Medical suction system and disposable container

Abstract

A portable, adjustable disposable medical suction system and method of use is disclosed. The system includes a delivery device to provide a conduit from a surgical site on a patient to the portable, adjustable medical suction system. The suction system may be a battery powered vacuum pump with one or more different adjustments directed to a strength of the vacuum, duration of the vacuum and interval between suction. The delivery device may be an intranasal tampon device or a tube inserted into the surgical site. During surgery and recovery at a surgical center or hospital, the vacuum source attached to the delivery system may be an industrial type vacuum source. Upon discharge, the suction system can be connected to the delivery system so that bleeding can be resolved by the patient in the comfort of his/her own home. The system and method of use is safer and mitigates body fluid borne contamination.

1 . A portable medical fluid management system for withdrawing bodily fluid from a patient after surgery, the system comprising:
 an elongate tube defining a first portion having a plurality of apertures and a second opposite portion, the first portion being disposable under a skin of the patient at a surgical site for withdrawing bodily fluid from the surgical site, the second portion disposed outside of the skin of the patient, the first and second portions being in fluid communication with each other;   a collection container removably attachable to the second portion of the elongate tube;   a portable vacuum source attached to the second portion for creating a suction in the elongate tube so that bodily fluid under the skin at the surgical site is removed from the surgical site and transferred to the collection container;   wherein the system mitigates body fluid borne contamination.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the collection container has a self sealing top. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable vacuum source is operated with a battery or a direct current source. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable vacuum source has a first control knob for adjusting strength of the suction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the portable vacuum source has a second control knob for adjusting a duration of time of suction. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the portable vacuum source has a third control knob for adjusting spacing between suction of the portable vacuum source. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a resealable plastic bag for storing filled collection containers. 
     
     
         8 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A bodily fluid container for collecting bodily fluid drained from a patient, the container comprising:
 a resilient body defining an interior cavity and capable of being compressed to reduce a volume of the interior cavity;   an input port having:
 an input receptacle configured to form a liquid tight seal with a first end of a tube having a second end disposed on the patient to provide fluid communication from the patient to the container; 
 a one way valve for allowing fluid to flow into and not out of the interior cavity; 
   an output port having:
 an output receptacle; 
 a one way valve for allowing fluid to flow out of and not into the interior cavity; 
 a gas permeable and liquid non-permeable member for allowing gas to flow through the output port and not bodily fluid. 
   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the input receptacle is a recess formed in an upper portion of the body having a cylindrical configuration, and the recess of the input receptacle is sized to receive a tube connectable to a patient. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the gas permeable and liquid non-permeable member is a hydrophilic material. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the input receptacle has a cylindrical hole configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the output receptacle is configured to provide an airtight seal with a line to a vacuum source. 
     
     
         22 . A method of utilizing a container for collecting bodily fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
 activating a fluid flow shut off device to stop flow of fluid through a tube;   inserting the tube into an input port of the container;   compressing the container to create a vacuum within the container;   deactivating the fluid flow shut off device to allow flow of fluid through the tube.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of:
 releasing gas through the output port; 
 stopping escape of fluid through the output port with an air permeable and gas non permeable member disposed in the output port. 
 
     
     
         24 . A method of utilizing a container for collecting bodily fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
 activating a fluid flow shut off device to stop fluid from flowing through a tube;   attaching the tube connectable to a patient to an input port of the container;   deactivating the fluid flow shut off device to allow fluid to flow through the tube;   activating a vacuum source to create a vacuum within the container and draw bodily fluid through the tube from the patient to the container.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising the step of:
 deactivating the vacuum source; 
 activating the fluid flow shut off valve; 
 detaching the tube from the input port; 
 attaching the tube to an unused container; 
 deactivating the fluid flow shut off valve; 
 activating the vacuum source.