Abstract:
A urology drainage bag system has disposable clamps and/or bands that are disposed of along with the disposable urology drape. The drape, clamps, and band may comprise an integrated system for disposal as a unit. In some embodiments, the drape, clamps, and band are assembled together at the time of manufacture and sold as an integrated unit such that assembly of the drape onto the band by the end users at the point of use is not needed. Several plastic molded clamp embodiments are disclosed. Alternative methods and devices for supporting a flexible band and drainage bag relative to an OR table are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/364,743 which was filed Jul. 15, 2010 and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to disposable urology drainage bags and particularly, to urology drainage bags that attach to surgical tables. More particularly, the present disclosure relates, in large part, to urology drainage bag systems having devices that clamp onto the accessory rails of surgical tables. 
         [0003]    Urology drainage bags that collect fluids during urological procedures are known. For example, Allen Medical Systems, Inc. markets the URO CATCHER® system, model number O-UC4 that can be used with URO CATCHER drapes, model numbers 0-UC31 and O-UC32, and with Brachytherapy drapes, model numbers A-50007 and A-50008. While the drapes are disposable, the URO CATCHER® system includes reusable accessory rail clamps and a flexible band that interconnects the clamps. Before re-use, the clamps and band are cleaned and may be sterilized. Furthermore, when not in use, the clamps and bands of the prior art URO CATCHER® system need to be stored somewhere. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to this disclosure, a urology drainage bag system has disposable clamps and/or bands that are disposed of along with the disposable urology drape. The drape, clamps, and band may comprise an integrated system for disposal as a unit. In some embodiments, the drape, clamps, and band are assembled together at the time of manufacture and sold as an integrated unit such that assembly of the drape onto the band by the end users at the point of use is not needed. 
         [0005]    A disposable drainage bag system may include a drainage bag, a band coupled to and supporting the drainage bag, and a rail clamp. The rail clamp may include an upper jaw configured to engage the accessory rail of the surgical table and a slot sized to receive the band. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the rail clamp may also include a protrusion extending into the slot. The band may be formed to include a hole extending through the band and configured to receive the protrusion when the band is received in a predetermined position in the slot. 
         [0007]    The clamp may include a lower platform formed to include a threaded hole and a threaded knob engaging the threaded hole. The clamp may include a protrusion extending into the slot. The lower platform, the upper jaw, and the protrusion may form a monolithic clamp body. In some embodiments, the clamp may include a lever and the protrusion may extend out from the lever. The lever may be movable between a locked position wherein the protrusion extends through the band blocking the band from being removed from the slot and a released position wherein the protrusion is moved out of the slot so that the band can be removed from the slot. The clamp may also include a lower jaw movable relative to the upper jaw to clamp the accessory rail between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the lower jaw may be moved between the open position and the closed position by the threaded knob. The lower jaw may pivot about a jaw axis to move between the open and the closed position. 
         [0009]    The upper jaw, the lower platform, and the lower jaw may cooperate to form a monolithic clamp body. The clamp body may include a living hinge defining a jaw axis about which the lower jaw pivots. The clamp body may be formed from a plastics material. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a clamp for coupling a drainage bag and a band to a surgical table having an accessory rail is disclosed. The clamp may include a beam, an upper jaw extending from the beam, a lower platform extending from the beam and formed to include a threaded hole, and a threaded knob. The threaded knob may engage the threaded hole of the lower platform. The knob may be rotatable to advance an end of the threaded knob toward the upper jaw and to clamp the upper jaw against the accessory rail. 
         [0011]    The clamp may be formed to include a slot extending through the clamp and sized to receive the band. The clamp may include a protrusion extending into the slot and configured to locate the band at a predetermined position when the band is received in the slot. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be selectively pivotable out of the slot. The beam, the upper jaw, the lower platform, and the protrusion may form a monolithic clamp body. 
         [0012]    The clamp may include a lower jaw and a rail opening may extend between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The lower jaw may be pivotable about a jaw axis defined by a living hinge. 
