US3900029A - Closed surgical evacuator - Google Patents

Abstract

A surgical evacuator is described which includes a magnetic purge valve wherein a magnetized, flap valve comprises a resilient membrane portion attached to a ferromagnetic portion. In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic portion is rigid and when the closure member is in a closed position, an unattached portion of the resilient membrane is in contact with a valve seat. In another embodiment, a resilient membrane is impregnated with magnetic particles rather than being attached to a rigid portion. An evacuator bag includes a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expandable. The mouth of the resilient cupshaped portion is approximately at the widest cross-sectional perimeter of the resilient cup-shaped portion. There are two inlet ports into the evacuation bag, each including graduated plugs which can be cut to allow attachment thereto of various size tubes. A splash cap, including a plugged outlet port, encloses the purge valve. A tapered tube is attachable at the splash-cap outlet port so that the purge valve can be brought into communication with a sucking device.

Description

[ Aug. 19, 1975 VACUATOR ABSTRACT CLOSED SURGICAL E inventors; Irving Melnick, Danville; George W.

Oakes, Boston, both of Va.

A surgical evacuator is described which includes a magnetic purge valve wherein a magnetized, flap valve [731 Assignee: Irving Melnick, Danville, Va. comprises a resilient membrane portion attached to a l I Filed: Oct. 26 1973 ferromagne 1c portion n one embodiment, the ferro [2l] Appl. No.: 410

magnetic portion is rigid and when the closure member is in a closed position, an unattached portion of the resilient membrane is in contact with a valve seat. In another embodiment, a resilient membrane is imlzai ijgg pregnated with magnetic particles rather than being l28/275, 276, 277, 278,

attached to a rigid portion. An evacuator bag includes a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expandable. The mouth of the resilient cup- [58] Field of Search shaped portion is approximately at the widest cross- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS sectional perimeter of the resilient cup-shaped portion. There are two inlet ports into the evacuation bag, each including graduated plugs which can be cut to 2 1/ allow attachment thereto of various size tubes.

md n n o HB 48 36 99 l 01 98 003 9 60 3 splash cap, including a plugged outlet port, encloses 28/278 the purge valve. A tapered tube is attachable at the splash-cap outlet port so that the purge valve can be brought into communication with a sucking device.

3,572,660 3/197] Mahon....... 3774,61] ll/l973 Tussey Primary Iiruminer-Richard A. Gaudet Asxl's'lunl I;.\'uminerHenry S. Layton Almrney, Agent or Firm-Griffin, Branigan and Butler 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures II I PATENTED AUB'I 91975 SHKET 1 OF 2 FIG. 1

LZib 5 HIIII I PATENIEU AUG 1 9197sSIZIET 2 OF FIG. I

FIG. 5

CLOSED SURGICAL EVACUATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates broadly to surgical drainage devices and more particularly to surgical evacuators suitable for draining wounds or infected areas of a patients body.

The device described herein is similar to the evacuator device described in US. Pat. No. 3,779,563 to Tussey et al., and related devices are also described in US. Pat. Nos: 3,] 15,138 to McElvenny et al.; 3,376,868 to Mondiadis; and, 3,572,340 to Lloyd et al. As was generally outlined in the Tussey et a]. patent, the contents of many prior-art evacuator units become relatively quickly infected because they are open to outside environment for varying periods of time during drainage as well as while activating negative pressures. This allows room air to move in and out of these units. The blood, serum, urine or lymph fluids that are contained in such units are excellent culture media and minimal bacteria contamination leads to rapid bacterial growth and severe contamination.

It-is therefore an object of this invention to provide a surgical evacuator which has reduced communication with outside atmosphere.

To accomplish this it is desirable to have a surgical evacuator that is substantially completely closed with regard to external atmosphere. In this respect, it is important that the required valves and seals are reliable in operation. However, due to the ease with which most units can become contaminated, it is virtually impossible to keep any unit from eventually becoming contaminated and, therefore, all units must eventually be discarded or sterilized. If the units are to be discardable, they should not be unduly expensive to manufacture. Thus, it is also an object of this invention to provide a closed-system surgical evacuator having reliable valves and seals but yet not being unduly expensive to manufacture.

