Patent Publication Number: US-8986268-B2

Title: Cover for a fluid collection device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/897,291, filed Oct. 4, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,348,914, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to covers for medical devices, and more particularly to a cover for a fluid collection device. 
     2. Background Art 
     Catheters are used to drain fluids from the body. For example, urinary catheters are used to drain a patient&#39;s bladder. Catheters are traditionally coupled to drain bags configured to collect the fluid that drains from the catheter. In the case of urinary catheters, the drain bag is generally manufactured from a transparent vinyl material. The transparency allows a medical services provider to see the level of fluid in the bag. 
     The transparency can raise a patient dignity issue. The visibility of the patient&#39;s bodily fluids can be embarrassing. However, traditional covers prevent the necessary fluid visibility needed by the medical services provider. 
     There is a need for an improved cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one fluid bag cover configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one fluid bag cover configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a drain bag being inserted into a cover in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one fluid bag cover placed about a drain bag in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another fluid bag cover configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another drain bag being inserted into a cover in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another fluid bag cover placed about another drain bag in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device ( 10 ) while discussing figure A would refer to an element,  10 , shown in figure other than figure A. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to one or more covers for drain bags. In one embodiment, the covers are both semitransparent and semiopaque. These covers are semitransparent enough that a medical services provider, upon close inspection, can identify the level of liquid within a drain bag. However, these covers are semiopaque enough that the covers act as privacy devices by obscuring the identity of the bag or its contents. Accordingly, these covers increase patient dignity. 
     In one embodiment, where closer observation of the fluid within the bag is required, the cover can be configured with an opening. For example, in one or more embodiments described below, an unsealed opening can be configured in the bottom of the cover. Where this cover is configured to be both semitransparent and semiopaque, a medical services provider can get a rudimentary analysis of the fluid level by looking through the cover. A more thorough analysis can be obtained by raising the cover such that the drain bag passes through the opening. Once the medical services provider has sufficiently analyzed the fluid, gravity will cause the cover to drape back across the drain bag. In one embodiment, the covers are made to be disposable. Accordingly, when a cover becomes soiled, it can simply be thrown away. 
     Embodiments of the invention offer advantages over prior art bag covers. A first advantage is that of visibility. Illustrating by example, one prior art bag cover is made from an opaque vinyl. While this cover conceals the bag, it does not permit a way for a medical services provider to quickly assess the fluid level within the bag. By contrast, semitransparent and semiopaque embodiments of the present invention allow a medical services provider to quickly and easily discern the amount of fluid within the bag. 
     A second advantage is concerns the ability to retrofit existing drain bags with covers, as well as the ability to replace covers when they become soiled. Prior art drain bag covers are integrated with the drain bag and cannot be removed or replaced. Embodiments of the present invention are easily applied to a variety of drain bags, and can be quickly removed and replaced. Additionally, the covers of the present invention can be manufactured in a variety of colors so that the color can be selected based upon the application. For instance, a yellow cover may be better suited to concealing certain fluids while a blue cover may be better suited for others. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is one embodiment of a cover  100  for a drain bag.  FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view, while  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view. The cover  100  of  FIG. 1  is well suited for covering catheter drain bags, although it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other drain bags could also be covered with embodiments of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the cover  100  is manufactured from a layer  101  of material. One example of a suitable material is spun bond polypropylene. Experimental testing has shown that a 60-gram spun bond polypropylene works well as the layer  101  of material. Other materials suitable for use with the cover include 40-gram spun bond polypropylene, and a 35-gram tri-layer having a melt-blown layer of polypropylene bonded between two layers of spun bond polypropylene. Spun bond polypropylene is available in a variety of colors, so the color of the cover  100  can be chosen based upon application. In one embodiment, the color of the layer  101  of material is blue. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the layer  101  of material defines a front panel  102 , a rear panel  103 , a left edge  104 , and a right edge  105 . In one embodiment, one of the left edge  104  or right edge  105  may include a vertical seam. In another embodiment, a vertical seam may appear either on the front panel  102  or the rear panel  103 . 