         [0013]    It is also contemplated that a clamp for coupling a drainage bag to a surgical table having an accessory rail may include a beam, an upper jaw extending from the beam, a lower jaw connected to the beam by a living hinge. The beam, the upper jaw, and the lower jaw may be formed as a monolithic clamp body. The lower jaw may be moved relative to the beam to clamp the accessory rail between the upper and lower jaw. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the clamp may also include a threaded knob configured to move the lower jaw from the open position to the closed position. The monolithic clamp body may include a lower platform formed to include a threaded hole sized to receive the threaded knob 
         [0015]    In many of the disclosed embodiments, it is contemplated that the clamps are molded from a plastics material. Some of the clamp embodiments have living hinges that permit clamp portions to fold around the accessory rails of surgical tables. Some of the clamp embodiments have separate plastic pieces that attach together to encompass some or all of the accessory rails. Some of the clamp embodiments have a first piece with a serrated or barbed protrusion, for example, that extends into a hole, recess, pocket or cavity of a second piece to attach the first and second clamp pieces together. Alternative methods and devices for supporting a flexible band and drainage bag relative to an OR table are also disclosed. 
         [0016]    Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a disposable drainage bag system coupled to accessory rails of a surgical table by two clamps; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a detail perspective view of the disposable drainage bag system of  FIG. 1  showing one of the clamps engaged with one of the accessory rails to hold the drainage bag system in place relative to the surgical table; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a detail exploded view of the clamp of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and of a flexible band used to support a drainage bag showing that the clamp includes a clamp body and a threaded knob; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the clamp of  FIGS. 1-3  shown in an open position wherein a lower jaw of the clamp body is spaced from the accessory rail so that the clamp can slide along the accessory rail; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the clamp of  FIG. 4  shown in a closed position wherein a lower jaw of the clamp body is pivoted about a living hinge formed by the clamp body so that the lower jaw and the upper jaw are clamped on to the accessory rail; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a flexible band is secured to lower sections of a pair of rail clamps, upper and lower portions of the pair of rail clamps being separable into two pieces, and the band being removed along with the lower section of the rail clamps; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment in which the flexible band is detachable from the rail clamps; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view showing a flexible band having its opposite ends integrated with a respective clamp of a pair of rail clamps with the clamps being mounted to accessory rails of a surgical table; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a rail clamp has a larger, first channel sized to receive an accessory rail of a surgical table and a smaller, second channel sized to receive an end of a flexible band and showing an end of a flexible band arranged for insertion into the second channel; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a flexible band is adhered to a rail clamp via heat or adhesive material; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which two clamp halves having grooves that receive upper and lower edge regions of the flexible band with the flexible band situated in the same channel of the accessory rail clamp that receives an accessory rail of a surgical table such that a portion of the flexible band will be adjacent the accessory rail; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which an end region of a flexible band has a through hole, a rail clamp has a post protruding from a vertical wall of a rail clamp, and the rail clamp also has an L-shaped corner locator protruding from the vertical wall; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  has five views, labeled A-E, showing an end region of five different flexible bands each having a different tab shape; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  has twelve views, labeled A-L, showing cross sections of different rail clamps contemplated by this disclosure with each of the different rail clamps being attachable to a standard-sized accessory rail of a surgical table; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  has two views, labeled A and B, showing cross sections of different flexible bands contemplated by this disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing a urology drainage bag attached to a roll-away cart that can be used in the place of a urology bag that is attached to an OR table with the urology bag having an integrated flexible band at its upper opening; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing an embodiment having integrated clamps, flexible band, and urology drainage bag arranged for attachment to a pair of accessory rails at the end of an OR table in the direction of the pair of double arrows; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 14 , with the integrated clamps, band, and bag attached to the accessory rails of the OR table and a flap of the drainage bag moved to a position overlying an end region of an OR table mattress; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing a user&#39;s hands holding rail clamps of an integrated system attached to accessory rails of an OR table and showing a set of double arrows which diagrammatically indicate a squeezing motion by the user&#39;s hands to secure the rail clamps to the accessory rails; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing a manner of removing a rail clamp from the accessory rail by sliding upper and lower rail clamp portions horizontally in opposite directions along the accessory rail to achieve separation of the rail clamp portions for