IRRIGATION, DEBRIDEMENT AND CLEANING BASIN

Abstract

A basin for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement, cleaning and other procedures on a subject's appendage includes a flexible body including one or more walls. A first wall can define an appendage contour, which can flex under the weight of the appendage, providing a comfortable seat that conforms to the subject's appendage. The body can be a monolithic, one-piece structure constructed from a closed cell foam. The body can include integral stiffening structures that enhance its rigidity yet still enable the basin to be flexible when adjacent another appendage or body portion. The basin can include a sloped bottom to direct fluids toward an outlet port for draining, and baffles projecting from the bottom. The basin can include a reticulated foam insert positioned adjacent the bottom, on the baffles, where the insert minimizes splash back yet adequately captures debris and other items washed from the appendage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to basins for use in medical, hospital, healthcare, nursing, and other facilities, and in particular, a portable basin constructed from a generally flexible material.

There are two general types of basins commonly used in hospitals and other medical or healthcare facilities for collecting fluids from irrigation, debridement washing, and other procedures. The first type is a fixed basin that is incorporated into a sink or washing fixture. This fixed basin is suitable for use with a person having few or no mobility issues. The second type is a portable basin which typically is used in emergency rooms and trauma centers for wound irrigation on persons who generally are immobilized.

Most portable basins are constructed from a hard plastic, are generally in a bowl or box shape, and include a narrow rounded upper rim. In use, a user places an appendage of a subject over the upper rim of the basin and irrigates an area of the appendage with fluids. The fluids drain off the appendage and into the basin. Any flesh, bone or debris likewise is collected in the bottom of the basin.

Most conventional basins are of a simple construction and generally not well engineered for patient comfort. While the upper rims of same basins include a limb-supporting indentation—which can reduce pressure on the limb and prevent bruising and/or numbness—others do not.

An example of a basin including a limb-supporting indentation is U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,257 to O'Geary. O'Geary discloses a basin including indentations in its upper rim that form opposing, same-sized seats within which an appendage may be positioned to offer some comfort. Because the basin is constructed of plastic or metal, it is believed that even with the seats, the patient undergoes some discomfort during use of the basin.

O'Geary also addresses another issue with basins by providing a gravity-fed, centrally-located drain hole and a micro filter pad. The micro filter pad traps debris, bone fragments, and other items washed into the basin. The issue with this construction, however, is that the debris capture space is relatively small and might become clogged. Further, the hard basin bottom may cause splash back of fluids that fall into the basin. This can be undesirable, as contaminated body fluids may splash back into the wound or onto the healthcare provider using the basin.

Another issue with conventional basins is they are usually constructed to be mass produced, which typically results in the dimensions and configurations not being ergonomically suitable to all patients. For example, many irrigation basins are of a rounded bowl or box shaped configuration. When such basins are used adjacent other appendages, the adjacent appendage must be re-positioned, many times in an awkward position to accommodate the surgical basin. This can be uncomfortable for the patient, and it can be difficult for the healthcare provider to maintain the positioning.

Although conventional surgical basins serve an intended purpose, that is, they collect bodily fluids washed from body appendages, there remains room for improving their structure, function and ergonomic properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basin is provided including a body that is ergonomically conforming to a subject's appendage, and which provides ease of use in irrigation, debridement, cleaning and other procedures on a subject's appendage.

In one embodiment, the basin can be constructed from a flexible material that is impermeable to fluids. Optionally, the flexible material can be a foam, for example, a closed cell foam, that is generally rigid enough to maintain its structural configuration, yet flexible enough to reactively conform to a user's appendage positioned in the basin.

In another embodiment, the body can include one or more walls. The body can include an end wall defining an appendage contour, which can be flexible enough so that it changes slightly in dimension when under the weight of the appendage, generally conforming to the subject's appendage. Optionally, the appendage contour can provide a comfortable seat within which the subject's appendage rests, and further optionally can provide a slight clamping effect on the subject's appendage.

In still another embodiment, the body can be tapered from end to end to provide enhanced comfort to the subject, and to accommodate multiple appendage types and sizes, as well as multiple procedures.

In yet another embodiment, the basin can include integral stiffening structures that enhance its rigidity yet still enable the body to be selectively yieldable and/or flexible when adjacent another appendage or other portion of the subject's body. Optionally, the stiffening structures can be in the form of walls that taper inwardly from bottom to top. Further optional stiffening structures can be in the form of grooves extending upwardly along one or more walls of the body. Even further optionally, the basin can include a peripheral flange extending along a lower portion of one or more walls of the basin, projecting generally laterally therefrom. The peripheral flange can add stability to the walls of the basin body.

