Fluid collection and disposal system and related methods

Abstract

A fluid collection system includes a disposable collection container and a disposable collection container receiving housing, the housing having a cavity and a suction source. The fluid collection container may include a flexible liner and a shelf for diverting fluid from the suction and to assist with a collapse of the liner during evacuation of the fluid from the liner. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston assembly having a main piston body and a scraper ring. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston stop feature. The system may include a partially hydrophobic filter and a flat surface suction tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid collection container, comprising:
 a flexible liner;   a lid attached to the flexible liner such that the lid and flexible liner define a substantially sealed interior space therebetween, the lid including:
 a first opening configured for communication with a first access port of a suction instrument through which the collection container receives fluid; 
 a second opening configured for communication with a second access port of a suction source; 
 a rupturable evacuation port for communication with a disposal station through which collected fluid is removed from the collection container; and 
 a shelf formed on the surface of the lid facing the liner. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fluid collection container according to  claim 1 , wherein the shelf is located between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the shelf extends from a surface of the lid a sufficient distance to divert collected fluids away from the access port of the suction source. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid collection container according to  claim 2 , wherein the shelf is shaped to direct fluid entering the first opening toward the liner. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid collection container according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a screen foamed on the surface of the lid facing the liner surrounding the evacuation port, wherein the shelf is further shaped to prevent the liner from collapsing against at least a portion of the screen during removal of the collected fluid.   
     
     
         5 . A mobile waste disposal system, comprising:
 a mobile frame;   a suction source;   a first connector attached to the mobile frame configured to receive a water line;   a second connector attached to the mobile frame configured to receive a waste depository line; and   a third connector, attached to the mobile frame, configured to communicate the suction source with an opening in a lid of a collapsible fluid collection container, wherein the suction source is configured to evacuate contents of the collapsible fluid collection container into the waste depository line.   
     
     
         6 . The mobile waste disposal system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a backflow preventer connected between the first connector and the water line.   
     
     
         7 . A fluid collection system, comprising:
 a disposable collection container; and   a receiving housing sized to receive the disposable collection container, the receiving housing including:
 a cavity; 
 a suction source connectable to the disposable collection container; and 
 a piston assembly positioned within the cavity, wherein the piston assembly includes a main piston body and a scraper ring. 
   
     
     
         8 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the scraper ring includes a peripheral edge that extends above the main piston body and is configured to provide an interference fit with an interior surface of the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral edge of the scraper ring is configured to flex against the interior surface of the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral edge of the scraper ring extends from the main piston body to a height that enables the peripheral edge to conform to the interior surface of the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the scraper ring is attached to the main piston body such that the peripheral edge of the scraper ring maintains contact with the interior surface of the cavity when the main piston body is off center. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the piston assembly includes a support structure that supports the scraper ring. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 12 , wherein the support structure includes ribs formed in the scraper ring. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 12 , wherein the support structure includes ribs formed in the main piston body. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 12 , wherein the piston assembly further includes a valve assembly communicating between an area adjacent a first side of the piston and an area adjacent a second side of the piston, wherein the scraper ring includes a surface defining openings providing communication between an area between the first side of the piston and a first surface of the scraper ring and an area adjacent a second side of the scraper ring. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the scraper ring comprises an Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) material. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 16 , wherein the UHMW material has a molecular weight of at least one million Daltons. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 16 , wherein the UHMW material comprises UHMW polyethylene. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the scraper ring comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the cavity comprises a piston stop including:
 a first opening in a cavity wall;   a second opening in the cavity wall; and   a channel connecting the first opening to the second opening, wherein the first opening is positioned above a desired piston stop height and the second opening is positioned below the desired piston stop height.   
     
     
         21 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the piston stop further includes a valve connected to the channel, wherein the valve has an open position to communicate a pressure differential through the channel between the first opening and the second opening and a closed position to prevent communication of a pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         22 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 21 , wherein the piston stop further includes:
 a third opening in the cavity wall,   wherein the channel connects the second opening to the third opening, and wherein the location between the second opening and the third opening is different one of a plurality of desired piston stop positions.   
     
     
         23 . A fluid collection system, comprising:
 a disposable collection container; and   a receiving housing sized to receive the disposable collection container, the housing including:
 a cavity; 
 a suction source connectable to the disposable collection container; and 
 a filter positioned between the suction source and the cavity, wherein a portion of the filter comprises a hydrophobic material. 
   
     
     
         24 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 23 , wherein the filter comprises a material capable of filtering a gas. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid collection system, comprising:
 a disposable collection container including:
 a collection port; and 
 an opening configured to communicate a suction source with an interior of the disposable collection container; and 
   a receiving housing sized to receive the disposable collection container, the housing including:
 a cavity; and 
 a suction source connectable to the opening of the disposable collection container; and 
   a suction instrument comprising:
 a main body; 
 a porous material attached to the main body; and 
 tubing configured to connect to the collection port. 
   
     
     
         26 . The fluid collection system according to  claim 25 , wherein main body comprises a channel configured to communicate vacuum pressure from the suction source to the porous material, and wherein the porous material is configured to draw fluid through the porous material into the disposable collection container.