Abstract:
A suction manifold assembly for a fluid management system comprised of a suction manifold and a mounting member. The suction manifold includes a single outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports, including a removable inlet port having a tissue collection device for collecting excised tissue. The suction manifold assembly enables convenient and precise adjustment of suction levels of inputs into fluid collection containers, integrates tissue collection with suction operations, and provides strain relief to tubing thereby allowing accurate fluid deficit monitoring operations.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a fluid manifold, and more particularly to a suction manifold assembly adapted for use with a fluid management system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A fluid management system may be used to manage fluid delivery in connection with several different fluid delivery functions, including, but not limited to, irrigation, and distention of a body cavity. These fluid delivery functions may be carried out in connection with a wide variety of medical procedures, including, but not limited to, hysteroscopy, cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, laparoscopy, and arthroscopy. These medical procedures are associated with several different medical disciplines, such as, gynecology, urology, orthopedics, and general surgery. An exemplary fluid management system is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,475 (filed Mar. 9, 2010), published on Sep. 9, 2010 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2010/0228222 A1, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    For certain medical procedures, the fluid management system uses suction to collect fluids in one or more fluid collection containers (e.g., suction canisters) in association with a device, such as a scope or instrument having a fluid outflow port (e.g., a hysteroscope), an under-buttocks drape having a suction port, and a floor fluid suction device. Accordingly, fluid may be collected at a surgical site, under a patient during surgery, and from an operating room floor. The fluid management system may also provide a fluid deficit monitoring function for determining the amount of fluid that has been delivered by the fluid management system, but has not been returned to the fluid collection containers. 
         [0004]    In situations where a plurality of devices are used to collect fluid in the fluid collection containers during a single procedure, system setup can be complex. In this regard, tubing must be configured between each device and an associated fluid collection container. If there is only a single fluid collection container with a single input port, then it may become necessary to connect and reconnect a selected device to the single fluid collection container. 
         [0005]    Moreover, different suction levels may be desirable for different devices, depending upon the application. Suction levels typically range from 50 mmHg to 500 mmHg. Prior art systems do not allow for convenient adjustment of suction levels for each device connected to the fluid collection container. 
         [0006]    There is a need to simplify the setup for configuring tubing used by the fluid management system to carry out fluid suction operations; enable convenient and precise adjustment of suction levels of inputs into fluid collection containers to ensure proper operation of all surgical instrumentation; integrate tissue collection with suction operations; and provide strain relief to tubing in order to ensure vibration and/or movement of the tubing does not adversely affect the accuracy of fluid deficit monitoring operations. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides a suction manifold assembly that addresses the foregoing deficiencies of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a suction manifold assembly that includes a suction manifold comprising (a) a body defining an inner region; (b) a plurality of inlet ports, each inlet port having a passageway in fluid communication with the inner region and a fitting adapted for connection with a hose, wherein said plurality of inlet ports may include a removable inlet port having a tissue collection device; and (c) an outlet port having a passageway in fluid communication with the inner region and a fitting adapted for connection with a hose. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suction manifold for receiving fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, said suction manifold comprising: (a) a body defining an inner region; (b) a plurality of inlet ports, each inlet port having a passageway in fluid communication with the inner region and a fitting adapted for connection with a hose, wherein said plurality of inlet ports may include a removable inlet port having a tissue collection device for collecting excised tissue, said tissue collection device allowing fluid to pass therethrough; and (c) an outlet port having a passageway in fluid communication with the inner region and a fitting adapted for connection with a hose. 
         [0010]    An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a suction manifold assembly that simplifies configuration of tubing used by the fluid management system to carry out fluid suction operations. 
         [0011]    Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a suction manifold assembly that enables convenient and precise adjustment of suction levels of inputs into fluid collection containers. 
         [0012]    A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a suction manifold assembly that integrates tissue collection with fluid suction operations. 
         [0013]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a suction manifold assembly that provides tubing strain relief to ensure vibration and/or movement of the tubing does not adversely affect accuracy of fluid deficit monitoring operations. 