In still yet another embodiment, the basin can include a sloped bottom to direct fluids toward an outlet port for draining. Optionally, the bottom can include baffles extending upwardly from the bottom to slow the flow of fluids and aid in allowing items to precipitate out from the flowing fluids.

In even another embodiment, the basin can include a reticulated foam insert. This insert can be positioned adjacent the bottom, optionally on and supported by the baffles. Generally, the insert can be held in place primarily by gravity. The insert can minimize splash back of fluids that flow from the subject's appendage into the basin. The insert can also adequately capture most debris and other items washed from the appendage.

In a further embodiment, the body can be configured to taper from enlarged dimensions in a lower portion to reduced dimensions in an upper portion so that multiple, like configured basins can be stacked one upon the other, in an inter-nesting manner, with portions of the body of a lower basin projecting at least partially into a cavity of an upper basin, to reduce the volume of space occupied by multiple stacked basins.

The basin described herein comfortably supports, and in some cases conforms to, appendages of a subject when used in irrigation, debridement, cleaning and other procedures. The flexible body can readily and comfortably be used on appendages where the basin is positioned adjacent another appendage or body portion. Where included, the insert can reduce splash back and can promote efficient collection of desired items washed from the appendage. Where the basin body tapers, this enables multiple basins to be stacked one atop the other, which in turn can conserve storage space and facilitate transport of the multiple basins.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of a basin;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the basin;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the basin taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the basin taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the basin;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the basin;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the basin;

FIG. 8 is another end view of the basin;

FIG. 9 is yet another end view of the basin with a subject's appendage therein; and

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating multiple stacked basins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

I. Overview

A current embodiment of the basin of is shown in FIGS. 1-10 and generally designated 10. The basin 10 includes a body 20 which generally defines a receptacle 30. The body 20 can include end walls 22, 24, opposing side walls 26, 28 and a bottom 32. The end walls can define first and second appendage contours 42, 44, which can be aligned in parallel along a longitudinal axis 68 (FIG. 5). The first and second appendage contours 42, 44 can be of the same or different sizes, optionally with the first appendage contour 42 larger than the second appendage contour so that the different contours are compatible with different ends of appendages that taper from one end to the other, or so that the different contours individually fit different sized appendages, with the appendage overlying only one contour. As used herein, appendage means any part that projects from an animal or human body, such as a limb, head or other extremity.

The end walls 22,24 side walls 26, 28 and bottom optionally can be constructed from one or more layers of a generally flexible and compliant material. One suitable material is a foam, such as a closed cell foam. With this construction, the basin 10 can readily conform to an appendage being treated in the basin. For example, where a subject's arm or leg is positioned in the appendage contours 42, 44, those contours can generally conform to the subject's arm or leg. If enough downward force is placed on the contour by the arm or leg, the sides of the contour can begin to flex inwardly slightly, and optionally provide a slight clamping effect on the subject's arm or leg (FIG. 9). The clamping effect optionally does not exert more than 0.5-5 pounds of lateral force, and indeed can be magnitudes significantly less than that, in the order of ounces or less. In general, the contour can flex somewhat to provide a comfortable seat within which the appendage rests.

The bottom 32 of the basin 10 can be sloped toward an outlet port 35 so that fluids contacting the bottom 32 can flow by gravity toward that port. The port can be defined by an end wall 22, 24 so that a conduit 36 projecting from the basin 10 is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 68 of the body 20. In such a construction, the conduit can be aligned with the appendage positioned in the basin 10, and can be oriented toward the end of a table or bed on which the basin is placed. In some situations, this may be more suitable than a side wall port and related conduit extending from the side of the basin so that a user of the basin need not reorient or inadvertently disrupt the conduit. Of course, in other situations, such a side wall mounted port may be more suitable.

The various walls of the body 20 also can be configured to taper from a lower portion 27 to an upper portion 25. The body 20 can also be configured to define a cavity 65 (FIG. 6) on its underside so that multiple, like basins can be stacked one upon the other in an inter-nesting manner. This can decrease the amount of storage space for an inventory of the basins, and can further facilitate transport of a large number of basins.

