Abstract: A surgical pleural drainage apparatus for draining fluids from the body of a patient is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container with a collection chamber. A suction outlet is provided on the container which is connected to a source of negative pressure and a fluid passageway connects the suction outlet to the collection chamber. A non-liquid one-way valve is provided in the fluid passageway for allowing fluid flow only from the collection chamber to the suction outlet. An air leak indicator is also provided in the passageway to indicate a flow of gases through the passageway and optionally the qualitative quantity of that flow. Preferably, the air leak indicator includes a visible liquid trap through which any gases flow and form bubbles which are visible. The liquid trap is prefilled with glycerine or a like liquid. The amount of negative pressure applied to the collection chamber is controlled by a suction control device.

Abstract: A surgical pleural drainage apparatus for draining fluids from the body of a patient is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container with a collection chamber. A suction outlet is provided on the container which is connected to a source of negative pressure and a fluid passageway connects the suction outlet to the collection chamber. A non-liquid one-way valve is provided in the fluid passageway for allowing fluid flow only from the collection chamber to the suction outlet. An air leak indicator is also provided in the passageway to indicate a flow of gases through the passageway and optionally the qualitative quantity of that flow. Preferably, the air leak indicator includes a visible liquid trap through which any gases flow and form bubbles which are visible. The liquid trap is prefilled with glycerine or a like liquid. The amount of negative pressure applied to the collection chamber is controlled by a suction control device.

Abstract: A surgical pleural drainage apparatus for draining fluids from the body of a patient is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container with a collection chamber. A suction outlet is provided on the container which is connected to a source of negative pressure and a fluid passageway connects the suction outlet to the collection chamber. A non-liquid one-way valve is provided in the fluid passageway for allowing fluid flow only from the collection chamber to the suction outlet. An air leak indicator is also provided in the passageway to indicate a flow of gases through the passageway and optionally the qualitative quantity of that flow. Preferably, the air leak indicator includes a visible liquid trap through which any gases flow and form bubbles which are visible. The liquid trap is prefilled with glycerine or a like liquid. The amount of negative pressure applied to the collection chamber is controlled by a suction control device.

Abstract: A surgical underwater drainage device for draining fluids from the body of a patient which is provided with an automatic negative pressure relief system is disclosed. The underwater drainage device includes a collection chamber, an underwater seal chamber and/or its equivalent, and a suction control chamber. In one embodiment a negative pressure relief valve is normally closed and provides a bypass around the liquid seal and/or its equivalent of the underwater seal chamber. When excess negativity occurs in the collection chamber and/or the thoracotomy tube, the relief valve opens automatically to slowly relieve the excess negativity. The relief valve also prevents flow to the collection chamber and/or the thoracotomy tube when the pressure in the collection chamber is equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum below the pressure on the opposite side of the seal of the underwater seal chamber or its equivalent.

Abstract: A surgical drainage unit is provided for draining fluids from the body of a patient wherein the suction pressure, applied through a suction inlet of the unit to draw fluids into the unit, is incrementally controlled and a direct indication of the applied suction pressure is afforded. A device which contracts responsive to an increase in suction in a collection chamber of the unit is equipped with an indicator vane that cooperates with a fixed scale to indicate the amount of movement of the bellows and hence indicate the suction within the collection chamber. A manually adjustable control valve incrementally controls the amount of air admitted to a suction line within the unit to thereby control the applied suction. A negative pressure relief valve is also provided so that excess negativity within the inlet tube can be manually relieved.

Abstract: A two-part connector assembly for connecting two tubes which prevents the entry of contaminates in the tubes during use and subsequent reuse of one part is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a reusable first connector member having an elongate housing and a sterile inner tubing located inside the housing. A reusable second connector member is also provided and includes an elongate housing, a sterile inner tubing located inside of the housing, and a sterile cover tubing located around the sterile inner tubing and also located inside of the housing. A connecting means is provided for holding the first connector member and the second connector member together such that no contaminates reach the inner tubing of either housing during use. The connector members can be reused as no contaminates reach the inner tubing of the reused connector member as well.

Abstract: A surgical drainage unit is provided for draining fluids from the body of a patient wherein the suction pressure, applied through a suction inlet of the unit to draw fluids into the unit, is controlled and a direct indication of the applied suction pressure is afforded. A device which contracts responsive to an increase in suction in a collection chamber of the unit is equipped with an indicator vane that cooperates with a fixed scale to indicate the amount of movement of the bellows and hence indicate the suction within the collection chamber. A manually adjustable control valve controls the amount of air admitted to the suction line within the unit to thereby control the applied suction.