Medical apparatus for drainage, collection and monitoring of body fluids

Claim 2

Fluid drainage apparatus, comprising: first means defining a first conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position, both upper and lower ends of said conduit being open, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; second means defining a second conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position and substantially adjacent said first conduit, said second conduit being in fluid communication with said first conduit at substantially the upper end of said first conduit; closed collection means for receiving liquid drained from said source; means connecting the lower ends of said first and second conduits to said collection means, said second conduit being open at its lower end and remaining open to gas flow only from said collection means in normal use, said lower end of said second conduit being located above said lower end of said first conduit in normal use to establish a hydrostatic pressure differential between said first and said second conduits, whereby said conduits will carry liquid from said source to said collection means even when said source is closed to the atmosphere.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and further including: manual pump means in fluid communication with said second conduit for selectively increasing the pressure differential between said first and said second conduits so that fluid is pumped up said second conduit and liquid is pumped down said first conduit.

Claim 4

Fluid drainage apparatus, comprising: first means defining a first conduit, adapted for use in substantially vertical position, both upper and lower ends of said conduit being open, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; second means defining a second conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position and in substantially close proximity to said first conduit; closed collection means for receiving liquid drained from said source; means connecting the lower ends of said first and second conduits to said collection means, said second conduit being open at its lower end and remaining open to gas flow only from said collection means in normal use; and a fluid passage defined between said first and said second conduits remote from both of said lower ends whereby at least one of said conduits will carry liquid from said source to said collection means even when said source and said collection means are closed to the atmosphere.

Claim 5

Fluid drainage apparatus, comprising: first means defining a first conduit, adapted for use in substantially vertical position, both upper and lower ends of said conduit being open, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; second means defining a second conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position and in substantially close proximity to said first conduit; closed collection means for receiving liquid drained from said source; means connecting the lower ends of said first and second conduits to said collection means, said second conduit being open at its lower end and remaining open to gas flow only from said collection means in normal use; and a fluid passage defined between said first and said second conduits remote from both of said lower ends whereby at least one of said conduits will carry liquid from said source to said collection means even when said source and said collection means are closed to the atmosphere.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and said second means are in abutment and said fluid passage is defined by said first and said second means.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, and further including: selectively actuable pump means in fluid communication with said second conduit for pumping flUid up said second conduit.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, and further including: one-way check valve means in said second conduit for limiting fluid flow therein to an upward direction.

Claim 9

Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, and further including: selectively actuable pump means in fluid communication with said second conduit.

Claim 10

Fluid drainage apparatus, comprising: first means defining a first conduit, adapted for use in substantially vertical position, both upper and lower ends or said conduit being open, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; second means defining a second conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position and in substantially close proximity to said first conduit, said second conduit being open at its lower end, and remaining open to gas flow in normal use; a fluid passage defined between said first and said second conduits remote from both of said lower ends; drip chamber means for receiving the lower ends of said first and said second conduits; and additional means defining a plurality of conduits communicating with said chamber means for draining a first fluid therefrom and simultaneously replacing said first fluid with a second fluid.

Claim 11

Fluid drainage apparatus, comprising: first means defining a first conduit, adapted for use in substantially vertical position, both upper and lower ends or said conduit being open, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; second means defining a second conduit, adapted for use in a substantially vertical position and in substantially close proximity to said first conduit, said second conduit being open at its lower end, and remaining open to gas flow in normal use; a fluid passage defined between said first and said second conduits remote from both of said lower ends; drip chamber means for receiving the lower ends of said first and said second conduits; and additional means defining a plurality of conduits communicating with said chamber means for draining a first fluid therefrom and simultaneously replacing said first fluid with a second fluid.

Claim 12

Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, and further including: one-way check valve means in said second conduit, below said fluid passage.

Claim 13

Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, and further including: a substantially sealed collection container in fluid communication with said drip chamber means via said conduits defined by said additional means.

Claim 14

Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, and further including: means for dividing said collection container into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments.

