WO2002074632A1

WO2002074632A1 - Method and device for emptying a suction bag

Info

Publication number: WO2002074632A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkki JYLLILÄ; Jarmo MÄKIRANTA
Original assignee: Serres Oy
Priority date: 2001-03-21
Filing date: 2002-03-07
Publication date: 2002-09-26
Also published as: FI20010581A0; FI109891B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for emptying a suction bag (4), the bag comprising a cover (6) and an elastic bag portion (10) attached to the cover (6), in a washing machine (1) comprising a washing space and an openable door (2). The suction bag (4) to be emptied is fixed on a support bracket (5) adapted to the chamber of the washing machine (1), the bag portion (10) is pierced by means of a cutter (11) that is adapted to operate in conjunction with the support bracket (5) and incorporates a lance (13), and the lance (13) is moved against the bag portion (10) with the help of an actuator mechanism (14). The bag portion (10) is pierced by the lance (13) in a close vicinity of the interface (23) between the cover (6) and the bag portion (10).

Description

Method and device for emptying a suction bag

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 for emptying a suction bag. The invention also relates to a device suited for implementing the method.

In the surgical, intensive-care and emergency departments of hospitals, for instance, the collection of different fluids sucked from a patient is conventionally carried out using disposable suction bags, generally made from plastic and fitted in a stiff collection container. The suction bag is formed by an elastic and flexible bag portion and a rigid cover whereto the bag portion is generally fixed in a permanent fashion. The suction bag system is connected by a tubing to a vacuum source. Furthermore, the suction bag is connected by a patient tubing to the point subjected to sucking of fluid. When the vacuum source is operative, the fluid being sucked is transferred along the patient tubing into the collection container under the effect of the applied vacuum. Not only the interior of the suction bag, but also the space remaining between the interior surface of the collection container and the exterior surface of the suction bag must be brought to a vacuum that expands the bag portion against the walls of the collection container thus preventing the elastic bag portion from collapsing under the vacuum applied into its interior. When full, the suction bag is removed from the collection container, whereupon a new suction bag is placed into the container. An embodiment of this kind of suction bag assembly is disclosed in international patent application PCT/FI00/00840.

The full suction bag with its contents is disposed along with other hazardous waste produced in a hospital. The plastic bag portion and cover of the suction bag are extremely difficult to recycle or dispose of among conventional waste, because it would need the suction bag to be first emptied and cleaned. When emptying a suction bag, the bag portion must be cut open with by a knife, whereupon the fluid content of the bag flows out via the opening. This is unhygienic, since the fluid thus being poured out may splash on the worker and the surroundings. For emptying a suction bag, a device has been developed comprising a support bracket which is adapted to a washing machine used for cleaning medical supplies. The suction bag to be emptied is attached to the support bracket and its bag portion is cut open by a lance arranged to operate in conjunction with the support bracket. To the lance is connected an actuator mechanism that cooperates with the door of the washing machine so that the mechanism moves the lance when the washing machine door is closed. The fluid content of the suction bag will then flow via the opening made to the bag into the chamber of the washing machine and further along with the washing liquid to a sewer. A problem hampering this kind of emptying devices is that the lance is arranged to meet the bag portion directly, whereby the flaccid bag can slip sideways from under the lance. Hence, the lance does not always commence to pierce the bag immediately at the beginning of the lance movement, whereby the pierced opening may remain small thus hampering the outflow of the fluid and washing liquid to be removed from the bag. In the case the suction bag to be emptied is only partially filled, it may happen that the lance does not cut the bag portion at all.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the above-described problems and to provide an entirely novel type of method and device for emptying a suction bag.

The goal of the invention is achieved by virtue of piercing the bag portion of the suction bag so that the lance is first placed against the cover portion of the suction bag from which position it slides at the closing of the washing machine door toward the bag portion. When arriving close to the interface between the cover portion and the bag portion, the lance pierces a hole in the bag portion and slides thereupon toward the bottom of the bag portion simultaneously cutting or tearing in the bag portion an opening hole wherefrom the fluid to be emptied can flow into the washing machine.