     The layer  101  of material defines an upper opening  106  in one embodiment. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the layer  101  also defines a lower opening  107 . The lower opening  107  is optional. Optional stitching  117 , 118  can be included to provide a hem about the upper opening  106  and/or the lower opening  107 . 
     A concave peninsular opening  108  is centrally disposed along the front panel  102  at the upper opening  106 . In one embodiment, the concave peninsular opening  108  is configured as a u-shape. The opening of the concave peninsular opening  108 , i.e., the open portion along the upper opening, is at least two inches wide, and in one embodiment is between two and five inches wide. For example, the opening of the concave peninsular opening  108  is three and one-half inches wide. 
     The sides  109 , 110  of the concave peninsular opening  108  taper from an opening to a curved base  111 . The taper occurs as the concave peninsular opening  108  moves from its opening towards a center of the front panel  102  of the cover  100 . While the concave peninsular opening  108  is shown as being a tapered u-shape in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that it can be shaped in other ways as well. For example, it can be squared, triangular, rectangular, parabolic, and so forth. 
     In one embodiment, the depth of the concave peninsular opening  108 , i.e., the distance between the upper opening  106  and the curved base  111  is at least two inches, and in one embodiment is between two and four inches wide. For example, the depth can be three and one-half inches. As will be shown in  FIG. 4  below, the concave peninsular opening  108  provides space for accessories used in conjunction with some drain bags. 
     Two complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are disposed along the upper opening  106 . The two complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are configured to retain the front panel  102  and the rear panel  103  together by closing the upper opening  106  in at least two locations. While two complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are shown, embodiments of the invention contemplate that more than two closure devices can be used as well. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are snaps. However, other closure devices can be used as well. In another embodiment, the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are configured as hook and loop fasteners. One example of a hook and loop fastener is Velcro®. In another embodiment, the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  can be configured as straps that extend from the rear panel  103  across the upper opening  106  to the front panel and close with buttons, snaps, hooks, latches, or hook and loop fasteners. Other closure devices will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are configured for repeated use, such that the upper opening  106  can be opened or closed multiple times. In yet another embodiment, the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  could be removed. In their place, one or more strips of elastic material may be placed within the hem formed by seam  117 . This elastic material can be configured to cinch around a drain bag, thereby serving as another form of closure device. 
     In this illustrative embodiment, a first complementary closure device  112  is situated to the left of the concave peninsular opening  108 . A second complementary closure device  113  is situated to the right of the concave peninsular opening  108 . In one embodiment, the first complementary closure device  112  and the second complementary closure device  113  are equidistant from the concave peninsular opening  108 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in this illustrative embodiment when the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are engaged, the upper opening  106  defines a plurality of upper openings  201 , 202 , 203 . Since two complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are used, the plurality of upper openings  201 , 202 , 203  comprises three upper openings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in this particular embodiment the lower opening  107  can be partially folded  204  so as to expand the lower opening  107 . When the cover  100  is disposed about a drain bag, a medical services provider can fold  204  the front panel  102  up to more closely examine the fluid contents of the drain bag. This will be shown in more detail in the discussion of  FIG. 4  below. 
     The dimensions of the cover  100  can vary based upon application. In one embodiment configured for a urinary catheter bag, the width  114  of the front panel  102  and rear panel  103  is between ten and twelve inches. In one embodiment, the width  114  is eleven inches. In one embodiment, the length  115  of the front panel  102  and rear panel  103  is between eleven and thirteen inches. In one embodiment, the length  115  is twelve and one-half inches. These dimensions are illustrative only, as others may also be used. 
     Using the dimensions of the preceding paragraph, experimental testing has yielded a few other dimensions of note. For example, in one embodiment the distance between the first complementary closure device  112  and the left edge is three and one-half inches. Similarly, the distance between the second complementary closure device  113  and the right edge  105  is three and one-half inches. Where the concave peninsular opening  108  is centered along the front panel  102 , the opening can begin about four and one-half inches from the right edge  105  and left edge  104 , respectively. Experimental testing has shown that these dimensions provide essentially a universal cover  100  that fits urinary catheter drain bags that are readily available from a variety of manufacturers, even though these various drain bags may be manufactured with different dimensions. 
