the upper side, while the other end on the lower side is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the pipe body 51 of the connector part 50 via a flange 60b that extends inward. The opening 60b is located above the upper end of the valve 41, and the lower end of the valve 41 is located on the inner surface (upper surface) of the flange 60b. In other words, a gap 60c is formed around the entire circumference between the lower inner surface of the guard wall 60 and the outer surface of the cylindrical part 54, and the lower part (mounting part 65) of the valve 41 fits into this gap 60c and is mounted on the cylindrical part 54.

[0050] The guard wall 60 has a pair of slits 61, 61 facing each other across the axis A1. Each slit 61 extends downward from the opening 60a along the axis A1 and has a long rectangular shape in the vertical direction. The upper end of the slit 61 opens upward at the opening 60a, and the lower end is located near the upper end of the cylindrical portion 54 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the valve 41 is not installed in the functional portion 53, the operator can easily see inside the recess 56 on which the filter 42 is placed through the slits 61. In the example of Figure 4, the orientation of the pair of slits 61, 61 coincides with the orientation of the pair of flexible pieces 66, 66 of the valve 41. That is, when one slit 61 is viewed directly from the outside of the guard wall 60, one flexible piece 66 can be viewed directly through this slit 61.

[0051] Furthermore, a pair of gripping surfaces 62, 62 are formed on the outer surface of the guard wall 60, facing in a direction that intersects with the opposing directions of the pair of slits 61, 61 (in Figure 4, they intersect at a right angle). Each gripping surface 62 is a long, flat surface in the vertical direction, as if formed by partially removing the surface layer of the curved circumferential surface of the guard wall 60. The gripping surfaces 62 extend downward from the upper end of the guard wall 60, and their lower ends are located even lower than the lower ends of the slits 61, near the lower end of the guard wall 60. In addition, the gripping surfaces 62 are provided with multiple projections 62a extending in the circumferential direction of the guard wall 60, spaced at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (three in Figure 4). Therefore, the operator can grip the air vent device 4 by placing their fingers on each gripping surface 62, and the projections 62a function as anti-slip when attaching and detaching from the outflow pipe 13b.

[0052] [Instructions for use and effects] In the medical suction and liquid collection device 1 configured as described above, an air vent device 4 is attached to the outflow tube 13b when liquid collection is performed. The tip of the catheter connected to the inflow tube 13a is immersed in the liquid, and a predetermined operation is performed on the expansion mechanism 3, causing it to gradually change from a flat shape to an expanded shape. This biases the bag 2, causing it to gradually deform from a contracted state to an expanded state. This deformation of the bag 2 creates negative pressure inside the bag 2, drawing liquid from the tip of the catheter and collecting it in the bag 2.

[0053] Furthermore, if the tip of the catheter is removed from the liquid or if all the liquid has been aspirated, the liquid collection is interrupted or terminated. If the expansion mechanism 3 is not yet in its fully expanded state when the liquid collection is interrupted or terminated, the expansion mechanism 3 continues to deform into its fully expanded state. In this case, air is aspirated through the catheter, and when the expansion mechanism 3 reaches its fully expanded state, the bag 2 is in its maximum inflated state. When the bag 2 is in its maximum inflated state, the negative pressure inside the bag 2 disappears, and the pressure inside and outside the bag 2 becomes the same. Then, the catheter or the inlet tube 13a is closed.

[0054] Incidentally, while negative pressure is generated inside bag 2, as described above, valve 41 closes valve port 41a. Therefore, air does not enter bag 2 through air vent device 4, and the negative pressure inside bag 2 is maintained. Furthermore, even if bag 2 is tilted during or after liquid collection and the outlet 12b is directed downwards, the filter 42 of air vent device 4 prevents liquid from flowing, thus preventing liquid leakage.

[0055] Next, we will explain the case where the liquid is recollected by gravity after bag 2 has reached its maximum expansion state. In this case, the tip of the catheter is immersed in the liquid to be collected, and bag 2 is positioned so that it is below the tip of the catheter. On the other hand, it is not necessary to remove the air vent device 4 to open the outflow tube 13b. As a result, the pressure difference created by the height difference between the tip of the catheter and bag 2 draws the liquid from the tip of the catheter and collects it in bag 2. At this time, the valve port 41a of the valve 41 of the air vent device 4 opens, allowing air to flow from the inside to the outside of bag 2. Thus, smooth liquid collection by gravity is achieved. In addition, the filter 42 prevents the liquid in bag 2 from leaking to the outside.

[0056] The case where liquid is re-collected by creating a negative pressure state by pressing the expansion mechanism 3 after bag 2 has reached its maximum expansion state will also be explained. In this case, pressure is applied to the expansion mechanism 3 from the outside of bag 2, which is in its maximum expansion state, pushing out the air inside through the air vent device 4 and deforming it to a flatter shape. When the pressure on the expansion mechanism 3 is released, the expansion mechanism 3 attempts to change back to its expanded state, creating negative pressure inside bag 2. Therefore, when the tip of the catheter is immersed in the liquid, the liquid is collected again into bag 2 through the catheter.