The basin 10 can also include a filtering insert 70 positioned in the receptacle 30. The insert can be porous, yet can include a structure that captures debris, bone and other items washed by fluids into the filter. Optionally, the insert can be constructed from an open cell reticulated foam.

II. Construction

The basin 10, and more particularly, the body 20, can include end walls 22, 24, opposing side walls 26, 28 and a bottom 32. These structures will now be described in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the body 20 can be formed from a somewhat flexible material, for example, a closed cell foam. All of the walls, the bottom and other structures also can be integrally formed so that the basin is a monolithic one-piece, self-supporting structure that is void of any internal or external attached supports. As used herein, “foam” can be any type of generally flexible foam or foam-like material. Suitable examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane and other closed cell foams. Additional suitable examples include foams sold under the trade names VOLARA® or MINICEL®, available from Seikisui America Corporation of Lawrence, Mass. Of course, other closed cell foams and materials having similar properties can be used as well, for example, closed cell foams from Armacell LLC of Mebane, N.C. Optionally, other materials, such as metals, composites and/or plastics, including high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polymers, may be suitable for constructing the basin and its components as well.

The basin 20 and all of its components can also be constructed generally from one or more contiguous layers of material, for example, a layer of flexible foam. The layer 63 (FIGS. 3-4) can vary in thickness from wall to wall and component to component or can be generally the same, depending on the application. Moreover, the thickness can vary or can be the same within each individual wall and/or component. As shown, the layer 63 is generally of a homogeneous thickness T1 throughout the body 20, with the exception of the peripheral flange 60. This thickness can be ⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″, or other thicknesses, greater, less or between any of the aforementioned thicknesses.

The foam used to construct the basin also can be generally impermeable to water, and optionally can have low to no water absorption and vapor transmission. The foam can also have a density of about 1 to 6 pounds, or optionally 4 pounds, per cubic foot Again, other densities of foam or material can be used, depending on the application. If a polyethylene or polypropylene foam is used, it can be a chemically cross linked or irradiated cross linked or non cross linked polyethylene foam. The foam also can include cell walls, or surfaces of bubbles that form the foam, that are generally unbroken, and that may be filled with a gas if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the basin 10 includes first and second end walls 22 and 24. The first end wall 22 generally includes the first appendage contour 42. This appendage contour 42 can be of a size that generally conforms to any number of desired appendages, for example, an arm, a leg, a head, and/or portions of the foregoing. Optionally, the size of this appendage contour can differ from that of the appendage contour 44 on the opposing side 24 of the basin as described below. The description of features for the second appendage contour 44 at the second end wall 24 is generally the same as that of the description of features for the appendage contour 42 of the first end wall 22. The second end wall appendage contour, however, may differ in that it may be sized differently. For example, width and/or depth of the second appendage contour 44 may be scaled less than or greater than the width and/or that of the first appendage contour 42 at a predetermined ratio depending on the use of the basin.

Returning to the appendage contour 42, this contour can include a first side portion 43 and a second side portion 45 which generally oppose one another across the longitudinal axis 68 of the basin or some other predefined plane or line. The appendage contour 42 and the respective side portions 43 and 45 can form a variety of geometric shapes. For example, the appendage contour, when viewed from an end of the basin 10, can be semi-circular, semi-elliptical, parabolic or of virtually any other shape. In many cases, the geometric configuration is comfortable to the subject when their appendage is placed within the appendage contour.

The end wall 22 can include an inner wall 21 and an end wall outer wall 23. These walls of the end wall 22 can be generally connected via the first appendage contour 42 as well as other portions of the end wall. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the end wall inner wall 21 is separated from and spaced distal from the second end wall outer wall 23. An open space or cavity 47 is positioned between these inner and outer walls 21 and 23, respectively. In general, this cavity or space 47 is contiguous with and forms part of cavity 65 that extends around the periphery of the basin 10, and extends under all of the respective end walls 22, 24 and side walls 26, 28 as described in further detail below.

Returning to FIG. 3, the end wall 22, and in particular, the appendage contour 42 can include a first inner portion 41 and an outer portion 48. These inner and outer portions 41 and 48 can be generally connected by a support panel 49 which can form the surface upon which the subject appendage is positioned. Although shown as generally flat, the support panel 49 can be curvilinear, concave or convex from the inner portion 41 to the outer portion 48. The support panel 49 can be of selected dimensions so that a suitable amount of pressure is placed on the user's appendage when the user's appendage is resting within the appendage contour 42. For example, at the lowermost portion of the appendage contour, the support panel 49 can range from approximately 1″ to about 6″, 2″ to about 4″ or about 3″ in width from inner wall 21 to outer wall 23, or other dimensions as desired. The width of the support panel 49 also can vary as the support panel transitions up the side portions 43 and 45 as shown in FIG. 3.

