Disclosed is a chest drainage system which reduces or eliminates pooling of blood/liquid and/or clogging/clotting in the drainage tube. Generally, the chest drainage system continuously monitors chest tube status and clears pooled liquid when necessary to restore negative pressure to the chest. The system may include a valve device which is located between the patient's chest tube and drainage tube and may be used with any standard chest tube. The chest drainage system also includes a controller for monitoring the pressure at or near the valve device and/or at or near the suction device, and possibly a pump for assisting in clearance of pooled liquid and/or clots. The controller may also control the valve device and/or suction device in response to pressure signals.

The present invention provides a wound dressing tubing connector, comprising a first unit and a second unit which are releasably connectable and which when connected form a fluid path through the connector, wherein the first unit comprises an inlet and an outlet and wherein the second unit comprises an inlet and an outlet, in which the outlet of the first unit and the inlet of the second unit when connected together define the fluid path, and wherein the first unit and the second unit are connectable to form an air and fluid tight seal and wherein the first unit and/or the second unit comprises a pressure regulator valve in fluid communication with the fluid path. Also provided are systems, kits and methods of treatment.

An apparatus for managing fluid buildup in an internal cavity that may allow automated or semi-automated management of fluid at the treatment site. The apparatus may include a drain fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source and a vent valve. The may further include a control system configured to operate the negative-pressure source to manage fluid buildup at the treatment site. The apparatus may be particularly advantageous for management of fluid buildup in serous cavities, such as pleural effusion or ascites.

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 portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, including a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit adapted to draw a vacuum and a canister associated with the housing. The canister has a collection bag disposed therein, which is in fluid communication with the wound dressing to receive exudates from the wound bed. The collection bag is adapted to expand upon receipt of the fluids and has means to release gas from within the collection bag in connection with operation of the control unit. With this arrangement, the canister is attitude independent, i.e., the canister may be positioned on edge, on its side or on its end etc. while still maintaining operation of the control unit. The collection bag may include a hydrophobic vent or material for releasing the gases. In another embodiment, the collection bag comprises a gas permeable material. The collection bag may include one of pleats or bellows.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, switch, interface element, and control circuitry. The negative pressure source, switch, and interface element can be disposed on or within the wound dressing. The control circuitry can be in a first or second mode. In the first mode, the control circuitry can cause supply of negative pressure in response to a first user input via the switch when the negative pressure source is not supplying negative pressure and prevent supply of negative pressure in response to the first user input while the negative pressure source is supplying negative pressure, and the control circuitry can change from the first mode to a second mode in response to a second user input via the interface element. In the second mode, the control circuitry can disable supply of negative pressure.

Method for introducing and maintaining a level of negative pressure in a body cavity of at least 80 mmHg using a tube having an elongate distal portion and a proximal portion having first and second arms, each arm having a lumen in flow communication with one another and with the body cavity via apertures at or near the distal end of the tube, wherein the first arm or tubular extension therefrom is adaptable to receive suction from a suction source. An indicator, arranged in relation to the second arm, signals when a specific negative pressure has been exceeded in the tube, or a valve, arranged in relation to the second arm, admits ambient air into the lumen of the second arm when suction is applied to the tube and differential air pressure between the air in the lumens of the tube and ambient air exceeds a specified amount.

A system and method for automatically removing by suction urine voided by a female. The system includes an integrated external catheter and suction regulator unit. The external catheter is applied at the female's urethra opening to receive urine voided by the female. The suction regulator is connected to a receptacle for collecting the urine and is operative to regulate suction applied to the canister from a hospitals' suction line to a regulated value which is applied the external female catheter, whereupon urine from the external female catheter is carried by the regulated suction through the suction regulator and into the receptacle. The external catheter includes an internal suction tube and an external removable and replaceable liquid permeable cover located on the internal suction tube. The external catheter is malleable so that it can be conformed to the anatomy of the female.

A wound therapy system includes a negative pressure circuit configured to apply negative pressure to a wound, a pump fluidly coupled to the negative pressure circuit and operable to control the negative pressure within the negative pressure circuit, a pressure sensor configured to measure the negative pressure within the negative pressure circuit or at the wound and a controller communicably coupled to the pump and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to execute a pressure testing procedure including applying a pressure stimulus to the negative pressure circuit, observe a dynamic pressure response of the negative pressure circuit to the pressure stimulus using pressure measurements recorded by the pressure sensor, and estimate a wound volume of the wound based on the dynamic pressure response.

A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, including a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit adapted to draw a vacuum and a canister associated with the housing. The canister has a collection bag disposed therein, which is in fluid communication with the wound dressing to receive exudates from the wound bed. The collection bag is adapted to expand upon receipt of the fluids and has means to release gas from within the collection bag in connection with operation of the control unit. With this arrangement, the canister is attitude independent, i.e., the canister may be positioned on edge, on its side or on its end etc. while still maintaining operation of the control unit. The collection bag may include a hydrophobic vent or material for releasing the gases. In another embodiment, the collection bag comprises a gas permeable material. The collection bag may include one of pleats or bellows.