Abstract:
A combination drain and pain pump apparatus for medical care of a patient comprises a supply container arranged and configured to dispense fluid. A supply conduit is provided for fluid communication between the supply container and the patient. A drain container is provided to receive and collect fluid from the patient through a drain conduit. Fluid flow through the supply conduit is altered during operation of the apparatus. Similarly, fluid flow through the drain container is altered during operation of the apparatus. The supply conduit and the drain conduit are capable of providing fluid communication with the patient simultaneously. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for patient care implementing the combined drain and pain pump apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Drain and Pain Pump Apparatus,” having Serial No. 60/293,080 filed May 23, 2001, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to patient care regarding the administration and removal of fluids to and from a patient and, more particularly, is related to a combination drain and pain pump apparatus.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Various systems and apparatuses for both the comfort of a patient and care of an operative site are used on post-operative patients during recovery from surgery. One such system commonly employed is a post-operative pain pump. A pain pump is used to supply fluid, such as a local anesthesia, directly to the operative site for patient comfort. The supply of anesthesia can either be controlled by the patient or by medical personnel. A supply of local anesthetic is typically held in a container positioned at or near the patient&#39;s bed. A conduit extends to the patient from the anesthesia supply providing a channel by which the local anesthesia is delivered directly to the patient, and preferably directly to the operative site. Typically, the administration of anesthesia can be controlled by a shut-off valve, or the like, whereby flow of anesthesia through the conduit can be alternately turned on and off. This shut-off valve is typically located substantially adjacent to the patient&#39;s bed and is accessible easily by the patient and/or medical personnel. The pain pump for post-operative patient care is highly desirable to both physicians and patients alike.  
           [0004]    Another system commonly employed on post-operative patients is a drain for the operative site. Drains are typically used to remove fluid from the operative site during the healing process. These drains are beneficial to the healing process as well as for the prevention of infection. Typically, the drain includes a receptacle for gathering and containing fluids drained from the operative site. The receptacle can be located substantially adjacent the patient&#39;s bed and include a conduit extending between the receptacle and the patient. Typically such drains are constantly allowing fluid to drain as long as the drain is installed. Drains can, however, become clogged, such as by a blood clot, or the like, resulting in the cutting off or slowing of drainage.  
           [0005]    In many post-operative recovery cases both of the above-referenced technologies, the pain pump and the drain, are desirable. However, the constant removal of fluid by the drain is not compatible with the administration of local anesthesia to the operative site by a pain pump. The use of both the pain pump and the drain together results in the drain removing the local anesthesia from the operative site as soon as the anesthesia is introduced, rendering the pain pump relatively ineffective. As a result physicians are forced to choose between the two systems for post-operative recovery of a patient despite the fact that physicians would often prefer to implement the benefits of both systems. Furthermore, each of the above-described systems is commonly implemented via use of a needle, such as an intravenous catheter, or the like. If such use of both of the previous systems together is implemented, such use requires the insertion of two separate needles into the patient, a process that is typically painful and undesired by the patient. Furthermore, the use of both systems results in more than one line around the patient&#39;s bed. These lines can be caught up and/or tangled during patient care and even pulled out inadvertently.  
           [0006]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a system for a combination drain and pain pump apparatus. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A combination drain and pain pump apparatus for medical care of a patient comprises a supply container arranged and configured to dispense fluid. A supply conduit is provided for fluid communication between the supply container and the patient. A drain container is provided to receive and collect fluid from the patient through a drain conduit. Fluid flow through the supply conduit is altered during operation of the apparatus. Similarly, fluid flow through the drain container is altered during operation of the apparatus. The supply conduit and the drain conduit are capable of providing fluid communication with the patient simultaneously or in an alternating manner.  
           [0008]    The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for patient care implementing the drain and pain pump apparatus of the present invention. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing a drain and pain pump apparatus of the present invention as disclosed above; controlling fluid flow through the supply conduit; and controlling fluid flow through the drain conduit.  
           [0009]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a drain and pain pump apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a drain and pain pump apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a breakaway insertion needle with a condom-like sheath fixed thereto and extending therefrom.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an insertion cap of a breakaway needle illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a drain and pain pump apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred embodiment of a combination drain and pain pump apparatus  10  of the present invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a supply container  16  and a drain container  18 . The supply container  16  and drain container  18  can comprise those designed for use with the present invention or may be those currently existing in the field. Supply container  16  holds fluid  15 , for example but not limited to local anesthesia, antibiotics, or any fluid desired to be delivered directly to an operative or wound site of a patient. The drain container  18  is adapted to receive and contain fluid drained from an operative or wound site of a patient. The supply container  16  and the drain container  18  can comprise hard rubber, plastic, a malleable bag, or any suitable material or configuration. The supply container  16  and the drain container  18  can also remain separate, optionally disposed in one housing  12 . An optional housing  12  divided into at least two sections  14  may also be included. The sections  14  are preferably adapted to releasably receive the supply container  16  and the drain container  18 , one container being disposed in each section  14 . In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed in further detail below, the apparatus  10  can comprise a supply container  26  and a drain container  28  being two compartments of one container  24 .  