Together, the inner wall 21, support panel 49 and outer wall 23 generally bound the internal cavity 47 formed within the end wall. Further, the end wall inner wall 21 and end wall outer wall 23 are joined with the appendage contour 42, and more specifically, with the support panel 49 at the inner and outer portions 41 and 48 of the appendage contour 42. These inner and outer walls 21 and 23 can support and provide stability to the appendage contour 42, and more particularly, to the support panel 49, when a downward force is applied to the appendage contour.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner and/or outer walls 21 and 23 can taper outwardly, away from one another from the upper portion 25 to the lower portion 27 of the end wall 22. The rate at which the walls taper can vary, depending on the application. Indeed, where other walls such as the side walls 26, 28 include similar tapering configurations, the tapers of those walls can be the same as or can vary from the tapers of the inner and outer walls of the end walls 22, 24.

Although shown as having a single homogeneous thickness T₁, the inner and outer walls 21 and 23 of the end wall 22 can vary as desired. For example, certain portions of the wall can thickened to add structural support where desired. Further, ribs or lattices or X configurations can be added to the internal or external surfaces of the respective walls or panels or other features of the basin to further add structural support and stability to the body 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the appendage contour 42 of the first end wall 22 can optionally be aligned in parallel with the appendage contour 44 of the opposing end wall 24. As mentioned above, the second appendage contour 44 of the second end wall 24 can be of the same configuration as the first appendage contour 42, or it can vary in size and dimension to accommodate different limbs and different portions of appendages.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body 20 optionally can vary from a first height H₁ near the first end wall 22 to a second height H₂ near the second end wall 24. The difference in height can be 1″ to several inches depending on the application. Moreover, the height can vary abruptly, in a stopped manner, and/or in a constant manner from one end to the other. The variation in height can accommodate different limbs and intersections of limbs with certain parts. With a variable height, H₁ and H₂, the basin body 20 can accommodate different body parts and different portions of body parts of appendages. Of course, if desired, the basin body 20 can be of a constant height from end to end.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sidewalls 26 and 28 of the basin 10 can connect and join the opposing end walls 22 and 24. With reference to FIG. 4, the side walls 26 and 28 can also include inner walls or interior walls 51 and opposing exterior or outer walls 53. The inner walls can be separated from one another with an open space or cavity 57 formed therebetween. The cavity 57 may also be bounded by an upper wall portion 59 of the side wall 28. This upper wall portion 59 can be located in the upper portion 25 of the side wall. This upper wall portion 59 can be sloped from the end wall 22 downwardly toward the opposing end wall 24 a predetermined slope, or multiple predetermined slopes as shown in FIG. 2 in transitioning from the first height H₁ to the second H₂ of the body 20, as described above.

Optionally, one or more of the side walls 26, 28 and/or end walls 22, 24 can include reinforcing grooves 29, which can add stability and structural integrity to the respective walls in which they are defined. These structural grooves 29 can extend from an upper portion 25 to a lower portion 27 of the respective wall within which it is defined.

The basin 10 optionally can include a peripheral flange 60 that extends around at least a periphery of the body 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6. This peripheral flange 60 can extend outwardly away from the lower portions 27 of the walls a pre-selected distance. This peripheral flange can contact the surface upon which the basin is positioned, adding additional strength and stability to the respective end walls and/or side walls. The flange 60 itself can extend out ¼″ to ½″, optionally an 1″ or more from the respective walls to which it is attached. Although shown as a continuous peripheral flange 60, it may be segmented so that it includes multiple peripheral flanges that extend outwardly from the respective walls in preselected regions as desired. The peripheral flange 60 may also be contiguous, formed from the layer of material that forms the adjacent wall, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the basin 10, and in particular, the body defines a receptacle 30 which is bounded generally by the end walls 22 and 24 and the side walls 26 and 28, along with the bottom 32. The receptacle can be of sufficient dimension and depth to adequately capture fluids applied to an appendage being washed, irrigated or otherwise treated over the basin 10. The receptacle 30 can generally be designed to contain about 1 to 2 gallons of fluids, but of course, can vary in volume as desired depending on the application.

