System and method for monitoring pleural fluid

A system for monitoring pleural fluid, comprising:

• at least one detection unit configured to:
• receive fluid from a pleural cavity of a patient, detect carbon dioxide present in the fluid, and detect a second substance present in the fluid;
• at least one processing unit in communication with the at least one detection unit, the at least one processing unit configured to:
• provide a first electrical signal when the at least one detection unit detects carbon dioxide, and provide a second electrical signal when the at least one detection unit detects the second substance;
• and
• a user interface in communication with the at least one processing unit, the user interface configured to provide a first indication when the first signal is received from the at least one processing unit, and provide a second indication when the second signal is received from the at least one processing unit.

A method of monitoring pleural fluid, comprising:

• receiving fluid from a pleural cavity of a patient;
• detecting carbon dioxide present in the fluid;
• providing a first indication when carbon dioxide is detected in the fluid;
• detecting a second substance present in the fluid;
• and
• providing a second indication when the second substance is detected in the fluid.