GB2037393A

GB2037393A - An improved drainage or flow device

Info

Publication number: GB2037393A
Application number: GB7904859A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ZAHORSKY C
Current assignee: ZAHORSKY C
Priority date: 1978-12-14
Filing date: 1979-02-12
Publication date: 1980-07-09
Also published as: JPS5581656A; DE2905626A1; BE874094A; FR2443842B1; AU4418979A; AU527107B2; CA1139627A; GB2037393B; FR2443842A1

Abstract

An improved drainage or flow device comprises a tube having openings 118, 120 along its length, which are located between two parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed points on the surface of the member and elongated protective shields 121, 123 disposed in relation to the openings so as to protect them from any clogging material whilst allowing a partial flow, at least equal to the hindered flow, towards all of the openings. Embodiments consisting of two tubular members connected in the shape of a Y are also disclosed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved drainage of flow device This invention relates generally to drain constructions, and, more particularly, to a device for draining fluid from a congested area where there is a likelihood of material clogging the drain.

A frequent problem with any type of drain device is that of the drain becoming clogged with loose material, or of a structure collapsing into the drain openings, thereby restricting or completely blocking the flow of fluid into the drain. In various structural and earth drains clogging often requires time-consuming and costly repair procedures. This problem also exists in the case of surgical drains which are commonly placed in a body cavity following surgery to remove excessive and undesirable fluids. In some instances, the accumulation of excessive fluid can have severe deleterious effects on the patient and may even be fatal.

In any type of surgery, even a partial blockage of a surgical drain may result in excessive clotting of the blood and the formation of attendant scar tissue.

Various effects have been directed towards designing a surgical drain which will not obstruct.

The prior proposals have, however, when put into practice resulted in shielded drains which were significantly less efficient than unshielded drains because of the shielding used to protect the drain openings. In addition, in many cases, the shields themselves have been susceptible to clogging, thus preventing the passage of fluid into the drain openings even though the latter may have been clear.

According to the present invention, we provide a drainage or flow device for use under conditions in which congestion or blockage is liable to occur, said device comprising: a tubular member having a plurality of openings disposed along the length of the member, which are located between two parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed points on the surface of the member; and an elongated protective shield disposed in closely spaced relationship relative to the openings and extending lengthwise of the member, the shield being shaped and arranged to protect the openings from material liable to clog the openings while accommodating an equal or substantially equal flow of fluid towards all of the openings.

In a preferred embodiment, the shield comprises a device as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a second tubular member disposed in closely spaced relationship relative to the first member and having a plurality of openings disposed along the length of the second member, the openings in the second member being located between two parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed points on the surface of the second member and in facing relationship to the openings in the first member. The first and second members may be coupled in fluid relationship with a third member.

The improved drain of the invention when used in congested areas where loose material or an impinging structure may clog the drain openings, substantially precludes clogging without reducing drainage efficiency.

Furthermore, in surgical applications, the deleterious effects of accumulated fluids are avoided as a result of the adequate and continual drainage of fluids. Which the improved drain ensures, and where a cavity is being drained the improved drain construction of the invention permits a more efficient irrigation of the cavity.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of an improved drain construction for use in congested areas where material may clog the drain openings, which improved drain may be designed to have a drainage capacity exceeding that of conventional drains even when the latter are properly functioning.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in the light of the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in axial-section of a first embodiment of the improved drain device of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along a line 2-2. of Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with a detail portion in section, of part of a second embodiment of the improved rain construction of the invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along a line 4~4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the improved drain construction of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along a line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The improved drain device 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a tubular body comprising first and second elongated, cylindrical tubular members 12 and 14 respectively. The members 12 and 14 are each open at the upper end their lower ends being coupled together in fluid relationship with a common third tubular member 16. The third tubular member 16 is also preferably of elongated cylindrical configuration, (as shown), and may be of the same or slightly larger diameter than each of the members 12 and 14 respectively.

Each of the members 12 and 14 is provided with a plurality of openings 18 and 20, respectively, disposed along its length, which openings are located on one side of the member between parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed tangential points on the surfaces of the respective sections. This is best illustrated in Fig. 2. The openings 20 in the member 14 are disposed in a facing but staggered relationship relative to the openings 18 in the member 12.

While the openings 1 8 and 20 may be of any desired configuration, a preferred configuration for maximum drainage efficiency is that illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein the openings have a generally V shaped horizontal cross-sectional configuration. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, it is important that the openings 18 and 20 be located entirely on one side of an imaginary vertical bisector of each of the tubular members 1 2 and 14, respectively.