The bottom 32, which generally bounds the lower portion of the lower part of the receptacle 30, can come in a variety of configurations, but generally is connected and joined with all of the lower portions 27 of all of the end walls 22, 24 and side walls 26, 28. The bottom 32 can be contiguous and constructed from the same layer 63 of material as the respective side walls or end walls to which it is joined if desired. The bottom 32 can generally slope from one end to the other end, for example, from the first end 22 to the second end 24 as shown in FIG. 2 so that fluids collected thereon generally flow via gravity toward the downward slope end.

The bottom 32 optionally can also form multiple baffles 34 which extend inward from the respective side walls 26, 28 toward the longitudinal axis 68 (FIG. 5). These baffles can be angled slightly toward one of the ends. Optionally, the bottom can define a central channel 37 that leads to the outlet port 35 defined in the basin 10. The channel 37 can include a v-shaped or flat bottom to further facilitate transport of fluids toward the port. The baffles and bottom both can be constructed from a uniform thickness layer, similar to the other structures of the basin such as the side walls and end walls. If desired, the baffles can be absent, and the bottom can be flat and un-sloped.

The basin 10 optionally can include an outlet port 35, defined in at least one of the bottom and the end walls. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the end wall 24 defines an outlet port 35 at its lower portion and through both the inner and outer walls of the end wall 24. This port can provide a passageway through which fluids collected on the bottom or generally within the receptacle 30 can be transported out from the receptacle to another location or container. Optionally, the basin 10 can be outfitted with the conduit 36 that attaches via a fitting to the outlet port 35. The conduit can extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the basin 10 to some designated storage location for fluids collected by the basin. Although shown as being defined near the bottom through one of the end walls 24, the outlet port can be defined in the bottom 32 or one of the side walls 26 or 28. Of course, if desired, an outlet port can be absent altogether from the surgical basin where limited fluids are likely to be captured by the basin 20.

Optionally, the outlet port as shown in FIG. 5 can be parallel with a longitudinal axis 68 of the basin 10, and in turn, can also be generally aligned and parallel with the user's appendage.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the basin body 20 and the receptacle itself 30 optionally can be of a particular shape, for example, a tear drop or tapered shape. With reference to FIG. 5, the width of the basin 10 at its uppermost portion of the walls can taper from a first width W₁ to a second width W₂ in transitioning from near the first end wall 22 to near the second end wall 24. The width W₁ can be greater than the second width W₂ by a predetermined scale, depending on the particular application. If desired, the basin also can include a reverse taper in transitioning from a width W₁ closer to the end wall 22. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the width narrows from width W₁ to W₃ in transitioning even nearer to the end wall 22. With the optional variability in width, for example, the taper from one end to the other, the basin can be used with a wide variety of appendages, and can also fit adjacent a variety of corresponding matching appendages. This can be helpful with larger patients as well as patients with trauma or injury to other appendages which may need to undergo other procedures simultaneously with the cleaning over the basin 10.

The basin 10 optionally can include an insert 70 which is placed in the receptacle 30. The insert 70 can be held in place within the receptacle 30 via the force of gravity. Of course, if other positioning mechanisms are desired, they can be added. As shown in FIG. 5, the insert 70 can rest upon the outer perimeter of the bottom as well as the upper surfaces of the baffles 34. The insert can generally be ¼″, ½″, ¾″, 1″ in thickness or greater or less depending on the particular application. The insert can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as open fabrics, mesh, screens, a fabric, a sponge-like material, or a foam material. Optionally, the insert can be constructed from an open cell foam, and in particular, a reticulated open cell foam. This open cell foam generally includes open pores that are interconnected. Generally, the “cell walls” or “bubbles” of the reticulated foam are broken leaving a skeletal structure of the foam. This type of foam can be a low density foam of approximately 1 to 4 pounds per cubic foot.

The insert 70 optionally is porous and permeable to fluids, and particularly liquids, which can flow freely therethrough. The permeability of the insert can be selected to capture relatively small debris that is washed from a user's appendage in the basin 10. When the reticulated foam insert is used, it has been discovered that splash back is minimized while retention of debris and items of interest is increased. The insert 70 can be constructed to cover the entire bottom 32 of the basin from one end wall 22 to the other end wall 24, as well as from one side wall 26 to the other side wall 28.