Further, it is necessary that a resilient portion of most surgical evacuator bags be compressible and have sufficient memory characteristics to thereafter expand and cause a negative pressure inside the surgical evacuators. Such an expansible portion should have the following characteristics:

1. It should be relatively easy to attach to a rigid portion of the surgical evacuator while forming a good seal therewith;

2. It should provide even, negative pressure inside the surgical evacuator;

3. It should be relatively easy to purposely compress but relatively difficult to inadvertantly compress; and

4. It should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a resilient portion of a surgical evacuator bag having these characteristics.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a surgical evacuator in which the rate of fluid evacuation can be easily monitored.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a surgical evacuator which can be more completely purged of fluids than some prior art evacuators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to principles of this invention, a surgicalevacuator purge-valve closure member includes a ngld ferromagnetic portion and a resilient membrane portion. The rigid ferromagnetic portion is attracted to a magnitizable valve seat. The resilient membrane portion is attached to the bottom side of the rigid ferro magnetic portion in an annular attachment area so that the unattached portion of the membrane extends from said annular attachment area across an exhaust port and is in contact with a valve seat when the valveclosure member is in a closed postion. The rigid ferro magnetic portion has a breather hole over the unattached portion of the membrane. Thus, the membrane is free to be sucked into the exhaust port to more effectively seat on the valve seat and close the exhaust port.

In another embodiment, a resilient membrane of a flap-type purge valve is impregnated with magnetic particles rather than being attached to a rigid portion.

Also, a resilient portion of an evacuator bag is cupshaped and has a mouth located approximately at the widest portion of the cup-shaped portion. A rigid portion of the evacuator bag covers the mouth of the resilient, cup-shaped portion. The resilient, cup-shaped portion is constructed of a material having sufficient memory reliability such that after a bottom thereof is pressed toward the rigid portion covering the mouth, the bottom seeks to move away from the rigid portion arid thereby causes a negative pressure inside the evacuator bag.

There are two inlet ports, each being plugged by tapered plugs which may be cut in cross-section to allow attachment of various size tubes thereto.

Also according to principles of this invention, a splash-guard cap covers the purge valve. The splashguard cap has an outlet port which can be plugged. The outlet port is attachable to a tapered tube which can be brought into communication with a suction source. In another embodiment the tapered tube is integral with the splash-guard cap so that they form a single unit.

The resilient, cup-shaped portion of the evacuator bag is attached to the rigid portion by means of an annular trough formed in the rigid portion. Also, an annula'r" wall formed on the rigid portion encloses much of the resilient, cup-shaped portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodirrierit of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying' drawings in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the invention in a clear manner.

FIG. I is an isometric view of a surgical evacuator according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the purge valve portion of the surgical evacuator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken online 4--4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a surgical evacuator according to principles of this invention as it is being purged; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 depicts a surgical evacuator 11 which includes: asurgical evacuator bag 13, with associated valves and seals; tapered inlet plugs 15; and a splash guard cap 17 with an associated taperedtube 19.

Thesurgical evacuator bag 13 includes a resilient, circular, cup-shapedportion 21 and a circularrigid portion 23.

In the preferred embodiment, the resilient,cupshaped portion 21, the tapered inlet plugs 15, the splash guard cap 17 and the taperedtube 19 are constructed of a clear vinyl plastic and the circular,rigid portion 23 is constructed of a clear styrene plastic. Both vinyl and styrene plastics have transparent qualities which allow an operator to observe operation of the evacuator. Aflexible hanger 24, having an eye therein, is attached to therigid portion 23 to allow the unit to be pinned to a bed or a patients clothing.

The vinyl of the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 has sufficient memory reliability that when it is compressed, as shown in dashed lines 25 in FIG. 2, it seeks to return to its original, solid line, position, thereby creating a negative pressure inside the surgical-evacuator bag 13.Ribs 27 formed on the interior surface of the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 enhance this memory reliability.

There are twoinlet ports 29a and b formed in the circular,rigid portion 23. Asingle flap valve 33 is mounted underneath theinlet ports 29a and b by means of apin 31, which is integral with the circular,rigid portion 23. In the preferred embodiment thepin 31 is a single square peg. Theflap valve 33 prevents reflux of the contents of the unit into drainage tubing. In this regard, whenever the unit is on negative pressure, the valve will open and allow free drainage into the unit. However, when the unit is purged, increased pressure within the unit forces theflap 33 against avalve seat 35 formed on the circular,rigid portion 23.

Turning now to apurge valve 37, shown in detail in FIG. 3, it includes aclosure member 39 formed of amagnet 41 and aresilient membrane 43 and a valve seat comprised of aferromagnetic washer 45 and a part 47 of the circular,rigid portion 23. Theresilient membrane 43 is mounted to the circular,rigid portion 23 by asquare peg 49 which is integral with the circular,rigid portion 23. Themagnet 41 is attached to the upper surface of theresilient membrane 43. When theclosure member 39 is in the closed, solid line position of FIG. II, theresilient membrane 43 covers an exhaust port 51. Themagnet 41 is attracted to theferromagnetic washer 45 which normally maintains theclosure member 39 close to the valve seat, even when fluids are being evacuated from the surgical-evacuator bag 13 through the exhaust port 51.

