Fluid Management Systems and Methods
Fluid management systems are disclosed that include software-controlled, electro-mechanical devices used in combination with single-use or multi-use tubing sets. Functions of the fluid management systems can include fluid pressurization, fluid warming, fluid deficit monitoring (including flow-based and weight-based), suction, fluid collection, and fluid evacuation (including indirect-to-drain and direct-to-drain options). The systems can be configured based on the surgical environment (e.g., operating room or physician office) as well as other user needs and/or preferences.
1 . A deficit cartridge for a fluid management system, the deficit cartridge comprising:
a cartridge defining a chamber that comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section that are fluidly connected;
a first valve positioned between the first section and the second section, wherein the first valve is movable between an open position and a closed position;
a second valve positioned between the second section and the third section, wherein the second valve is movable between an open position and a closed position;
at least one inlet opening in fluid communication with the first section for receiving fluid from a surgical site; and
a vacuum opening in fluid communication with the third section for receiving a vacuum pressure that causes a negative pressure in the chamber and pulls fluid from the surgical site through the at least one inlet opening and into the first section.
2 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the chamber of the cartridge further comprises a first channel that fluidly connects the third section to the first section and a second channel that fluidly connects the second section to the first section such that the vacuum pressure received by the vacuum opening causes a negative pressure in the three sections comprising the chamber.
3 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a wall for preventing fluid from moving into the first channel and thereby bypassing the second section when fluid enters the first section through the at least one inlet port.
4 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the second section is positioned below the first section, and wherein the third section is positioned below the second section.
5 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to be moved between the open and closed positions by a pressure pump assembly of the fluid management system.
6 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein a pressure gradient across the first, second, and third sections of the chamber is substantially equal when the vacuum pressure is applied through the vacuum opening.
7 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the second section comprises a main area having a first fluid volume capacity and a narrow area that extends upward from the main area with a second fluid volume capacity that is less than the first fluid volume capacity.
8 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein a ratio of the first fluid volume capacity to the second fluid volume capacity is about 100 to 1.
9 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening that is movable between an open position and a closed position.
10 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site and a second inlet opening for receiving fluid from at least one of an underbody drape or a floor suction device at the surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening and a fourth valve positioned at the second inlet opening, wherein both of the third and fourth valves are movable between an open position and a closed position.
11 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 10 , wherein the third and fourth valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to regulate a vacuum pressure to draw fluid from at least one of the surgical site, an underbody drape, or a floor suction device.
12 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid body and a film that defines the chamber, wherein the film is configured to allow one or more sensors of the fluid management system to detect an amount of fluid moving through the chamber without contacting the fluid.
13 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum regulation port in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the vacuum regulation port is configured to be fluidly connected to a pressure sensor and a valve of the fluid management system that allows the chamber to be open to atmospheric pressure when the valve is in an open position to down regulate the vacuum pressure provided by the suction source.
14 . A deficit cartridge for a fluid management system, the deficit cartridge comprising:
a cartridge defining a chamber;
at least one inlet opening in fluid communication with the chamber for receiving fluid from the surgical site; and
a vacuum opening in fluid communication with the chamber for receiving a vacuum pressure;
wherein at least a portion of the cartridge allows one or more fluid sensors of the fluid management system to detect an amount of fluid moving through the chamber without contacting the fluid.
15 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid portion and a film that define the chamber, wherein the film is configured to allow the one or more fluid sensors of the fluid management system to detect the amount of fluid moving through the chamber without contacting the fluid.
16 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the chamber comprises a first section, a second section positioned below the first section, a third section positioned below the second section, a first channel that fluidly connects the third section to the first section, a second channel that fluidly connects the second section to the first section, and wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a first valve positioned between the first section and the second section and a second valve positioned in a between the second section and the third section.
17 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein the first and second valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to be moved between open and closed positions by a pressure pump assembly of the fluid management system.