         [0014]    These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of illustrated embodiments taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a suction manifold assembly, comprised of a suction manifold and mounting member, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the suction manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the suction manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a mounting member according to another embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a suction manifold according to an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting same,  FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a suction manifold assembly  40 , according to a first embodiment. Suction manifold assembly  40  is generally comprised of a suction manifold  50  and a mounting member  150 . In  FIG. 1 , mounting member  150  is shown mounted to a support structure  2  taking the form of a cylindrical pole.  FIG. 1  also shows suction manifold  50  fluidly connected with medical devices  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  and a suction canister  30 , as will be described in further detail below. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , suction manifold  50  is generally comprised of a cylindrical body  52  that defines an inner region  54 ; a plurality of inlet ports  72   a,    72   b,    72   c,    72   d;  a removable inlet port  102 ; and an outlet port  82 . In the illustrated embodiment, cylindrical body  52  has a first opening  56  at one end and a second opening  58  at the opposite end. An inner annular ledge  60  and an outer annular ledge  61  of cylindrical body  52  define a transition between a first section of cylindrical body  52  having larger inner and outer diameters and a second section of cylindrical body  52  having smaller inner and outer diameters. Accordingly, first opening  56  has a larger diameter than second opening  58 . 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment, a generally cylindrical insert  62  is press fit within first opening  56 . Insert  62  defines an opening  63  having a smaller diameter than first opening  56 . Insert  62  includes a bottom wall  64  having a hole  66  formed therein. It should be appreciated that insert  62  may alternatively be formed as an integral part of cylindrical body  52 . 
         [0024]    Removable inlet port  102  is generally comprised of a mounting section  110  and a tubular fitting section  120 . Mounting section  110  includes a bottom wall  112 , through which tubular fitting section  120  extends, a generally cylindrical side wall  114 , and an outward extending flange  116 . Tubular fitting section  120  has first and second portions  122 ,  124  that define a passageway  121  extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, first portion  122  takes the form of a frustoconical-shaped fitting and second portion  124  takes the form of a generally cylindrical-shaped tube section. First portion  122  is dimensioned to mate with a fitting  214  on a hose or tubing  212 . It is contemplated that first portion  122  may take the form of an alternative fitting, such as hose fitting, barbed fitting, glue fitting, standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting, female (Luer) conical lock fitting, stepped fitting, threaded fitting, and proprietary or industry-standard quick disconnects, such as cam and groove type disconnects. 
         [0025]    A generally cylindrical tissue collection device  140 , having an open end  142  and a closed end  144  is attached to second portion  124 . In this regard, second portion  124  of tubular fitting section  120  is inserted into open end  142  and affixed thereto with an adhesive or the like. Tissue collection device  140  provides a tissue collection chamber  148  for collecting excised tissue and passing fluid. Tissue collection device  140  is made of a straining element, such as a mesh, a filter material, a screen, or a perforated media. 
         [0026]    Opening  63  of insert  62  is dimensioned to receive removable inlet port  102 . In this regard, removable inlet port  102  is press fit into opening  63 , wherein tissue collection device  40  extends through hole  66  into inner region  54  of cylindrical body  52 . Removable inlet port  102  is fully seated when flange  116  of mounting section  110  abuts the top edge of insert  62  and cylindrical body  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, side wall  114  of mounting section  110  and a portion of the inner surface of insert  62  are both conically-shaped to facilitate insertion and removal of removable inlet port  102 . When removable inlet port  102  is inserted into opening  63 , passageway  121  and tissue collection chamber  148  are in fluid communication with inner region  54  of cylindrical body  52 . After tissue is collected in tissue collection chamber  148 , removable inlet port  102  may be removed from cylindrical body  52  to withdraw the collected tissue for further analysis. Accordingly, tissue collection device  140  may be separated from tubular fitting section  120  by breaking an adhesive bond and emptying the contents of tissue collection chamber  148  into a specimen jar. Alternatively, tissue collection device  140  may be directly deposited into a specimen jar. 