It should be noted that the annular area at which theresilient membrane 43 is attached to themagnet 41 is beyond the periphery of the exhaust port 51 so that theresilient membrane 43 is pulled down tightly over the sharp edge of the exhaust port 51 for accomplishing reliable air tight closing of this port upon completion of purging. In the preferred embodiment, theresilient membrane 43 is constructed of latex rubber and it is glued to themagnet 41; however, these features are not critical to the invention and it is felt that other equivalents could be used. Theferromagnetic washer 45 is an iron alloy and is coated with cadmium to prevent rust- On the top surface of the circular,rigid portion 23, surrounding thepurge valve 37, is an integralelevated rim 53 which protects the purge valve and serves as a mount for the splash-guard cap 17. The splash-guard cap 17 has four main purposes. Firstly, theclosure member 39, being held close to the valve seat by magnetic forces during purging, forces fluid out of the exhaust port 51 sideways. The splash guard directs this drainage in a rather straight downward direction. Secondly, the splash guard cap 17 also allows the unit to be closed to outside air by means of anintegral plug 55, should theclosure member 37 be held open by a blood clot or the like. Thirdly, by plugging the splash guard cap, if a patient accidentally rolls over on the unit, the unit will not be purged inadvertantly. Fourthly, the splash guard cap 17 serves as a mount for the taperedtube 19 to which an external suction source can be applied. This enables the unit to be automatically evacuated when large volumes are being drained or nursing help is not available. In the FIG. 1 embodiment the taperedtube 19 is separate from the splash guard cap 17 however, in an alternate embodiment described below it is formed integral therewith. In either case, a plug, such asplug 55, is employed to close off an outlet of the splash-guard cap 17.

A small calibrated well 57 is formed on the upper side of the circular,rigid portion 23 which includescalibration indicia 59 thereon for measuring small amounts of evacuated fluids. The large circumference portion of the circular,rigid portion 23 is also calibrated in terms of larger measurements, however, these calibrations are not shown in the drawings.

The tapered inlet plugs 15 are mounted on the circular,rigid portion 23 so as to lead into theinlet ports 29a and b. Each of these plugs is designed so that it has a taperedlumen 61, FIG. 2. This allows a doctor to clip of the plugs at any of three locations to allow a snug air tight fit for three different size drainage tubes. Thus, the surgical evacuator 11 can be used to drain two diverse body areas having diverse volume requirements.

It should also be noted that asurface 63 of the circular,rigid portion 23 leading into the calibrated well 57 is tapered so that when the surgical evacuator 11 is purged, as depicted in FIG. 5, the unit is virtually completely drained of contents.

Formed about the perimeter of the taperedportion 63 on the bottom side of the circular,rigid portion 23 is agroove 65, FIG. 2, into which theouter edge 67 of the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 is inserted. Thegroove 65 has a rounded bottom and theouter edge 67 is rounded so that when it is inserted into the groove there is a locking action which gives an airtight fit. In addition, anannular wall 69 of therigid portion 23 extends along the outer surface of the resilient,cupshaped portion 21 so that when theresilient cupshaped portion 21 is compressed, it presses outwardly against theannular wall 69 to increase the seal between theresilient portion 21 and the circular,rigid portion 23. Theannular wall 69 also serves to protect the resilient, cup-shaped portion from being inadvertantly compressed to some degree. In addition, the resilient,cupshaped portion 21 is adhered to the circular.rigid portion 23 at thegroove 65 by means of a solvent type glue. In other embodiments, it is adhered by sonic welding or induction heat sealing. The important feature is that the two units are sealed so that a patient does not inadvertently separate the two halves.

In operation if the surgical evacuator l l is to be used to evacuate fluids from one portion of a patient, one of the tapered inlet plugs is cut so that it fits the proper-size evacuation tube and the tube is inserted therein. Of course if two fluids are to be evacuated from a patient, both of the tapered inlet plugs 15 are cut and attached to the proper-size tubes.

The resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 is compressed to force air out of the purge port 51 and is then released. Theclosure member 39 prevents air from flowing in the purge port 51, thus, as the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 seeks to return to its solid line shape, FIG. 2, a negative pressure is applied through theflap valve 33 to theinlet ports 29a and b.

