Transcutaneous device for removal of fluid from a body

A method of removing fluid from a body during needle thoracentesis, the method comprising:

• providing a needle having a tip for penetrating a skin surface of the body;
• providing a cannula, the cannula having:
• a cannula shaft having a length and a longitudinal axis along the length thereof, the cannula shaft being flexible and kink resistant;
• and
• a tapered tip projecting from a distal end of the cannula shaft, the tapered tip having a taper extending along an entire length of the tapered tip, the cannula shaft being more flexible than the tapered tip,
• the cannula having a hub at a proximal end of the cannula shaft, the hub having a sealing valve aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cannula shaft for sealingly engaging the needle, and a side port;
• attaching a three-way tap having a one-way low pressure cracking valve having a cracking pressure of less than 12 mbar, attaching a syringe to a second port of the three-way tap for removing fluids from the pleural space to resolve pneumothorax, and attaching a portable drainage bag to a third port of the three-way tap;
• pumping fluids to the drainage bag using the syringe;
• and
• bending the cannula shaft and taping the cannula shaft to the body.