초록 ▼

An apparatus for draining fluids, for example, from a chest or pleural cavity, includes a collection chamber for collecting fluids through an inlet port for entry of the fluids. Also included is a dry or waterless suction control chamber in fluid communication with the collection chamber for regulat

An apparatus for draining fluids, for example, from a chest or pleural cavity, includes a collection chamber for collecting fluids through an inlet port for entry of the fluids. Also included is a dry or waterless suction control chamber in fluid communication with the collection chamber for regulating the degree of vacuum imposed in the collection chamber. If desired, a seal chamber can also be provided between the dry suction control chamber and the collection chamber so as to prevent any ambient or atmospheric air from passing into the collection chamber. The suction control chamber has a first inlet which is coupled to a suction source and a second inlet communicates with the ambient. A waterless regulator is provided for regulating the degree of suction imposed in the collection chamber at a plurality of predetermined preset levels of suction. This regulator is positioned between the suction inlet and the ambient inlet. The suction control chamber also has at least a visual indicator disposed between the regulator and the suction inlet for providing immediate confirmation of proper operation of suction in the collection chamber. The present invention also includes a device for retaining tubing under compression so as to provide self-sealing capability of the tubing during sampling or injection procedures.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for draining fluids comprising: a. collection chamber for collecting fluids including an inlet for entry of the fluids; b. suction control chamber in fluid communication with said collection chamber for regulating the degree of vacuum imposed in the collection chamber and including: 1) fir

Apparatus for draining fluids comprising: a. collection chamber for collecting fluids including an inlet for entry of the fluids; b. suction control chamber in fluid communication with said collection chamber for regulating the degree of vacuum imposed in the collection chamber and including: 1) first inlet for coupling to a suction source; 2) second inlet communicating with the ambient; 3) waterless means for regulating the degree of suction imposed in said collection chamber at a plurality of predetermined preset levels of suction, said regulating means disposed between said suction inlet and said ambient inlet; and 4) indicator means disposed between said regulating means and said suction inlet for providing immediate confirmation of proper operation of suction in said collection chamber; wherein said regulation suction means comprises: a. member having an aperture and being disposed within and separating said suction control chamber into a first portion adjacent said ambient inlet and a remaining second portion adjacent said suction inlet and in fluid communication with the collection chamber; b. valve means dimensioned and configured for sealing said aperture; and c. means for tensioning said valve means closed when the collection chamber suction is at said preset level of suction and otherwise opening said valve means so as to permit ambient to flow into said second portion and thereby return the suction in the collection chamber to said preset level; wherein said tensioning means comprises a spring under tension and coupled at one end to said valve means and at its other end to a support member within said first portion, so as to maintain said valve means in a closed sealing relationship with said aperture in accordance with said predetermined preset level of suction; and further comprising means for adjusting said spring tension in predetermined preset discrete steps so as to provide one of said predetermined preset levels of suction; and wherein said adjusting means comprises: a. worm gear disposed on at least a portion of said support member; b. pinion gear being rotatably supported and cooperatively engaging said worm gear; c. dial coupled to said pinion gear and having a plurality of predetermined preset grooves along its periphery; d. detent member resiliently disposed against said periphery and configured and dimensioned for seating within one of said grooves and such that upon rotating said dial, said detent member rides along said periphery until seating within next one of said grooves.