KR20170068440A - Disposable wound irrigation device and associated method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A wound cleaning apparatus includes: a cap structure configured to be coupled to a bottle containing a cleaning solution at a first end; A protective rim disposed about the perimeter of the cap structure at the second end, wherein the protective rim is selectively disposed in use, around or near the wound to be cleaned; One or more conduits for selectively communicating compressed gas through the cap structure and into the interior of the bottle to form a compressed cleaning solution; And a longitudinal wall structure disposed within the cap structure and defining one or more channels for selectively communicating the compressed cleaning solution through the cap structure and with the wound. Such wound cleaning apparatus further includes a vent conduit in fluid communication with the at least one conduit for selectively venting the compressed gas through the cap structure and into the environment.

Description

≪ Desc / Clms Page number 1 > DISPOSABLE WOUND IRRIGATION DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF USE.

Cross-reference to related application

This patent application / patent is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 864,096, filed August 9, 2013 entitled " DISPOSABLE WOUND IRRIGATION DEVICE ", filed August 26, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 869,819, entitled " WOUND IRRIGATION DEVICE ", all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disposable wound cleaning apparatus and associated methods of use.

In medical settings, the need for proper cleaning of the wound is important in reducing the levels of bacteria and particulate matter in and around the wound. To this end, numerous conventional devices for cleaning wounds with aqueous solutions have been developed, some of which are completely or partially disposable, some of which include a splash shield or the like. However, most of these conventional devices are operated by the user in some way, for example by manipulating the device by squeezing or pulling a trigger on such device.

For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2013/0190698 (Carson) provides a device for cleaning a wound, such as: a port for attaching an oxygen supply, an area sealingly attached to a supply of sterile saline, And a tube portion, wherein sterile saline can be delivered through the tube portion and out of the nozzle, and such a nozzle can be oriented for wound cleaning. In certain embodiments, the present invention further comprises an apparatus in which tube sections and nozzles enable sterile physiological saline to be moved out of the nozzle at a pressure of between 5 and 8 psi. In certain embodiments, the present invention further includes an apparatus in which tube portions and nozzles enable sterile physiological saline to be moved out of the nozzle at a pressure of 7 to 8 psi. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the pressure of the sterile saline flowing through the nozzle. In certain embodiments, the present invention further comprises an apparatus wherein the region sealingly attached to the supply of sterile saline solution in such an apparatus is an opening having an internal thread, wherein the internal thread is a physiological saline solution of a commercially available medical grade saline solution The screw can be screwed into the bottle. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a mechanism that allows the operator to easily turn on and off the flow of sterile saline. In a particular embodiment, the mechanism comprises a trigger. Finally, in a particular embodiment, the invention further comprises a device in which the port is attached to the pressurized oxygen supply.

U.S. Patent No. 8,241,259 (Rucinski) provides a new and inexpensive method and apparatus for convenient and effective manual wound cleaning. In one embodiment, the claimed subject matter provides a release means for a standard storage container housing comprising a suitable volume of wash solution, such release means having a plurality of nozzles through which the wash solution can pass. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir housing to which the release means is attached is compressible or compressible (e. G., Plastic bottles for which physiological saline solution is currently available). A medical or healthcare professional or other person using the subject device and providing wound cleanup therapy may compress the storage container housing to remove enough particulate matter, such as pathogenic bacteria, to remove dust, debris, or other particles Under pressure, the cleaning solution can be forced through the nozzle. In another embodiment, the elongated port can be used to achieve the desired dispersion of the stream of wash solution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for delivering an appropriate volume of wash solution (without refilling the storage vessel) to the dispersion stream under sufficient pressure to effectively clean the wound and thereby reduce incidence, It is an object of the present invention to provide a wound cleaning method and apparatus that is easy and economical to use. The present invention allows a medical professional to easily direct and control the application of a wash solution with one hand without assistance and the other hand can be free for other activities such as separation of a wound to further aid cleaning .

