Abstract:
A collection bag and its associated tubing are supported below the seat of a wheelchair or the like with the collection bag disposed substantially horizontally and below its associated inlet tubing. A separate pocket holds the inlet tubing coiled above the bag so that fluids may drain by gravity through the tubing into the collection bag. The suspension apparatus comprises a main pocket attached to the seat frame of a chair or the like using a plurality of strap and a secondary pocket supporting the tubing coil above the main pocket. The collection bag and tubing are thus substantially concealed from view and the inlet tubing maintained in a coiled position above the collection bag.

Description:
COLLECTION BAG SUSPENSION 
     This invention relates to suspension of drainage or collection bags and their associated inlet tubing on a wheelchair, bed or the like. More particularly, it relates to pouch-like apparatus for supporting a drainage bag or the like in a position wherein its largest peripheral dimensions extend substantially horizontal while supporting the inlet tubing in a relatively fixed position above the bag. The suspension system of the invention thus not only provides proper support for the collection bag and its associated inlet tubing, the system aids in concealing unsightly collection bags from view. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As a result of surgical intervention or other conditions, many patients are required to employ external apparatus for collecting and temporarily storing bodily fluids. Typically, the collection apparatus employs a Foley catheter or the like which provides an interface between the patient and an external storage system comprising a collection bag and a length of flexible tubing. The collection bag must be suspended below the level of the catheter so that fluids drain by gravity from the patient to the bag. The collection bag is conventionally formed of flexible transparent material and adapted to collect and temporarily store fluids as they drain from the catheter. Such collection systems are commonly supported on hospital beds, stands and the like. 
     In order to permit patent mobility, drainage and collection systems are often attached to wheelchairs and the like. Most wheelchairs include a seat support frame and/or cross member support positioned below the chair seat which provides convenient means for supporting the collection bag. Unfortunately, collection bags suspended below the chair seat become particularly unsightly as fluids collect therein. More significantly, the inlet tubing which connects the catheter to the bag must be carefully positioned to ensure proper drainage therethrough to the collection bag. If the tubing is blocked, drainage is prevented. If the tubing is allowed to extend below the collection bag, fluid flow is blocked by fluid collected in the lowest portions of the tubing. When properly positioned, the tubing is coiled and placed above the inlet to the bag so that fluid collected in the tubing must eventually drain into the bag. However, fluid may collect in the lower portions of the coils of tubing and thus provide a liquid plug to prevent vapor reflux from the bag. 
     When collection bags are suspended from the seat frame or support members of a wheelchair or the like in conventional manner, the bag is exposed and not restrained from swaying, etc., as the chair is moved. More importantly, the inlet tubing (unless carefully restrained) tends a sag and contribute to the problems discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a support system is provided which secures a collection bag and its associated tubing to a wheelchair or the like and maintains the bag and tubing oriented to assure proper drainage. As a result of the orientation of the suspension system, the bag and its associated inlet tubing are substantially concealed. 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible body made of fabric or the like which defines a main pocket or pouch sized to hold the collection bag and a secondary pocket or pouch sized and positioned to hold the tubing in a coiled condition above the main pocket. A slit in the wall separating the main pocket from the secondary pocket allows the tubing to pass from the main pocket to the secondary pocket without kinking or binding. The apparatus is secured to a wheelchair or the like by securing means such as a plurality of straps extending from the periphery of the body defining the main pocket. The straps toward the rear of the main pocket may be longer than the front straps to support the rear edge (bottom) of the collection bag at a lower elevation than the front edge (top). The straps may be simple ties or may be formed with one end sewn into a lateral edge of the body of the suspension apparatus and the other end removeably secured to the strap, the body of the suspension apparatus or the chair by snaps, buttons, hooks, loops or the like. The suspension apparatus thus stores the collection bag in a substantially horizontal position below the seat of the chair and the bag is secured and substantially hidden from view. Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the appended claims and attached drawing wherein: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collection bag and tubing mounted on a wheelchair in traditional fashion; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collection bag and tubing mounted on a wheelchair in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the suspension system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3. Like numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A conventional collection bag and its associated tubing are traditionally attached to a wheelchair or the like by suspending the bag below the chair seat as illustrated in FIG. 1. The wheelchair 10 includes frame 12, rear wheels 14, front wheels 16, back 18 and seat 20. Seat 20 is attached to wheelchair 10 by seat support rails 22 of frame 12. Frame 12 also includes cross members 24 which act to stiffen and support frame 12 under the weight of a patient in seat 20 and fold to permit the chair assembly to be collapsed when not in use. Collection bag 26 is attached to cross members 24 with a hook 28 or the like. Ordinarily, tubing 30 extending from a catheter to the inlet of bag 26 is tied to cross members 24 above the bag 26 so that fluid may drain therethrough to the bag 26. 
     When properly secured as shown in FIG. 1, the collection bag 26 and tubing 30 perform adequately. However, the system shown in FIG. 1 often results in tubing 30 uncoiling or sagging so that part of the tubing 30 extends to or below the level of collection bag 26, preventing proper drainage from the catheter and increasing the risk of infection. Further, collection bag 26 may become dislodged when wheelchair 10 bumps is jarred or when hook 30 is otherwise dislodged from cross members 24. The results of such occurrences are obviously undesireable. Furthermore, the entire bag 26 is exposed and in plain view. 
