Fluid-recovery system with integrally molded components

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and
• a vacuum protection valve for allowing air flow in one direction out of the collection chamber, said vacuum protection valve including an enclosure integrally molded within the housing that has a base extending to an opening for providing air flow communication with the collection chamber.

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and
• a positive pressure relief valve for reducing pressure in the collection chamber when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a pre-defined value,
• wherein said positive pressure relief valve includes an integrally molded enclosure formed in said housing, said integrally molded enclosure having an integrally molded ramped rib.

A fluid-recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and
• a pressure relief valve having a manually actuable diaphragm sealing an integrally molded enclosure within the top surface from outside environment, the molded enclosure being in air flow communication with the collection chamber, and the diaphragm being manually actuated by an integrally molded actuating element to provide air flow between the collection chamber and the outside environment to reduce pressure in the collection chamber.

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of fluid from the patient, and
• a connecting element of a latching connector integrally molded to the top surface of the housing and configured to receive a mating connecting element of the latching connector.

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and
• a pressure measuring port integrally molded within said housing and configured to be in fluid communication with the collection chamber and to receive a pressure gauge for measuring pressure within the collection chamber.

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a collection chamber for collecting the fluid, and
• a tamper-resistant disposal system for disposal of the collected fluid.

A fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and
• a handle attached to the top surface and raised above other components on the top surface for carrying the fluid recovery system, the handle having a length that allows two people to simultaneously hold it.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, the method comprising the steps of

• forming a housing through injection molding having a collection chamber and an integrally molded valve seat for selective engagement with a valve member of a valve for controlling fluid flow within the fluid recovery system.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient and having a vacuum protection valve for allowing air flow in one direction out of the collection chamber, said vacuum protection valve including an enclosure integrally molded within the housing, said enclosure having a base extending to an opening for providing air flow communication with the collection chamber.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient and having a positive pressure relief valve having an integrally molded enclosure within the housing, the positive pressure relief valve reducing pressure in the collection chamber when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a predefined value.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a front cover and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid, and
• providing a vacuum indicator for indicating when pressure in the collection chamber is below a selected threshold, the vacuum indicator having a seat integrally molded in the front cover and having a translucent diaphragm seated in the integrally molded seat and having a cap mounted to the seat to compress the diaphragm into sealing engagement with the seat, the cap having a marking on a surface facing the diaphragm and further having an opening that provides air flow between the collection chamber and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm contacts the marked surface of the cap when pressure within the collection chamber is below the selected threshold, thereby rendering the marking visible.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and further having an integrally molded enclosure within the top surface in air flow communication with the collection chamber, said integrally molded enclosure having an integrally molded actuating element, and
• sealing the integrally molded enclosure with a manually actuable diaphragm being actuated by said integrally molded actuating element for providing a pressure relief valve.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising

• forming a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid from the patient, and further having a connecting element of a latching connector integrally molded to the top surface of the housing and configured to receive a mating connecting element of the latching connector.

A method for manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a collection chamber for collecting the fluid, and further having a pressure measuring port integrally molded within said housing and configured to be in fluid communication with the collection chamber and to receive a pressure gauge for measuring pressure within the collection chamber.

A method of manufacturing a fluid recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, comprising the steps of

• forming a housing having a collection chamber for collecting the fluid, and further having a tamper-resistant fluid disposal system in said housing.

A method of manufacturing a fluid-recovery system for collecting fluid from a patient, said method comprising the step of

• forming a housing having a top surface and a collection chamber for collecting a volume of the fluid, said housing further having a handle attached to the top surface and raised above other components on the top surface for carrying the fluid recovery system.