Chest drainage apparatus with check valve

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel and improved chest drainage apparatus characterized by a bottle housing a fluid collection chamber and a fluid inlet connectable to receive fluid and air from a chest cavity to be drained, air inlet and exhaust ports downstream of the fluid inlet open to the atmosphere within the air space above the fluid collected, and a U-tube between the fluid inlet and the air exhaust port capable of collecting and retaining an amount of fluid effective to provide a visual indication of any air flow into the system; a subassembly including an air chamber containing a check valve effective when connected to receive air from the exhaust port of the bottle to prevent backflow thereof into the system; and a negative pressure relief valve connected to the air intake port automatically operative to limit the negative pressure, if any, in the air space above the fluid to a predetermined maximum. The invention also encompasses such an apparatus wherein the subassembly is detachable from the bottle and the latter is used by itself in inverted position as a reservoir of chest fluids that may be reintroduced back into the body. Also included in the apparatus in its preferred form are a positive pressure relief valve downstream of the check valve in the air chamber automatically operative to maintain the air pressure in the latter at or below a predetermined maximum. Additional novel features are those which permit removal of some of the collected fluid either for the purpose of analysis or to extend the capacity thereof.