     A wheelchair 10 incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. Wheelchair 10 includes frame 12, rear wheels 14, front wheels 16, back 18 and seat 20 joined and supported by cross members 24 as described above. However, instead of hanging the collection bag from the cross members 24 of frame 12 as in FIG. 1 the collection bag and associated tubing 30 are contained with suspension apparatus 40 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and supported as shown in FIG. 2. 
     Collection bag suspension apparatus 40 is designed to support the collection bag 26 so that the largest peripheral dimensions of the bag 26 are aligned substantially horizontal. The collection bag 26 is ordinarily a pouch formed by two sides attached to each other along their peripheral edges. The side edges are conventionally about ten (10) inches by ten (10) inches forming a bag which is substantially square in outer peripheral dimensions. Such bags are usually suspended by a suspension clamp or the like which attaches to one corner of the bag so that the bag hangs in the form of a ten inch square diamond. In accordance with the invention, the square bag is supported horizontally so that the elevational (side edge) view is only the thickness of the bag rather than the length of the bag. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3 the preferred embodiment of suspension apparatus 40 comprises a body which defines a main pocket or pouch 44 and a secondary pocket or pouch 46. Main pocket 44 is readily formed by folding a suitably sized sheet of fabric or other flexible sheet material in half and sewing or otherwise attaching lateral edges 42 to each other. This procedure forms main pocket 46 with a front opening 60. Main pocket 44 is sized and shaped to hold the collection bag 24. A secondary pocket 46, designed to hold excess tubing 30, is formed on the upper external face of main pocket 44. Secondary pocket 46 is preferably formed by a second section of sheet material 56 sewn or otherwise attached to first section of material 54. Secondary pocket 46 is disposed on the top side of main pocket 44 so that tubing 30 properly coiled therein is above the collection bag to allow proper drainage. A slit 52 in first section 54 between main pocket 44 and secondary pocket 46 allows tubing 30 to extend from the collection bag in main pocket 44 to the secondary pocket 46 without kinking or binding and without exposing the top end of the bag 26. 
     Apparatus 40 is preferably suspended below seat 20 of wheelchair 10 by front straps 48 and rear straps 50. Front and rear straps 48, 50 may be attached to any suitable portion of frame 12 but are particularly suited for mounting to seat support rails 22 which hold seat 20 or, alternatively, to lateral support rails 32 which are under seat support rails 22 on wheelchair 10 as shown in FIG. 2. Inlet tubing 30, extending from the collection catheter (not shown) or similar device, is coiled above the horizontally disposed collection bag 26. 
     Collection bag suspension apparatus 40 may be secured to lateral support rails 32 or other suitable portion of the wheelchair using front straps 48 and rear straps 50. In the preferred embodiment, one end of each strap is sewn or otherwise secured to a lateral edge 42 of the material forming main pocket 44 and the other end is removeably attached thereto by securing mechanism 58 which can be snaps, buttons, ties, hook and loop fabric such as Velcro™ or the like. The securing mechanism (as well as the straps 48, 50) may be any common mechanism such as strap made of fabric, plastic or metal and may include hooks, adhesives, snaps, buttons, etc. The straps, of course, may also be elastic if desired. Rear straps 50 are preferably longer than front straps 48 so that the rear edge of the suspension apparatus 40 is lower than the front. This aids in proper positioning of the collection bag in relation to tubing 30 and the catheter and improves drainage of fluids from the catheter. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the suspension apparatus comprises a fabric body which defines a main pocket 44. Bag 26 is disposed in main pocket 44. A second section of fabric 56 is attached to the upper side of the body defining main pocket 44 to form secondary pocket 46. Secondary pocket 46 holds the excess tubing 30 which extends from collection bag 26 through tubing slit 52. Tubing 30 exits secondary pocket 46 and extends to the catheter (not shown) or similar device. 
     In the preferred embodiment, main pocket 44 is about seventeen (17) inches square and slit 52 is about three (3) inches long. Secondary pocket 46 is about twelve (12) inches square. Front straps 48 are approximately three and one-half (31/2) inches long while rear straps 50 are about six and one-half (61/2) inches long. Using ties instead of straps 48 and 50 would increase the length to approximately ten (10) inches. 
     Apparatus 40 may be formed from any suitable flexible or rigid sheet material such as plastic film, net material or fabric. The pockets or pouches may be formed by sewing, gluing or otherwise bonding the edges of the sheet material together. 
     It should be understood that the material from which the apparatus 40 is formed may vary as desired. Likewise, the support straps may be formed as part of the body or be removeably secured thereto by buttons, snaps, loops and ties, etc. Likewise, apparatus 40 is not limited for use with a wheelchair but may be used to support a collection bag on any support media such as a chair, stand, bed or other support means. In order to tilt bag 26 so that the bottom of the bag is below its inlet, the securing straps or the like may be adapted to form loops of variable and adjustable length so that the lower end of the bag is supported by the longer loops. While four straps are illustrated, it will be apparent that any number of straps may be used which will support the bag in the desired position. Four straps positioned at substantially equally spaced distances (preferably at or near the corners of the body of the support apparatus) around the periphery of the main pocket have proven satisfactory. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with particular reference to urinary drainage bags using Foley catheters and suspension from wheelchairs, the invention is not so limited. The invention is intended for use in any system employing a collection bag and associated inlet tubing. It is to be understood, therefore, that although the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments thereof, the forms of the invention shown and described in detail are to be taken as preferred embodiments of same. Various changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.