removal; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an embodiment in which a drainage bag is integrated with a flexible band via heat or adhesive; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an embodiment in which a drainage bag is integrated with a flexible band by forming a pocket at a top region of the bag by using adhesive, heat seal, hook-and-loop type fasteners, or sewing, feeding the flexible band through the pocket, and then attaching ends of the flexible band to rail clamps; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing an integrated bag and band combination being separated from a pair of rail clamps for disposal; 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a rail clamp having a top section with a downwardly extending toothed tab and a bottom section having a channel that accepts the toothed tab, the teeth of the toothed tab being ramped, and a pair of ramped teeth being provided at the upper end of the channel for intermeshing with the teeth of the tab; 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  is a side elevation view of a clampless integrated bag and band system showing the band and bag being rotated in the direction of counterclockwise double arrows so that ends of the band catch onto a bottom of the rail standoffs; 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  has three views, labeled A-C, showing in view A, an embodiment of an upside down U-shaped rail clamp having an inclined, inwardly projecting flange extending from one of a pair of vertical walls of the rail clamp, showing in view B, the upside down U-shaped rail clamp being moved downwardly onto an accessory rail with the inclined flange contacting an upper left corner region of the accessory clamp, and showing in view C, the upside down U-shaped clamp attached to the accessory rail with the inclined flange extending beneath the accessory rail to retain the rail clamp on the accessory rail; 
           [0044]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a rail clamp having a molded clamp body that slips onto an end of an accessory rail and having a threaded knob that threads through a vertical wall of the clamp body and that projects through a hole in a flexible band to engage a vertical surface of an accessory rail to mount the rail clamp and the flexible band to the accessory rail; 
           [0045]      FIG. 28  is an end elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 27  showing the clamp body having stepped upper and lower jaws with a first set of upper and lower shoulders defining upper and lower band receiving grooves adjacent the vertical wall of the clamp body, a second set of upper and lower shoulders defining rail receiving channels that receive the accessory rail, and retention tips adjacent portions of a vertical surface of the accessory rail; 
           [0046]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view of a plastic coupler having an elongated post of X-shaped or cross-shaped cross section and a rectangular band receiving portion at the end of the elongated post showing a flexible band attached to the rectangular band receiving portion; 
           [0047]      FIG. 30  is a detailed perspective view of the plastic coupler of  FIG. 29  showing a urology drainage bag attached to the flexible band that has its ends attached to respective plastic couplers and showing the post of the plastic coupler inserted into a horizontal socket provided in a frame member of an OR table; 
           [0048]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a flexible band having a tip that is molded to include a rounded end and a through hole and that attaches to the main band member with heat or adhesive; 
           [0049]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a reusable rail clamp having a lever that can be pushed to permit the flexible band to be detached from the rail clamp; 
           [0050]      FIG. 33  is a rear elevation view of the rail clamp of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 34  is a side elevation view of the rail clamp of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of the rail clamp of  FIG. 32  taken at line  35 - 35  as shown in  FIG. 32  showing the reusable rail clamp body having a spring loaded pivotable lever with a projecting pin at its upper end that is received in the through hole of a flexible band to retain the flexible band in place relative to the rail clamp body; 
           [0053]      FIG. 36  is a front elevation view of the rail clamp of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of an end region of the lever shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 38  is a rear elevation view of the end region of  FIG. 37 ; and 
           [0056]      FIG. 39  is a rear elevation view of an alternative end region of the lever shown in  FIG. 32  wherein the lever includes a channel extending across the lower end of the lever. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0057]    An illustrative disposable urology drainage bag system  10  includes a drainage bag  12 , a flexible support band  14 , a first clamp  16 , and a second clamp  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Drainage bag system  10  is configured to be used with a surgical table  20  having accessory rails  22 . Drainage bag  12  is supported and held open by flexible support band  14  during surgery. Flexible support band  14  supports drainage bag  12  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . Clamps  16 ,  18  are coupled to flexible support band  14  and clamps  16 ,  18  clamp on to accessory rails  22  of surgical table  20  to couple drainage bag system  10  to surgical table  20  during surgery. 
         [0058]    Illustratively, drainage bag  12  is constructed from a flexible sheet of plastics material. Drainage bag  12  includes a reservoir portion  24 , a sleeve portion  26 , and a flap  28  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Reservoir portion  24  is situated near and contacts an edge  29  of surgical table  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Sleeve portion  26  wraps around flexible support band  14  and couples drainage bag  12  to flexible support band  14 . Flap  28  extends over surgical table  20  so that fluids are blocked from contact with surgical table  20 . 