     In one embodiment, the layer  101  of material is configured to be both semitransparent and semiopaque. The layer  101  is semitransparent enough so that a medical services provider can at least partially see through the layer  101  to get a rudimentary analysis of, for example, fluid levels within a drain bag disposed within the cover. However, the layer  101  is semiopaque enough so that the patient&#39;s privacy is protected in that the identity of the fluid or potentially the identity of the type of drain bag is obfuscated. Experimental testing has shown that 60-gram spun bond polypropylene works well in that the weave  116  of the material provides sufficient semitransparency and semiopaqueness. While other materials can be used, experimental testing has shown that some materials, such as 35-gram trilayers of melt-blown layer of polypropylene bonded between two layers of spun bond polypropylene may not provide sufficient transparency for all applications. It is well to note that the color of the layer  101  of material can also affect the transparency or opacity. Experimental testing has shown that blue spun bond polypropylene with a weight above 20 grams working well in urinary catheter drain bag applications, with 60-gram blue spun bond polypropylene working particularly well. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated therein is the cover  100  of  FIG. 1  being placed about a urinary catheter drain bag  301 . The complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are disengaged, thereby leaving the upper opening ( 106 ) fully open. The urinary catheter drain bag  301  can then be slipped into the upper opening ( 106 ). Once in place, the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  can be engaged as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the urinary catheter drain bag  301  is equipped with a hanger  302 . The hanger  302  can be used to attach the urinary catheter drain bag  301  to a variety of devices, including drain bag stands and hospital or nursing home beds. Attached to the hanger  302  is an anti-reflux valve  303 . This device enables the medical services provider to readily see fluids going into the bag. The device also prevents fluid displacement in the opposite direction. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , when the urinary catheter drain bag  301  is fully placed within the cover  100  and the complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are engaged, the anti-reflux valve  303  sits within the concave peninsular opening  108 . The complementary closure devices  112 , 113  are situated on either side of the hanger  302 , thereby preventing the cover  100  from falling off the urinary catheter drain bag  301 . 
     The cover  100  of  FIG. 4  is both partially transparent and partially opaque. Accordingly, the outline of the urinary catheter drain bag  301  is partially obfuscated, as indicated by the lighter, dashed lines. However, the partial transparency allows a health services provider  401  to obtain a rudimentary analysis of the fluid level  402  within the urinary catheter drain bag  301 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the cover  100  is equipped with the optional lower opening  107 . Accordingly, when the health services provider  401  wants to obtain a more in-depth analysis of the fluid level  402 , the health services provider  401  may simply pull back the lower opening  107 , thereby revealing the urinary catheter drain bag  301 . By releasing the edge of the lower opening, gravity will cause the front panel  102  to fall back across and cover the urinary catheter drain bag  301 . 
     Embodiments of the cover offer several advantages over prior art solutions. A first advantage is that the health services provider  401  can instantly perform rudimentary analyses of the fluid level  401  with a quick glance, yet can perform more in-depth analyses by lifting the front panel  102  at the lower opening  107 . The in-depth analysis can be done without removing the cover  100 . However, despite being semitransparent, the cover  100  is also semiopaque, thereby protecting patient dignity by obfuscating the cover&#39;s contents. Another advantage is that the cover  100  can be configured to be detachable from the urinary catheter drain bag  301  and disposable. This allows the health services provide  401  to dispose/replace the cover  100  if it becomes dirty or contaminated. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated therein is an alternate embodiment of a cover  500  configured in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The cover  500  of  FIG. 5  is designed to accommodate a low-bed catheter drain bag. 
