Combined surgical drainage and autotransfusion apparatus

Abstract

A combined surgical drainage device and autotransfusion apparatus is provided in which a drainage device having a conventional collection chamber and suction regulating system may be readily converted into use as an autotransfusion system. The drainage apparatus has a fluid retention chamber disposed immediately beneath the inlet and a fluid outlet is provided in the bottom wall of the retention chamber with a spring pressed closure therein so that a nozzle on a collapsible autotransfusion bag may be inserted into the fluid retention chamber. The autotransfusion bag is collapsible and is provided with removable spreader means to maintain the bag in an expanded condition. When suction is applied to the drainage device, the interior of the autotransfusion bag is maintained at the desired suction level. With a tube connected to the inlet tube on the drainge device with the distal end of the tube at a surgical site, blood is drawn through the tube into the fluid retention chamber and this blood passes into the autotransfusion bag. When the bag is filled, it is removed from the drainage device and the spreaders are removed from the bag so that when the blood is reinfused to the patient through the same passageway through which the blood was fed to the autotransfusion device, the bag will collapse without any air passing into the autotransfusion bag.