         [0017]    Turning back to FIG. 1, a supply conduit  20  and a drain conduit  21  extend from the supply container  16  and the drain container  18 , respectively. The supply conduit  20  extends from the supply container  16  providing fluid communication between a patient and the fluid  15  contained in the supply container  16 . Fluid movement through supply conduit  20  can be maintained by a pump, gravity feed where the supply container  16  is positioned appropriately, or any suitable means. Similarly, the drain conduit  21  extends from the drain container  18  providing fluid communication between the patient and an interior cavity  17  of the drain container  18 . Fluid movement through drain conduit  21  can be maintained by a pump, for example creating suction, gravity feed where the drain container  18  is positioned appropriately, or any suitable means. The supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  can be contained in an optional housing conduit  23  to minimize clutter around the patient. The housing conduit  23  surrounds the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  and can extend from the patient the entire length of the conduits  20 ,  21  to the containers  16 ,  18 . In the alternative, the housing conduit  23  can extend along a portion of the lengths of the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21 . In addition to contributing to organization about the patient&#39;s bed, the housing conduit  23  protects the cleanliness of the conduits  16  and  18 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the drain and pain pump apparatus  10  of the present invention. In this configuration, the supply container  26  and the drain container  28  are integrated into one common container  24 . It should be noted that although the common container  24 , supply container  26  and drain container  28  are illustrated as being rectangular in shape, the containers  24 ,  26  and  28  can comprise any suitable shape. A supply conduit  20  and a drain conduit  21  extend from the supply container  26  and the drain container  28 , respectively. The supply conduit  20  extends from the supply container  26  to provide fluid communication between the patient and the fluid  15  contained in the supply container  26 . Similarly, the drain conduit  21  extends from the drain container  28  to provide fluid communication between the patient and the interior  17  of the drain container  28 . The supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  can be contained in an optional housing conduit  23  (FIG. 1) to minimize clutter around the patient. The housing conduit  23  can surround the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  and can extend from the patient the length of the conduits  20 ,  21  to the containers  26 ,  28 . In the alternative, the housing conduit  23  can extend along a portion of the length of the conduits  20 ,  21 . In addition to contributing to an orderly environment about the patient&#39;s bed, the housing conduit  23  contributes to cleanliness of conduits  20 ,  21 .  
         [0019]    An end of the supply conduit  20  opposing the supply container  16 ,  26  is introduced into a patient at a desired site, such as an operative site or a wound site in any suitable manner, such as with a needle, intravenous catheter, or the like. Similarly, an end of the drain conduit  21  opposing the drain container  18 ,  28  is introduced into a patient at a desired site, such as an operative site or a wound site in any suitable manner, such as with a needle, intravenous catheter, or the like. The supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  can be introduced substantially adjacent each other to the same site to be used together, as disclosed below, or alternatively, introduced independently with the supply of fluid  15  and draining of fluid are used separately.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of an apparatus for introducing the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  to the desired site. More specifically, FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrate an embodiment of a breakaway needle apparatus  30  of the present invention. The breakaway needle apparatus  30  comprises an insertion cap  31 . The insertion cap  31  includes a first opening  32  and a second opening  34  disposed in an end plate  38 . A pair of insertion tubes  33  extend from the end plate  38 , one insertion tube  33  extending from each of the first opening  32  and the second opening  34 . The insertion cap  31  includes a pair of fasteners  40  disposed on the end pate  38 . The fasteners  40  are adapted to fix the insertion cap  31  to a patient&#39;s skin by stitching. The fasteners  40  are illustrated as being disposed opposing each other, however, it should be understood that the fasteners  40  can be disposed in any configuration on the insertion cap  31 . It should also be understood that although a pair of fasteners  40  are disclosed, there can be any suitable number of fasteners  40  included. The breakaway needle  30  can also include a condom-like sheath  36  extending toward the containers  16 ,  26  and  18 ,  28  receiving and housing the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21 . It should be further understood that although the breakaway needle  30  is disclosed herein as having a pair of insertion tubes  33 , a breakaway needle  30  can comprise any number of insertion tubes  33  without parting from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0021]    Turning back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment a controller  22  for controlling fluid flow, such as, for example, a valve or the like, is disposed on the supply conduit  20  between the patient and the supply container  16 ,  26 . The controller  22  is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In an open position the controller  22  permits the flow of fluid  15  from the supply container  16 ,  26  to the patient through the supply conduit  20 . In a closed position the controller  22  obstructs the flow of fluid  15  from the supply container  16 ,  26  to the patient through the supply conduit  20 . It is preferable that the controller  22  is adjustable to positions between the open position and the closed position to regulate the flow rate of fluid  15  through the supply conduit  20 .  