Claim 15

Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, and further including: drain means at the bottom of said container for selectively draining fluid from the smallest of said compartments.

Claim 16

Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, and further including: additional drain means at the bottom of said container for selectively draining fluid from the largest of said compartments.

Claim 17

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; and valve means in said second tube, below said fluid passage, for enabling fluid flow up said second tube while substantially preventing liquid flow down said second tube.

Claim 18

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; and valve means in said second tube, below said fluid passage, for enabling fluid flow up said second tube while substantially preventing liquid flow down said second tube.

Claim 19

Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, and further including: selectively actuable pump means in fluid communication with said second tube for pumping fluid up said second tube.

Claim 20

Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said second tube is in abutment with said first tube substantially along the entire length of said second tube, and said fluid passage is located adjacent the upper end of said second tube.

Claim 21

Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein both of said first and said second tubes terminate at their lower ends in a drip chamber.

Claim 22

Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, and further including: drip chamber means for receiving both lower ends of said first and said second tubes; and conduit means communicating with said chamber means for draining liquid therefrom and simultaneously replacing said liquid with gas.

Claim 23

Apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein both of said first and said second tubes are co-extruded as an integral tube pair.

Claim 24

Apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said conduit means comprises: a pair of drain and vent tubes each open at both ends and passing through the bottom of said chamber means, the relative elevations of said drain and said vent tubes providing a hydrostatic pressure differential promoting substantially unidirectional fluid flow.

Claim 25

Apparatus as set forth in claim 18, and further including: a substantially sealed liquid collection bag in fluid communication with said drip chamber means via said conduit means.

Claim 26

Apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said conduit means comprises: a pair of drain and vent tubes each open at both ends and passing through the bottom of said chamber means into said collection bag, the relative elevations of said drain and said vent tubes providing a hydrostatic pressure differential promoting substantially unidirectional fluid flow for both liquid an gas.

Claim 27

Apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein said second tube is in abutment with said first tube substantially along the entire length of said second tube, and said fluid passage is located closely adjacent the upper end of said second tube.

Claim 28

Apparatus as set forth in claim 23, and further including: one-way check valve means in said second tube, below said fluid passage, for enabling gas flow up said second tube while substantially preventing liquid flow down said second tube.

Claim 29

Apparatus as set forth in claim 22, and further including: divider means for dividing said collection bag into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments.

Claim 30

Apparatus as set forth in claim 25, and further including: flow director means for directing liquid flow from said drain tube into the smallest of said compartments.

Claim 31

Apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said divider means includes at least one integral seam separating said compartments.

Claim 32

Apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said divider means includes at least one substantially rigid container.

Claim 33

Apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said compartments are calibrated.

Claim 34

Apparatus as set forth in claim 26, and further including: first drain means for selectively draining liquid from the smallest of said compartments; and second drain means for selectively draining liquid from the largest of said compartments.

Claim 35

Apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein said flow director means includes a tapered lower open end of said drain tube extending into said smallest compartment.

Claim 36

Apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein said flow director means includes a tapered lower open end of said vent tube extending into said smallest compartment, the beginning of said tapered end of said vent tube initiating at a higher elevation than said tapered end of said drain tube.

Claim 37

Apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein said flow director means includes a web secured to the lower open end of said drain tube and extending down into said smallest compartment.

Claim 38

Apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein said web is also secured to the lower open end of said vent tube.

Claim 39

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; a first chamber receiving and locating said lower open end of said second tube above the bottom of said chamber; a venting conduit having its upper open end in fluid communication with said first chamber, said venting conduit having a lower open end; a second chamber, said lower open end of said first tube being received within said second chamber; and a drainage conduit in fluid communication with said second chamber at substantially the bottom of said second chamber, the lower open end of said drainage conduit being lower than the lower open end of said venting conduit.