         [0059]    Flexible support band  14  is operable to support and to hold open reservoir portion  24  of drainage bag  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Flexible support band  14  is flexible in the horizontal direction and is semi-rigid in the vertical direction. On account of its flexibility in the horizontal direction, flexible support band  14  is operable to flex in response to a surgeon or other caregiver contacting flexible support band  14  so that the surgeon or caregiver is not blocked from approaching the surgical table  20  by the drainage bag system  10 . Flexible support band  14  is illustratively made from a disposable or recyclable plastics material. However, in other embodiments, flexible support band  14  may be made from other materials. 
         [0060]    Reservoir portion  24  of drainage bag  12  collects and directs fluids toward a waste storage system  30 . Reservoir portion  24  is coupled to waste storage system  30  by a tube  32 . In the illustrative embodiment, a mesh screen  34  is situated in reservoir portion  24  to block solid waste, dropped tools, or other non-liquid items from being directed to waste storage system  30 . In other embodiments, no mesh screen is used. 
         [0061]    Clamps  16 ,  18  are substantially similar and the following description of clamp  16  applies to clamp  18 . Clamp  16  includes a clamp body  36  and a threaded knob  38  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Illustratively, clamp body  36  is monolithically formed from a plastics material that is readily disposable or recyclable. Threaded knob  38  includes a head  40  and a threaded portion  42  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . Threaded knob  38  is illustratively constructed from a plastics material that is readily disposable or recyclable. 
         [0062]    Clamp body  36  is illustratively formed to include a beam  44 , an upper jaw  46 , a lower jaw  48 , and a lower platform  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Upper jaw  46  extends from a top end  51  of beam  44 . Lower jaw  48  is coupled to beam  44  by a living hinge  52  defining a jaw axis  48 A shown in  FIG. 3 . Lower platform  50  extends from a bottom end  53  of beam  44  and is formed to include a threaded hole  54  sized to engage with the threaded portion  42  of threaded knob  38 . Lower jaw  48  is situated between upper jaw  46  and lower platform  50  and an opening  57  is formed between upper jaw  46  and lower jaw  48  to receive accessory rail  22  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0063]    Lower jaw  48  of clamp body  36  moves between an open position, shown in  FIG. 4 , and a closed position shown in  FIG. 5 . When lower jaw  48  is in the open position, clamp  16  is free to slide on to and along accessory rail  22 . When lower jaw  48  is in the closed position, upper and lower jaws  46 ,  48  are clamped on to accessory rail  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Lower jaw  48  is biased toward the open position by living hinge  52  as suggested in  FIG. 4 . To move lower jaw  48  from the open position to the closed position, a user rotates threaded knob  38  so that threaded knob  38  moves through lower platform  50  toward upper jaw  46  as suggested by arrow  38 A in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Threaded knob  38  engages lower jaw  48  as it moves toward upper jaw  46  and causes lower jaw  48  to pivot about jaw axis  48 A as suggested by arrow  48 P shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . To move lower jaw  46  from the closed position to the open position, a user rotates the threaded knob  38  to move threaded knob  38  away from upper jaw  46 . When threaded knob  38  is moved away from upper jaw  46 , lower jaw  48  moves away from upper jaw  46 . 
         [0064]    Beam  44  of clamp body  36  is formed to include a slot  55  and a protrusion  56  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . Slot  55  is sized to receive flexible support band  14 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , slot  55  is in communication with opening  57  configured to receive accessory rail  22 . In other embodiments, slot  55  may be independent from opening  57 . Protrusion  56  is configured to be received in a hole  58  formed in flexible support band  14  to locate flexible support band  14  in clamp  16  when flexible support band  14  is received in slot  55 . 
