US3838691A - Catheter device - Google Patents

Abstract

A catheter device having a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from the container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into the container, the outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from the overflow hole. The outlet tube is manually movable from a first position in which the drain hole is closed to a second position wherein the drain hole is open to the interior of the container.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Paludan et a1.

[4 1 Oct. 1, 1974 CATHETER DEVICE [75] Inventors: Morgan Paludan; Richard Bruce Waite, both of Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia [73] Assignee: Pharma-Plasto (Australia) Pty.

Limited [22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 331,190

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 25, 1972 Australia 8065/72 [52] US. Cl. 128/275 [51] Int. Cl.A61f 5/44 [58] Field of Search 128/2 F, DIG. 24, 275,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,312,221 4/1967 Overment 128/275 3,345,980 l0/1967 Coanda 128/2 F 3,460,529 8/l969 Leucci 128/2 F 3,534,738 10/1970 Huck 128/275 3,583,401 6/l97l Vailliancourt et al. 128/275 Primary Examiner charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney, Agent, or FirmHauke, Gifford & Patalidis & Dumont [5 7] ABSTRACT A catheter device having a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from the container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into the container, the outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from the overflow hole. The outlet tube is manually movable from a first position in which the drain hole is closed to a second position wherein the drain hole is open to the interior of the container.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDBBIH974 SHEET 3BF 3 FIG S CATHETER DEVICE This invention relates to catheter devices and more particularly to a measuring device for use with urinary catheters.

It is customary during and after renal operations to drain urine from a patients body by means of catheter devices and to measure the urinary output. In such measurements it is desired to know the volume of initial amounts of drainage accurately while that of subsequent larger amounts need only be estimated roughly.

In previously known catheter devices, a graduated measuring container is provided, which is fed by a catheter tube and carries a drain with a stopcock. The use of such a catheter device must be closely supervised in order to avoid the filling up of the apparatus and consequential backflow of urine to the patients body.

Attempts have therefore been made to incorporate overflow tubes in catheter devices. The overflow tube extends through the lower portion of the measuring container and opens therein at a height corresponding to the desired maximum level of urine in said container. The overflow tube is connected to one limb of a Y- junction piece of which the other limb is connected via a valve to the drain of the container, and the foot extends to a sink or the like.

The last-mentioned arrangement has been found difficult and cumbersome for operation by a nurse who customarily keeps a patient under surveillance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, reliable, conveniently operated and economical catheter device. I

The invention consists in a catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly of the overflow hole, and being manually movable from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container.

A preferred embodiment of this invention shall be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a catheter device connected to a drainage bag.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the catheter device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the catheter device of FIG. 1 taken in the direction of theline 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the catheter device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an inlet tube, a nonreturn valve and part of an outlet tube, all being components of the catheter device of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, a graduated container 6 is in the form of a tapered cylinder comprising anupper compartment 7, marked with calibrated scale 9,lower compartment 8 of smaller section, carrying a finer calibrated scale andthroat 21. Theupper compartment 7 may have a capacity of 250 mls. and scale 9 thereon may be read to the nearest hundredth of a liter. Thelower compartment 8 may have a volume of 50 mls.

and volume readings may be taken onscale 10 to an accuracy of a milliliter.

A cover 11 of container 6 carries aninlet tube 12 which passes therethrough and communicates with a catheter tube 17 via anelbow junction 16.

In this preferred embodiment anon return valve 13 is provided which comprises a bag-like structure made of pliable plastics film or other pliable and light-weight water repelling material, with itsmouth 14 sleeved onto thetube 12 and its flaringend 15 defining a slit for nonreturn passage of liquid therethrough. Nonreturn valve 13 also serves as a bacteriostatic trap.

The cover 11 also carries sample access means 41 which may comprise aspigot 42 air-tightly stoppered by a rubber orother plug 40 and connected to adip tube 34 which extends to the bottom of thelower compartment 8. A sample of the liquid in the container 6 may be drawn by way of access means 41 by means of a syringe or the like. Venting means 43 situated on cover 11 comprise anair outlet tube 18 and achimney structure 19 fitted thereon and holding a plug ofcotton wool 20 which serves to filter dust particles and germs from air passing therethrough. Venting means 43 allows displaced air in container 6 to escape as the latter is being filled and permits air to be drawn into container 6 when liquid therein is being drained off. This prevents abrupt changes in pressure in the catheter tube 17, which would cause uneasiness in the patient.

Anoutlet tube 30 extending into container 6 is opened at its upper end to provide anoverflow hole 33, into which liquid can overflow when the liquid level in the container 6 rises beyond its level. Thusoutlet tube 30 andnon-return valve 13 together provide double safety measures against the back flowing of liquid into the catheter tube 17.

Aroof 31 fixed bypillars 32 overoverflow hole 33 prevents dripping of inflowing liquid thereinto. Tube 30 is manually movable axially. It includes ajournal portion 22 which defines adrain hole 23. Theportion 22 slidingly engagesthroat 21, such thatdrain hole 23 is exposable to the interior of thelower compartment 8 for drainage of the contents in the container 6. Drainhole 23 is located between upper andlower sealing washers 29 and 24 lodged in circumferential grooves in theoverflow tube 30. Thewashers 29 and 24 bear liquid-tightly against the internal wall ofthroat 21 to prevent leakage betweentube portion 22 andthroat 21. Whentube 30 is withdrawn from container 6 by pulling acollar 25 oftube 30 until anabutment 27 abuts theproximal end 28 of thethroat 21, thedrain hole 23 will be wholly within thethroat 21 and drainage thereinto will be blocked byupper washer 29.Drain hole 23 can be exposed to the interior of thelower compartment 8 by plungingtube 30 into container 6 until thecollar 25 contacts the end ofthroat 21.

