WO2000006219A1

WO2000006219A1 - Wound irrigation device

Info

Publication number: WO2000006219A1
Application number: PCT/CA1999/000692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane TETREAULT; Simon Phaneuf; Frédéric LOUIS-BECHADE
Original assignee: Advanced Therapeutic Technologies At2 Inc.
Priority date: 1998-07-28
Filing date: 1999-07-28
Publication date: 2000-02-10
Also published as: AU5022899A; CA2244050A1

Abstract

A device (100) for irrigating a wound with a fluid, comprises a syringe (102) having an elongated hollow body (104) defining a chamber (116) adapted to contain the fluid, and a plunger (106) movable within the body (104). An inlet passage (134) and an outlet passage (132) are each in fluid flow communication with the chamber (116), the inlet and outlet passages (134, 132) having respective free ends disposed adjacent to one another. When the valve (120) is open, fluid is conveyable through the inlet passage (134) and into the chamber (116), when the valve (120) is closed, fluid discharged from the chamber (116), flows through the outlet passage (132) for delivery onto the wound while being prevented by the valve (120) from flowing from the chamber (116) through the inlet passage (134).

Description

"WOUND IRRIGATION DEVICE"

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to improvements in the field of medical care. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved wound irrigation device.

Background Art

Wounds require irrigation or washing with a fluid such as sterile water, a sterile saline solution or a Ringer lactate solution in order to dislodge any foreign particules contaminating the wound. Various wound irrigation systems are known. One such system comprises a syringe with a plunger movable therein and a one-way valve, a first flexible conduit connecting the valve to a bulk container of fluid for filling the syringe with fluid from the bulk container in response to an outward displacement of the plunger, and a second flexible conduit connected to the syringe for discharging the fluid therefrom onto the wound in response to an inward displacement of the plunger, the valve preventing the outflow of fluid back into the bulk container during the inward displacement of the plunger. Such a wound irrigation system is not only time-consuming to install, but also requires several pieces which add to the cost.

Another type of wound irrigation device is known, which consists of a syringe having a plunger movable therein and a single tube which serve for both filling the syringe with fluid and discharging the fluid therefrom onto a wound. Since use is made of a single tube having a diameter such as to provide a fluid pressure sufficient to adequately irrigate the wound, the filling operation is difficult and time- consuming .

Disclosure of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above drawbacks and to provide an improved wound irrigation device.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for irrigating a wound with a fluid, comprising a syringe having an elongated hollow body defining a chamber adapted to contain the fluid, and a plunger movable within the body. An inlet passage and an outlet passage are each in fluid flow communication with the chamber, the inlet and outlet passages having respective free ends disposed adjacent to one another. The device further includes valve means displaceable between open and closed positions thereof. When the valve means is in the open position, fluid is conveyable through the inlet passage and into the chamber in response to an outward displacement of the plunger within the body and, when the valve means is in the closed position, fluid discharged from the chamber, in response to an inward displacement of the plunger within the body, flows through the outlet passage for delivery onto the wound while being prevented by the valve means from flowing from the chamber through the inlet passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet passages are provided respectively by inlet and outlet tubes connected to the body and in fluid flow communication therewith, the inlet and outlet tubes having respective free ends disposed adjacent to one another. Preferably, the inlet and outlet tubes extend parallel to one another, and side- by-side with the free end of the outlet tube extending beyond the free end of the inlet tube. Since in use the free end of the outlet tube is positioned in close proximity to the wound, such an embodiment prevents the free end of the inlet tube from being contaminated by the wound. It also facilitates the irrigation procedure since the free end of the inlet tube does not conceal the free end of the outlet tube from one ' s view so that the latter can be more easily positioned with respect to the wound.