         [0065]    Another embodiment  110  is shown in  FIG. 6  in which a flexible band  112  is secured to lower sections or portions  114  of a pair of rail clamps  116  which also have an upper section or portion  118 . The upper and lower portions  114 ,  118  of the pair of rail clamps  116  are separable into two pieces that selectively attach to one another that detach from one another. In the illustrative example, band  112  is removed along with the lower section  114  of the rail clamps. Clamps  116  attach to accessory rails  120  of an OR table or surgical table  122 . An embodiment  210  in which a flexible band  212  is detachable from associated rail clamps  216  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0066]    A flexible band  312  has its opposite ends integrated with a respective clamp  316  of a pair of rail clamps  316  as shown in the embodiment  310  of  FIG. 8 . The clamps  316  are mounted to accessory rails  320  of a surgical table  322 . In this example, the flexible band  312  has side portions that are squeezed or flexed inwardly toward another in the direction of arrows  313  to snap the clamps  316  off of the accessory rails  320  in the directions of arrows  315 . 
         [0067]    An embodiment  510  in which a rail clamp  516  has a larger, first channel  524  sized to receive an accessory rail (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) of a surgical table and a smaller, second channel  526  sized to receive an end of a flexible band  512  is shown in  FIG. 9 . An end  513  of flexible band  512  is arranged for insertion into the second channel  526 . The end  513  is held in channel  526  by an interference fit in some embodiments. In other embodiments, end  513  is adhered to clamp  516  such as by heat (e.g., RF or sonic welding) or by using an adhesive material (e.g., glue or cement). In an alternative embodiment  610 , shown in  FIG. 10 , an end  613  of a flexible band  612  is adhered to a vertical wall  615  of a rail clamp  616  via heat or adhesive material. Thus, clamp  616  of  FIG. 10  is similar to clamp  516  of  FIG. 9  except that the structure of the clamp  516  forming channel  526  is omitted in clamp  616 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment  710  of a rail clamp  716  has two clamp halves  714 ,  718  each of which has a groove  721  that receives upper and lower edge regions  723 ,  725  of a flexible band  712  with the flexible band situated in the same channel  724  of the accessory rail clamp  716  that receives an accessory rail (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) of a surgical table (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) such that a portion of the flexible band  712  will be adjacent the accessory rail. 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment  810  includes a flexible band  812  having a through hole  813  and a rail clamp  816  having a post  817  protruding from a vertical wall  815  of rail clamp  816 . Rail clamp  816  also has an L-shaped corner locator  819  protruding from the vertical wall  815 . A corner  827  of band  812  nests within the corner locator  819  and post  817  is received in hole  813  when band  812  is attached to clamp  816 . In some embodiments, post  817  has a slightly enlarged head that snaps through hole  813  when band  812  is being attached to clamp  816  or detached from clamp  816 . In other embodiments, the end of post  817  may be staked or headed to enlarge the end of post  817  by a sufficient amount after band  812  has been attached to permanently attach band  812  to clamp  816 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 13  has five views, labeled A-E, showing an end region of five different flexible bands  1012   a - 1012   e  each having a different tab shape. The topmost view with will be referred to as the first view of  FIG. 13  and the bottommost view will be referred to as the fifth view of  FIG. 13  with similar numerical designators from top to bottom of  FIG. 13 . In the first view of  FIG. 13 , band  1012   a  has a notch  1013   a  along its top edge  1023   a  such that a generally square-shaped tab portion  1018   a  of band  1012   a  is defined next to a necked down portion  1026   a  of band  1012   a.  In the second view of  FIG. 13 , band  1012   b  has an undercut notch  1013   b  along its top edge  1023   b  such that a barbed tab portion  1018   b  of band  1012   b  is defined next to a necked down portion  1026   b  of band  1012   b.  Barbed tab portion  1018   b  has an arcuate upper edge  1019   b.  In the third view of  FIG. 13 , band  1012   c  is substantially similar to band  412  of  FIG. 4  and has a rounded tab  1018   c  next to a necked down portion  1026   c.  Notches  1013   c  and  1015   c  are provided in an upper edge  1023   c  and bottom edge  1025   c  of band  1012   c  to define necked down portion  1026   c.  Tab  1018   c  has a diamond shaped opening  1017   c.    