         [0022]    A controller  22  is also provided on the drain conduit  21  between the patient and the drain container  18 ,  28 . The controller  22  is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In an open position the controller  22  permits flow of fluid from the patient to the drain container  18 ,  28  through the drain conduit  20 . In a closed position the controller  22  obstructs flow of fluid from the patient to the drain container  18 ,  28  through the drain conduit  21 . It is preferable that the controller  22  is adjustable to positions between the open position and the closed position to regulate the flow rate of fluid through the drain conduit  21 .  
         [0023]    Referencing next FIG. 2, in the alternative to two separate controllers  22 , one each disposed on a conduit  20 ,  21 , as disclosed above, a controller  22 ′ adapted to control the fluid flow through the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  can be provided. The controller  22 ′ can comprise a “three-way stop-cock valve,” or the like, and have three positions. A first position opens the fluid flow through the drain conduit  21  between the drain container  18 ,  28  and the patient and closes off the fluid flow through the supply conduit  20  between the supply container  16 ,  26  and the patient. The first position allows for removal of fluid from a site without the introduction of fluid  15  contained in the supply container  16 ,  26 . This first position allows for drainage of fluid from the operative site that may have either collected or built up naturally or through the introduction of fluid  15  from the supply container  16 ,  26 .  
         [0024]    In a second position, controller  22 ′ closes off the fluid flow through the drain conduit  21  between the drain container  18  and the patient and opens fluid flow through the supply conduit  20  between the supply container  16  and the patient. The second position allows for administration of a fluid  15  to the site without immediate removal of the fluid by the drain conduit  21 .  
         [0025]    A third position closes off fluid flow through the drain conduit  21  between the drain container  18 ,  28  and the patient and closes off fluid flow through the supply conduit  20  between the supply container  16 ,  26  and the patient. The third position allows a constant or steady amount of fluid  15  to reside at the operative site without being removed by the drain conduit  21 . This may be desirable to allow an antibiotic or a local anesthesia to take effect at the site.  
         [0026]    Controller  22 ,  22 ′ can be operated either manually, electronically or a combination of both. In one embodiment, the patient or medical personal manually operates movable portions of the controller  22 ,  22 ′, such as a valve lever, or the like, in order to select a desired position among the positions available, as disclosed above. In another embodiment, a signal indicating the desired controller  22 ,  22 ′ position can be sent from a remote device. The remote device, including but not limited to a handheld or any suitable device, can be operated either by the patient or medical personnel or by a computer  40 . Upon reception of the signal, controller  22 ,  22 ′ is set to the desired position among the positions available, as disclosed above, by the signal.  
         [0027]    In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, a supply pump  39  is disposed in communication with the supply conduit  20 . The supply pump  39  moves fluid  15  from the supply container  26 , through the supply conduit  20 , to the patient as desired. Similarly, a drain pump  38  is provided in communication with the drain conduit  21 . The drain pump  38  moves fluid from the patient, through the drain conduit  21 , to the drain container  28 . A computer  40  having appropriate computer software  42  is in communication with the supply pump  39  and the drain pump  38 . The computer software  42  can be programmed to supply power to the supply pump  39  and drain pump  38  at desired time intervals and in various desired combinations.  
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the controller  22 ,  22 ′ is operated fully electronically by a signal sent to the controller  22 ,  22 ′ from a computer having appropriate computer software running. The computer software can be programmed to alternate the controller  22 ,  22 ′ between desired positions in a pre-determined sequence with a pre-determined timing.  
         [0029]    In a method of use of the present invention for providing patient care, the optional housing  12  can be positioned substantially adjacent the patient, such as beside or underneath a bed on which the patient is lying. The supply container  16  and the drain container  18  can be disposed in the sections  14  of the optional housing  12 . Where no housing  12  is implemented, the separate supply container  16  and drain container  18  can be positioned substantially adjacent the patent&#39;s bed. The supply conduit  20  can be positioned as desired to supply fluid  15 , such as, for example, local anesthesia, antibiotics, etc., to an operative site or wound site of the patient. The drain conduit  21 , similarly, can be positioned as desired to provide fluid communication from the patient to the drain container  18 ,  28 . The container  24  (FIG. 2) can be similarly set up beside the patient bed.  