Claim 40

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; a first chamber receiving and locating said lower open end of said second tube above the bottom of said chamber; a venting conduit having its upper open end in fluid communication with said first chamber, said venting conduit having a lower open end; a second chamber, said lower open end of said first tube being received within said second chamber; and a drainage conduit in fluid communication with said second chamber at substantially the bottom of said second chamber, the lower open end of said drainage conduit being lower than the lower open end of said venting conduit.

Claim 41

Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said second chamber is located below said first chamber.

Claim 42

Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said first chamber includes a flexible wall.

Claim 43

Apparatus as set forth in claim 36, wherein said first tube passes through said first chamber to enter said second chamber, and said venting conduit passes through said second chamber to enter said first chamber.

Claim 44

Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said upper open end of said venting conduit is located substantially no higher than the bottom of said first chamber.

Claim 45

Apparatus as set forth in claim 39, and further including: a one-way valve means located in said venting conduit for normally allowing fluid flow only up said venting conduit, said valve having an occluding member with a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of any liquid to be drained, whereby said valve is disabled in the presence of said liquid to permit fluid flow down said venting conduit.

Claim 46

Apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein the bottom of said first chamber is shaped to favor liquid drainage towards said venting conduit.

Claim 47

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; a first sealed drip chamber, at least a portion of the walls defining said drip chamber being flexible, said lower end of said second tube being received by one of said walls to space said lower end of said second tube above the bottom of said chamber; a venting conduit entering said drip chamber through said bottom wall, the upper open end of said venting conduit being substantially no higher than the bottom of said chamber; one-way valve means located in said venting conduit for normally allowing fluid flow only up said venting conduit, said valve means having an occluding member with a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of any liquid to be drained, whereby said valve means is disabled in the presence of said liquid to permit fluid flow down said venting conduit; a second drip chamber below said first chamber, the lower end of said first tube being received within said second drip chamber; and a drainage conduit in fluid communication with said second drip chamber through the bottom of said second chamber, the lower open end of said drainage conduit being lower than the lower open end of said venting conduit.

Claim 48

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first, substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; a first sealed drip chamber, at least a portion of the walls defining said drip chamber being flexible, said lower end of said second tube being received by one of said walls to space said lower end of said second tube above the bottom of said chamber; a venting conduit entering said drip chamber through said bottom wall, the upper open end of said venting conduit being substantially no higher than the bottom of said chamber; one-way valve means located in said venting conduit for normally allowing fluid flow only up said venting conduit, said valve means having an occluding member with a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of any liquid to be drained, whereby said valve means is disabled in the presence of said liquid to permit fluid flow down said venting conduit; a second drip chamber below said first chamber, the lower end of said first tube being received within said second drip chamber; and a drainage conduit in fluid communication with said second drip chamber through the bottom of said second chamber, the lower open end of said drainage conduit being lower than the lower open end of said venting conduit.

Claim 49

Apparatus as set forth in claim 42, and further including: valve means in said second tube, below said fluid passage, for enabling gas flow up said second tube while substantially preventing liquid flow down said second tube.

Claim 50

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a substantially sealed liquid collection bag; and divider means for dividing said collection bag into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments, said divider means including a substantially rigid baffle member separating said compartments, the tops of said compartments being in open communication with each other within said bag.

Claim 51

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a substantially sealed liquid collection bag; and divider means for dividing said collection bag into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments, said divider means including a substantially rigid baffle member separating said compartments, the tops of said compartments being in open communication with each other within said bag.

Claim 52

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a substantially sealed liquid collection bag; divider means for dividing said collection bag into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments, said divider meAns including at least one substantially rigid container defining at least one of said compartments, the tops of said compartments being in open communication with each other within said bag; a spout in fluid communication with said container at the bottom of said container; and selectively operable drain means at the bottom of said bag in fluid communication with said spout.

Claim 53

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a substantially sealed liquid collection bag; divider means for dividing said collection bag into a plurality of different size volumetric capacity compartments, said divider meAns including at least one substantially rigid container defining at least one of said compartments, the tops of said compartments being in open communication with each other within said bag; a spout in fluid communication with said container at the bottom of said container; and selectively operable drain means at the bottom of said bag in fluid communication with said spout.

