Disposable Vacuum Drainage Bag with Collapsible Framework

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cannisters in medical systems, such as breast biopsy systems, are prone to air leaks due to difficulties in sealing, leading to loss of vacuum pressure and complications in identifying leak sources, and often have excessive volume for typical procedures, allowing for potential reuse.

Innovation Solution

A disposable medical vacuum drainage bag with a flexible enclosure and internal framework that transitions between collapsed and expanded states, using an actuator to maintain a vacuum path and minimize storage space, reduce leaks, and facilitate easy use and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a traditional vacuum cannister is used, then the vacuum path is maintained, but the volume is overly large for typical procedures and storage space is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum cannister volumeVSAvoidvacuum pressure maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage bag employs a collapsible flexible membrane that dynamically changes volume as fluid is removed. The membrane transitions from an expanded state during use to a collapsed state as fluid drains, automatically maintaining the vacuum path while minimizing volume. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining vacuum integrity and reducing storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes a disposable drainage bag that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex sealing mechanisms and repeated sterilization, ensuring consistent vacuum performance for each procedure while reducing the need for large-volume reusable containers. The disposable nature guarantees reliability without requiring robust sealing for reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a reusable vacuum cannister is used, then storage space is required for multiple uses, but the risk of reuse and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoiddisposal convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage bag is designed as a single-use disposable component. After one procedure, the entire unit is discarded, eliminating any risk of contamination from reuse. This approach prioritizes patient safety and eliminates the need for complex sterilization protocols, making the disposal process simple and convenient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a traditional vacuum cannister with lid is used, then the vacuum path is sealed, but air leaks occur due to difficulty in seating the lid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable drainage bag eliminates the need for reusable lids and complex sealing mechanisms. The flexible membrane itself forms the seal, and the unit is discarded after single use. This approach ensures consistent sealing integrity without requiring precise assembly of multiple components, greatly simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a large volume vacuum canister is used, then multiple procedures can be accommodated, but the storage space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-procedure capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple single-use disposable bags rather than one large reusable container. Each bag is sized appropriately for a single procedure, eliminating the need for oversized storage. The versatility to accommodate multiple procedures is achieved through using multiple standardized units rather than one large unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of one large vacuum container, the system segments the vacuum capacity into multiple smaller disposable units. Each unit is optimized for single-procedure use, and the collection of units provides the necessary versatility for multiple procedures while minimizing individual storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11628289B2Medical system and disposable medical vacuum drainage bag for use with same

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

A disposable medical vacuum drainage bag includes a flexible enclosure made of a flexible material. The flexible enclosure is configured to define an interior chamber. The flexible enclosure has a first fluid port and a second fluid port. The flexible enclosure has a collapsed state and an expanded state. A framework is located in the interior chamber. The framework has a plurality of frame structures configured to rotate in unison about separate rotational axes between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the collapsed configuration facilitates the collapsed state of the flexible enclosure and the expanded configuration facilitates the expanded state of the flexible enclosure. An actuator is coupled to the framework. The actuator is configured to rotatably transition the plurality of frame structures between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.