Medical suction apparatus and methods for draining same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for draining a liner-type medical suction apparatus. The method includes the acts of positioning the liner-type medical suction apparatus relative to a drainage device including a conduit, causing the conduit to communicate with the liner interior, and draining the fluid from the liner interior through the conduit. The apparatus includes a support member adapted to support the liner-type medical suction apparatus and a drainage device housing adjacent to the support member. The device also includes a conduit including a first end coupled to the drainage device housing and a second end for communication with the liner interior.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A medical apparatus comprising: 
 a medical suction apparatus including an interior for containing fluid, a cover, a first port in the cover, a pre-attached tube coupled to the first port and extending into the interior, and a second port in the cover;    a drainage device including a housing and a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and    a conduit including a first end coupled to the drainage device housing and a second end coupleable to the second port so that fluid in the interior can flow through the pre-attached tube and out of the second port to the drainage device.    
     
     
         2 . The medical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cover includes a first boss extending upwardly from the second port and a second boss extending downwardly from the first port, and wherein the conduit is coupleable to the first boss and the pre-attached tube is coupled to the second boss.  
     
     
         3 . The medical apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . A medical apparatus comprising: 
 a medical suction apparatus including an interior, a cover, and a port in the cover;    a first conduit coupled to the port and extending into the interior;    a station including a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and    a second conduit including a first end coupled to the station and a second end coupled to the port, the second conduit being in fluid communication with the first conduit.    
     
     
         5 . The medical apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the first and second conduits include flexible tubing.  
     
     
         6 . The medical apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.  
     
     
         7 . A medical apparatus comprising: 
 a medical suction apparatus including an interior, a cover, and a port in the cover;    a first fluid connector coupled to the port and extending into the interior;    a drainage station including a support member adapted to support the medical suction apparatus; and    a second fluid connector including a first end coupled to the drainage station and a second end coupled to the port, whereby fluid in the interior flows through the first fluid connector and to the drainage station via the second fluid connector.    
     
     
         8 . The medical apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first and second fluid connectors include flexible tubing.  
     
     
         9 . The medical apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the medical suction apparatus is a liner-type apparatus.  
     
     
         10 . A medical suction apparatus comprising: 
 a fluid container having an interior;    a cover secured to the container, the cover having therein a port, a first port wall extending into the interior, and a second port wall extending in a direction opposite the interior; and    a conduit coupled to the first port wall and extending into the interior.    
     
     
         11 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fluid container is a liner-type fluid container.  
     
     
         12 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  and further including a second conduit coupled to the second port wall.  
     
     
         13 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the first port wall and the second port wall are integrally connected.  
     
     
         14 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fluid container has a bottom wall portion and the conduit has a first end coupled to the first port wall and a second end adjacent the bottom wall portion.  
     
     
         15 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fluid container has a length and wherein the first conduit extends into the interior at least 75% of the length of the container.  
     
     
         16 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the conduit is coupled to the first port wall via a friction fit.  
     
     
         17 . A medical suction apparatus comprising: 
 a fluid container having an interior;    a cover secured to the container, the cover having therein a port; and    a conduit coupled to the port and extending into the interior.    
     
     
         18 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 17  and further including a second conduit coupled to the port and in fluid communication with the conduit.  
     
     
         19 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the conduit is flexible.  
     
     
         20 . The medical suction apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the fluid container is a liner-type container.