III. Method of Manufacture

To manufacture the basin 10 of the current embodiment, a mold is provided. The mold generally includes features corresponding to each of the end walls 22, 24, side walls 26, 28 and bottom 32 described above. The mold is injected with a material, such as a foam material. The foam material is allowed to expand within the mold to acquire the desired structural configuration for the basin. The resulting basin is then removed from the mold and allowed to fully cure. After curing, the basin may be trimmed and processed. For example, the peripheral flange may be trimmed. After trimming and any further processing, the basin 10 can be sanitized and packaged.

Alternatively, pre-manufactured foam material can be provided in a roll form, and can be of a desired thickness. The material can be unrolled, heated and vacuum formed over a mold to provide a configuration corresponding to the body of the basin. Like above, the molded basin can be removed from the mold, cured, trimmed and further processed.

Alternatively, a pre-manufactured foam material can be provided in a roll or “bun” (block) form. If in block form the material can be sliced to a desired sheet thickness. Whether in a roll or sliced sheets, the material can be either preheated and placed into a cold male-female mold set, or the material can be placed cold into a heated male-female mold and compression molded to the desired configuration. Compression molding can allow for varying wall thicknesses of the finished basin. Like above, the molded basin can be removed from the mold, cured, trimmed and further processed.

Where used with the basin, the optional insert 70 can be molded in sheet form to desired dimensions and thickness, depending on the application. The insert can be cut from the sheet to correspond to the dimensions of the basin 10, for example, to correspond to the dimension and configuration of the bottom 32 of the basin. The insert can be installed in the finished basin 20 simply by placing it in the bottom. The insert can be sanitized and packaged with the basin, or alternatively, the insert can be sanitized and packaged separately.

The basin 20 and optional insert 70 can be packaged and sold as a kit. The kit can further include a conduit 36 and fittings for the conduit, and other irrigation, debridement or washing tools or devices suitable for procedures in which the basin is used.

Where the basin walls, for example, the first and second end walls 22 and 24 and the respective side walls 26 and 28 are tapered from the lower portion thereof to the upper portion thereof, multiple-like basins can be stacked one upon the other. Such a stacked configuration is illustrated in FIG. 10. There, lower basins 10b and 10c internest within the cavity defined within the respective walls of upper basins 10a and 10b, respectively, in an internesting manner. Generally, portions of the first and second end walls and the first and second side walls of a lower basin project at least partially in the cavity defined by the first and second end walls and respective side walls of an upper basin. With this internesting, multiple like basins can be readily stacked upon one another for shipment or packaging. This can reduce the amount of space required for such packaging and/or storage in a health care facility.

IV. Method of Use and Operation

The basin 10 of the current embodiment can be used for a variety of procedures including but not limited to irrigation, debridement and washing of appendages of a subject. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the user's appendage 100 is generally placed across the basin aligned with the longitudinal axis 68 of the basin. Where desired, a first portion of the appendage can rest in the first appendage contour 42 and the second portion of the appendage can rest in the second appendage contour 44. Accordingly, these appendage contours 42, 44 generally support the appendage in two locations. Due to the optional expanded width of the appendage contours 42, 44, they can provide a comfortable seat with suitable surface area to reduce discomfort or numbness or loss of circulation in the appendage.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the appendage 100 is placed within the appendage contour 42, a downward force F is transferred to the appendage contour 42 and generally to the respective end wall 22. As mentioned above, the basin can be constructed to have a certain flexibility. Accordingly, when the downward force F is applied to the appendage contour 42, the side portions 43 and 45 of the appendage contour 42 flex somewhat, moving generally toward one another to conform slightly more to the contours of the respective appendage 100 placed within the appendage contour 42. This movement is illustrated in FIG. 9 and designated by the arrows 110. The amount of movement and flex or compliance of the respective side portions in the appendage contour can vary.

In some circumstances, the amount of movement 110 can be as little as 1/64″, where in others circumstances it can be up to ¼″ to ½″ to ¾″. Optionally, the movement can range from a lower measurement of 1/64″, 1/32″, 1/16″, ⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ¾″ to an upper measurement of 1/32″, 1/16″, ⅛″, ¼″, ½″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 1 ¾″ to 2″. Of course, appendage contour can be more or less flexible to provide movement outside of the aforementioned ranges as desired for the application.

