Patent · US Expired

Wound drainage device

US4578060A · kind A · utility

152Cited by
39References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1983
Grant dateMar 25, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M1/68
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A device for removing fluids from a wound includes a housing and a resilient bellows inside the housing. The bellows can be collapsed and retained in a collapsed or activated state. Upon release from its activated state, the bellows is expanded so as to create a negative pressure therein whereupon fluids are automatically drawn into and collected within the bellows. Preferably the bellows is expanded by a variable force ribbon spring so that the resultant or combined restoring force provided by the resilient bellows and the variable force ribbon spring allows for the creation of a substantially constant level of negative pressure within the bellows so as to provide for a substantially constant level of suction of the device throughout the range of evacuation of fluids therein. The housing is preferably transparent with graduations provided thereon permitting the visible inspection and measurement of the fluids collected therein. A method for operating the device is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.