U.S. Patent No. 7,540,860 (Stamler) discloses a stamper having a substantially dome-shaped shield with a conduit or tunnel through the top that narrows to form a nozzle as it extends inside the shield. To provide a splashback shield for use. When a large number of air vents or passages surround the conduit so that the syringe with the shield is immersed in the wash water and re-filled with the wash water, any air trapped within the shield will escape without being drawn into the syringe. The air vents are preferably narrow, elongated tubular passages that escape the shield, thereby allowing air to escape easily, but the wash water, mixed with any blood and contaminants, tends not to pass through the vents. Such a device is an improvement over conventional products.

U.S. Patent No. 6,878,142 (Lawrence et al.) Provides an improved suction and cleaning system for tract wound ablation, such systems include suction and wash handpieces, and other devices that can be removably connected to such handpieces It includes dual lumen suction and irrigation tip. The distal end has a flexible shaft and a connection for connecting such a shaft to the handpiece. The flexibility of the shaft also aids in advancing the shaft to the deepest part of the orbital wound, while also limiting additional trauma to the wound. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 6,485,452 (French et al.) Provides a medical suction and wash mechanism comprising a suction / wash tip removably connected to a conventional suction / wash handpiece. The inhalation is provided through a suction tube having a bypass conduit within the tip. The bypass conduit can be connected directly to the suction source, so that the sucked debris is transferred to the suction source through the tip. The suction tube thereby prevents the sucked debris from entering the conventional suction tube in the handpiece and from contaminating the handpiece. The suction tube is also designed to have a maximum size to prevent the tip from clogging. The tip also has a wash tube for directing the wash liquid to the wash location and a connection for connecting the wash tube to the handpiece to pump the fluid through the tip in a conventional manner. The flexible fry shield, which is slidably mounted on the flushing tube, limits the flushing fluid to a localized location.

Finally, US Pat. No. 6,050,981 (Lampropoulos et al.) Provides a system for cleaning a wound with a wound cleaning fluid and for preventing substantial flipping of the wound cleaning fluid. Such a system comprises: (i) a fluid delivery device for delivering wound cleaning fluid; And (ii) a shielding portion configured to prevent substantial reversal of the cleaning fluid during cleaning of the wound. The shield is configured to be disposed, preferably removably, on the fluid delivery device. The flexible shield allows the practitioner to clean areas that are substantially conformable to the desired wound area and thus uncomfortable, irregular, and difficult to reach. The shield can be folded into a compact position and then opened to a larger shield. The fluid delivery device includes (i) a fluid source for providing a wound cleaning fluid; And (ii) an adapter for transferring fluid from the fluid source to the wound. In one embodiment, the adapter has a substantially planar surface that is substantially coplanar with the plane defined by the shield, thereby preventing patient perforation. Preferred adapters, preferably multi-part adapters, are characterized by spray pattern adjustability, removable coupling to the shield, ability to be removably coupled to a variety of different fluid sources, and various other features and advantages.

