FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collection container for a medical or surgical operation. The collection container comprises a lid, a storage space for so lidifying agent and an inlet for a collection container tube. The inlet is configured to advance through the lid to the interior of the collection container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the disadvantages associated with a collection container is that there may be a separate mechanism for releasing solidifying agent into liquid. The separate mechanism requires an excess step when changing a liquid-containing collection container to an empty one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention to provide a collection container that overcomes the above disadvantage. The object of the invention is achieved by a collection container that is characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of combining closing the inlet and releasing solidifying agent, i.e. both actions take place in the same step simultane ously.

An advantage of the collection container is that no excess step is re quired for releasing the solidifying agent but it happens inevitably when the inlet of the collection container is closed. A surgical nurse saves time and has less steps to remember in a course of a surgical operation.

The collection container is for collecting fluid during a medical or surgi cal operation. The collection container comprises a lid. The lid has usually a circu lar shape but also other shapes are possible. The lid comprises a storage space for solidifying agent and an inlet for a collection container tube. The storage space may be inside the lid, or the storage space is attached to the lid so that it is inside the collection container when the lid is closed. The solidifying agent makes liquid more viscous so that the liquid is easier to handle. In addition to the solidifying agent the storage space is also suitable for other fluid agents, such as powder-like, granular or liquid substances. Examples of such substances are disinfectants.

The inlet is configured to advance through the lid to the interior of the collection container. The inlet may be concentric or eccentric with the lid. The col lection container comprises a mechanism for opening the storage space, i.e. the in let comprises a first channel and a second channel one after the other. At least part of the second channel is surrounded by the storage space. The first channel and the second channel have a forward end and a rearward end. The first channel and the second channel are connected to each other in such a manner that the forward end of the second channel is detachably attached to the inside or the outside of the rear ward end of the first channel, or the forward end of the second channel comprises a groove where the rearward rim of the first channel positions itself. The rearward end of the second channel is detachable from the lid or a wall of the storage space that is next to the interior of the collection container.

The mechanism for opening the storage space is activated by a stopper. When liquid inside the collection liner should be solidified the stopper is pushed inside the inlet. The stopper may be integrated into the collection liner, or it may be a separate stopper. The stopper hits the forward end of the second channel and pushes the second channel off its place so that the solidifying agent is free to flow into the collection liner.

Alternatively, the stopper and the inner surface of the first channel may be at least partially threaded and the stopper is screwed in such a manner that it displaces the second channel.

The mechanism for opening the storage space can be applied to a col lection container with a lid, e.g. an arrangement comprising a canister and a col lection liner with a fixed lid inside the canister, or an arrangement comprising a canister with an openable lid. In other words, the collection container may be a collection liner or a collection canister.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figures 1 and 2 show cross-sections of an arrangement of prior art; Figures 3 to 6 show a partial cross-section of a lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 show an arrangement of prior art that comprises a col lection liner 1, i.e. a suction bag, and a collection canister 2. A bag part 3 of the suction bag 1 is installed inside the canister 2 so that a lid 4, fixedly connected to the bag part 3, closes the canister 2. The lid 4 has a groove 5 inside which the edge of the canister 2 positions itself.

The lid 4 of the suction bag 1 has an inlet 6, i.e. a patient connection, which may have preinstalled on it an angle connector 7 of the inlet 6. A hose coming from a patient and carrying fluid sucked from the patient is connected to the inlet 6 through the angle connector 7. The inlet 6 may also be used to convey fluid sucked from other targets to the collection liner 1. Such a target may be the floor of an operating theatre, for example.

The inlet 6 may be closed by a plug 8 of the inlet, which is fixed to an edge of the lid 4 by a cord 9.

The canister 2 has a negative pressure connection 10 which may have preinstalled on it an angle connector 11 of the negative pressure connection, to which the suction tube of a negative pressure source is hooked up. From the nega tive pressure connection 10, a negative pressure channel 12 of the canister starts, which is in contact with a negative pressure channel 12 of the collection liner 1 in the lid 4 of the collection liner and a space between the collection liner 1 and can ister 2. The negative pressure acts on the inside of the collection liner 1 through a porous filter 13. The filter 13 is a cylindrical piece installed in an installation recess 14 at the mouth of the negative pressure channel 12 inside the collection liner 1. The filter 13 closes up when the fluid level reaches the bottom surface 13b of the filter 13. At this time, negative pressure suction also stops influencing.