According to another preferred embodiment, the valve means comprises a check valve adapted to selectively close the inlet tube in response to the inward displacement of the plunger, and to open the inlet tube in response to the outward displacement of the plunger. Preferably, the check valve comprises a valve body defining a valve chamber in fluid communication with the inlet tube, and a valve member movable in the valve chamber between close and open positions to selectively close and open the inlet tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the outlet passage has a first diameter and the free end of the outlet tube defines a fluid discharge orifice having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, whereby to increase pressure of the fluid discharged from the orifice.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the device further includes fluid splash arresting means mounted on the inlet and outlet tubes for preventing fluid splashes contaminated by the wound from reaching the user of the device during the inward displacement of the plunger. Preferably, the fluid splash arresting means comprises a parabolic member having a central axis and an opening defined therethrough, the opening being off-centered relative to the central axis . The inlet and outlet tubes extend through the opening. The parabolic member is slidably mounted on the inlet and outlet tubes for adjustable positioning therealong and the central axis of the parabolic member is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of the inlet and outlet tubes, preferably at an angle of up to about 30°.

Instead of using a parabolic member mounted on the inlet and outlet tubes, it is also possible to use a shield member mounted on the body of the syringe. The shield member has an opening defined therethrough, the body extending through the opening. Preferably, the shield member is pivotally mounted on the body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely of the body, between a storage position whereat the shield member is collapsed against the body and an operative position whereat the shield member extends away from the body transversely thereof . A pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending parallel ribs are provided on each of opposite sides of the body, each pair of ribs defining therebetween a guideway, and a pair of pivot elements extend inwardly of the shield member and each engage a respective one of the guideways. Preferably, the pivot elements are slidably displaceable along the guideways so as to be positioned adjacent a distal end of the body when the shield member is in the operative position or to be positioned at a distance away from the distal end when the shield member is in the storage position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device further includes retainer means for retaining the shield member in the storage or operative position. Preferably, the retainer means comprise a pair of retainer elements extending inwardly of the shield member and each adapted to in a respective one of the guideways when the shield member is in the storage position and to engage an outer surface of one the ribs when the shield member is in the operative position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet and outlet passages are provided at a distal end of the body, with the inlet passage being defined outwardly of the outlet passage. Preferably, the inlet passage defines a flow area greater than that of the outlet passage for high flow filling of the chamber during the outward displacement of the plunger and for high pressure dispensing of the fluid from the syringe during the inward displacement of the plunger. The valve means preferably comprises a valve member disposed within the distal end of the body and adapted to be displaced along a longitudinal axis of the distal end in response to the displacement of the plunger. The distal end has an outwardly converging end section and the valve member has an outwardly converging distal section, the outlet passage being defined in the valve member. In the open position, the valve member is in a retracted position thereof in the distal end such that the end section and the distal section are spaced apart thereby defining therebetween the inlet passage, whereas, in the closed position, the valve member is in an extended position thereof in the distal end such that the distal section sealingly contacts the end section to thereby close the inlet passage. Preferably, the end section and distal section each have substantially frusto-conical shapes.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the inwardly of each of the distal section and the end section, the valve member and the distal end define respective concentrically disposed inner and outer cylindrical sections which cooperate together to guide the valve member during inward and outward axial displacements thereof within the distal end. The distal end preferably defines an inner abutment shoulder at a proximal end of the outer cylindrical section, the abutment shoulder and the end section limiting the inward and outward axial displacements of the valve member. Preferably, the inner cylindrical section of the valve member has peripherally spaced-apart longitudinal outer ribs contacting the outer cylindrical section to guide the valve member within the distal end during the inward and outward axial displacements of the valve member, the abutment shoulder being adapted to engage the ribs for limiting the inward axial displacement of the valve member.