Accordingly, there is still a need in the industry for an improved disposable wound cleaning apparatus.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a wound cleaning apparatus comprising: a cap structure configured to engage with a bottle comprising a cleaning solution at a first end; A protective rim disposed about the perimeter of the cap structure at a second end opposite the first end, the protective rim being selectively disposed in use, around or near the wound to be cleaned; One or more conduits for selectively communicating compressed gas through the cap structure and into the interior of the bottle containing the cleaning solution to form a compressed cleaning solution; And a longitudinal wall structure disposed within the cap structure and through one or more channels for selectively communicating the compressed cleaning solution through the cap structure and with the wound to be cleaned. The wound cleaning apparatus further includes a vent conduit in fluid communication with the at least one conduit for selectively venting the compressed gas through the cap structure and into the external environment. The vent conduit exits the cap structure that coincides with one of the recesses and protrusions made into the outer surface of the cap structure. The cap structure includes a circumferential wall structure disposed about the longitudinal wall structure. The cap structure further includes a plurality of friction structures disposed about an outer surface of the circumferential wall structure. The protective rim forms one or more depressions along the outer edges, and the rinsing solution, debris, blood, and infectious particles compressed through such depressions advance from the proximal portion of the wound. Optionally, the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises at least one check valve disposed along the at least one conduit. Optionally, the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises a flow conditioner disposed along the at least one conduit. One or more conduits are selectively coupled to the compressed gas source.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for using a wound cleaning apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a wound cleaning apparatus to a bottle containing a cleaning solution, the wound cleaning apparatus comprising: A cap structure configured to couple with a bottle containing a cleaning solution; A protective rim disposed about the perimeter of the cap structure at a second end opposite the first end, the protective rim being selectively disposed in use, around or near the wound to be cleaned; One or more conduits for selectively communicating compressed gas through the cap structure and into the interior of the bottle containing the cleaning solution to form a compressed cleaning solution; And a longitudinal wall structure disposed within the cap structure and extending through the at least one channel to selectively communicate the compressed cleaning solution through the cap structure and with the wound to be cleaned; Coupling one or more conduits of the wound cleaning apparatus to a source of compressed gas; Inverting the bottle containing the cleaning solution over the wound to be cleaned, with the protective rim in contact with the wound to be cleaned and at a predetermined distance therefrom; And operating the wound cleaner to force the compressed gas into the bottle containing the cleaning solution and to force the cleaning solution into the wound to be cleaned through one or more channels. The method further comprises actuating the wound cleaner device by blocking the vent conduit in fluid communication with the at least one conduit such vent conduit selectively venting the compressed gas through the cap structure and into the external environment. The vent conduit coincides with one of the depressions and projections made into the outer surface of the cap structure and exits the cap structure. The cap structure includes a circumferential wall structure disposed about the longitudinal wall structure. The cap structure further includes a plurality of friction structures disposed about an outer surface of the circumferential wall structure. The protective rim forms one or more depressions along the outer edge, through which compressed cleaning fluids, debris, blood, and infectious particles advance from the proximal portion of the wound. Optionally, the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises at least one check valve disposed along the at least one conduit. Optionally, the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises a flow conditioner disposed along the at least one conduit.

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to indicate like device component / method steps, using like reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a wound cleaning apparatus of the present invention, attached to a conventional physiological saline solution bottle.
2 is another schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the wound cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

With particular reference now to Figures 1 and 2, in one exemplary embodiment, the wound cleaning apparatus 10 of the present invention can be placed in a conventional physiological saline solution, sterile water, or other < RTI ID = 0.0 > And a cap 12 screwed or otherwise attached onto an industry standard bottle 14. Common physiological saline, sterile water, or other such industry standard bottles are widely used for wound cleaning. Thus, the cap 12 and all other components of the wound cleaning apparatus 10 described herein may be fabricated from any medically compatible material, such as a chemically compatible metal, plastic, polymer, .

The cap 12 includes several components. When attached to the bottle 14, the cap includes a free end having a protective rim 18 serving as a frying shield. At least the protective rim 18 is secured to the cap (not shown) in order to deliver the aqueous solution to the wound, at least a predetermined distance away from the wound, when the bottle 14 is inverted on the wound to deliver the pressurized aqueous solution to the wound 12 and the channel 22, while generally locating the pressurized aqueous solution in the area of the wound and allowing the user and surrounding equipment to flush the wash solution, debris, blood and / Thereby potentially preventing undesirable exposure to infectious particles.

The protective rim 18 of the cap 12 can be substantially transparent so that it can be seen to be scarred during cleaning and can be used to provide controlled release of cleaning solutions, debris, blood, and infectious particles from adjacent portions of the wound during cleaning, And may include any number of small depressions 24 disposed along its free end.