The filter 13 is surrounded by a sleeve 15. There is a gap between the inner wall of the sleeve 15 and outer surface of the filter 13, in which gap an addi tional filter may be installed. The shape of the cross section of the sleeve 15 may be circular, or differ from circular.

The lid 4 of Figs. 1 and 2 can be replaced by a lid 4 of Figs. 3 and 4, i.e. the lid 4 presented in figures 3 and 4 can be applied in the arrangement shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figures 3 and 4 show partial views of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. However, the lid 4 may as well be a lid of a collection canister. The lid 4 comprises an inlet 6 for a collection container tube, i.e. liquid collected from a patient enters to the collection liner 1 through the inlet 6. The inlet 6 is configured to advance through the lid 4 to the interior 22 of the collection liner 1.

The lid 4 may be similar to that of figures 1 and 2 but it is provided with a storage space 16 for solidifying agent and a two-part inlet 6. The storage space 16 may be formed between an upper wall 20 and a lower wall 21 as shown in fig ures 3 and 4, or the storage space 16 may be a particular space that surrounds the inlet 6.

The inlet comprises a first channel 17 and a second channel 18 one after the other. At least part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a forward end 17 a and a rearward end 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixed part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a forward end 18a and a rearward end 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are connected to each other in such a manner that the forward end 18a of the sec ond channel 18 is detachably attached to the inside of the rearward end 17b of the first channel 17. The forward end 18a of the second channel 18 forms a shoulder inside the rearward end 17b of the first channel 17. The rearward end 18b of the second channel 18 is detachably attached to the lid 4. The rearward end 18b may have a groove 26 inside which a rim 27 in the lid 4 positions itself. The first channel

17 may be cylindrical, for example. The second channel 18 may be e.g. cylindrical or funnel-shaped.

When liquid inside the collection liner 1 should be solidified a stopper 19 is pushed inside the inlet 6 as shown in figure 4. The stopper 19 may be inte grated into the collection liner 1, or it may be a separate stopper, e.g. a suitable tool for this purpose. The stopper 19 may replace the plug 8 of figures 1 and 2. The stopper 19 may have a shank 23 and a head 24. The stopper 19 is configured to hit the forward end 18a of the second channel 18 and push the second channel 18 off its place so that the solidifying agent 25 has a free flow into the collection liner 1. The shank 23 is compatible with the inlet 6 in such a manner that it is capable of removing the second channel 18. The shank 23 may be cylindrical. The shank 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

Alternatively, at least part of the shank 23 and at least part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the stopper 19 is screwed in the first channel 17 it eventually hits the forward end 18a of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 off its place. Other details are as in Fig. 4.

The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the solidifying agent runs more efficiently out of the storage space 16. The storage space 16 may comprise e,g, inclined surfaces, such as funnel-shaped surfaces.

Figures 5 shows a partial view of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. How ever, the lid 4 may as well be a lid of a collection canister. The lid 4 comprises an inlet 6 for a collection container tube, i.e. liquid collected from a patient enters to the collection liner 1 through the inlet 6. The inlet 6 is configured to advance through the lid 4 to the interior 22 of the collection liner 1.

The lid 4 may be similar to that of figures 1 and 2 but it is provided with a storage space 16 for solidifying agent and a two-part inlet 6. The storage space 16 may be formed between an upper wall 20 and a lower wall 21 as shown in figure 5, or the storage space 16 may be a particular space that surrounds the inlet 6.

The inlet comprises a first channel 17 and a second channel 18 one after the other. At least part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a forward end 17 a and a rearward end 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixed part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a forward end 18a and a rearward end 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are connected to each other in such a manner that the forward end 18a of the sec ond channel 18 is detachably attached to the outside of the rearward end 17b of the first channel 17. The forward end 18a of the second channel 18 comprises a flange 28 that extends at least partially around the inner surface of the second channel as one piece. The flange 28 may also comprise more than one piece. The rearward end 18b of the second channel 18 is detachably attached to the lid 4. The rearward end 18b may have a groove 26 inside which a rim 27 in the lid 4 positions itself. The first channel 17 may be cylindrical, for example. The second channel 18 maybe e.g. cylindrical or funnel-shaped.