Depending on the user's appendage, the amount of force applied to the appendage contour, and the general configuration of the contour, the side portions of the appendage contour 43 and 45, and the contour 42 in general, can provide a slight clamping affect on the portion of the subject's appendage when that portion is placed in the appendage contour and applies a downward force on the appendage contour. In some cases this clamping affect applies only a slight lateral force on the appendage within the contour, but if desired, the contour can be modified so that a greater force is applied to provide a clamping affect on the user's appendage. The clamping effect optionally does not exert more than 0.5-5 pounds of lateral force, and indeed can be magnitudes significantly less than that, in the order of ounces or less.

The basin 10 constructed from the flexible material can be adapted so that a certain portions of the basin are adapted to flex. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a second appendage 102 is positioned adjacent the basin 10 and in contact with a side wall 28 of the basin. Due to its inherent flexibility, the side wall 28, and in particular, the outer wall 53 can bend or otherwise deflect or flex inwardly so that the appendage 102 can rest comfortably against the basin. With this flexibility, the basin can conform to adjacent appendages when treated appendages are placed in the basin 10.

The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims

1. A basin adapted for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement and cleaning, the basin comprising:

a first end wall defining a first appendage contour of a first size, the first appendage contour including an first inner portion, an first outer portion, a first side portion and a second opposing side portion, the first end wall including a first end wall inner wall and a first end wall outer wall, the first end wall inner wall separated from the first end wall outer wall by an open space defined within the first end wall and under the first appendage contour, each of the first end wall inner wall and the first end wall outer wall joined with the first appendage contour and configured to support the inner portion of the first appendage contour and the outer portion of the first appendage contour, respectively;

a second end wall defining a second appendage contour of a second size, the second size different from and larger than the first size of the first appendage contour, the second appendage contour including a second inner portion, a second outer portion, a third side portion and a fourth opposing side portion, the second end wall including a second end wall inner wall and a second end wall outer wall, the second end wall inner wall separated from the second end wall outer wall by an open space defined within the second end wall and under the second appendage contour, each of the second end wall inner wall and the second end wall outer wall joined with the second appendage contour and configured to support the inner portion of the second appendage contour and the outer portion of the second appendage contour, respectively;

first and second opposing sidewalls extending between and joining the first end wall and the second end wall, the first and second opposing sidewalls and the first and second end walls each including lower portions that are joined with a bottom so as to form a receptacle for collecting fluids from an appendage placed in at least one of the first appendage contour and the second appendage contour and washed with the fluids,

wherein at least one of the first end wall, the bottom and the second end wall define an outlet port extending at least partially therethrough,

wherein at least a portion of the bottom is sloped toward the outlet port so that the fluids contacting the at least one of the bottom flow by gravity toward the at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall,

wherein the first and second opposing sidewalls, the first and second end walls, and the bottom are in the form of a monolithic, one piece basin constructed from a closed cell foam,

wherein the first appendage contour of the first size is flexible so that the first side portion and the second side portion of the first appendage contour move toward one another to provide a clamping effect on a first portion of a subject's appendage when the first portion of the subject's appendage is placed in the first appendage contour and applies a downward force on the first appendage contour,

wherein the first end wall, the second end wall and the opposing side walls are tapered from the lower portion to an upper portion so that multiple, like basins can be stacked one upon the other in an inter-nesting manner.

2. The basin of claim 1 wherein the second appendage contour of the second size is flexible so that the third side portion and the fourth side portion of the second appendage contour move toward one another to provide a clamping effect on a second portion of a subject's appendage when the second portion of the subject's appendage is placed in the second appendage contour and applies a downward force on the second appendage contour.

3. The basin of claim 1 wherein the first and second opposing sidewalls, the first and second end walls, and the bottom are constructed from a single, generally uniform thickness, layer of closed cell foam.

4. The basin of claim 3 wherein the single layer of closed cell foam is contiguous among the first and second opposing sidewalls and the first and second end walls.

5. The basin of claim 4 wherein the port is defined in at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall, wherein the first and second appendage contours are adapted to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the subject's appendage, wherein the port is aligned generally in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the subject's appendage.

6. The basin of claim 5 wherein the first and second sidewalls are separated by a first distance adjacent the first appendage contour, wherein the first and second sidewalls are separated by a second distance adjacent the second appendage contour, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance so that the opposing sidewalls taper generally from near the first appendage contour to near the second appendage contour, whereby the sidewalls generally form an ergonomic shape that comfortably fits adjacent another appendage adjacent the appendage placed in at least one of the first and second appendage contours.

7. The basin of claim 1 wherein each of the opposing sidewalls are hollow, and each include a sidewall inner wall and a sidewall outer wall.