     As with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cover  500  of  FIG. 5  includes a layer  501  of material defining a front panel  502 , rear panel  503 , and a left edge  504 . Rather than having a bottom opening ( 107 ), the cover  500  of  FIG. 5  includes a bottom edge  550  that is closed. A right edge opening  505  is provided, as is an upper opening  506 . A corner opening  551  runs from the left edge  504  to the upper opening  506 . In one embodiment, the corner opening  551  is non-orthogonal with both the left edge  504  and the upper opening  506 . For example, the corner opening  551  in one embodiment is oriented at about forty-five degrees. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , at least four complementary closure devices  512 , 513 , 552 , 553  are disposed along the openings, with at least two complementary closure devices  512 , 513  disposed along the upper opening  506  and at least two complementary closure devices  552 , 553  disposed along the right edge opening  505 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the four complementary closure devices can be snaps, hook and loop closures, or other devices. Further, more complementary closure devices can be included, and one complementary closure device can be substituted for the two complementary closure devices  552 , 553  disposed along the right edge opening  505 . The four complementary closure devices  512 , 513 , 552 , 553  are configured to retain the front panel  502  and rear panel  503  together to close the upper opening  506  and the right edge opening  505  in at least two locations, respectively. 
     As is evident from comparing  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 1 , the cover  500  of  FIG. 5  includes different dimensions, each of which have been obtained from experimental testing. For instance, in one embodiment the front panel  502  and the back panel  503  each have a width  514  of between eight and ten inches. In one embodiment, the width  514  is nine inches. Similarly, in one embodiment the front panel  502  and back panel  503  have a length  515  of between sixteen and eighteen inches. In one embodiment, the length  515  is seventeen inches. 
     Other dimensions are worthy of note. In one embodiment, the left edge  504  is between five and six inches in length. In one embodiment, the left edge is five and one-half inches in length. In one or more embodiments, the upper opening  506  is between twelve and fourteen inches in length, and is thirteen and a quarter inches in one embodiment. The first complementary enclosure device  512  is five and one half inches from the secondary complementary closure device  513  in one embodiment, with the first complementary closure device being situated about two and one half inches from the corner opening  551 . Along the right edge opening  505 , complementary closure device  552  is three inches from complementary closure device  553  in one embodiment, with complementary closure device  552  being situated three inches from corner  554 . 
     As with the cover ( 100 ) of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment the cover  500  can be configured to be both semitransparent and semiopaque. For example, in one embodiment the layer  501  of material comprises 60-gram spun bond polypropylene. The weight of this material creates enough thickness to obfuscate and disguise contents disposed within the cover  500 , but is light enough to allow a fluid level to be seen without removing the cover  500 . In one embodiment, the cover  500  is blue. Accordingly, the advantages offered by the cover ( 100 ) of  FIGS. 1 and 2  are similarly offered by the cover  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated therein is the cover  500  of  FIG. 5  being placed about a low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600 . Low-bed urinary catheter drain bags are illustrated and described in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/634,714, entitled “Fluid Collection System and Methods of Using Same,” filed Dec. 6, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. The complementary closure devices  512 , 513 , 552 , 553  are disengaged, thereby leaving the upper opening  506  and right edge opening  505  fully open. The low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600  can then be slipped into the combined opening. Once in place, the complementary closure devices  512 , 513 , 552 , 553  can be engaged as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600  includes a coupler  601  for connection to a catheter. Additionally, a hanger  602  can be used to attach the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600  to a variety of devices, including drain bag stands and low hospital or nursing home beds. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , when the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600  is fully placed within the cover  500  and the complementary closure devices  512 , 513 , 552 , 553  are engaged, the connector  601  fits within the corner opening  551 . Complementary closure devices  512 , 513  are situated on either side of the hanger  602 , thereby preventing the cover  500  from falling off the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600 . 
     Where the cover  500  is both partially transparent and partially opaque, the outline  701  of the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600  is partially obfuscated. However, the partial transparency allows a health services provider to obtain a rudimentary analysis of the fluid level within the low-bed urinary catheter drain bag  600 . 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.