FIG. 4 showstube 30 in the fully upwardly extended position wherein liquid in container 6 may drain intooutlet tube 30 viadrain hole 23 as indicated. by the ar- I'OWS.

In this preferred embodiment, adrainage bag 35 is also provided to act as a bulk storage for the collected liquid. It is adapted to receive thedistal end 26 ofoutlet tube 30 and is furnished with anadditive inlet tube 36 fitted with aclosure cap 37, for the introduction of additives such as germicidal or bacteriostatic agents. Adrain valve 38 on thedrainage bag 35 allows the latter to be emptied. Approximate measurements of the amount of liquid in thebag 35 can still be made either by examining a calibrated scale thereon or by draining the liquid into other measuring devices.

Lugs 39 on the rim of cover 11 facilitate the mounting of the catheter device.

The preferred embodiment is so proportioned that when it is mounted from a frame of a bed with the inlet tube slightly below the body of the patient, thedrain valve 38 of thedrainage bag 35 is just above floor level to allow operations thereon, and thecollar 25 is handy at a convenient height; having regard to the usual height of a hospital bed.

Following use, the catheter device may be sterilized by treatment with sterilising agent and may be reused.

In another embodiment of this invention, an outlet tube is manually rotatable about its axis within a sleeve from a first position wherein a drain hole thereon is closed to a second position wherein the drain hole is in alignment with a duct communicating with the interior of the container.

We claim:

1. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and a rigid outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight glandin the floor thereof, said outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly of the overflow hole, and being manually slidable within said container from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container.

2. A catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a finely graduated lower compartment, a coarsely graduated larger upper compartment and a cover adapted to fit over said upper compartment.

3. A catheter device as defined in claim 1 wherein said venting means comprise an air outlet tube communicating with said container and a chimney-like structure fitted on said air outlet tube, containing an air filtering medium.

4. A catheter device as defined in claim 1 wherein a drainage bag is provided which is communicating with said outlet tube and is adapted to receive liquid draining therefrom.

5. A catheter device as claimed inclaim 4 wherein said bag is calibrated in volume.

6. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube haivng an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container; said container comprising a finely graduated lower compartment, a coarsely graduated larger upper compartment and a cover adapted to fit over said upper compartment; and wherein said outlet tube is axially movable such that said drain hole is without said lower compartment in said first position and within said lower compartment in said second position.

7. A catheter device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said bag has an additive tube fitted with a closure cap and a drain valve controlling drainage of the contents of said bag.

8. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container; and wherein said outlet tube is axially movable such that said drain hole is closed from the interior of said container in said first position and open to said container in said second position.

9. The catheter device as defined inclaim 8 and wherein said catheter tube is connected to said container through an elbow connector.

10. A catheter device as claimed inclaim 8 wherein a non-return valve is provided comprising a bag-like structure with a mouth communicating with said catheter tube and an end defining a slit for non-return passage of liquid therethrough.

11. A catheter device as claimed in either claim including sample access means through which a sample of said liquid may be drawn.

12. A catheter device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sample access means comprise a dip tube which extends to the bottom of said lower compartment and carries a spigot on its upper end, said spigot being stoppered by a plug.

Claims (12)

1. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and a rigid outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly of the overflow hole, and being manually slidable within said container from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container.

2. A catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a finely graduated lower compartment, a coarsely graduated larger upper compartment and a cover adapted to fit over said upper compartment.

3. A catheter device as defined in claim 1 wherein said venting means comprise an air outlet tube communicating with said container and a chimney-like structure fitted on said air outlet tube, containing an air filtering medium.

4. A catheter device as defined in claim 1 wherein a drainage bag is provided which is communicating with said outlet tube and is adapted to receive liquid draining therefrom.

5. A catheter device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bag is calibrated in volume.

6. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube haivng an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container; said container comprising a finely graduated lower compartment, a coarsely graduated larger upper compartment and a cover adapted to fit over said upper compartment; and wherein said outlet tube is axially movable such that said drain hole is without said lower compartment in said first position and within said lower compartment in said second position.

7. A catheter device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said bag has an additive tube fitted with a closure cap and a drain valve controlling drainage of the contents of said bag.

8. A catheter device comprising a graduated container fed by a catheter tube, venting means providing for displacement of air from said container and an outlet tube extending upwardly into said container through a liquid tight gland in the floor thereof, said outlet tube having an overflow hole disposed within the container and a drain hole spaced downwardly from a first position wherein said drain hole is closed to a second position wherein said drain hole is open to the interior of said container; and wherein said outlet tube is axially movable such that said drain hole is closed from the interior of said container in said first position and open to said container in said second position.

9. The catheter device as defined in claim 8 and wherein said catheter tube is connected to said container through an elbow connector.

10. A catheter device aS claimed in claim 8 wherein a non-return valve is provided comprising a bag-like structure with a mouth communicating with said catheter tube and an end defining a slit for non-return passage of liquid therethrough.

11. A catheter device as claimed in either claim including sample access means through which a sample of said liquid may be drawn.

12. A catheter device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sample access means comprise a dip tube which extends to the bottom of said lower compartment and carries a spigot on its upper end, said spigot being stoppered by a plug.

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