When it is desired to purge the surgical evacuator 11, it is turned upside down as depicted in FIG. 5. In this position, the volume of fluid in the surgical evacuator 11 can be read on thecalibration indicia 59 of the calibrated well 57 if the amount of fluid is small and on other calibration indicia (not shown) if the volume of fluid is large. The resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 is then compressed. forcing theclosure member 39 of thepurge valve 37 open to purge fluids from the unit. Once purging is completed, the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 is released to again apply negative pressure to theinlet ports 29a and b. Thus, the unit is purged and activated in one action.

FIG. 6 depicts alternate embodiments for some of the features of the device of FIGS. 1-5. In one alternate embodiment a purge-valve closure member 71 comprises a resilient membrane that has been impregnated with magnetic particles. Thus, theresilient membrane 71 is held tightly against avalve seat 73 by magnetic attraction between the magnetic particles and a ferromagnetic washer 75. In this case the resilient membrane is again free to be sucked into thevalve seat 73 to some extent to form a good seal therewith. In the preferred form of this feature the resilient membrane is made of vinyl.

In another alternate embodiment a splash-guard cap 77 includes a taperedtube 79 as an integral part thereof to replace theseparate tube 19 of the FIG. 1 embodiment. An external sucking device (not shown) can be attached to the taperedtube 79. A splash-cap plug 81. also integral with the splash-guard cap 77, fits into the end of the taperedtube 79 for a similar purpose as theintegral plug 55 of FIG. 1.

It should be noted that a surgical evacuator of this invention is relatively easy to assemble and should be contamination free for relatively long periods of time. This device is particularly attractive because it does not have to be uncoupled from patients to be purged. Further, there are no plugs to remove for drainage, nor does the unit need to be opened to activate a negative pressure.

Further, the unit may be coupled to two diverse-size drainage tubes.

In addition, the unit allows an operator to monitor the volume of drainage.

Still further, the particular construction of the closure member of the purge valve provides positive, fast and reliable closing of the purge outlet upon completion of purging.

Also, the arrangement of the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 is uncomplicated. easy to assemble, protectable from inadvertant purging and easy to actuate.

The splash guard cap 17 directs fluid flow, allows an operator an additional means of closing a purge port 51, and allows a suction device to be attached to the surgical evacuator 11 for aiding in purging.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the arrangement of the resilient, cup-shapedportion 21 as disclosed herein could be used with a surgical evacuator which employs a normal check valve rather than a magnetic check valve as is described herein.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege are claimed are defined as follows:

We claim:

1. A surgical evacuator for draining fluids from the body of a patient comprising:

an evacuator bag, said evacuator bag being compressible and expandable to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag;

a drain inlet formed in said evacuator bag for connection to a drain tube adapted to drain fluids from the body of a patient into said evacuator bag;

a purge port formed in said evacuator bag for evacuating fluids and air from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed; and,

a magnetic purge valve, said magnetic purge valve being a one-way valve mounted so as to allow fluid and air to exhaust from said evacuator bag through said purge port when said evacuator bag is compressed, said magnetic purge valve rapidly closing upon termination of said compression so as to prevent contaminants from entering the bag through said purge port, said magnetic purge valve comprismg:

a valve-seat formed on said evacuator bag about said purge port, said valve seat including a ferromagnetic portion surrounding said purge port; and,

a valve-closure member being hingedly attached adjacent said purge port so as to be movable between a closed position flat against said valve seat and an open position moved away from said valve seat, said valve-closure member comprising a ferromagnetic portion and a resilient membrane portion, said ferromagnetic portion and said resilient membrane portion being associated and attached to one another so as to form a flexible resilient membrane spanning said exhaust port, said spanning portion of said resilient membrane being unsupported by a rigid member so that it is free to flex into said exhaust port in response to a decrease in pressure in said evacuator bag and thereby be pulled tightly over an edge of said valve seat when said valve-closure member is in said closed position;

one of said valve-seat ferromagnetic portion and said valve-closure member ferromagnetic portion being permanently magnetized.

2. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said evacuator bag has a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expansihle to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag and includes a rigid portion covering the mouth of the resilient, cup-shaped portion, wherein the mouth of said resilient, cup-shaped portion is approximately at the widest cross-sectional perimeter of said resilient, cupshaped portion, and said resilient, cup-shaped portion is constructed of a material having sufficient memory reliability such that when a bottom thereof is pressed toward said rigid portion covering said mouth, said bottom seeks to move away from the rigid portion and thereby causes a negative pressure inside the evacuator bag.