More specifically, the method according to the invention for emptying a suction bag is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention for emptying a suction bag is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 6.

The invention offers significant benefits.

In the arrangement according to the invention, the cutter lance at the instant the suction bag is being cut first meets the cover portion made of a stiffer material, whereby the bag portion has no possibility of escaping sideways from under the lance. Resultingly, the bag portion is cut open reliably at all times. Hence, the cutter lance need not be as sharp as in conventional suction bag emptying devices. For instance, a thin piece of sheet metal or pipe can be used as the lance.

In the following, the invention is examined in detail by making reference to the attached drawing wherein

FIG. la shows diagrammatically a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine with its door open and having adapted thereto a suction bag emptying device according to the invention and placed therein a suction bag to be emptied.

FIG. lb shows the washing machine of FIG. la with the door closed.

FIG. lc shows the lance and its trajectory of the suction bag emptying device of FIGS, la and lb during the closing phase of the washing machine door.

FIG. 2a shows diagrammatically a longitudinal sectional view of washing machine with its door open and the machine having adapted thereto a suction bag emptying device according to the invention with a suction bag to be emptied placed therein.

FIG. 2b shows the washing machine of FIG. 2a with its door closed.

FIG. 2c shows a partial enlarged detail of the suction bag support bracket and bag cutter when the washing machine door is in its open position as in FIG. 2a. FIG. 2d shows a partial enlarged detail of the suction bag support bracket and bag cutter when the washing machine door is in its closed position as in FIG. 2b.

Referring to the diagrams, therein is shown a washing machine 1 for medical supplies, whereby supplies used in surgical operations and the like are washed and disinfected in the machine for reuse. The washing machine 1 is basically similar to a dishwashing machine used in households with the exception that the spray nozzles and accessories for holding the supplies during washing in its washing space are differently designed. In addition to its washing space, washing machine 1 comprises a door 2 moving between a horizontal position and a vertical position so that the door is open in its horizontal position (FIGS, la and 2a) and closed in its vertical position (FIGS, lb and 2b). The washing space of washing machine 1 is equipped with one or more horizontal grates 3 to which the supplies to be washed are fixed.

As shown in FIGS, la and lb, the device for emptying a suction bag 4 is fixed to a horizontal grate 3 in the chamber of the washing machine 1. The suction bag emptying device comprises a support bracket 5 whereto the suction bag 4 to be emptied and cleaned is fixed. The support bracket 5 comprises an upper grate 7 and, displaced at a distance therebelow a lower grate 8 that further is fixed to a grate 3 of the washing machine. The upper grate 7 and the lower grate 8 are connected to each other by vertical support structures 9. The cover 6 of the suction bag 4 is attached to the upper grate 7, at the end thereof facing the door 2, and the fluid-containing bag portion 10 rests on the upper grate 7. The upper grate 7 is adapted slightly slanting toward the door 2, thus allowing the fluid contained in the bag portion 10 to flow easier toward the cover 6.

To the lower grate 8 is pivotally adapted a cutter 11 at its shaft so that the cutter shaft can rotate about the pivot point 12. A lance 13 is fixed to the upper end of the cutter 11, while to the lower end of the cutter 11 is connected an actuator mechanism 14 comprising a first lever arm 15 pivotally connected to the lower end of the cutter 11 by its first end and a second lever arm 16 pivotally connected by its first end to the second end of the first lever arm 15. To the second end of the second lever arm 16 is fixed a cylindrical member 17. The second lever arm 16 is slidably hinged on the lower grate 8. The cutter lance 13 may be a thin knife-like blade or similar to a broad chisel. The lance 13 can be made from a thin metal sheet or pipe, for instance.

As shown in FIG. la, the second lever arm 16 and the cylindrical member 17 reach out from the open door of the washing machine 1. When the door 2 is being closed, the door 2 pushes cylindrical member 17 toward the chamber of washing machine 1, whereby actuator mechanism 14 rotates cutter 11 about pivot point 12. Thence, lance 13 of cutter 11 is moved toward the rear wall of the chamber of washing machine 1 so as to pierce thereby on the bag portion 10 an opening through which fluid contained in the suction bag 4 can flow into the chamber of washing machine 1 and therefrom further along with the washing liquid to a sewer.

