Fluid management assembly having a vented outlet line for use in endoscopic procedures

A fluid management assembly for use in an endoscopic procedure, the assembly comprising:

• a first line defining a passage for the flow of fluid and having a length, the first line having a first end for connection to an endoscope and an opposing second end;
• a second line defining a passage for the flow of fluid and having a length, the second line having a first end for connection to a drape and an opposing second end;
• a Y-connector having first and second legs in fluid communication with the second ends of the first and second lines;
• a third line coupled at a first end to a third leg of the Y-connector, the third line having a second end for connection to a suction source, the third line having a predetermined length such that the Y-connector is positioned in close proximate relation to the suction source, the length of the third line being less than the length of the first and second lines;
• and
• an adjustable atmospheric vent disposed within the first line for introducing atmospheric pressure into the first line, the atmospheric vent opening and closing in response to pressure changes within the first line.

A method of managing patient fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid management assembly comprising a first line defining a passage for the flow of fluid from an operative site after the fluid has been delivered to the operative site at a first pressure, the fluid flowing from the operative site at a second pressure;
• attaching an endoscope to a first end of the first line;
• connecting one of a suction source and a drape to a second end of the first line;
• disposing an atmospheric vent within the first line;
• and
• introducing atmospheric pressure into the first line to reduce any negative pressure within the first line, thereby substantially preventing a siphoning action from occurring within the first line.

A method of managing patient fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid management assembly comprising a first line defining a passage for the flow of fluid from an operative site after the fluid has been delivered to the operative site at a first pressure, the fluid flowing from the operative site at a second pressure;
• attaching an endoscope to a first end of the first line;
• connecting one of a suction source and a drape to a second end of the first line;
• disposing an atmospheric vent within the first line;
• and
• introducing atmospheric pressure into the first line when internal pressure within is less than a predetermined pressure and in the case that the internal pressure is greater than the predetermined pressure, the method further including closing the atmospheric vent.

A method of managing patient fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid management assembly comprising a first line defining a passage for the flow of fluid from an operative site after the fluid has been delivered to the operative site at a first pressure, the fluid flowing from the operative site at a second pressure;
• attaching an endoscope to a first end of the first line;
• connecting one of a suction source and a drape to a second end of the first line;
• disposing an atmospheric vent within the first line, the atmospheric vent having a valve member;
• pre-loading the valve member so that the atmospheric vent has an associated set pressure cracking point;
• and
• opening the atmospheric vent to introduce atmospheric pressure into the first line when the internal pressure within the first line exceeds the cracking point.