3. A surgical evacuator as claimed inclaim 2 wherein a groove is formed on the inside surface of said evacuator-bag rigid portion into which an outer edge of said cup-shaped portion fits and said rigid portion includes an annular wall which extends along the outer surface of said resilient cup-shaped portion.

4. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ferromagnetic portion comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic particles which are embedded in said resilient portion.

5. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein is further included frangible plugs having stepped tapered lumens for either plugging said respective drain inlets or for being cut at selected longitudinal positions therealong to allow said lumens to receive various size drain tubes and thereby attached them to said respective inlets.

6. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein is further included:

a splash guard cap mounted on the outer surface of said evacuator bag covering said purge outlet, said splash guard cap defining an aperture for directing the flow of fluids purged from said purge port; and

a plug for selectively closing and opening said splash guard cap aperture.

7. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said splash-guard cap includes an adaptor protruding from a main portion of said splash-guard cap for allowing said splash-guard cap to be attached to a suction source.

8. A surgical evaucator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plug has the function of plugging the end of said adaptor means.

9. A surgical evacuator for draining fluids from the body of a patient comprising:

an evacuator bag, said evacuator bag having a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expandable to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag. and having a rigid portion covering the mouth of said resilient cupshaped portion;

a drain inlet formed in said evacuator bag for connection to a drain tube adapted to drain fluids from the body of a patient into said evacuator bag;

a purge outlet formed in said evacuator bag for evacuating fluids and air from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed; and

a one-way purge valve forming a part of said purge outlet, said one-way purge valve being mounted so as to allow said fluids and air to exhaust from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed, said one-way purge valve rapidly closing upon termination of said compression to prevent contaminants from entering said bag past said purge valve, wherein;

the mouth of said resilient, cup-shaped portion is located approximately at the widest cross-sectional perimeter of said resilient, cup-shaped portion, and said resilient, cup-shaped portion is constructed of a material having sufficient memory reliability such that when a bottom thereof is pressed toward said rigid portion covering said mouth said bottom seeks to move away from said rigid portion and thereby cause a negative pressure inside said evacuatorbag; and I groove is formed on the inside surface of said evacuator-bag rigid portion into which an outer edge of said cup-shaped portion fits and said rigid portion includes an annular wall which extends from said groove along the outer surface of said resilient cup shaped portion, the inner surface of said wall leading continuously and s'moothly into said groove so that the outer surface of said resilient cup shaped portion is held in contact with the inner surface of said wall about the periphery thereof.

10. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said purge valve includes a magnetizable closure member and a valve seat having a magnetizable portion, said closure member being attracted to said magnetizable portion of said valve seat.

11. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein is further included frangible plugs having stepped tapered lumens for plugging said respective drain inlets or for being cut at selected longitudinal positions therealong to allow said lumens to receive various size drain tubes and thereby attach them to said respective inlets.

12. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein is further included:

a splash guard cap mounted on the outer surface of said evacuator bag covering said purge outlet, said splash guard cap defining an aperture for directing the flow of fluids purged from said purge port; and

a plug for selectively closing and opening said splash :guard cap aperture.

13. A surgical evaucator as claimed in claim 12 wherein said splash-guard cap includes an adaptor protruding from a main portion of said splash-guard cap for allowing said splash-guard cap to be attached to a suction source.

14. A surgical evacuator as claimed inclaim 13 wherein said plug has the function of plugging the end of said adaptor means.

Claims (14)

1. A surgical evacuator for draining fluids from the body of a patient comprising: an evacuator bag, said evacuator bag being compressible and expandable to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag; a drain inlet formed in said evacuator bag for connection to a drain tube adapted to drain fluids from the body of a patient into said evacuator bag; a purge port formed in said evacuator bag for evacuating fluids and air from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed; and, a magnetic purge valve, said magnetic purge valve being a oneway valve mounted so as to allow fluid and air to exhaust from said evacuator bag through said purge port when said evacuator bag Is compressed, said magnetic purge valve rapidly closing upon termination of said compression so as to prevent contaminants from entering the bag through said purge port, said magnetic purge valve comprising: a valve-seat formed on said evacuator bag about said purge port, said valve seat including a ferromagnetic portion surrounding said purge port; and, a valve-closure member being hingedly attached adjacent said purge port so as to be movable between a closed position flat against said valve seat and an open position moved away from said valve seat, said valve-closure member comprising a ferromagnetic portion and a resilient membrane portion, said ferromagnetic portion and said resilient membrane portion being associated and attached to one another so as to form a flexible resilient membrane spanning said exhaust port, said spanning portion of said resilient membrane being unsupported by a rigid member so that it is free to flex into said exhaust port in response to a decrease in pressure in said evacuator bag and thereby be pulled tightly over an edge of said valve seat when said valve-closure member is in said closed position; one of said valve-seat ferromagnetic portion and said valveclosure member ferromagnetic portion being permanently magnetized.

2. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said evacuator bag has a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expansible to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag and includes a rigid portion covering the mouth of the resilient, cup-shaped portion, wherein the mouth of said resilient, cup-shaped portion is approximately at the widest cross-sectional perimeter of said resilient, cup-shaped portion, and said resilient, cup-shaped portion is constructed of a material having sufficient memory reliability such that when a bottom thereof is pressed toward said rigid portion covering said mouth, said bottom seeks to move away from the rigid portion and thereby causes a negative pressure inside the evacuator bag.

3. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 2 wherein a groove is formed on the inside surface of said evacuator-bag rigid portion into which an outer edge of said cup-shaped portion fits and said rigid portion includes an annular wall which extends along the outer surface of said resilient cup-shaped portion.

4. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ferromagnetic portion comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic particles which are embedded in said resilient portion.

5. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein is further included frangible plugs having stepped tapered lumens for either plugging said respective drain inlets or for being cut at selected longitudinal positions therealong to allow said lumens to receive various size drain tubes and thereby attached them to said respective inlets.

6. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 1 wherein is further included: a splash guard cap mounted on the outer surface of said evacuator bag covering said purge outlet, said splash guard cap defining an aperture for directing the flow of fluids purged from said purge port; and a plug for selectively closing and opening said splash guard cap aperture.

7. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said splash-guard cap includes an adaptor protruding from a main portion of said splash-guard cap for allowing said splash-guard cap to be attached to a suction source.

8. A surgical evaucator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plug has the function of plugging the end of said adaptor means.

9. A surgical evacuator for draining fluids from the body of a patient comprising: an evacuator bag, said evacuator bag having a resilient, cup-shaped portion which is compressible and expandable to decrease and increase the internal volume of the evacuator bag, and having a rigid portion covering the mouth of said resilient cup-shaped portion; a drain inlet formed in said evacuator bag for Connection to a drain tube adapted to drain fluids from the body of a patient into said evacuator bag; a purge outlet formed in said evacuator bag for evacuating fluids and air from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed; and a one-way purge valve forming a part of said purge outlet, said one-way purge valve being mounted so as to allow said fluids and air to exhaust from said evacuator bag when said evacuator bag is compressed, said one-way purge valve rapidly closing upon termination of said compression to prevent contaminants from entering said bag past said purge valve, wherein; the mouth of said resilient, cup-shaped portion is located approximately at the widest cross-sectional perimeter of said resilient, cup-shaped portion, and said resilient, cup-shaped portion is constructed of a material having sufficient memory reliability such that when a bottom thereof is pressed toward said rigid portion covering said mouth said bottom seeks to move away from said rigid portion and thereby cause a negative pressure inside said evacuator bag; and a groove is formed on the inside surface of said evacuator-bag rigid portion into which an outer edge of said cup-shaped portion fits and said rigid portion includes an annular wall which extends from said groove along the outer surface of said resilient cup shaped portion, the inner surface of said wall leading continuously and smoothly into said groove so that the outer surface of said resilient cup shaped portion is held in contact with the inner surface of said wall about the periphery thereof.

10. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said purge valve includes a magnetizable closure member and a valve seat having a magnetizable portion, said closure member being attracted to said magnetizable portion of said valve seat.

11. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein is further included frangible plugs having stepped tapered lumens for plugging said respective drain inlets or for being cut at selected longitudinal positions therealong to allow said lumens to receive various size drain tubes and thereby attach them to said respective inlets.

12. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 9 wherein is further included: a splash guard cap mounted on the outer surface of said evacuator bag covering said purge outlet, said splash guard cap defining an aperture for directing the flow of fluids purged from said purge port; and a plug for selectively closing and opening said splash guard cap aperture.

13. A surgical evaucator as claimed in claim 12 wherein said splash-guard cap includes an adaptor protruding from a main portion of said splash-guard cap for allowing said splash-guard cap to be attached to a suction source.

14. A surgical evacuator as claimed in claim 13 wherein said plug has the function of plugging the end of said adaptor means.

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