The trajectory of the actuator mechanism 14 of cutter 11 is designed such that lance 13 rests against the outer surface of suction bag cover 6 in the open position of door 2 and then moves toward the interface 23 of suction bag cover 6 and bag portion 10 when the door 2 is being closed. Lance 13 can thus move toward the cover-bag interface 23 along the surface of cover 6 or, alternatively, so that cover 6 is cut open. Lance 13 is adapted to meet cover 6 advantageously at 1 to 5 mm, most advantageously about 2 mm, from interface 23 between cover 6 and bag portion 10. When door 2 is moved into a further closed position, lance 13 moves onto bag portion 10, whereby the lance pierces an opening on the bag in a close vicinity of interface 23. To reach this point, lance 13 may travel on the outer surface of cover 6 or so as to cut cover 6 open. Herein, lance 13 utilizes at the instant of bag piercing the interface 23 between the hard cover 6 and the elastic bag portion 10. After piercing, lance 13 moves toward the bottom of bag portion 10 simultaneously cutting or tearing an opening on bag portion 10. Since the lance 13 adapted to make a first contact to the cover 6 of a more rigid material, the bag portion 10 cannot flip away to either side of lance 13 so as to avoid lance 13. Resultingly, the piercing of an opening in the bag portion 10 takes place in a substantially more reliable fashion than in bag emptying systems wherein the lance makes a direct contact to bag portion 10. To the rear side of cutter 11, that is, on the side thereof opposite to the cutting direction is adapted a spray nozzle 18 connected by a flexible hose 19 to the washing liquid connector 20 of the washing machine 1. From the spray nozzle 18 is ejected washing liquid into the suction bag 4 via the opening pierced on the bag portion 10. At the end of the wash cycle, door 2 of washing machine 1 is opened, whereby cutter 11 and its actuator mechanism 14 move back into their home positions. Subsequently, the emptied and washed suction bag 4 can be detached from support bracket 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2a, the support bracket 5 carrying the suction bag emptying device 5 is shown mounted on the door 2 of a washing machine 1. The support bracket 5 comprises an upper grate 7 and, displaced at a distance therebelow, a lower grate 8 mounted on the door 2 of the washing machine 1. The upper grate 7 and the lower grate 8 are connected to each other by vertical support structures 9. For emptying, cover 6 of suction bag 4 is attached to the upper grate 7. At its both first ends, a fork-like actuator mechanism 14 is connected hingedly to both sides of the lower grate 8. The spacing between the fork ends is greater than the lateral dimension of cover 6 thus allowing cover 6 to fit into the gap between the forks. The forks are bent upward after passing the support structure 9 of support bracket 5 located at the hinge side of door 2. Next to this upward bend into the gap between the forks of actuator mechanism 14 is adapted a cutter 11. To end of cutter 11 is adapted a lance 13. Cutter lance 13 may be a thin knife-like blade or similar to a broad chisel. Lance 13 is made from a thin metal sheet or pipe, for instance. The second fork ends of actuator mechanism 14 are connected to each other by a support structure. Between the cutter 11 and the second fork ends of actuator mechanism 14 is adapted a gratelike support plane 21 serving to support the bag portion 10.

When door 2 is being closed, the forks of actuator mechanism 14 move against grate 3. With the further closing of door 2, the actuator mechanism 14 slidably mounted on the grate 3 rotates about its pivot points 22, whereby lance 13 of cutter 11 pierces on the bag portion 10 an opening via which fluid contained in the suction bag 4 can flow into the interior space of the washing machine and therefrom further along with the washing liquid into a sewer. As shown for the embodiment of FIGS, la, lb and lc, the movement of cutter 11 is adapted to take place so that lance 13 first meets cover 6 advantageously at 1 to 5 mm, most advantageously about 2 mm, from the edge of cover 6 and, when door 2 is moved into a further closed position, moves therefrom on the surface of cover 6 or, alternatively, cutting cover 6 open, toward interface 23 between cover 6 and bag portion 10. With further closing of door 2, lance 13 moves onto bag portion 10, whereby the lance pierces an opening on the bag in a close vicinity of interface 23. Herein, lance 13 utilizes at the instant of bag piercing the interface 23 between the hard cover 6 and the elastic bag portion 10.