The bulk of the cap 12 includes a circumferential wall 26 that is configured to allow the user to screw the cap 12 onto or away from the bottle 14 And preferably comprises at least one friction surface 28 of any conventional configuration for assistance. Thus, one or more friction surfaces 28 may be fabricated into the outer surface of the circumferential wall 26, or may be mechanically accomplished subsequent to fabrication. The circumferential wall 26 and the protective rim 18 form a substantially cylindrical hollow cap 12 that can be screwed onto the bottle 14 and provide a wash solution transfer space substantially adjacent the wound And the longitudinal wall 20 forms two separate chambers. The longitudinal wall 20 may have any suitable thickness and may be integrally formed with other adjacent components of the wound cleaning apparatus 10. [

The cap 12 may rely on conventional screw engagement associated with various standard saline bottles. The threads of the cap 12 may be mechanically introduced into the interior surface of the cap 12 during the manufacturing process so that it can be reliably fitted with various other bottle types and thread designs. Alternatively, a flexible rubber gasket can be disposed on the inner surface of the cap 12, which allows the cap 12 to " self " screw into the bottle, Type, and still creates a seal to prevent accidental leakage of saline and ensures a tight seal.

The channels in the longitudinal wall 20 of the cap 12 may be present in any number of sizes and the pressurized aqueous solution may be dispensed from the interior of the bottle 14 through the cap 12, And has any configuration suitable for enabling communication. Advantageously, nozzles can be used, but the number, size, and configuration of the channels can be used to achieve the desired pressure and fluid delivery characteristics.

The cap 12 is connected to an external compressed gas source 30, such as a compressed air source or a compressed oxygen source, both of which are widely used in a wall mounted configuration or in a healthcare setting in portable unit or container form. The compressed gas source 30 may be disposed within the cap 12 or within the cap 12, for example, via a barb, a hub connection, a threaded connection, a luer-lock mechanism, And is coupled to the cap 12 through a flexible piping 32 or the like selectively coupled to the inlet port 34. [ A similar methodology can be used to connect the flexible piping 32 to the compressed gas supply 30. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, if desired, the flexible tubing 32 may also include one or more substantially rigid portions. Alternatively, the flexible piping 32 may be provided with a flow regulator 36 for regulating the flow of the compressed gas through the flexible piping 32 and into the bottle 14 and / or a compressed gas and / And a backflow prevention valve 38 for preventing backflow from the bottle 14 to the compressed gas supply source 30. Such regulators and valves are well known to those skilled in the art and are widely used in the health care industry.

The inlet port 34 disposed through the circumferential wall 26 is coupled to the outlet port 40 at the threaded end of the cap 12 through an elbow 42 or other conduit. The elbow 42 or other conduit preferably includes a vent port 44 through a circumferential wall 26 separated from the inlet port and includes a depression 46, Escape from the cap 12 within the guitar, thereby allowing the location of the vent port 44 to be tactile. During operation, the vents port 44 is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle 14, at a point where compressed gas flows into the bottle 14 and conveys the aqueous solution into the wound to be cleaned through the cap 12, Allowing the compressed gas to escape into the environment from the cap 12, instead of communicating into the bottle 14. Accordingly, the vent port 44 conveniently functions as an on / off mechanism for operating the wound cleaning apparatus 10. [ It should be noted that the presence of bubbles in the aqueous solution represents the flow of the compressed gas into the bottle.

Outlet port 40 is coupled to flexible or rigid tube 48 and such flexible or rigid tube 48 extends into bottle 14 and aqueous solution and compressed gas and / (50) to prevent backflow into the flexible piping (32) and into the compressed gas supply source (30). Such a check valve 50 may be made of a check valve, a ball valve, a duck bill valve, or any other one-way valve mechanism well known to those skilled in the art, and is widely used in the health care industry. The force of the compressed gas readily overcomes the resistance of the check valve 50 and pressurizes the cleaning solution when it is directed below the flexible or rigid tube 48. The flexible or rigid tube 48 may be mated with the outlet port 40 through a positive sealing surface, a conical taper, or the like.

