GB2277684A

GB2277684A - Autotransfusion apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2277684A
Application number: GB9407272A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert J Kurtz; Joseph M Licausi
Original assignee: Bioresearch Inc
Current assignee: Bioresearch Inc
Priority date: 1990-08-29
Filing date: 1991-01-24
Publication date: 1994-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-24
Also published as: GB2277684B; GB9407272D0

Abstract

Autotransfusion apparatus comprises a drainage device including a collection chamber 2, a suction regulator 4, 5 for said drainage device, an inlet passageway 7 in said drainage device communicating with said collection chamber an outlet passageway 6 to a suction source, a fluid retention chamber 8 disposed in the fluid flow path between the inlet passageway and the collection chamber, a fluid outlet in said retention chamber, and removable closure means 10 in said fluid outlet openable by external pressure whereby fluid within said retention chamber may be withdrawn through said fluid outlet into a separable container. The said closure means 10 is preferably openable by external pressure from a separable container 12. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOTRANSFUSION APPARATUS This application is divided from 9101572.7 (Serial No. ) which relates to bags or containers which are particularly adapted for use in connection with autotransfusion systems. This application is concerned with an autotransfusion system itself and the invention is set out alternatively in claim 1 and claim 2.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drainage device and autotransfusion bag, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the autotransfusion bag of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the bag removed from the drainage device, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spreader for maintaining the bag in an expanded condition, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the spreader shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the autotransfusion bag in a position to reinfuse the blood contained in the bag, and Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the autotransfusion bag shown in collapsed position.

There is shown at 1 in Fig. 1 a drainage device of the type generally used in connection with thoracic surgery. The details of construction of the device are shown generally in U.S. Patent 4,675,011 issued June 23, 1987. The device includes a collection chamber 2 including a plurality of partitions 3 and a passageway 4 to a water seal and suction control chamber 5. The details of construction of the water seal and suction control means are well known in the prior art and shown, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,675,011. There is provided an outlet 6 leading to a suction source and an inlet 7 which is connected with a thoracotomy tube leading to the patient.

The autotransfusion bag 12 is formed of a soft flexible plastic vinyl as shown at Fig. 2. The bag is an example of the invention of the parent application 9101572.7. Preferably the bag is formed with four sidewalls, top and bottom walls.

As shown in Fig. 1, the bottom wall 14 and top wall 15 are spaced inwardly from the bottom and top edges of the sidewalls. A pair of rigid panels 16 and 17 are bonded to the outer faces of two opposed sidewalls of the autotransfusion bag. A pair of rigid panels 18 and 19 are bonded to one of the other opposing sidewalls and rigid panels 20 and 21 are bonded to the outer face of the other opposed sidewall. Panels 18 and 19 have adjacent edges spaced apart a distance at least twice the thickness of the panels and panels 20 and 21 are similarly spaced. In the illustrated embodiment the pairs of panels are spaced apart a distance sightly greater than twice the panel thickness.

This spacing permits the autotransfusion bag 12 to collapse with panels 18 and 19 and panels 20 and 21 folding in accordion fashion between the panels 16 and 17 as shown in Fig. 7.

The top wall of the autotransfusion unit 12 has mounted thereon a tubular element 22 having an opening in the bottom wall to provide access to the interior of the autotransfusion bag 12. The interior surface of the tubular element 22 is provided with a circumferential shoulder or valve seat 23 for seating a spring pressed closure member 24. It can be seen in Fig. 1 that, as the autotransfusion bag 12 is moved upwardly towards the bottom wall of the fluid retention chamber 8, the upper surface of closure member 24 engages the lower surface of extension 10a on closure member 10. When the upper end of tubular element 22 engages collar 26 both closure members 24 and 10 are forced open to provide a passageway from fluid retention chamber 8 into the autotransfusion bag 12. There are provided a pair of flexible locking arms 27 and 28 which are integrally formed with the nozzle member 22. The lower ends of the locking arms can be pressed together so that the hook-shaped elements on the upper ends of arms 27 and 28 can pass over the external surface of collar 26 as shown in Fig. 3. The locking arms 27 and 28 may then be released so that the hooks on the ends of the arms engage the upper surface of the collar 26 as shown in Fig. 1.

With the autotransfusion unit in the position shown in Fig. 1, the suction source will maintain the same level of suction in the autotransfusion unit 12 as in the collection chamber 2. The collapsible autotransfusion unit 12 is maintained in an expanded position by means of a spreader frame 29 shown in plan view in Fig. 4. It can be seen that the spreader frame comprises an integrally formed rectangularshaped member having a central opening which surrounds the tubular member 22 and has the outer surface thereof in engagement with the end portions of panels 16-21. A similar spreader member 29 is also disposed in engagement with the bottom wall 14 of the autotransfusion bag and is in engagement with the inner surfaces of the end portions of panels 16-21.

The spreader members serve to resist the collapse of the autotransfusion bag when suction is applied to the bag from the suction source.

