Improved multiple conduit drainage device

Abstract: A multiple conduit flexible drainage device in which the adjacent conduits (18, 20) are joined by a plurality of membranes (26, 28) and may be parted from their proximal ends, reliably and without damage to the conduits.

Description: This invention relates generally to unitary multiple conduit flexible drainage devices. Multiple conduit drainage devices having a common manifold at their proximal ends are used in many fields, including particularly in the medical field. In a typical medical application, the individual conduits initially are joined along their edges into a unit. The individual conduits are parted, as needed, cut to the appropriate lengths, and routed to the desired locations within a surgical wound site. For example, after surgery is performed on the abdomen, the conduits can be routed separately to the desired abdomen quadrants. Similarly, after a cholecystostomy or a cholecystotomy, separate conduits may be used to drain fluid from the right gutter and Morison's pouch. In such medical applications, once the conduits are positioned, the wound site is sutured with the manifold under the skin, and a single conduit passing through the wound suture from the manifold to an appropriate gravity or suction drainage device. Thus, as the wound drains, fluid passes from each of the conduits into the manifold and through the single drainage conduit. Unfortunately, in currently available multiple conduit drainage devices, the individual conduits cannot be readily and reliably parted without damaging adjacent conduits. An example of such a prior art structure is shown in US-A-4072153 which generally discloses a unitary multiple conduit flexible drainage device comprising a common manifold and a plurality of generally parallel adjacent conduits, the conduits being in fluid communication with the common manifold at their proximal ends. More particularly, the drainage device of US-A-4072153 is fashioned as a T-tube with the distal ends of the adjacent conduits directed away from each other in opposite directions but the conduits otherwise being permanently attached lengthwise to each other. In accordance with the present invention as claimed, the aforesaid generally disclosed unitary multiple conduit flexible drainage device is characterised by at least two generally parallel frangible elastomeric membranes joining adjacent conduits, whereby the adjacent conduits may be readily parted from their distal ends. A multiple conduit drainage device of the type currently available is illustrated in FIGURE 1. In this device adjacent conduits 10 and 12 are joined by a single fairly thick membrane 14. When the conduits are separated, a portion 16 of conduit 12 is torn away, rendering the conduit 12 useless, and creating an undesirable ragged appendage on conduit 10. Since, in accordance with the present invention, adjacent conduits are joined by at least two frangible membranes, such membranes may be made thinner and hence more readily frangible than the single joining membrane device shown in FIGURE 1, so that when the distal ends of the conduits are parted, the parting occurs along the membranes, cleanly and without damage to the conduits. Attention is also directed to FR-A-2443842 which discloses a pair of adjacent drainage conduits extending from a common manifold and interconnected by a pair of barrier bars. The drainage conduits have drainage openings therein, and the barrier bars are permanent members provided to maintain the drainage conduits in closely spaced relationship and also to provide a barrier to prevent loose material from reaching and clogging the drainage openings. In order that the invention may be well understood there will now be described an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several figures and in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a unitary pair of conduits of the prior art, in which one of the conduits was damaged when an attempt was made to part the conduits; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a unitary double conduit flexible drainage device in accordance with the present invention, in which the two adjacent conduits have been parted at their distal end; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conduits of FIG. 2, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; and FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a unitary multiple conduit flexible drainage device in accordance with the present invention which comprises two conduits, in which the conduits have been parted, cut to the desired lengths, and routed to different locations. Although the drainage device of the present invention is described below in connection with a medical application, the invention is believed to be useful in any environment in which it is desirable to have unitary multiple flexible conduits which are commonly manifolded at one end and can be cleanly parted and directed to different locations at their other end. Turning now to FIGURE 2, there are illustrated a unitary pair of conduits 18 and 20 having a plurality of drainage holes 22 to facilitate drainage through the respective distal ends 23 and 24 of the conduits. While only two conduits are shown, the invention will apply to any number of conduits save, of course, a single conduit. Also, although it is preferred that the conduits be rectangular in cross-section, they may be of other geometric shapes such as square, circular or triangular. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 3, conduits 18 and 20 are joined by integral membranes 26 and 28, which run the length of the conduits, through the point of parting 30, (FIG. 2). While the present invention requires that at least a pair of generally parallel membranes be used, more than two membranes may be used, if desired. The use of multiple membranes joining the adjacent conduits makes it possible to make each of the membranes thinner and more frangible than is possible with a single membrane. This limits movement of the conduits relative to each other for improved handling during manufacture, storage and use. More importantly, when a parting force is applied, the thin membranes break well before the conduits can be damaged. Another advantage in the use of two or more membranes is the provision of an additional conduit in the space 32 between the conduits, which results in drainage at the parting point 30. Conduits 18 and 20 are shown, in FIGURE 4, in fluid communication with a manifold 34. A common drainage conduit 36 leads from the manifold. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the parted conduits have been cut to the appropriate lengths and routed to the desired locations, A and B. In the typical medical application, the wound site is sutured at a point in the vicinity of the tapered proximal end 38 of manifold 34, and common conduit 36 is routed to an appropriate drainage device outside of the body (not shown). Thus, only a single wound opening is required to drain fluids from a multiplicity of locations and the size of the opening in the wound necessary for drainage can be kept to a minimum. The conduits and membranes may be made of silicone or of widely available thermoplastics and thermoplastic resins.

Claims: A unitary multiple conduit flexible drainage device comprising a common manifold (34) and a plurality of generally parallel adjacent conduits (18, 20), the conduits (18, 20) being in fluid communication with the common manifold (34) at their proximal ends, characterised by at least two generally parallel frangible elastomeric membranes (26, 28) joining adjacent conduits (18, 20), whereby the adjacent conduits (18, 20) may be readily parted from their distal ends. A drainage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of the generally parallel membranes (26, 28) are used to join the adjacent conduits (18, 20). A drainage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of the generally parallel membranes (26, 28) define in conjunction with the adjacent conduits (18, 20) an additional conduit in the resulting space (32) between the adjacent conduits (18, 20). A drainage device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frangible membranes (26, 28) are integrally formed with the adjacent conduits (18, 20). A drainage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the frangible membranes (26, 28) are straight members. A drainage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there is a pair of the adjacent conduits (18, 20). A drainage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjacent conduits (18, 20) are generally rectangular in cross-section. A drainage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjacent conduits (18, 20) and the frangible membranes (26, 28) are made of silicone. A drainage device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conduits (18, 20) and the frangible membranes (26, 28) are made of thermoplastics or thermoplastic resins. A drainage device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein holes (22) are provided in the distal ends of the adjacent conduits (18, 20) to facilitate drainage.

Inventors: GOLDBERG EDWARD M, MELINYSHYN LEV, GOLDBERG, EDWARD M., MELINYSHYN, LEV
Applicants: URESIL L P, URESIL L.P.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61M1
IPC codes: A61M1, A61M27, A61M25, F16L11