         [0071]    In the fourth view of  FIG. 13 , band  1012   d  has a spade shaped tab  1018   d  next to a necked down portion  1026   d.  Notches  1013   d  and  1015   d  are provided in an upper edge  1023   d  and bottom edge  1025   d  of band  1012   d  to define necked down portion  1026   d.  Tab  1018   d  has a somewhat diamond shaped opening  1017   d.  In the fifth view of  FIG. 13 , band  1012   e  has a rounded tab  1018   e  next to a necked down portion  1026   e . Notches  1013   e  and  1015   e  are provided in an upper edge  1023   e  and bottom edge  1025   e  to define necked down portion  1026   e.  Tab  1018   e  has a horizontal slot  1017   e  provided along a longitudinal centerline of band  1012   e.    
         [0072]      FIG. 14  has twelve views, labeled A-L, showing cross sections of different rail clamps  1116 A- 1116 L contemplated by this disclosure with each of the different rail clamps being attachable to a standard-sized accessory rail  1100  of a surgical table. Clamp  1116 A has an upside down U-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 A and an upwardly inclined lower jaw portion  1120 A. Clamp  1116 B has an upside down V-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 B and a V-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 B. Clamp  1116 C has a downwardly inclined upper jaw portion  1118 C, an upwardly inclined lower jaw portion  1120 C, and a straight vertical wall  1122 C. Clamp  1116 D has an upside down U-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 D and U-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 D. Clamp  1116 E has an upside down U-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 E and an L-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 E. 
         [0073]    Clamp  1116 F has a downwardly arced upper jaw portion  1118 F and an upwardly arced lower jaw portion  1120 F. Clamp  1116 G has an upside down L-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 G and an upwardly arced lower jaw portion  1120 G. Clamp  1116 H has an upside down U-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 H and a V-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 H. Clamp  1116 I has an upside down L-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 I with a downwardly inclined lip extension  1119 I and an L-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 I with an upwardly inclined lip extension  1121 I. Clamp  1116 J has an upside down L-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 J with a downwardly inclined lip extension  1119 J and a V-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 J. Clamp  1116 K has a tilted upside down V-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 K and a tilted V-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 K. Clamp  1116 L has an upside down tilted V-shaped upper jaw portion  1118 L and an L-shaped lower jaw portion  1120 L with an upwardly inclined lip extension  1121 L. 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  has two views, labeled A and B, showing cross sections of different flexible bands  1212 A and  1212 B contemplated by this disclosure. Band  1212 A has an upright solid rectangular cross section. Band  1212 B has an upright hollow rectangular cross section. 
         [0075]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a urology drainage bag  1300  is attached to a roll-away cart  1302 . Bag  1300  and cart  1302  can be used in the place of a urology bag that is attached to an OR table. The cart  1302  has a base  1304  supported on a set of corner casters  1306 . Cart  1306  has a pair of upright A-frames  1308  extending upwardly from base  1304  on opposite side of cart  1302 . Urology bag  1300  has an integrated flexible band  1312  at its upper opening. Bag  1300  also includes a flap  1301  extending out from band  1312  and configured to overlie an end region of an OR table or table mattress (not shown). Portions of band  1312  attach to the upper ends of A-frames  1308 . A drainage hose  1350  extends from a bottom of bag  1300  to a fluid collection canister  1352  that is supported by base  1304 . Fluid collected in bag  1300  during surgery drains into hose  1352  through a bottom opening  1310  of bag  1300  A trash receptacle  1354  is also supported by base  1304 . 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an embodiment  1410  has integrated clamps  1416 , flexible band  1412 , and urology drainage bag  1400  arranged for attachment to a pair of accessory rails  1420  at the end of an OR table  1422  in the direction of the pair of double arrows  1423 . A mesh screen  1425  is positioned in drainage bag  1400  to block non-liquids from exiting drainage bag  1400 . The integrated clamps  1416 , band  1412 , and bag  1400  are attached to the accessory rails  1420  of the OR table  1422  in  FIG. 18 . Also in  FIG. 18 , a flap  1402  of the drainage bag  1400  is shown moved to a position overlying an end region of an OR table mattress  1407  with a transition region  1401  of drainage bag  1400  interconnecting the flap  1402  and main bag portion of bag  1400 . 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a user&#39;s hands are holding rail clamps  2216  of an integrated clamp  2216 , band  2212 , and drainage bag  2200  system  2210  in a position for generally simultaneous attachment of the clamps  2216  of the integrated system  2210  to accessory rails  2220  of an OR table  2222 . After attaching system  2210  to rails  2220 , the rail clamps  2216  of the integrated system  2210  are squeezed in the direction of arrows  2204  to secure the rail clamps  2216  to the accessory rails  2220 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 20  illustrates the general concept of removing a rail clamp  2816  from an accessory rail  2820  by sliding lower and upper rail clamp  2814 ,  2818  portions horizontally in opposite directions, indicated by arrows  2802 , along the accessory rail  2820  to achieve separation of the rail clamp portions  2814 ,  2818  for removal. 