Description of the Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments as illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wound irrigation device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a wound irrigation device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a wound irrigation device according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the device illustrated in Fig. 4, showing a distal end thereof and a valve member thereof in its open position;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the valve member in its closed position;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 4, showing a shield member thereof in its storage position;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the shield member thereof in its operative position; and Figure 10 is an end view of the device illustrated in Fig. 9, taken from the right-hand side of Fig. 9.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Referring first to Figs 1 and 2, there is illustrated a wound irrigation device which is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and comprises a syringe 12, a plunger 14, inlet and outlet tubes 16,18 and a check valve 20. The syringe 12 has a hollow body 22 defining a chamber 24 adapted to contain a fluid suitable for irrigating a wound (not shown) , the body 22 being provided at one end with a finger flange 26. The plunger 14 which is movable within the body 22 includes a stem 28 provided at an inner end with a rubber head 30 and at an outer end with a thumb rest 32.

The inlet tube 16 is integral with the body

22 and is in fluid flow communication with the chamber 24 for filling the chamber with fluid in response to an outward displacement of the plunger 14 relative to the body 22. The outlet tube 18 is also integral with the body 22 and is in fluid flow communication with the chamber 24 for discharging the fluid from the chamber onto the wound in response to an inward displacement of the plunger 14 within the body 22. The inlet and outlet tubes 16,18 extend side-by-side and have respective free ends 34,36 disposed adjacent one another. As shown, the free end 36 of the outlet tube 18 extends beyond the free end 34 of the inlet tube 16.

The check valve 20 is operative for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the inlet tube 16 and into the chamber 24 in response the outward displacement of the plunger 14, and for preventing the fluid from flowing from the chamber 24 through the inlet tube 16 in response to the inward displacement of the plunger 14. As best shown in Fig. 2, the check valve 20 comprises a valve body 38 defining a valve chamber 40 in fluid flow communication with the fluid passage 42 of inlet tube 16, and a cylindrical valve member 44 movable in the valve chamber 40 between close and open positions to selectively close and open the fluid passage 42. Planar elongated guide members 46 each provided with an abutment 48 are arranged in the valve chamber 40 so that the valve member 44 is movable along limited guided path, the abutments 48 serving to arrest the valve member 44 in the open position.

As also shown in Fig. 2, the outlet tube 18 has a fluid passage 50 with a first diameter and the free end 36 of the outlet tube 18 defines a fluid discharge orifice 52 having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, whereby to increase the pressure of the fluid discharged from the orifice 52.

In operation, the inlet and outlet tubes

16,18 inserted are into a bulk container (not shown) of fluid so that the free ends 34,36 are immersed into the fluid, the plunger 14 is displaced outwardly to draw fluid from the bulk container through the inlet tube 16 and into the chamber 24 of the syringe 12, with the valve member 44 moving to the open position, the tubes 16,18 are removed from the bulk container and directed towards a wound to be irrigated, and the plunger 14 is displaced inwardly within the syringe body 22 to cause the fluid to flow from the chamber 24 through the outlet tube 18 so as to be discharged under pressure from the orifice 52 onto the wound. As the plunger 14 is displaced inwardly within the syringe body 22, the valve member 44 moves to the close position, thereby preventing the fluid from flowing from the chamber 24 through the inlet tube 16. The head 30 of the plunger 14 is provided with rubber sealing rings 54 to ensure a fluid tight seal during displacement of the plunger 14.

Since in use the free end 36 of the outlet tube 18 is positioned in close proximity to the wound, and in order to present fluid splashes contaminated by the wound form reaching the user during the inward displacement of the plunger 14 , a parabolic fluid splash arresting member 56 is mounted on the inlet and outlet tubes 16,18. The member 56 has an opening (not shown) which is defined therethrough and off-centered relative to the central axis (not shown) of the member 56, the inlet and outlet tubes 16,18 extending through the opening. The central axis of the member 56 is inclined at an angle of about 30° relative to the longitudinal axes of the inlet and outlet tubes 16,18 to provide a better protection. In addition, the member 56 is slidably mounted on the inlet and outlet tubes 16,18 for adjustable positioning therealong.