         [0030]    An end of the supply conduit  20  opposing the supply container  16 ,  26  can be fixed to a needle  35  for insertion into the patient. Likewise, an end of the drain conduit  21  opposing the drain container  18 ,  28  can be fixed to a needle  35  for insertion into the patient.  
         [0031]    A breakaway needle  30  can be used for the introduction and removal of fluids as disclosed herein by fixing the end plate  38  to a patient&#39;s skin surrounding a wound such that the insertion tubes  33  extend into the wound as desired. The supply conduit  20  and drain conduit  21  are each introduced to one of the insertion tubes  33  through the first opening  32  and second opening  34 , respectively. The sheath  36  extends from the end plate  38  away from the insertion tubes  33  and surrounds the supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21  for sanitation and cleanliness purposes. Surgical needles  35  extend from the insertion tubes  33  for introduction and removal of fluids from the wound site. The supply conduit  20  and the drain conduit  21 , as well as the surgical needles  35 , can be removed from the wound site without disruption of the positioning of the insertion tubes  33 . Alternatively, the surgical needles  35 , supply conduit  20  and drain conduit  21  can be remain at the desired site and the insertion tubes  33  peeled away therefrom after proper introduction of the needles  35  and conduits  20 ,  21 .  
         [0032]    A controller  22 ,  22 ′ such as a valve, a three-way valve, or a set of valves, can be positioned within the patient&#39;s reach and/or medical personnel&#39;s reach, as desired. Similarly, medical personnel or the patient may have a remote device by which to select the desired positions of the controller  22 ,  22 ′. The method shall be described hereinafter implementing a three-way valve as the controller  22 ′, however it should be understood that other forms of controller  22 ′ can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0033]    The controller  22 ′ can be disposed in a first position whereby fluid, which may accumulate at the operative site post surgery, is allowed to drain from the site through the drain conduit  21  into the drain container  18 . In the first position, the controller  22  prevents fluid  15  from the supply container  16  from flowing to the patient because in the first position the controller  22 ′ obstructs flow through the supply conduit  20 . As desired by either the patient or medical personnel, the controller  22 ′ can be adjusted to a second position, in which flow through the drain conduit  21 , extending from the drain container  18 , is obstructed. Simultaneously or at a desired time interval, the fluid flow through supply conduit  20 , extending from supply container  16 , is opened. In this position, fluid  15  is administered to the operative site without immediate removal by the drain conduit  21 . The introduction of fluid  15  can be used to alleviate patient discomfort, accelerate healing, etc. Fluid  15  introduction can also be a method for unclogging the drain conduit  21 , if necessary. In the latter capacity, the fluid  15  is introduced to the patient and the controller  22 ′ is adjusted back to the first position. With the introduction of additional fluid  15 , upon re-opening the drain conduit  21 , a clogged drain conduit  21  is more likely to clear up.  
         [0034]    Upon the administration of an appropriate amount of fluid  15 , such as anesthesia, antibiotics, or other desired fluid, controller  22 ′ can be adjusted to a third position. In the third position, fluid  15  flow through the drain conduit  21  extending from the drain container  18 , and fluid flow through the supply conduit  20  extending from the supply container  16 , are both obstructed. This allows the administered fluid  15  time to have full effect at the operative or wound site before being removed through the drain conduit  21  when flow therethrough is re-opened. Controller  22 ′ can then be moved back to the first position whereby the drain container  18  can collect and receive fluid from the patient through the drain conduit  21  and the supply container  16  is no longer administering fluid  15  to the patient. Although the present invention is described as being used where the fluid drain and fluid administration are used together, it should be understood that the present invention can be set up and used where just the benefits of the fluid removal or just the benefits of the fluid administration is desired.  
         [0035]    The apparatus  10  can also be operated electronically. As illustrated in FIG. 5, fluid is drained from the desired site by a suction provided in the drain conduit  21 . Suction can be produced by a drain pump  38 . A supply pump  39  can be powered electrically to move fluid  15 , for example but not limited to anesthesia or antibiotics, from supply container  16 ,  26  through the supply conduit  20  to the desired site. The apparatus  10  can be operated by altering the operation of the supply pump  39  and the drain pump  38 . The supply pump  39  can be turned on in order to supply fluid  15  to the desired site and turned off to discontinue delivery of fluid  15  to the site. Similarly, the drain pump  38  can be turned on in order to remove fluid from the desired site and can be turned off when it is desirable to allow fluid to remain at the site or when there is not enough fluid at the site present to warrant removal. The suction pump or drain pump  38  and the supply pump  39  can be powered on and powered off in predetermined combinations and at predetermined intervals automatically by computer software  42 , or the like.  
         [0036]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.