When liquid inside the collection liner 1 should be solidified a stopper 19 is pushed inside the inlet 6 as shown in figure 4. The stopper 19 may be inte grated into the collection liner 1, or it may be a separate stopper, e.g. a suitable tool for this purpose. The stopper 19 may replace the plug 8 of figures 1 and 2. The stopper 19 may have a shank 23 and a head 24. The stopper 19 is configured to hit the flange 28 of the second channel 18 and push the second channel 18 off its place so that the solidifying agent 25 has a free flow into the collection liner 1. The shank 23 is compatible with the inlet 6 in such a manner that it is capable of removing the second channel 18. The shank 23 may be cylindrical. The shank 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

Alternatively, at least part of the shank 23 and at least part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the stopper 19 is screwed in the first channel 17 it eventually hits the flange 28 of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 off its place. Other details are as in Fig. 5.

The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the solidifying agent runs more efficiently out of the storage space 16. The storage space 16 may comprise e,g, inclined surfaces, such as funnel-shaped surfaces.

Figure 6 shows a partial view of the lid 4 of the collection liner 1. How ever, the lid 4 may as well be a lid of a collection canister. The lid 4 comprises an inlet 6 for a collection container tube, i.e. liquid collected from a patient enters to the collection liner 1 through the inlet 6. The inlet 6 is configured to advance through the lid 4 to the interior 22 of the collection liner 1.

The lid 4 may be similar to that of figures 1 and 2 but it is provided with a storage space 16 for solidifying agent and a two-part inlet 6. The storage space 16 maybe formed between an upper wall 20 and a lower wall 21 as shown in figure 6, or the storage space 16 may be a particular space that surrounds the inlet 6.

The inlet comprises a first channel 17 and a second channel 18 one after the other. At least part of the second channel 18 is surrounded by the storage space 16. The first channel 17 has a forward end 17 a and a rearward end 17b. The first channel 17 may be a fixed part of the lid 4. The second channel 18 has a forward end 18a and a rearward end 18b. The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 are connected to each other in such a manner that the forward end 18a of the sec ond channel 18 is detachably attached to the first channel 17. The forward end 18a may have a groove 29 inside which a rim 30 of the first channel 17 positions itself. The forward end 18a of the second channel 18 forms a shoulder inside the rear ward end 17b of the first channel 17. The rearward end 18b of the second channel

18 is detachably attached to the lid 4. The rearward end 18 b may be attached as in figure 3. Alternatively, the second channel 18 may be a fixed part of the lid 4 and the lid 4 may comprise a weakening 31. The weakening 31 may be a circular weak ening around the rearward end 18 b of the second channel 18. The first channel 17 may be cylindrical, for example. The second channel 18 may be e.g. cylindrical or funnel-shaped. The second channel 18 of Fig. 6 has a cylindrical outer shape and a funnel-shaped inner shape.

When liquid inside the collection liner 1 should be solidified a stopper

19 is pushed inside the inlet 6 as shown in figure 4. The stopper 19 may be inte grated into the collection liner 1, or it may be a separate stopper, e.g. a suitable tool for this purpose. The stopper 19 may replace the plug 8 of figures 1 and 2. The stopper 19 may have a shank 23 and a head 24. The stopper 19 is configured to hit the forward end 18a of the second channel 18 and push the second channel 18 off its place so that the solidifying agent 25 has a free flow into the collection liner 1. If the second channel 18 is the fixed part of the lid 4 and the lid 4 comprises the weak ening 31 the weakening 31 breaks when the stopper 19 pushes the second channel 18. The shank 23 is compatible with the inlet 6 in such a manner that it is capable of removing the second channel 18. The shank 23 may be cylindrical. The shank 23 may be longer than the first channel 17.

Alternatively, at least part of the shank 23 and at least part of the inner surface of the first channel 17 may be threaded. When the stopper 19 is screwed in the first channel 17 it eventually hits the forward end 18a of the second channel 18, thus removing the second channel 18 off its place and breaking the weakening 31. Other details are as in Fig. 6.

The storage space 16 may be shaped so that the solidifying agent runs more efficiently out of the storage space 16. The storage space 16 may comprise e,g, inclined surfaces, such as funnel-shaped surfaces.

The first channel 17 and the second channel 18 may be dimensioned so that during the medical or surgical operation the angle connector 7 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2] and the second channel 18 form a channel whose inner surface is smooth but after the operation, when the angle connector 7 is removed, there is a shoulder or flange that can be used in order to remove the second channel 18. The above- mentioned dimensioning is applicable, among others, to the solutions shown in fig ures 3 to 6.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The inven tion and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.