Figure 3 illustrates a wound irrigation device 10 ' according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. In the device 10', the syringe 12', tubes 16', 18', valve 20' and syringe body 22' are the same as the syringe 12, tubes 16,18, valve 20 and syringe body 22 of the device 10 shown in Figs 1 and 2, with the exception that the inlet and outlet tubes 16,18' are removably connected to the body 22' by means of a Luer-lock type coupling system 58. Such a coupling system comprises an adapter 60 having a finger-grip portion 62 and a threaded portion 64, and a threaded socket 66 which is integral with the body 22' and into which the threaded portion 64 of the adapter 60 is releasably engaged.

The wound irrigation devices 10 and 10 ' are typically entirely made of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene .

Turning to Figs. 4-10, there is illustrated a wound irrigation device 100 according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention. The device 100 comprises a syringe 102 (made, for instance, of the same material as devices 10 and 10') with a hollow body 104, a plunger 106 and a shield member 108 (made, for instance, of the same material as syringe 102, or any other suitable material) . The hollow body 104 includes a cylindrical member 110 and, at its distal end, a head member 112. The cylindrical member 110 and the head member 112 are sealingly connected using overlapping mating ends and an O-ring 114 disposed therebetween. The cylindrical member 110 defines a chamber 116 adapted to contain a fluid suitable for irrigating a wound (not shown) . The plunger 106 is movable within the cylindrical member 110. The head member 112 has an opening 118 and houses a movable valve member 120.

As shown in Figs. 5-7, the valve member 120 is movable within the head member 112 along the longitudinal axis 122 thereof, between the open position illustrated in Fig. 5 and the closed position illustrated in Fig. 7, in response to the displacement of the plunger 106. The head member 112 comprises a cylindrical section 124 and an outwardly converging end section 126. The valve member 120, on the other hand, comprises a cylindrical section 128 and an outwardly converging distal section 130 and has an orifice 132 formed therein, the orifice 132 defining an outlet passage. The end section 126 and the distal section 130 each have substantially frusto-conical shapes. In the open position shown in Fig. 5, the valve member 120 is in a retracted position thereof in the head member 112 such that the end section 126 and the distal section 130 are spaced-apart , thereby defining therebetween an inlet passage 134. In the closed position shown in Fig. 6, the valve member is in an extended position thereof in the head member 112 such that the distal section 130 sealingly contacts the end section 126 to thereby close the inlet passage 134. In such a position, the distal section 130 extends through the opening 118.

The cylindrical section 128 of the valve member 120 has a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart longitudinal outer ribs 136 contacting the cylindrical section 124 of the head member 112 to guide the valve member 120 within the head member 112 during the inward and outward axial displacements of the valve member 120. The cylindrical section 110 defines at its distal end an annular abutment shoulder 138 adapted to engage the ribs 136 for limiting the inward axial displacement of the valve member 120. A plurality of fluid passageways 140 are defined radially between the cylindrical sections 124 and 128 and circumferentially between the ribs 136, and provide fluid flow communication between the inlet passage 134 and the chamber 116 when the valve member 120 is in the open position. In operation, the distal end of the syringe is inserted into a bulk container (not shown) of fluid so that the opening 118 of the head member 112 is immersed into the fluid, and the plunger 106 is displaced outwardly to draw fluid from the container, thereby causing the valve member 120 to move to the open position, the fluid flowing through the inlet passage 134 and fluid passageways 140 into the chamber 116 to fill same. The head member 112 is then removed from the bulk container and directed towards a wound to be irrigated, and the plunger 106 is displaced inwardly within the cylindrical section 110 to cause the fluid to flow from the chamber 116 through the orifice 132 so as to be discharged under pressure therefrom onto the wound. This flow of fluid also exerts pressure against the valve member 120, thereby moving same to the closed position.