Preferably, the openings 18 and 20 will extend through an arc of not more than approximately 120 degrees.

First and second barrier bars 22 and 24 are disposed in the aforementioned imaginary parallel horizontal planes between which the openings 18 and 20 are located. Both of the barrier bars 22, 24 extend back and forth in a plurality of interconnected short lengths between the first and second tubular members 12 and 14. The barrier bars 22 and 24 serve to maintain the tubular members 12 and 14 in closely spaced relationship and also provide a barrier which will prevent a large piece of tissue or other material from covering the openings 18 and 20.

An irrigation tube 26 is disposed inside the tubular member 14. The irrigation tube 26 comprises a fourth tubular member 28, which extends substantially the length of the tubular member 14 and has an open end 30 to allow egress of fluid therefrom. The tubular member 28 merges into a Y-shaped part 32 at the end remote from the open end 30. A first arm 34 of the Yshaped part 32 may be coupled with a tube 36 for the continual introduction of antiseptic or antibiotic fluids. A second arm 38 of the Y 32 is provided with a device 40 of penetrable selfsealing material to permit injections to be made directly into the tubular member 28.

When the device 10 is placed in a body cavity to drain fluids therefrom, it will be appreciated that the construction substantially precludes the entry of loose material into the openings 18 and 20 which would flog these openings and interfere with the drainage function. The use of two tubular members in closely spaced parallel relationship, ensures that each member serves as a shield for the other and that the overall drainage# capacity is increased. Drainage efficiency is also increased with the device 10 by virtue of the fact that fluids may flow around and past one of the tubes and into the openings in the opposite tube in directions generally perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid inside the tube. This phenomenon is illustrated by arrows A and B in Fig. 2.The ability of the fluid to flow directly into all of the openings 18 and 20 on an equal volume basis is to be constrasted with devices which may provide a shield over drain openings, but wherein the shield is closed except for being open on one end. A device of such a construction causes flow past the openings to be generally parallel with the flow of fluid in the tubes, and the amount of fluid passing into the openings which are farthest removed from the shield openings is substantially less than the amount of fluid passing into openings near the shield opening. The overall effect is substantially to decrease the drainage efficiency when such devices are compared with the device of the present invention.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3 and designated generally by the numeral 110.10.A drainage device 110 comprises an elongated tubular member 112 which is disposed in a serpentine configuration with alternating concave and convex stretches 11 5 and 117, respectively. The tubular member 112 is open at one end and has a plurality of openings 11 8 and 120 disposed along the alternating concave stretches of opposite sides of the tubular member 112.

First and second linear shields 121 and 123 extend longitudinally in parallel relationship on opposite sides of the tubular member 112 and in contiguous relationship with opposed convex stretches 11 7. It will be appreciated that the shields 121 and 123 serve to maintain the serpentine configuration of the tubular member 112, and also partially to protect the openings 118 and 120 from the entry of loose material or impinging structures which would also clog the openings. As with the first embodiment described above, the shields 121 and 123 permit fluids to pass by them and to enter the openings 11 8 and 120 at an angle generally perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid through the tube.Thus, fluid may flow equally into all of the openings throughout the length of the tubular member 112 while the openings are protected from the entry of material which would clog the openings partly as a result of the serpentine configuration of the member 112, and partly by the linear shields 121 and 123.

Again, it is important that the openings should lie on either side of an imaginary vertical bisector of the tubular member 11 2, whichtisector would extend perpendicularly relative to a supporting surface. The openings 118 and 120 are also located between imaginary parallel planes passing tangentially through points on opposite sides of the surface of the tubular member 112. As with the embodiment described above, the openings 118 and 120 may be of any desired configuration although the openings should most preferably not extend through an arc of greater than approximately 120 degrees.

It is also possible to insert an irrigation tube inside the tube 112 in the manner described above for the irrigation tube 26. It will be appreciated that the irrigation tube may take many different forms and may extend past the drain tube if desired. The irrigation tube may also be operatively associated with the drain tube on the outside thereof.

Another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 and designated generally by the numeral 210. The device 210 comprises first and second elongated cylindrical tubular members 212 and 214, respectively. These two members are each open at one end with the opposite ends being coupled together in fluid relationship to form a common third tubular member 21 6. As with the tubular member 16 in the previously described embodiment Figs. 1 and 2), the tubular member 216 may be of slightly larger diameter than each of the members 212 and 214.