8. The basin of claim 7 wherein the sidewall outer wall includes a support flange that extends laterally away from the bottom, whereby the support flange provides stability to the basin.

9. The basin of claim 1 comprising a plurality of baffles adjacent the bottom and an open cell reticulated foam insert placed adjacent and supported by the plurality of baffles, the open cell reticulated foam insert generally spanning between the first end wall toward the second end wall.

10. A basin adapted for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement and cleaning, the basin comprising:

a first end wall;

a second end wall distal from the first end wall;

a first side wall,

a second side wall opposite the first side wall,

wherein the first and second side walls are connected to and join the first and second end walls,

wherein the first and second end walls define first and second appendage contours, respectively, the contours being aligned along a longitudinal axis, the first and second appendage contours being of different size with the first appendage contour larger than the second appendage contour,

wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall all include respective lower portions that are joined with a bottom to form an interior receptacle;

wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall each include inner wall portions that face the interior receptacle, and outer wall portions that face an exterior of the basin,

wherein the inner wall portions and outer wall portions are separated from one another to form a cavity therebetween,

wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall, second side wall and bottom are constructed from a closed cell foam and are in the form of a monolithic one piece basin,

wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall are tapered from the lower portion to an upper portion so that a plurality of like basins can be stacked one upon the other, in an inter-nesting manner, with portions of the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall of a lower basin projecting at least partially into the cavity defined within the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall and second side wall of an upper basin.

11. The basin of claim 10 wherein the wherein the first appendage contour includes a first side portion that is positioned adjacent a first side of a subject's appendage and a second side portion that is positioned adjacent a second side of a subject's appendage, the first side portion and second side portion flexible so that the first side portion and the second side portion of the first appendage contour move toward one another to conform to a first portion of a subject's appendage when the first portion of the subject's appendage is placed in the first appendage contour and applies a downward force on the first appendage contour

12. The basin of claim 10 comprising a plurality of baffles projecting upwardly from and integral with the bottom, each of the baffles being constructed from a layer of foam that is contiguous with the bottom, each of the baffles defining a cavity therein.

13. The basin of claim 10 comprising an open cell reticulated foam insert positioned above the bottom, the open cell reticulated foam insert generally spanning from the first end wall toward the second end wall.

14. The basin of claim 10 wherein the first end wall, second end wall, first side wall, second side wall and bottom are constructed from a single, generally uniform thickness layer of closed cell foam.

15. The basin of claim 10 wherein the bottom slopes toward the first end wall so that fluids drain by gravity toward at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall.

16. The basin of claim 15 wherein at least one of the bottom, the first end wall and the second end wall defines an outlet and a conduit is joined with the outlet, wherein the outlet is generally aligned with the appendage of a subject when the appendage is placed over the basin, whereby the conduit can extend from at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall, generally out of the way of an attending health care provider, and generally away from another appendage of the subject.

17. A basin adapted for use in at least one of irrigation, debridement and cleaning, the basin comprising:

a flexible body including a first wall defining an appendage contour adapted to receive a portion of a subject's appendage and a second wall joined with the first wall, the flexible body including a bottom and a receptacle, the receptacle bounded by the first end wall, the second wall and the bottom, the receptacle adapted to collect fluids washed over the subject's appendage,

wherein the appendage contour includes first and second side portions, and is operable in a flexed mode and a relaxed mode, wherein the first and second side portions are at a predetermined distance from one another in the relaxed mode, wherein the first and second side portions flex inward to reduce the predetermined distance in the flexed mode to generally conform to at least a portion of the subject's appendage when the subject's appendage provides a downward force on at least a portion of the appendage contour,

wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall include an inner wall and an outer wall separated by a cavity defined within the respective at least one of the first and second walls, the cavity opening downwardly, and

wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall generally taper outwardly from an upper portion to a lower portion of the respective at least one of the first and second walls to provide integral stiffening to the at least one of the first wall and the second wall.

18. The basin of claim 17 wherein the flexible body is constructed from a chemically cross linked polyethylene foam having a density of about 3 to about 4 pounds per cubic foot.

19. The basin of claim 17 wherein the first wall and second wall are part of a common curve.

20. The basin of claim 17 wherein the appendage contour spans from the inner wall portion and outer wall portion of the first wall, wherein the cavity is defined by the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion and the appendage contour, and wherein the inner wall portion, the outer wall portion and the appendage contour are formed by a continuous closed cell foam layer and are of generally the same thickness.