A drainage device and method of draining a biological fluid from the body of a patient is disclosed. The drainage device includes a drainage tube, a pressure relief assembly, a cleaner assembly, and a housing. The drainage tube includes an array of apertures in it through which biological fluid from the patient can flow for collection by a collection canister. The cleaner assembly includes a squeegee unit configured to be pulled in a proximal direction from a distally located position in the drainage tube to scrape any biological material adhering on the inner surface of the drainage tube and carry it to the collection canister. The pressure relief assembly serves to equalize the pressure in the drainage tube as it is being cleaned. The squeegee unit also acts as a pressure relief valve to equalize the pressure within the drainage tube when the squeegee unit is retracted back to its distally located position.

A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a includes at least one fitting through which waste is drawn into the manifold. The fitting opens through an inlet port into a void space internal to the manifold. The manifold includes a drip stop.

A flapper valve assembly with a hub to which plural flapper valves are pivotally attached. The hub includes a through hole to which a fastening component can be attached. On each of the major faces of the hub a rib extends circumferentially around the through hole. The ribs are compressible so as to provide a seal around the through hole. In many versions of the invention, the hub, the ribs, the hinges and valves are formed from a single piece of compressible, flexible material. Often in these versions of the invention, the hinges have a cross-section thickness greater than the thickness of the hub and valves.

A medical/surgical waste collection rover includes a first waste container disposed on a portable cart and receiving waste under the influence of a vacuum. A fluid measuring system includes a float element disposed within the first waste container, and a controller causing liquid in a reservoir disposed on the cart to prefill the first waste container and subject the float element to an initial lifting to a zero point level. The fluid measuring system determines a volume of contents within the first waste container based on a position of the float element relative to the zero point level. The fluid measuring system may include a sensor rod extending through the first waste container and a second waste container disposed on the cart and separated from the first waste container by a transfer valve. Methods of estimating the volume of liquid and/or medical/surgical waste within the waste container are also provided.

An apparatus and method for managing reduced pressure at a tissue site are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pump for supplying reduced pressure to the tissue site, a motor coupled to the pump to propel the pump, and a drive system electrically coupled to the motor that includes a power source that provides a source of direct current power to the motor during an operational period at a substantially constant current and of sufficient magnitude to supply a targeted reduced pressure during the operational period. The drive system also includes a controller that monitors the pump's loading on the motor by measuring the voltage across the motor to determine whether the motor voltage remains within a predetermined operational range of voltages necessary for maintaining the reduced pressure supplied by the pump proximate to the targeted reduced pressure without directly measuring the reduced pressure using a pressure sensor.

Devices, systems, and methods for treatment of an eye alter aspiration flow from the eye in response to an occlusion of the aspiration conduit pathway. Where aspiration is drawn from the eye using a volumetric pump, the pump can be reversed so as to induce fluid reflux from the aspiration conduit pathway into the eye to help clear the occlusion. The pump may vary the reverse flow in response to sensed aspiration pressure or the like, and the reverse flow may be halted before the pressure within the aspiration conduit pathway adjacent the eye significantly exceeds the irrigation fluid pressure and/or the pressure within the eye. Reflux may alternatively be generated by modulating a vent valve disposed between an irrigation conduit pathway and the aspiration conduit pathway.

A digitally controlled aspirator is provided with a processor that allows the user to select operating conditions including one or more default settings. The processor further includes sensors for sensing operational and environmental conditions and adjusts the operation of the aspirator to reflect the sensed conditions.

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for the application of negative pressure to a desired location. The apparatus comprises a flexible member comprising a fluid impermeable outer membrane defining an internal cavity and one or more compressible members disposed therein and configured to exert an expansion force within the internal cavity that applies a desired level of negative pressure to the wound.

A system includes an anti-vacuum surge (AVS) mechanism and a processor. The AVS mechanism is configured to suppress a vacuum surge during the phacoemulsification procedure. The processor is configured to (i) during the phacoemulsification procedure, receive pressure readings from one or more sensors, (ii) using the pressure readings, estimate an occurrence of a vacuum surge, and (iii) upon estimating the occurrence of the vacuum surge, activate the AVS mechanism in a predefined pulsed manner to suppress the vacuum surge.