Method and apparatus for collecting surgical fluids

A surgical fluid collection system comprising:

• a plurality of containers, each container comprising:
• a rigid receptacle which defines a vacuum chamber;
• a liner disposable within the vacuum chamber of the receptacle, the liner defining a liner interior;
• a vacuum port in fluid communication with the interior of the liner through the receptacle;
• and
• a fluid inflow port in fluid communication with the interior of the liner through the receptacle;
• a surgical fluid inflow tube coupleable to the inflow valve of a first container to drain surgical fluids from a patient body;
• and
• an inter-container tube for coupling the fluid port of a second container with the vacuum port of the first container so that the surgical fluids flow through the vacuum port of the first container through the fluid inflow port of the second container when the liner of the first container is substantially full and;
• a valve disposed between the interior of the liner and the vacuum chamber surrounding the liner, the valve allowing flow into the interior of the liner and preventing surgical fluid from flowing from the interior of the liner to the surrounding vacuum chamber.

A disposable surgical fluid collector liner for use with a rigid receptacle which defines a vacuum chamber, the receptacle having first and second passages into the vacuum chamber, the liner comprising:

• a flexible pouch bordering an interior of the liner;
• a vacuum port in fluid communication with the interior of the liner through the first passage of the receptacle;
• a fluid inflow port in fluid communication with the interior of the liner through the second passage of the receptacle;
• and
• a valve disposable between the interior of the liner and the vacuum chamber surrounding the liner, the valve allowing flow into the interior of the liner and preventing surgical fluid from flowing from the interior of the liner to the surrounding vacuum chamber.