         [0027]    In the illustrated embodiment, outlet port  82  is dimensioned to be press fit into second opening  58  of cylindrical body  52 . Outlet port includes a cylindrical main body portion  84  and a fitting  90  that is dimensioned to mate with a fitting  224  on a hose or tubing  222  fluidly connected to a suction canister  30 . A passageway  88  extends through main body portion  84  and fitting  90 . Main body portion  84  has a frustoconical-shaped opening  86  in fluid communication with passageway  88 . Passageway  88  and opening  86  are in fluid communication with inner region  54  of cylindrical body  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, fitting  90  takes the form of a barbed fitting. However, it is contemplated that alternative types of fittings may be substituted for the barbed fitting. It is also contemplated that outlet port  82  may be integrally formed with cylindrical body  52 . 
         [0028]    Inlet ports  72   a - 72   d  are defined by respective fittings  76   a - 76   d,  which are dimensioned to mate with a fitting  204  on a hose or tubing  202 , and associated passageways  74   a - 74   d.  Each passageway  74   a - 74   d  is in fluid communication with inner region  54 . It should be appreciated that the inner diameter of passageways  74   a - 74   d  may vary. For example, the inner diameters of passageways  74   a  and  74   b  are larger than the inner diameters of passageways  74   c  and  74   d,  thereby providing different suction levels. In the illustrated embodiment, fittings  76   a - 76   d  are shown as hose fittings. However, it is contemplated that one or more of fittings  76   a - 76   d  may take alternative forms, including, but not limited to, barbed fitting, glue fitting, standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting, female (Luer) conical lock fitting, stepped fitting, threaded fitting, and proprietary or industry-standard quick disconnects, such as cam and groove type disconnects. 
         [0029]    Fittings  76   a - 76   d  are shown oriented at  90  degrees to the longitudinal axis of cylindrical body  52 . However, it is contemplated that fittings  76   a - 76   d  may be oriented at a different angle (e.g., 45 degrees) to the longitudinal axis of cylindrical body  52  in order to facilitate connection with tubing  202 . Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment of suction manifold  50  has been shown with four (4) inlet ports  72   a - 72   d.  However, it should be appreciated that the number of inlet ports may be fewer or greater that four. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , fluid flow through tubing  202  may be partially or fully restricted by use of a conventional multiple-position pinch clamp. A cap  200  dimensioned to mate with fittings  76   a - 76   d  may be provided to cover any unused inlet ports  72   a - 72   d.  In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , cap  200  covers unused inlet port  72   a.  It is contemplated that cap  200  may be tethered to the inlet port by a cable, cord, string, or the like, in order to facilitate re-use of cap  200 . Moreover, it should be appreciated that cap  200  may be replaced by an elastomeric valve (not shown) fitted to an inlet port  72   a - 72   d  such that connection of a tubing fitting  204  to an inlet port fitting  76   a - 76   d  opens the valve to allow fluid communication with the inlet port  72   a - 72   d.    
         [0031]    In  FIGS. 1-3 , mounting member  150  takes the form of a mounting bracket comprised of a C-shaped body  152  having an elongated slot  154 . C-shaped body  152  defines a channel  162  dimensioned to receive cylindrical body  52  of suction manifold  50 . Cylindrical body  52  is fully seated within channel  162  when outer annular ledge  61  abuts the top edge of C-shaped body  152 . Inlet ports  72   a - 72   d  extend through elongated slot  154  for access thereto. One or more holes  158  are formed in C-shaped body  152  to fasten mounting member  150  to a support structure (e.g., a pole or plate). 
         [0032]    According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an integrated dovetail may be formed on a portion of cylindrical body  52  that is dimensioned to mate with a matching recess formed on mounting member  150 . This configuration may allow greater access to inlet ports  72   a - 72   d  of suction manifold  50 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a suction manifold assembly  40 A according to an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, suction manifold  50  is unchanged; however, mounting member  150 A of suction manifold assembly  40 A includes a mounting plate  180 . Mounting plate  180  may also be mounted to support structure  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, mounting plate  180  includes a flange captured between C-shaped body  152  and support structure  2 . 
