Fluid collecting bag, an overflow device, and a fluid collecting system

Abstract

This invention relates to a fluid collecting system for collecting fluid downstream from a patient via a fluid collection line. The system comprises a fluid collecting bag ( 12 ) and an overflow device ( 14 ). The bag comprises an inlet tube ( 20 ) connectable to a bladder of a patient and to the interior of the bag ( 18 ), and an overflow tube ( 26 ) connected to the inlet tube ( 20 ) adjacent a top of the bag ( 12 ) and to an optional overflow device ( 14 ) to drain the bag if overflow occurs, in use. The overflow device ( 14 ) comprises a housing ( 30 ) having chamber ( 32 ), an inlet port ( 34 ) to the chamber connectable to the overflow tube ( 26 ), and a resiliently flexible member ( 36 ) located in the chamber. The member ( 36 ) is displaceable between a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is located in the chamber ( 32 ), and a filling configuration, in which the overflow member ( 36 ) extends from the chamber with fluid received from the overflow tube ( 26 ) held therein.

1 . A fluid collecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient via fluid collection line or tube, the fluid collection bag comprising:
 a bag body having an interior for receiving and holding fluid;   an inlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end portion connectable in fluid communication to the fluid collection line or tube;   an outlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end portion connectable to a drainage valve for draining then interior of the bag body, in use; and   an overflow tube comprising a first end portion connected in fluid communication with the inlet tube, at a region between the first and second end portions of the inlet tube, and a second end portion providing an outlet for fluid received from the first end portion, in use.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the inlet tube is in fluid connection, via the fluid collection line or tube, with a catheter located in the bladder of a patient such that, in use, the fluid received in the bag body is from the bladder of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the overflow tube is connectable to the inlet tube at a region adjacent the first end portion of the inlet tube. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the inlet tube is connectable adjacent a top portion of the bag body, and wherein the first end portion of the overflow tube is connectable to the first end portion of the inlet tube at a region adjacent the connection of the inlet tube to the top portion of the bag body. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the overflow tube is attachable transversely to the inlet tube. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a substantial portion of the overflow tube extends from the first portion thereof, through the interior of the bag body, with the second end portion thereof protruding or emerging from the interior of the bag body. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the overflow pipe substantially follows an S-shaped path within the bag body with a transverse portion of the overflow pipe being located at or adjacent a meridian or middle axis of the bag body. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the overflow tube extends exterior to the bag body. 
     
     
         10 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second end portion of the overflow tube is connectable to an overflow device for collecting overflow fluid received from the overflow tube. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the overflow device comprises:
 a housing comprising a chamber; 
 an inlet port in flow communication with the chamber at a first end portion and connectable to the second end portion of the overflow tube at a second end portion for receiving overflow fluid therefrom and transmitting the same to the chamber; and 
 a resiliently flexible or compliant and stretchable overflow member having an open end attachable to the housing in a sealing fashion and a closed end, wherein the open end of the overflow member is in fluid communication with the chamber such that, in use, fluid received by the overflow member causes the same to displaced between a storage configuration in which the overflow member is located substantially within the chamber and a filling configuration in which the overflow member extends from the chamber with fluid held therein. 
 
     
     
         12 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the overflow device comprises a seal to locate and keep the overflow member in the storage configuration in the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the seal is suitable to displace or rupture to allow the overflow member to be displaced to the filling configuration in response to a predetermined amount of fluid pressure being present in the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid collecting bag as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a non-return valve is provided at an interface between the second end portion of the overflow tube and the overflow device so as to prevent fluid received in the overflow device to travel back to the overflow tube, in use. 
     
     
         15 . An overflow device for use with a fluid collecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient, the overflow device comprising:
 a housing comprising a chamber;   an inlet port in flow communication with the chamber at a first end portion and connectable to an overflow tube from the fluid collecting bag at a second end portion for receiving overflow fluid therefrom and transmitting the same to the chamber; and   a resiliently flexible or compliant and stretchable overflow member having an open end attachable to the housing in a sealing fashion and a closed end, wherein the open end of the overflow member is in fluid communication with the chamber and configured such that, in use, fluid received by the overflow member enters the chamber and causes the overflow member to be displaced between a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is located substantially within the chamber, and a filling configuration, in which the overflow member extends from the chamber with fluid held therein.   
     
     
         16 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the overflow member is in the form of a balloon or condom like member. 
     
     
         17 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the housing comprises a circular disk-like top portion and a cylindrical wall or skirt extending from the periphery of the top portion to an end portion of the housing, wherein the chamber is defined between the top portion and the wall of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the inlet port is located adjacent a hub of the top portion. 
     
     
         19 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical wall defines a circumferentially extending seat adjacent the end portion of the housing for locating a circumferentially extending lip adjacent the open end of the overflow member therein. 
     
     
         20 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the device comprises a collar configured to fit around the housing, adjacent the end portion thereof, so as at least to retain the lip of the overflow member substantially in the seat. 
     
     
         21 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the device comprises a cylindrical securing member to secure the overflow tube to the inlet port of the device. 
     
     
         22 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the overflow device comprises a seal to locate and keep the overflow member in the storage configuration in the chamber. 
     
     
         23 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the seal is suitable to displace or rupture to allow the overflow member to be displaced to the filing configuration in response to a predetermined amount of fluid pressure being present in the chamber. 
     
     
         24 . An overflow device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein a non-return valve is provided adjacent the inlet port of the overflow device so as to prevent fluid received in the overflow device to travel out of the inlet port, in use. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid collecting system collecting fluid downstream from a patient via a fluid collecting line or tube, the fluid collecting system comprising:
 a fluid collecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient via a fluid collecting line, the fluid collecting bag comprising:
 a bag body having an interior for receiving and holding fluid; 
 an inlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end portion connectable in fluid communication to the fluid collection line or tube; 
 an outlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end portion connectable to a drainage valve for draining the interior of the bag body, in use, and 
 an overflow tube comprising a first end portion connected in fluid communication with the inlet tube, at a region between the first and second end portions of the inlet tube, and a second end portion providing an outlet for fluid received from the first end portion, in use; and 
   overflow device connectable to the fluid collecting bag, the overflow device comprising:
 a housing comprising a chamber; 
 an inlet port in flow communication with the chamber at a first end portion and connectable to the second end portion of the overflow tube at a second end portion thereof for receiving overflow fluid from the overflow tube and transmitting the same to the chamber; and 
 a resiliently flexible or compliant and stretchable overflow member having an open end attachable to the housing in a sealing fashion and a closed end, wherein the open end of the overflow member is in fluid communication with the chamber an configured such that, in use, fluid received by the overflow member enters the chamber and causes the overflow member to be displaced between a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is located substantially within the chamber, and a filling configuration, in which the overflow member extends from the chamber with fluid held therein. 
   
     
     
         26 - 27 . (canceled)