Drainage Container Channel Filter Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainage container devices with suction connections in the lid require frequent disconnection and reconnection of hoses, leading to inefficiencies and risks of incorrect connections, and filters exposed to body fluids become clogged quickly, reducing suction power.

Innovation Solution

A drainage container device with a one-piece lid and a channel connecting the suction bag to the suction port, featuring a protective element in a chamber that prevents overflow and contamination, allowing for easy filter installation and splash protection, enabling cost-effective and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the suction connection is located in the lid, then the drainage container can be evacuated first followed by the suction bag, but both the drainage tube connection and the connection to the vacuum source must be disconnected when changing the bag, which is time-consuming and carries the risk of incorrect connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtime loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suction connection is separated from the lid and relocated to the rigid drainage container body. This segmentation allows the lid and suction bag to be changed independently without disconnecting the vacuum source connection, thereby reducing time loss and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the suction connection is located in the lid, then the channel can be shorter, but the filter is exposed to splashes of bodily fluids and becomes clogged quickly, reducing suction power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel lengthVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cap is introduced as an intermediary element that covers the filter located in the channel. This cap prevents bodily fluids from reaching the filter, avoiding clogging and maintaining suction power, while the channel remains relatively short to minimize fluid exposure pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a U-shaped cross-section filter is used to protect the vacuum source, then the vacuum source is protected from overflow, but the filter becomes complex and expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex, expensive U-shaped filter, a simple protective cap is employed that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. This cap provides sufficient protection for the vacuum source without requiring complex filter geometries, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If a multi-part lid with a flat filter is used, then the filter is protected from splashes, but the lid becomes complex to manufacture and assemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap is integrated with the channel structure to form a combined protective covering. This merging eliminates the need for separate multi-part lid constructions with embedded filters, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining filter protection from splashes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a cost-effective and efficient means to prevent overflow and contamination of the vacuum source, maintaining optimal suction performance by protecting filters from splashes and allowing for easy filter installation and retrofitting, reducing manufacturing costs and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a protective element (4) to prevent overflow and/or contamination of the vacuum source by aspirated body fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a channel (6) which runs at least partially through the container lid (1), connects an interior of the suction bag (2) via an interior of the drainage container (3) to the suction port and is otherwise closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channel:

Data Source

PatentEP2854891B1Drainage container device and a suction pouch unit
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 MEDELA HLDG AG
  • EP2854891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2854891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2854891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a drainage container device for collecting aspirated bodily fluids using a vacuum source, comprising: a drainage container (3) with a suction connection (30) for connecting to said vacuum source; a substantially single-piece container cover (1) for closing and opening said drainage container (3), and that has a drainage connection (13) for connecting to a patient-side drainage line; a suction pouch (2) for receiving the aspirated bodily fluid, arranged on the container cover (1) and received by the drainage container (3); a channel (6) that at least partially extends through the container cover (1) and that connects an interior space of the suction pouch (2) to said suction connection (30) via an interior space of the drainage container (3) and is otherwise closed, and a protection element (4), particularly a filter, for avoiding overflow and/or contamination of the vacuum source with aspirated bodily fluid. According to the invention, the protection element (4) is located in the channel (6), and a chamber (14) with the protection element (4) arranged therein is present in said channel (6). This device allows simple assembly of a cost-effective filter, with preferred embodiments additionally offering spray protection.