A shield member 108 is mounted on the cylindrical section 110 of the syringe body 104 for preventing fluid splashes contaminated by the wound from reaching a user of the device 100 during the inward displacement of the plunger 106. The shield member 108 has a fluid splash arresting wall 142 with a peripheral flange 144 and an opening 146 through which extends the cylindrical section 110. The member 108 is pivotally mounted on the cylindrical section 110 for pivotal movement about a pivot axis (not shown) extending transversely of the section 110, between the storage position illustrated in Fig. 8, whereat the shield member 108 is collapsed against the cylindrical section 110, and the operative position illustrated in Fig. 9, whereat the shield member 108 extends away from the section 110 transversely thereof. The wall 142 has an elongate recessed portion 148 which is integrally formed therewith and adapted to receive part of the cylindrical portion 110 when the shield member 108 is in the storage position. The wall 142 has also a cutout portion or notch 150 for the same purpose.

As shown in Figs . 4 , 8 and 9 , a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending ribs 152,152' are provided on each of opposite sides of the cylindrical section 110, the ribs 152 and 152' being joined at their distal end to define a stop 154. The ribs 152 and 152 ' also define therebetween a guideway 156. A pair of pivot elements 158 extend inwardly of the recessed portion 148 and each engage a respective one of the guideways 156. The pivot elements 158 are slidably displaceable along the guideways 156 so as to abut against the stops 154 when the shield member 108 is in the operative position, or to be positioned at a distance away from the stops 154 when the shield member 108 is in the storage position. A pair of retainer elements 160 extends inwardly of the recessed portion 148 and are each adapted to lodge in a respective one of the guideways 156 for retaining the shield member 108 in the storage position, or to engage the outer surface 162 of the rib 152 ' for retaining the shield member 108 in the operative position. The shield member 108 is pivotally moved between the storage and operative positions and is effected by manipulating the member 108 so as to force the retainer elements 160 to pass over the ribs 152 ' and to either lodge in the guideways 156 or engage the outer surfaces 162 thereof, in a snaping action.

Claims

1. A device for irrigating a wound with a fluid, comprising:

a syringe having an elongated hollow body defining a chamber adapted to contain said fluid, and a plunger movable within said body;

an inlet passage and an outlet passage each in fluid flow communication with said chamber, said inlet and outlet passages having respective free ends disposed adjacent to one another; and

valve means displaceable between open and closed positions thereof;

whereby, when said valve means is in said open position, fluid is conveyable through said inlet passage and into said chamber in response to an outward displacement of said plunger within said body and, when said valve means is in said closed position, fluid discharged from said chamber, in response to an inward displacement of said plunger within said body, flows through said outlet passage for delivery onto the wound while being prevented by said valve means from flowing from said chamber through said inlet passage.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet passages are provided respectively by inlet and outlet tubes connected to said body and in fluid flow communication therewith, said inlet and outlet tubes having respective free ends disposed adjacent to one another.

3. A device according to claim 2 , wherein said inlet and outlet tubes extend parallel to one another.

4. A device according to claim 3 , wherein said inlet and outlet tubes extend side-by-side.

5. A device according to claim 4 , wherein the free end of said outlet tube extends beyond the free end of said inlet tube.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein said valve means comprises a check valve adapted to selectively close said inlet tube in response to said inward displacement of said plunger, and to open said inlet tube in response to said outward displacement of said plunger.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said check valve comprises a valve body defining a valve chamber in fluid communication with said inlet tube, and a valve member movable in said chamber between close and open positions to selectively close and open said inlet tube.

8. A device according to claim 7, further including guide means arranged in said valve chamber so that said valve member is movable along a limited guided path.

9. A device according to claim 2, wherein said outlet passage has a first diameter and wherein the free end of said outlet tube defines a fluid discharge orifice having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, whereby to increase pressure of said fluid discharged from said orifice.