         [0079]    An embodiment  3010  in which a drainage bag  3000  is integrated with a flexible band  3012  via heat (i.e., RF or sonic welding) or adhesive material (i.e., glue or cement) is shown in  FIG. 21 . An embodiment  3110  in which a drainage bag  3100  is integrated with a flexible band  3112  by forming a pocket  3102  at a top region of the bag by using adhesive, heat seal, hook-and-loop type fasteners, or sewing, and then feeding the flexible band  3112  through the pocket  3102  is shown in  FIG. 22 . To complete the integrated embodiment  3110 , ends  3113  of the flexible band  3112  are attached to rail clamps  3116 , only one of which is shown in  FIG. 22 . 
         [0080]    In the  FIG. 23  example, an integrated bag  3300  and band  3312  combination is separated from a pair of rail clamps  3316  for disposal. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 24 , a rail clamp  3416  has a top section  3418  with a downwardly extending toothed tab  3450  and a bottom section  3414  having a channel  3452  that accepts the toothed tab  3450 . Teeth  3456  of the toothed tab  3450  are ramped. A pair of ramped teeth  3458  are provided at the upper end of the channel  3452  for intermeshing with the teeth of the tab  3450  as shown best in  FIG. 24 . Rail clamp  3416  is clamped onto an accessory rail  3420  by inserting the toothed tab  3450  into an upper region of the channel  3452  and then vertical squeezing portions  3414 ,  3418  together. 
         [0082]    After the rail clamp  3416  is completely clamped onto the accessory rail  3420 , the toothed tab  3450  is fully ratcheted downwardly into the channel  3452  of the bottom section  3414  as shown in  FIG. 36 . To remove clamp  3416  from rail  3420 , portions  3414 ,  3418  of clamp  3416  are slid horizontally in opposite directions along the accessory rail  3420  until portions  3414 ,  3418  are slid horizontally by a sufficient amount to be separated from one another. Each of portions  3414 ,  3418  of clamp  3416  has a finger tab  3464  that can be pressed or gripped by a user to facilitate the horizontal sliding movement of portions  3414 ,  3418 . 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIG. 25 , a clampless system  4010  includes an integrated bag  4000  and band  4012 . To attach system  4010  to accessory rails  4020  of an OR table  4022 , ends  4013  of band  4012  are inserted (with the bag  4000  attached) generally vertically downwardly between the OR table  4022  and the accessory rails  4020  in front of standoffs  4021  of the accessory rail  4020 . Then, the band  4012  and bag  4000  are rotated in the direction of counterclockwise double arrows  4002  so that ends  4013  of the band  4012  catch onto a bottom of the rail standoffs  4021 . Further rotation of the band  4012  and bag  4000  thereafter cause a looped portion  4015  of the band  4012  to rest atop the accessory rail  4020  with a majority of the flexible band  4012  being held in a horizontal orientation. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 25 , an upper edge  4017  of each end portion  4013  of band  4012  has a notch  4019  that receives the rail standoff  4021  when the system  4010  is mounted to OR table  4022 . A distal tab  4018  defined to the right of notch  4019  in  FIG. 25  prevents system  4010  from sliding horizontally off of the accessory rails  4020  when system  4010  is in use during a surgical procedure. 
