Novel wound irrigation device and method

Abstract

A method for irrigation of a wound, said method comprising a reservoir housing containing a wound irrigation solution and a discharge means attachable thereto, said discharge means having at least one port therethrough wherein said port, or ports forms a nozzle for directing a pressurized dispersed stream of said solution.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A wound irrigation device comprising a reservoir housing, containing a wound irrigation solution, and a discharge means, wherein said discharge means is removably attached to said reservoir housing, such that said discharge means directs a pressurized stream of said wound irrigation solution when said reservoir housing is pressurized.  
     
     
         2 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 1   , wherein said discharge means comprises a flat disc.  
     
     
         3 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 2   , wherein said flat disc comprises a plurality of ports.  
     
     
         4 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 3   , wherein said plurality of ports discharge a plurality of pressurized steams of the wound irrigation solution at an angle, such that said pressurized streams intersect over a center of said discharge means.  
     
     
         5 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 3   , wherein said discharge means comprises four ports.  
     
     
         6 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 5   , wherein each of said ports has a diameter of about 0.04 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 3   , wherein said reservoir housing comprises a threaded neck and an opening.  
     
     
         8 . The wound irrigation devise according to    claim 7   , wherein said flat disc is positioned over said opening.  
     
     
         9 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 8   , wherein said flat disc is affixed over said opening with a threaded end cap comprising a connection ring which engages said flat disc, such that said ports are uncovered.  
     
     
         10 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 9   , wherein said threaded end cap further comprises a removable protective membrane, wherein said protective membrane protects said ports and said wound irrigation solution from contamination.  
     
     
         11 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 10   , wherein said protective membrane comprises a pull tab, such that said protective membrane may be removed by pulling said pull tab.  
     
     
         12 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 1   , further comprising a splash guard.  
     
     
         13 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 12   , wherein said splash guard is hemi-spherical.  
     
     
         14 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 13   , wherein said splash guard comprises a removable protective cap.  
     
     
         15 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 1   , wherein said discharge means is an adjustable discharge means, whereby said adjustable discharge means permits adjustment of the rate of discharge of said irrigation solution.  
     
     
         16 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 15   , wherein said adjustable discharge means comprises a valve cap and a valve head, wherein said valve cap is removably affixed to said reservoir housing and said valve head is threadably affixed to said valve cap.  
     
     
         17 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 16   , wherein said valve cap comprises an inner air inlet and an inner water outlet, wherein said inner water outlet substantially surrounds said inner air inlet.  
     
     
         18 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 17   , wherein said valve head comprises an outer air inlet and an outer water outlet, wherein said outer water outlet substantially surrounds said water air inlet.  
     
     
         19 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 18   , wherein said outer air inlet comprises a circular port.  
     
     
         20 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 18   , wherein said outer water outlet comprises a plurality of circular ports.  
     
     
         21 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 18   , wherein said inner air inlet and said outer air inlet combine to form an air inlet, and said inner water outlet and said outer water outlet combine to form a water outlet.  
     
     
         22 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 21   , further comprising an air hose, wherein said air hose comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said air hose is affixed to said inner air outlet and said distal end of said air hose is located near a bottom inner surface of said reservoir housing.  
     
     
         23 . The wound irrigation device according to    claim 22   , wherein said distal end of said air hose comprises a ball valve.  
     
     
         24 . A method for irrigating a wound, said method comprising the following steps: 
 (a) providing a sterile wound-irrigation solution in a compressible or pressurized reservoir housing having a discharge means comprising at least one port therethrough wherein said port forms a nozzle for directing a pressurized stream of said solution, and wherein the shape and configuration of said port, or ports, results in a dispersed stream of said solution;    (b) directing the discharge means and reservoir housing so as to discharge the wound-irrigation solution toward said wound; and    (c) discharging said wound-irrigation solution from said reservoir housing and through said port, or ports, to produce a dispersed stream of said wound-irrigation solution directed at said wound, wherein said dispersed stream is applied with sufficient force to dislodge contaminants, thereby effectively irrigating said wound.    
     
     
         25 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said wound-irrigation solution is discharged from said port, or ports, at a pressure between about 4 PSI and about 20 PSI.  
     
     
         26 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said discharge means has a plurality of ports.  
     
     
         27 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein the diameter of said circular apertures is between that of a 10 gauge hypodermic needle and a 30 gauge hypodermic needle.  
     
     
         28 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein the diameter of said circular apertures is between that of a 16 gauge hypodermic needle and a 25 gauge hypodermic needle.  
     
     
         29 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said ports are circular apertures with a diameter of less then about ⅛inch.  
     
     
         30 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said circular apertures are conical in shape through said aperture.  
     
     
         31 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said discharge means comprises at least one elongated port.  
     
     
         32 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said discharge means is detachably engaged to said reservoir housing.  
     
     
         33 . The method, according to    claim 24   , wherein said discharge means comprises a protective shield.  
     
     
         34 . The method, according to    claim 31   , wherein said protective shield is detachable.