10. A device according to claim 4, further including fluid splash arresting means mounted on said inlet and outlet tubes for preventing fluid splashes contaminated by said wound from reaching a user of said device during inward displacement of said plunger.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said fluid splash arresting means comprises a parabolic member having a central axis and an opening defined therethrough, said opening being off-centered relative to said central axis, and wherein said inlet and outlet tubes extend through said opening.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said parabolic member is slidably mounted on said inlet and outlet tubes for adjustable positioning therealong.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein said inlet and outlet tubes extend along respective longitudinal axes and wherein the central axis of said parabolic member is inclined with respect to said longitudinal axes .

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the center axis of said parabolic member is inclined at an angle of up to about 30┬░.

15. A device according to claim 2 , further including releasable coupling means for removably connecting said inlet and outlet tubes to said body.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said releasable coupling means comprises a Luer-lock type coupling system.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet passages are provided at a distal end of said body.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said inlet passage defines a flow area greater than that of said outlet passage for high flow filling of said chamber during said outward displacement of said plunger and for high pressure dispensing of the fluid from said syringe during said inward displacement of said plunger.

19. A device according to claim 17, wherein said inlet passage is defined outwardly of said outlet passage .

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said valve means comprises a valve member disposed within said distal end of said body and adapted to be displaced along a longitudinal axis of said distal end in response to the displacement of said plunger.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein said distal end has an outwardly converging end section and said valve member has an outwardly converging distal section, said outlet passage being defined in said valve member, whereby, in said open position, said valve member is in a retracted position thereof in said distal end such that said end section and said distal section are spaced apart thereby defining therebetween said inlet passage, whereas, in said closed position, said valve member is in an extended position thereof in said distal end such that said distal section sealingly contacts said end section to thereby close said inlet passage .

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said end section and said distal section each have substantially frusto-conical shapes.

23. A device according to claim 21, wherein inwardly of each of said distal section and said end section, said valve member and said distal end define respective concentrically disposed inner and outer cylindrical sections which cooperate together to guide said valve member during inward and outward axial displacement thereof within said distal end.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein said distal end defines an inner abutment shoulder at a proximal end of said outer cylindrical section, said abutment shoulder and said end section limiting the inward and outward axial displacements of said valve member.

25. A device according to claim 24, said inner cylindrical section of said valve member has peripherally spaced-apart longitudinal outer ribs contacting said outer cylindrical section to guide said valve member within said distal end during said inward and outward axial displacements of said valve member, said abutment shoulder being adapted to engage said ribs for limiting the inward axial displacement of said valve member.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said inlet passage includes fluid passageways defined radially between said inner and outer cylindrical sections and circumferentially between said ribs.

27. A device according to claim 1, further including fluid splash arresting means mounted on said body for preventing fluid splashes contaminated by said wound from reaching a user of said device during inward displacement of said plunger.

28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said fluid arresting means comprises a shield member having an opening defined therethrough and wherein said body extends through said opening.

29. A device according to claim 28, wherein said shield member is pivotally mounted on said body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely of said body, between a storage position whereat said shield member is collapsed against said body and an operative position whereat said shield member extends away from said body transversely thereof .

30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said shield member has an elongate recessed portion adapted to receive part of said body when said shield member is in said storage position.

31. A device according to claim 29, wherein a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending parallel ribs are provided on each of opposite sides of said body, each pair of ribs defining therebetween a guideway, and wherein a pair of pivot elements extend inwardly of said shield member and each engage a respective one of said guideways.

32. A device according to claim 31, wherein said pivot elements are slidably displaceable along said guideways so as to be positioned adjacent a distal end of said body when said shield member is in said operative position or to be positioned at a distance away from said distal end when said shield member is in said storage position.

33. A device according to claim 31, further including retainer means for retaining said shield member in said storage or operative position.

34. A device according to claim 33, wherein said retainer means comprise a pair of retainer elements extending inwardly of said shield member and each adapted to lodge in a respective one of said guideways when said shield member is in said storage position and to engage an outer surface of one said ribs when said shield member is in said operative position.