Claim 54

For use in a closed liquid drainage system, medical apparatus comprising, in combination: a drainage tube having an open upper end for connection to a liquid source to be drained, said liquid source being effectively closed to the atmosphere; a vent tube adjacent and generally parallel to said drainage tube, and having its upper end closed to atmosphere and in fluid communication with said drainage tube at substantially the upper end of the drainage tube; and closed collection means for receiving liquid drained from said source, the lower ends of said drainage and vent tubes being connected to said collection means and in fluid communication with the interior thereof, whereby liquid from said closed source will flow down one of said tubes to said closed collection means and fluid from said closed collection means will flow up the other of said tubes.

Claim 55

For use in a closed liquid drainage system, medical apparatus comprising, in combination: a drainage tube having an open upper end for connection to a liquid source to be drained, said liquid source being effectively closed to the atmosphere; a vent tube adjacent and generally parallel to said drainage tube, and having its upper end closed to atmosphere and in fluid communication with said drainage tube at substantially the upper end of the drainage tube; and closed collection means for receiving liquid drained from said source, the lower ends of said drainage and vent tubes being connected to said collection means and in fluid communication with the interior thereof, whereby liquid from said closed source will flow down one of said tubes to said closed collection means and fluid from said closed collection means will flow up the other of said tubes.

Claim 56

The system of claim 46, wherein the lower end of said vent tube is located above the lower end of said drainage tube within said closed collection means in normal use to establish a hydrostatic pressure differential between said vent and drainage tubes.

Claim 57

The system of claim 47, further including pump means in fluid communication with said vent tube for selectively increasing the pressure differential therebetween so that fluid may be pumped up said vent tube and down said drainage tube when the upper end of said drainage tube is connected to said liquid source.

Claim 58

The system of claim 46, further including one-way valve means in said vent tube for limiting fluid flow therein to a direction away from said collection means.

Claim 59

The system of claim 49, further including selectively actuable pump means in fluid communication with said vent tube for pumping fluid from said collection means and up said vent tube, thereby pumping liquid down said drainage tube when the upper end of said drainage tube is connected to said liquid source.

Claim 60

The system of claim 50, wherein said collection means is a drip chamber.

Claim 61

The system of claim 50, wherein said collection means is a liquid collection bag having a flexible wall.

Claim 62

The system of claim 50, wherein said vent and drainage tubes form an integral unit.

Claim 63

The system of claim 46, further including selectively actuable pump means in fluid communication with at least one of said tubes for pumping fluid from said collection means up said vent tube and for pumping liquid down said drainage tube when the upper end of said drainage tube is connected to said liquid source.

Claim 64

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; and selectively actuable unidirectional pump means in fluid communication with at least one of said first and second tubes for pumping fluid up said second tube, through said fluid passage, and down said first tube.

Claim 65

For use in a liquid drainage medical apparatus, the combination comprising: a first substantially vertically oriented tube, said tube being open at its upper end and at its lower end, said upper end being adapted for connection to a liquid source to be drained; a second, substantially vertically oriented tube, said second tube being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end, said lower end remaining open to gas flow in normal use; means defining a fluid passage between said first tube and said second tube; and selectively actuable unidirectional pump means in fluid communication with at least one of said first and second tubes for pumping fluid up said second tube, through said fluid passage, and down said first tube.

Claim 66

The apparatus of claim 55, further including valve means in said second tube, below said fluid passage, for enabling fluid flow up said second tube while substantially preventing liquid flow down said second tube.

Claim 67

The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said pump means comprises a gas barrier chamber for receiving the lower Open end of said second tube, said chamber having a flexible wall.

Claim 68

The apparatus of claim 57, further including one-way check valve means in said chamber limiting the direction of fluid flow therethrough.

Claim 69

The apparatus of claim 55, further including one-way check valve means in at least one of said tubes for limiting the direction of flow therein.