With the autotransfusion bag 12 in engagement with the fluid retention chamber 8 as shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus is in a mode to operate as an autotransfusion system. A tube is connected from the inlet 7 to the surgical site so that blood is withdrawn from the surgical site through the inlet opening 7 and into the fluid retention chamber 8, through the opening in the bottom wall of the chamber 8 and into the autotransfusion bag 12. When the bag 12 is filled with blood the lower ends of the locking arms 27 and 28 are pressed together to release engagement of the hook portions of the upper ends of the locking arms 27 and 28 with the collar 26.

The inlet 7 is located at the upper end of a fluid retention chamber 8 formed at the upper end of the drainage device immediately adjacent to the collection chamber 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the fluid retention chamber has a fluid retainer wall 9 which extends partially across the opening between the fluid retention chamber 8 and the collection chamber 2. The bottom wall of the fluid retention chamber has an aperture therein which is normally closed by a closure member 10 which is held in the closed position by means of a spring 11 as shown in Fig. 3. The closure member 10 and spring 11 provide a spring loaded valve which may be opened by insertion of a nozzle or probe externally of the drainage device. The closure member 10 has an elongated fluted cylindrical extension 10a projecting through the opening in bottom wall of the retention chamber.

The drainage device 1 functions conventionally when the spring loaded closure member 10 seals off the port in the fluid retention chamber 8. Liquids and gases from the patient's pleural cavity flow through the thoracotomy tube and inlet 7 into the fluid retention chamber 8. The suction control system maintains the proper level of vacuum within the pleural cavity and any air flow through the inlet 7 passes out through the suction outlet 6. Liquids collect within the fluid retention chamber 8 and when the liquid level overflows the retainer wall 9 the fluids pass into the collection chamber 2.

The fluid retention chamber 8 and spring loaded closure member 10 facilitate the use of the drainage device as an autotransfusion unit in that a nozzle on an autotransfusion bag may be inserted through the opening in the bottom wall of the fluid retention chamber 8 forcing open the closure member 10 against the resistance of spring 11.

The autotransfusion bag may then be removed from engagement with the drainage device 1 and a sterile cap 30 is placed over the tubular 22 and secured in place by means of locking arms 27 and 28 as shown in Fig. 8. The spreader arms 29 are removed from the top and bottom of the bag so as to permit the bag to be collapsed as the blood is withdrawn from the bag. When the blood is to be reinfused into the patient, an IV set 31 is inserted through a membrane at the end of cap 30 and the autotransfusion bag may be suspended from a bracket by a hanger strap 32 mounted on bottom wall 14. As the blood is withdrawn from the bag, the bag will tend to collapse and external pressure on the bag may be applied so that the bag will ultimately assume the totally collapsed position shown in Fig. 7.

Claims

1. An autotransfusion apparatus comprising a drainage device including a collection chamber, a suction regulator for said drainage device, an inlet passageway in said drainage device communicating with said collection chamber, an outlet passageway to a suction source, a fluid retention chamber disposed in the fluid flow path between the inlet passageway and the collection chamber, a fluid outlet in said retention chamber, and removable closure means in said fluid outlet openable by external pressure whereby fluid within said retention chamber may be withdrawn through said fluid outlet into a separable container.

2. An autotransfusion apparatus comprising a drainage device including a collection chamber, a suction regulator for said drainage device, an inlet passageway in said drainage device communicating with said collection chamber, an outlet passageway to a suction source, a fluid retention chamber within said collection chamber and disposed in the fluid flow path between the inlet passageway and the collection chamber, a fluid outlet disposed on the bottom surface of said retention chamber, and removable closure means in said fluid outlet openable by external pressure from a separable container whereby fluid within said retention chamber may be withdrawn through said fluid outlet into said separable container.

3. An autotransfusion apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said closure means comprises a spring loaded valve.

4. An autotransfusion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. An autotransfusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said retention chamber includes a lip whereby when said fluid outlet is closed liquid in the retention chamber overflows into the collection chamber.

5. An autotransfusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and further including a separable autotransfusion bag including nozzle means for opening said closure means to admit fluid from said retention chamber into said bag.

6. An autotransfusion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An autotransfusion apparatus comprising a drainage device including a collection chamber, a suction regulator for said drainage device, an inlet passageway in said drainage device communicating with said collection chamber, an outlet passageway to a suction source, a fluid retention chamber disposed in the fluid flow path between the inlet passageway and the collection chamber, a fluid outlet in said retention chamber, and removable closure means in said fluid outlet comprising a spring loaded valve openable by external pressure whereby fluid within said retention chamber may be withdrawn through said fluid outlet into a separable container.

2. An autotransfusion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retention chamber includes a lip whereby when said fluid outlet is closed liquid in the retention chamber overflows into the collection chamber.

3. An autotransfusion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including a separable autotransfusion bag including nozzle means for opening said closure means to admit fluid from said retention chamber into said bag.