18 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein the first, second, and third sections of the chamber are fluidly connected and a pressure gradient across the first, second, and third sections is substantially equal when the vacuum pressure is applied through the vacuum port.
19 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening that is movable between an open position and a closed position.
20 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site and a second inlet opening for receiving fluid from at least one of an underbody drape or a floor suction device at the surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening and a fourth valve positioned at the second inlet opening, wherein both of the third and fourth valves are movable between an open position and a closed position.
21 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 20 , wherein the third and fourth valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to regulate a vacuum pressure at the surgical site and draw fluid from at least one of the surgical site, an underbody drape, or a floor suction device.
22 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 21 , wherein the third and fourth valves are configured to close under predetermined conditions to preclude fluid from at least one of the surgical instrument, the underbody drape, or floor suction device from entering the deficit cartridge.
23 . The deficit cartridge according to claim 14 , further comprising a vacuum regulation port in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the vacuum regulation port connects to a pressure sensor and a valve of the fluid management system that allows the chamber to be open to atmospheric pressure when the valve is in an open position to down regulate the vacuum pressure provided by the suction source.
24 . A tubing set for a fluid management system;
at least one fluid return tube for fluidly connecting to a surgical site;
a deficit cartridge fluidly connected to the fluid return tube, wherein the deficit cartridge comprises:
a cartridge defining a chamber that comprises a first section, a second section, a third section that are fluidly connected;
a first valve positioned between the first section and the second section, wherein the first valve is movable between an open position and a closed position;
a second valve positioned between the second section and the third section, wherein the second valve is movable between an open position and a closed position; and
at least one inlet opening in fluid communication with the first section of the chamber and the fluid return tube; and
a vacuum opening in fluid communication with the third section of the chamber; and
an evacuation tube fluidly connected to the vacuum opening and configured to fluidly connect to a suction source such that a vacuum pressure applied by the suction source causes a negative pressure in the chamber of the deficit cartridge and fluid from the surgical site to enter the first section of the chamber through the return tube and the fluid inlet.
25 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the chamber of the cartridge further comprises a first channel that fluidly connects the third section to the first section and a second channel that fluidly connects the second section to the first section.
26 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the second section of the chamber is positioned below the first section of the chamber, and wherein the third section of the chamber is positioned below the second section.
27 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the first and second valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to be moved between the open and closed positions by a pressure pump assembly of the surgical fluid management system.
28 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein a pressure gradient across the first, second, and third sections of the chamber is substantially equal when a vacuum pressure applied through the evacuation tube causes a negative pressure in the chamber.
29 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the second section comprises a main area having a first fluid volume capacity and a narrow area that extends upward from the main area with a second fluid volume capacity that is less than the first fluid volume capacity.
30 . The tubing set according to claim 29 , wherein a ratio of the first fluid volume capacity to the second fluid volume capacity is about 100 to 1.
31 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening that is movable between an open position and a closed position.
32 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the at least one inlet opening comprises a first inlet opening for receiving fluid from a surgical instrument at a surgical site and a second inlet opening for receiving fluid from at least one of an underbody drape or a floor suction device at the surgical site, wherein the deficit cartridge further comprises a third valve positioned at the first inlet opening and a fourth valve positioned at the second inlet opening, wherein both of the third and fourth valves are movable between an open position and a closed position.
33 . The tubing set according to claim 32 , wherein the third and fourth valves are pneumatically operated diaphragm valves that are configured to close under predetermined conditions to preclude fluid from at least one of the surgical instrument, the underbody drape, or floor suction device from entering the deficit cartridge.
34 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid body and a film that define the chamber, wherein the film is configured to allow one or more sensors of the fluid management system to detect an amount of fluid moving through the chamber without contacting the fluid.
35 . The tubing set according to claim 24 , further comprising a vacuum regulation port in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the vacuum regulation port is configured to be fluidly connected to a pressure sensor and a valve of the fluid management system that allows the chamber to be open to atmospheric pressure when the valve is in an open position to down regulate the vacuum pressure provided by the suction source.