[0057] When the expansion mechanism 3 is subjected to the pressing operation described above, positive pressure is generated inside the bag 2. This causes the valve port 41a of the valve 41 to open, and the air inside the bag 2 is discharged to the outside through the air vent device 4. Meanwhile, the liquid stored inside the bag 2 is prevented from flowing out to the outside by the filter 42. Thus, even when the expansion mechanism 3 is pressed while liquid is stored inside the bag 2, the function of the air vent device 4 eliminates the need for the operator to perform any special operations for exhaust or to prevent liquid leakage. When discharging the liquid inside the bag 2 after collection, the air vent device 4 should be removed from the discharge pipe 13b, and the liquid should then be discharged from the discharge pipe 13b.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) A medical suction and fluid collection device according to Embodiment 2 will now be described. This medical suction and fluid collection device is equipped with an air vent device 4A with a different configuration from the air vent device 4 of the medical suction and fluid collection device 1 according to Embodiment 1, but the other bags 2 and expansion mechanism 3 are the same as those described above. Therefore, the air vent device 4A will be described below, and the description of the other components will be omitted.

[0059] Figure 6 is an external view of the air vent device 4A, including a plan view and a front view. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the air vent device 4A of Figure 6 along the line VII-VII. The air vent device 4A is detachably attached to the outlet 12b of the bag 2 via the outlet pipe 13b. The air vent device 4A has the function of allowing air to flow from the inside of the bag 2 through the air vent device 4A to the outside, while restricting air flow in the reverse direction, and also has the function of preventing liquid inside the bag 2 from flowing out through the air vent device 4A to the outside.

[0060] This air vent device 4A has a roughly cylindrical body 70, a valve 71, and a filter 72. In the following description relating to Figures 6 and 7, the direction along the axis A2 of the body 70 of the air vent device 4A is defined as the vertical direction as shown in the figures, and the direction of each component is referred to accordingly. In addition, regarding the direction of air flow, the downstream side in the direction of flow is above the axis A2, and the upstream side in the direction of flow is below the axis A2.

[0061] The main body 70 has a connector section 80. The connector section 80 is inserted into the opening at the other end of the outflow pipe 13b to connect the air vent device 4A and the outflow pipe 13b, and to allow air from the outflow pipe 13b to pass through. Such a connector section 80 has a tubular body 81, and a flow path 81a is formed inside the tubular body 81. Furthermore, the tubular body 81 of the connector section 80 has a tapered shape that narrows towards the end, so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller at the lower end (other end, tip, or upstream end) than at the upper end (one end, base end, or downstream end) in the direction along the axis A2, in order to facilitate insertion into the outflow pipe 13b.

[0062] A recess 82 is formed in the lower part of the pipe body 81. This recess 82 is a recess that opens downward, and the opening diameter of the recess 82 when viewed along the axis A2 is larger than the opening diameter of the lower end of the flow path 91a. A filter 72 is disposed within this recess 82. The filter 72 is, for example, a disc shape with a diameter larger than the opening diameter of the lower end of the flow path 91a, and is connected by adhesive so as to cover the lower end opening of the flow path 91a. This filter 72 is permeable while restricting the flow of liquid, and can be made of a known filter material having such functions.

[0063] The main body 70 further has a functional section 83, which is connected to the upper end of the connector section 80. The functional section 83 has a hollow tubular valve body 84. The valve body 84 is closed at the upper end and open at the lower end, with its internal space 84a communicating with the flow path 81a of the pipe body 81. In addition, a pair of through-holes 84b are formed in the peripheral wall of the valve body 84. A valve element 85 made of a flexible cylindrical member is externally mounted on the valve body 84 of the functional section 83. Here, the valve body 84 and valve element 85 constitute the valve 71.

[0064] As described above, the valve body 85 constituting the valve 71 is cylindrical, and in the vertical dimension along the axis A2, it is approximately the same as or slightly shorter than the tubular valve casing 84. The through-hole 84b of the valve casing 84 is positioned opposite the valve body 85 at approximately the center in the vertical direction. A valve 71 with this configuration is a so-called diaphragm-type check valve. The valve casing 84 and the valve body 85 open and close in accordance with the pressure inside the valve casing 84 (hereinafter referred to as internal pressure) and the pressure outside the valve casing 84 (hereinafter referred to as external pressure).

[0065] Specifically, when the internal pressure and external pressure are equal, or when the external pressure is greater than the internal pressure, no gap is formed between the valve body 84 and the valve element 85, resulting in a closed valve state. On the other hand, when the external pressure is less than the internal pressure, the gap is formed, resulting in an open valve state. Therefore, the valve 71 allows air to flow from the inside of bag 2 to the outside when the pressure inside bag 2 is higher than the pressure outside. Conversely, when the internal and external pressures of bag 2 are the same, or when the internal pressure is lower than the external pressure, the valve restricts the flow of air from the outside of bag 2 to the inside.