After piercing, lance 13 moves toward the bottom of bag portion 10 simultaneously cutting or tearing an opening on bag portion 10. In FIG. 2b, door 2 of washing machine 1 is shown fully closed, whereby grate 3 supports actuator mechanism 14 at its fork bends.

Also in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, to the rear side of cutter 11, that is, on the side thereof opposite to the cutting direction is adapted a spray nozzle 18 connected by a flexible hose 19 to the washing liquid connector 20 of the washing machine 1. From the spray nozzle 18 is ejected washing liquid into the suction bag 4 via the opening pierced on the bag portion 10. At the end of the wash cycle, door 2 of washing machine 1 is opened, whereby cutter 11 and its actuator mechanism 14 move back into their home positions.

The invention may have embodiments different from those described above. Instead of using the washing machine door for moving the actuator mechanism, it is possible to utilize other kinds of mechanical constructions for actuation, such as manual operation of the actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism can also be driven by a hydraulic force such as the pressure of the washing liquid line. By manufacturing the cutter lance 13 from a hollow pipe, the washing liquid can be injected into the bag portion via the lumen of the lance instead of using a nozzle mounted on the cutter 11 for this purpose. In lieu of resting on grate 3 or door 2, the support bracket 5 can be fitted on a standard bracket or mount of the washing machine 1.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for emptying a suction bag (4), the bag comprising a cover (6) and an elastic bag portion (10) attached to the cover (6), in a washing machine (1) comprising a washing space and an openable door (2), the method comprising the steps of

- fixing the suction bag (4) to be emptied on a support bracket (5) adapted to the washing machine (1),

- piercing the bag portion (10) by means of a cutter (11) that is adapted to operate in conjunction with the support bracket (5) and incorporates a lance (13), and

- moving the lance (13) against the bag portion (10) with the help of an actuator mechanism (14),

characterized in that

- the bag portion (10) is pierced by the lance (13) in a close vicinity of the interface (23) between the cover (6) and the bag portion (10).

2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the lance (13) is moved against the bag portion (10) by means of an actuator mechanism (14) cooperating with the door (2) of the washing machine (1) at the instant the door (2) being closed.

3. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the lance (13) is moved along the cover (6) toward the interface (23) prior to the piercing of the bag portion (10).

4. The method of claim 1, characterized in that an opening is cut on the pierced bag portion (10).

5. The method of claim 1, characterized in that an opening is torn on the pierced bag portion (10).

6. A device for emptying a suction bag (4), the bag comprising a cover (6) and an elastic bag portion (10) attached to the cover (6), in a washing machine (1) comprising a washing space and an openable door (2), the device comprising

- a support bracket (5) adapted to the washing machine (1) so as to accommodate the fixing of the suction bag (4) to be emptied thereon,

- a cutter (11) adapted to operate in conjunction with the support bracket (5) and incorporating a lance (13) adapted to perform the piercing of the bag portion (10) of suction bag (4), and

- an actuator mechamsm (14) adapted to move the lance (13) against the bag portion (10),

characterized in that

- the lance (13) is adapted to pierce the bag portion (10) in a close vicinity of the interface (23) between the cover (6) and the bag portion (10).

7. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the actuator mechanism (14) is adapted to cooperate with the door (2) of the washing machine (1) at the instant the door (2) being closed.

8. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the lance (13) is adapted to move along the cover (6) toward the interface (23) prior to the piercing of the bag portion (10).

9. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the lance (13) is a thin knife-like blade or similar to a broad chisel.

10. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the support bracket (5) is adapted on a grate (3) located in the chamber of the washing machine (1) or on another standard bracket or support of the washing machine (2).

The device of claim 6, characterized in that the support bracket (5) is adapted on the door (2) of the washing machine (1).

The device of claim 1, characterized by a spray nozzle (18) connected to the washing liquid connector (20) of the washing machine (1).