Importance

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Abstract

A portable drainage system allows patients to ambulate in a hospital or to be discharged to their homes with active suction draining fluids and gases from bodily areas, including sites proximate to surgical procedures. The portable chest tube drainage system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump housing and a fluid reservoir. These components, in one embodiment, removably connect to the portable drainage system and are disposable. The vacuum pump housing includes a vacuum source, which may comprise a small vacuum pump and one or more removable, replaceable, and/or rechargeable batteries. A vacuum regulating control responsive to user manipulation regulates the vacuum and restricts the vacuum to levels non-injurious to tissues proximate the end of a drainage tube connected to the portable drainage system. A vacuum pressure relief valve incorporated in line maintains the maximal vacuum pressure inside the vacuum chamber below a non-injurious level. A flow meter interposed between the vacuum source and the vacuum chamber indicates an amount of air flow. A one-way valve interposed between the vacuum chamber and fluid reservoir maintains vacuum in the vacuum chamber during removal of the fluid reservoir, and another one-way valve interposed between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum source maintains vacuum in the vacuum chamber during an interruption in the vacuum source. Baffles inside the vacuum chamber separate fluids and gas in the vacuum chamber and direct fluids to the fluid reservoir, while the vacuum pump removes air from the vacuum chamber and exhausts the air to atmosphere by way of the vacuum pump. When filled, the fluid reservoir may be discarded and another fluid reservoir may be connected to continue drainage.

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First Claim