US 10,702,634 B2 · Devices and methods for managing chest drainage

Abstract

Disclosed is a chest drainage system which reduces or eliminates pooling of blood/liquid and/or clogging/clotting in the drainage tube. Generally, the chest drainage system continuously monitors chest tube status and clears pooled liquid when necessary to restore negative pressure to the chest. The system may include a valve device which is located between the patient's chest tube and drainage tube and may be used with any standard chest tube. The chest drainage system also includes a controller for monitoring the pressure at or near the valve device and/or at or near the suction device, and possibly a pump for assisting in clearance of pooled liquid and/or clots. The controller may also control the valve device and/or suction device in response to pressure signals.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A drainage assembly, comprising:

a suction device configured to generate a negative pressure;
a first lumen body configured for insertion into a patient body;
a second lumen body fluidly coupled to the suction device;
a valve tube in fluid communication with the second lumen body;
a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the valve tube, wherein the valve assembly includes at least a first valve having a closed configuration where the negative pressure generated by the suction device is maintained within the second lumen body, and the first valve further having an open configuration where the negative pressure draws air from an environment and through the second lumen body;
and
a controller in communication with the valve assembly, wherein the controller is programmed to actuate the first valve into the open configuration automatically on a periodic, fixed time interval basis.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices and methods for managing chest drainage

Life of this patent

Devices and methods for managing chest drainage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37