         [0085]    In the example of  FIGS. 26A-26C , an upside down U-shaped rail clamp  5916  has an inclined, inwardly projecting flange  5902  extending from one of a pair of vertical walls  5904  of the rail clamp. As clamp  5916  is moved downwardly in the direction of arrows  5906  onto an accessory rail  5920 , the inclined flange  5902  first contacts an upper left corner region of the accessory clamp  5920  (see  FIG. 26B ). Further downward movement of clamp  5916  over accessory rail  5920  causes flange  5902  and the associated wall  5904  to flex outwardly. When clamp  5916  is fully inserted downwardly onto the accessory rail  5930 , the inclined flange  5902  extends beneath the accessory rail  5920  to retain the rail clamp  5916  on the accessory rail  5920 . 
         [0086]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , a rail clamp  7616  has a molded clamp body  7602  that slips onto an end of an accessory rail  7620  and has a threaded knob  7604  that threads through a vertical wall  7606  of the clamp body  7602 . The tip of threaded knob  7604  projects through a hole  7613  (shown in  FIG. 28  in phantom) in a flexible band  7612  to engage a vertical surface of an accessory rail  7620  to mount the rail clamp  7616  and the flexible band  7612  to the accessory rail  7620 . Clamp body  7602  has stepped lower and upper jaws  7614 ,  7618  with a first set of upper and lower shoulders  7650  (see  FIG. 28 ) defining upper and lower band receiving grooves adjacent the vertical wall  7606  of the clamp body  7602  and a second set of upper and lower shoulders  7652  (see  FIG. 28 ) defining rail receiving channels that receive the accessory rail  7620 . Retention tips  7654  are defined adjacent shoulders  7654 . Tips  7654  are adjacent a vertical surface of the accessory rail  7620 . 
         [0087]    A drainage bag (not shown) couples to flexible band  7612 . Rail clamp  7616  is attached to an accessory rail  7620  of an OR table (not shown). Rail clamps  7616  and flexible band  7612  are attached to accessory rails  7620  of an OR table (not shown) and arrows  7660  show the rotational direction of tightening the threaded knobs  7604  so that knob  7604  is turned away from the user to secure the rail clamps  7616  to the rails  7620 . To accomplish this, the patient&#39;s left clamp  7616  has a clockwise thread and the patient&#39;s right clamp  7616  as a counterclockwise thread. 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , a plastic coupler  8402  has an elongated post  8404  of X-shaped or cross-shaped cross section and a rectangular band receiving portion  8406  at the end of the elongated post  8404 . A flexible band attached to the rectangular band receiving portion  8406  via a press fit into a cavity  8408  of portion  8406 . A urology drainage bag  8400  attaches to the flexible band  8412  that has its ends attached to respective plastic couplers  8402 . The post  8404  of the plastic coupler  8402  is sized for press fit insertion into a horizontal socket  8490  provided in a frame member  8492  of an OR table  8422  as shown best in  FIG. 30 . 
         [0089]    In the  FIG. 31  example, a flexible band  9612  has separate tips  9613  that are molded to include a rounded end  9615  and a through hole  9617 . Tips  9613  have band receiving pockets  9650  sized to receive the main band member with a press fit. In alternative embodiments, heat or adhesive is used to couple the main band member to tips  9613 . 
         [0090]    Referring now to  FIGS. 32-36 , a reusable rail clamp  9716  has a lever  9702  attached to a main clamp body  9704 . Lever  9702  can be pushed to permit a flexible band  9712  to be detached from the rail clamp  9716 . Clamp  9716  has a vertically oriented threaded knob  9706  that can be tightened against the bottom of an accessory rail (not shown) to retain clamp  9716  on the rail. Lever  9702  has a protrusion  9708  (see  FIG. 35 ) that is received in a hole  9713  of band  9712  to retain band  9712  relative to main body  9704  of clamp  9716 . Lever  9702  can have a pocket  9740  (see  FIG. 38 ) or channel  9742  (see  FIG. 39 ) to indicate where a user should push on lever  9702  to pivot the lever  9702  about a pin  9744 .  FIG. 35  shows cross sections of reusable rail  9716  with clamp body  9704  having a spring  9977  biasing pivotable lever  9702  to a locking position in which a projecting pin  9708  at its upper end is received in the through hole  9713  of flexible band  9712  to retain the flexible band  9712  in place relative to the rail clamp body  9704 . 
         [0091]    Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, many embodiments, variations and modifications are possible that are still within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described herein and as defined in the following claims.