         [0034]    Mounting plate  180  includes a plurality of support members  184  and a plurality of respective rotatable cams  188   a - 188   d  having handles  189 . Support members  184  are positioned relative to inlet ports  72   a - 72   d  such that tubing  202   a - 202   d  are supported substantially in alignment with inlet ports  72   a - 72   d.  Cams  188   a - 188   d  are rotatable to engage with respective tubing  202   a - 202   d  (e.g., pinch tubing  202   a - 202   d ) and thereby regulate suction level/fluid flow therethrough. In this regard, tubing  202   a - 202   d  is captured between a surface of a cam  188   a - 188   d  and a support member  184 . As illustrated, cams  188   a  and  188   d  are shown rotated to a position that does not provide any restriction of suction/fluid flow through tubing  202   a  and  202   d  (i.e., an open position). Cam  188   c  is shown rotated to a position that partially restricts suction/fluid flow through tubing  202   c,  while cam  188   b  is shown rotated to a position that fully restricts suction/fluid flow through tubing  202   b  (i.e., a closed position). It is contemplated that cams  188   a - 188   d  may include detents for maintaining a desired position and for repeatable positioning to obtain a desired suction level. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the suction manifold. Suction manifold  50 A includes an inner cylindrical wall  130  that surrounds tissue collection device  140 . Accordingly, inner region  54  is divided into an inner annular-shaped chamber  132  that surrounds tissue collection device  140  and an outer annular-shaped chamber  134 . Inner cylindrical wall  130  provides separation between fluid received from tissue collection chamber  148  and fluid received from inlet ports  72   a - 72   d.    
         [0036]    Suction manifold  50  is preferably constructed of moldable or machinable plastics commonly used in the medical devices art, including, but not limited to, PVC, polycarbonate/acrylic, acetal, nylon, ABS, and like materials, as well as blends thereof. Mounting member  150 ,  150 A is preferably constructed of aluminum, steel, or moldable/machinable plastics commonly used in the medical device arts, and combinations thereof. Cap  200  may be constructed of materials such as vinyl, silicone, rubber, or a rigid plastic that provides adequate seal integrity when covering an inlet port. 
         [0037]    It should be appreciated that mounting of suction manifold  50 ,  50 A to a mounting member  150 ,  150 A provides strain relief for tubing  202 ,  212  and  222  relative to suction canister  30 . This strain relief helps prevents vibrations and/or movements of tubing  202 ,  212  and  222  from causing adverse effects on the accuracy of fluid deficit monitoring operations carried out by a fluid management system. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , tubing  212  and  202  are shown connected with medical devices  22 - 28 , while tubing  222  is shown connected with suction container  30 . Suction canister  30  is coupled to a suction or vacuum source (not shown), such as those commonly found in a surgical suite. It is contemplated that suction manifold  50  may be used as a disposable device. Therefore, suction manifold  50  may be temporarily attached to a fluid management system by fixing mounting member  150 ,  150 A to a support structure (e.g., pole) of the fluid management system, and inserting suction manifold  50  into channel  162  of mounting member  150  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 ). 
         [0039]    As indicated above, inlet port  102  is removable from cylindrical body  52  of suction manifold  50  to allow for analysis of body tissue collected by tissue collection device  140 . In one application of the present invention, medical device  22 , which is fluidly connected with suction manifold  50  via tubing  212 , may take the form of a morcellation device. 
         [0040]    Medical devices  24 - 26 , which are shown fluidly connected with suction manifold  50  via respective tubing  202  may include, but are not limited to, a scope or instrument having a fluid outflow port (e.g., a hysteroscope), a buttocks drape having a suction port, and a floor fluid suction device. 
         [0041]    Suction canister  30  may take the form of the first of multiple daisy-chained suction canisters. The suction canisters are coupled to a suction or vacuum source (not shown), such as those commonly found in a surgical suite. Adjustments to the suction levels associated with each medical device  22 - 28  may be carried out using standard multiple position pinch clamps, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , cams  188   a - 188   d  may be used as the means for adjusting respective suction levels. 
         [0042]    It should be appreciated that the fittings shown herein are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. In this regard, it is contemplated that the type of fittings used in the present invention may include, but are not limited to: hose fitting, barbed fitting, glue fitting, standard male (Luer) conical lock fitting, female (Luer) conical lock fitting, stepped fitting, threaded fitting, and proprietary or industry-standard quick disconnects, such as cam and groove type disconnects. 
         [0043]    Other modifications and alterations will occur to others upon their reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.