[0066] The main body 70 further has a guard wall 90. The guard wall 0 is cylindrical in shape, surrounding the valve 71 from the outside, and has an opening 90a at one end on the upper side, while the other end on the lower side is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the pipe body 81 of the connector part 80 via a flange 90b that extends inward. The opening 90a is located above the upper end of the valve 71, and the lower end of the valve 71 is located on the inner surface (upper surface) of the flange 90b. In other words, a gap 90c is formed around the entire circumference between the lower inner surface of the guard wall 90 and the outer surface of the valve body 84, and the valve 71 fits into this gap 90c and is mounted in the valve body 84.

[0067] The guard wall 90 has a pair of slits 91, 91 facing each other across the axis A2. Each slit 91 extends downward from the opening 90a along the axis A2, forming a long rectangular shape in the vertical direction. The upper end of the slit 91 opens upward at the opening 90a, and the lower end is located at the lower end of the guard wall 90, i.e., the upper surface of the flange 90b. Therefore, when the valve body 85 is not installed in the valve body 84, the operator can easily see the circumferential surface of the valve body 84 through the slits 91. Thus, for example, when drilling a through-hole 84b in the valve body 84, the workability is good. For this reason, in the example of Figure 7, the orientation of the pair of slits 91, 91 coincides with the orientation of the pair of through-holes 84b, 84b relative to the valve body 84. That is, when one slit 91 is viewed directly from the outside of the guard wall 90, one through-hole 84b can be viewed directly through this slit 91.

[0068] The medical suction and fluid collection device equipped with the air vent device 4A according to Embodiment 2 described above can be used in the same manner as the medical suction and fluid collection device 1 according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, this air vent device 4A can also achieve the same effects as the air vent device 4 described in Embodiment 1.

[0069] It should be noted that the specific configuration of the bag 2 and the expansion mechanism 3 is not limited to those described above in Embodiments 1 and 2. Also, the medical suction fluid collection device 1 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the expansion mechanism 3. When using a medical suction fluid collection device without the expansion mechanism 3, fluid can be collected by free fall. Even when collecting fluid by free fall, by providing the air vent devices 4 and 4A described above, a second collection can be performed without any hassle while preventing fluid leakage. [Industrial applicability]

[0070] This disclosure can be suitably applied to medical suction and collection devices for aspirating and collecting fluids such as blood, pus, and exudate discharged from the body during surgery, and to air vent devices used therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Medical suction and fluid collection device 2 bags 3. Expansion mechanism 4.4A Air Vent Device 12a Inlet 12b Outlet 41,71 valves 42,72 filters 58 Flow pipe 60,90 Guard wall 61,91 slits

Claims

1. The invention comprises an inflatable and deflated bag having an inlet for liquid to enter and an outlet for liquid to exit, an expansion mechanism that inflates the bag to draw liquid in from the inlet, and an air vent device detachably provided to the outlet of the bag, The aforementioned air vent device is A valve that allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the bag and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside of the bag, A filter that is breathable and prevents the liquid inside the bag from leaking out of the bag, The valve has a guard wall surrounding it from the outside, A medical suction and fluid collection device wherein the guard wall is cylindrical with one end open and has a slit extending axially from the opening.

2. The invention comprises an inflatable and deflated bag having an inlet for liquid to enter and an outlet for liquid to exit, an expansion mechanism that inflates the bag to draw liquid in from the inlet, and an air vent device detachably provided to the outlet of the bag, The aforementioned air vent device is A valve that allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the bag and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside of the bag, A filter that is breathable and prevents the liquid inside the bag from leaking out of the bag, The bag has a flow pipe with the valve provided at its downstream end in the direction of air flow from the inside to the outside of the bag, The filter is provided in the flow pipe at a position closer to the downstream end than to the upstream end. Medical suction and fluid collection device.

3. The medical suction and fluid collection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve is a diaphragm-type check valve having a hollow tubular valve body with a through-hole in its peripheral wall, and a flexible cylindrical member that is externally mounted on the valve body so as to cover the through-hole.

4. The medical suction and fluid collection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve is a duckbill type check valve.

5. The medical suction and fluid collection device according to claim 2, wherein the air vent device has a guard wall surrounding the valve from the outside.

6. A medical suction and liquid collection device comprising an inlet for liquid to enter and an outlet for liquid to exit, an expandable and deflated bag, and an expansion mechanism that inflates the bag to draw liquid from the inlet, wherein an air vent device is detachably provided to the outlet, A flow pipe through which air passes, A valve provided at one end of the flow pipe, which allows air to flow from the inside to the outside of the flow pipe through the one end and restricts air to flow from the outside to the inside; A filter that blocks the flow of liquid from the other end of the flow pipe toward the one end, The valve is surrounded by a guard wall from the outside, The guard wall is shaped like a cylinder with an opening at one end, and has a slit extending axially from the opening, in the air vent device.

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