Technical Field
The Field of invention relates to fluid collection bag structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved surgical drainage bag wherein the same is directed to the collection of bodily fluid relative to a wound opening.
Background of the Invention
Prior art devices have been employed for fluid drainage such as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,859 wherein a fluid collection bag has a foam opening support structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,818 sets forth a further example of a fluid or surgical drainage bag structure with an opening and a vent in the rear wall of the bag structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,153 sets forth a surgical drain tube structure, with the U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,469 setting forth a further example of a surgical drainage pouch.
Summary of the Invention
The surgical drainage bag of the invention comprises an elongate flexible transparent bag structure tapered from a first end to a second end, with the second end having a drain tube and plug. A first opening directed through a front wall of the bag adjacent the first end includes a circular adhesive surface in surrounding relationship relative to that opening, with a second opening configured as a slot directed through a unitary sponge member optionally employed, such that a drain tube may be directed through the slot when separating first and second sponge plates of the sponge member to effect drainage into the bag structure.
Objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a prior art drain bag structure, such as indicated in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,859.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic view, taken in elevation, of a drain bag structure as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,818.
FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the invention in use.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric illustration of the invention.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view, taken in elevation, of the invention.
FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration, taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged orthographic view of section 7 as set forth in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged orthographic view of section 8 as set forth in FIG. 5.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
The surgical drainage bag 10 of the invention, such as indicated in the FIG. 3, is arranged for adherence to a patient "P". To this end, the bag structure is of a flexible elongate construction initiating as a base first end 12 and tapering to a second end 13, with the second end 13 having a drain tube 14 in communication to the interior cavity of the body 11, such that a plug cap 15 secured to the drain tube 14 by a tether line 16 is removably mounted to the drain tube 14 to permit drainage from within the body 11, such as indicated in FIG. 8.
A first opening 17 is directed through a front wall 20 of the bag structure adjacent to the first end 12. The front wall 20 is spaced from a rear wall 21, with spaced side walls 22 defining the bag structure. The first opening 17 (see FIG. 6) includes a surrounding adhesive surface 18 arranged in surrounding relationship relative to the first opening 17, with a peel-away flexible layer 19 arranged for removal relative to the adhesive surface 18 to expose that adhesive surface for adherence to the patient "P", with the opening 17 arranged to receive a wound and the like for permitting its drainage.
In the event of the use of a surgical drainage tube 27, as indicated in FIG. 7, a unitary sponge member 26 is directed through one of the side walls 22 adjacent to the first end 12. The use of a sponge member 26 has directed therethrough in a medial relationship a second opening 25 defining a slot (see FIG. 7), such that the unitary sponge member 26 is divided into first and second respective sponge plates 23 and 24 that are arranged in a coextensive mirror image relationship relative to one another that are biased towards one another to effect closure of the second opening 25 but may be displaced to receive the drainage tube 27. Such drainage tubes are well known use in the surgical arts and such is exemplified by the U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,153 for example incorporated herein by reference.
It should be noted that the surgical bag 10 having a tapering construction directs the thusly collected fluid at the second end 13 for ease of drainage relative to the bag structure through the drain tube 14, such that drainage of the bag may be effected periodically while the bag remains adhered to the patient "P", as illustrated in FIG. 3.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.