In operation, the vent port 44 is covered by the user, the bottle is inverted and the protective rim 18 is disposed about the wound to be cleaned. As a result, the aqueous solution is compressed and flows onto the wound through the channel 22 made into the longitudinal wall 20 of the cap 12, and the protective rim 18, through one or more depressions 24, Escape, thereby cleansing the wound. By simply removing the finger from the vent port, the flow of the pressurized wash solution can be interrupted.

While the present invention has been shown and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and / or achieve similar results will be. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and will be covered by the following claims.

Claims (19)

A wound cleaning apparatus comprising:
A cap structure configured to engage with a bottle comprising a cleaning solution at a first end;
A protective rim disposed about the perimeter of the cap structure at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the protective rim is selectively disposed in use, around or near the wound to be cleaned;
One or more conduits for selectively communicating compressed gas through the cap structure and into the interior of the bottle containing the cleaning solution to form a compressed cleaning solution; And
And a longitudinal wall structure disposed in the cap structure and extending through the at least one channel to selectively communicate the compressed cleaning solution through the cap structure with the wound to be cleaned. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a vent conduit in fluid communication with the at least one conduit for selectively venting pressurized gas through the cap structure and into the external environment. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein said vent conduit coincides with one of a depression and a protrusion made into the outer surface of said cap structure to exit said cap structure. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cap structure comprises a circumferential wall structure disposed about the longitudinal wall structure. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a plurality of friction structures disposed about an outer surface of the circumferential wall structure. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the protective rim forms at least one depression along the outer edge thereof through which fluids and / or solids penetrate. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising at least one check valve disposed along the at least one conduit. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a flow conditioner disposed along the at least one conduit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one conduit is selectively coupled to a source of compressed gas. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cap structure comprises one or more threads and an elastomeric gasket disposed therein for engagement with the bottle. A method of using a wound cleaning apparatus comprising:
Attaching a wound cleaning apparatus to a bottle containing cleaning solution, the wound cleaning apparatus comprising:
A cap structure configured to engage with said bottle comprising a cleaning solution at a first end;
A protective rim disposed about the perimeter of the cap structure at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the protective rim is selectively disposed in use, around or near the wound to be cleaned;
One or more conduits for selectively communicating compressed gas through the cap structure and into the interior of the bottle containing the cleaning solution to form a compressed cleaning solution; And
A longitudinal wall structure disposed in the cap structure and through at least one channel for selectively communicating the compressed cleaning solution through the cap structure and with the wound to be cleaned;
An attachment step;
Coupling one or more conduits of the wound cleaning apparatus to a source of compressed gas;
Reversing the bottle containing the cleaning solution over the wound to be cleaned, with the protective rim in contact with the wound to be cleaned and at a predetermined distance from the wound to be cleaned; And
And operating the wound cleaning apparatus to force the compressed gas into the bottle containing the cleaning solution and to force the cleaning solution into the wound to be cleaned through the one or more channels. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising actuating the wound cleaner device by blocking the vent conduit in fluid communication with the at least one conduit, wherein the vent conduit selectively vent the compressed gas through the cap structure and into the external environment. 13. The method of claim 12,
The vent conduit coinciding with one of the depression and the protrusion made into the outer surface of the cap structure to escape the cap structure. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the cap structure comprises a circumferential wall structure disposed about the longitudinal wall structure. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the cap structure further comprises a plurality of friction structures disposed about an outer surface of the circumferential wall structure. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the protective rim forms one or more depressions along the outer edge thereof through which fluids and / or solids pass. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises at least one check valve disposed along the at least one conduit. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the wound cleaning apparatus further comprises a flow conditioner disposed along the at least one conduit. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the cap structure comprises one or more threads and an elastomeric gasket disposed therein for engagement with the bottle.

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