As seen from Fig. 6, a web portion 222, integral with and extending between the tubular members 212 and 214, holds the latter in spaced apart relationship. The web portion 222 extends the length of the tubular members 212. 214 and is provided with a plurality of openings 218 and 220. The portion 222 extends in a plane approximately bisecting the transverse dimensions of the tubular members 212 and 214. It will thus be apprecaited that the web portion 222 is generally parallel with parallel imaginary planes, on either side of the openings 218 and 220, which extend through opposed tangential points on the surfaces of the respective tubular members 212 and 214. The openings 218 extend through the web portion 222 and also intersect the left-hand tubular member 212. Thus, an opening 218a into the tubular member 212 is presented by each of the openings 21 8.Similarly, each of the openings 220 intersects with the right-hand tubular member 214, and presents an opening 220a communicating with this tubular member. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, each of the openings 220a has upper and lower regions extending on either side of the web portion 222 and both communicating with the interior of this tubular member 214.

Similarly, the openings 218a each have upper and lower regions extending on either side of the web portion 222 and communicating with the interior of the tubular member 212. As with the previously described embodiments, both sets of openings 218a and 220a are located entirely on one side of an imaginary vertical bisector of each respective tube. The openings also lie between parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed tangential points on the surfaces of the respective tubular members.

The device 210 is utilized in the same manner as the device 10 heretofore described. It will be appreciated that the web portion 222 in addition to holding the two tubular members 212, 214 in spaced apart relationship along their longitudinal axes, also constitutes a barrier means for at least partially blocking the openings 218a and 220a.

Thus, foreign material or body tissue which would tend to block the openings and to close them to the flow of fluid is restrained by the web portion 222. At most, a loose piece of foreign material or body tissue will only be able to block either the upper or lower part of each of the openings, while the other part will remain free to the flow of fluid into the tubular conduit.

As previously mentioned, the openings 218 and 220, including the segments 218a and 220a, may be of any desired configuration although, with the embodiment 210, construction is facilitated by stamping the openings with the circular configuration illustrated. It is desirable that the openings 218a and 220a should not extend through an arc of the tubular member greater than approximately 120 degrees.

It is also possible to insert an irrigation tube inside one of the tubular members 212 and 214 in the manner described above for the device 10.

Other modifications in the device 210 may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a surgical drain, it will be appreciated that the application of the principles involved in the construction of the drain is not limited to surgical techniques, and it is anticipated that the invention will be used in structural and out door installations.

Claims

1. A drainage or flow device for use under conditions in which congestion or blockage is liable to occur, said device comprising: a tubular member having a plurality of openings disposed along the length of the member, which are located between two parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed points on the surface of the member; and an elongated protective shield disposed in closely spaced relationship relative to the openings and extending lengthwise of the member, the shield being shaped and arranged to protect the openings from material liable to clog the openings while accommodating an equal or substantially equal flow of fluid towards all of the openings.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a second tubular member disposed in closely space relationship relative to the first member and having a plurality of openings disposed along the length of the second member, the openings in the second member being located between two parallel imaginary planes extending through opposed points on the surface of the second member and in facing relationship to the openings in the first member.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and second members are coupled in fluid relationship with a third tubular member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2 or 3, wherein the shield further comprises a means for coupling the first and second members together to maintain the spacing therebetween.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the coupling means comprises a barrier means extending from the one member to the second member along the lengths of the first and second members.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the barrier means comprises a planar web portion extending transversely of the first and second members and intersecting the openings in such manner that the openings extend on opposite sides of the web portion.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the openings in one of the members are offset relative to the openings in the other of the members.

8. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said barrier means comprises a structure extending tangentially to the first and second members across the space between the members, the structure having openings therein communicating with the openings in the members.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the barrier means comprises a second structure extending tangentially to the first and second members in parallel relationship to the firstmentioned structure and spanning the space between the members, the second structure having openings therein for communicating with the openings in the members.

10. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second tubular members are coupled with a third tubular member.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10, wherein a fourth tubular member extends inside one of the first and second members, the fourth tubular member terminating at a point outside the first or second member in which the fourth member is disposed, and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the latter first or second member in which the fourth member is disposed.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is disposed in a serpentine configuration, the openings are disposed in at least some of the concave stretches of the tubular member, and the shield comprises a first linear part contigous with at least some of the convex stretches of the tubular member.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the openings are disposed in oppositely facing concave stretches of the member, and wherein the shield comprises a second linear part disposed in opposed parallel relationship to the first part and contiguous with the convex stretches of the member which are oppositely facing relative to the first-mentioned convex stretches.

14. A drainger or flow device for use under conditions in which congestion or blockage is liable to occur substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2: or Figs. 3 and 4; or Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawing.