Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “η” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

A wound therapy system includes a dressing sealable over a wound and defining a wound space between the dressing and the wound, tubing fluidly communicable with the wound space, and a canister fluidly communicable with the tubing. The canister, the tubing, and the dressing define a sealed space that includes the wound space. The wound therapy system also includes a therapy unit coupled to the canister. The therapy unit includes a sensor configured to measure a pressure in the sealed space, a valve positioned between the sealed space and a surrounding environment and controllable between an open position and a closed position, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the valve to alternate between the open position and the closed position to allow airflow through the valve, receive measurements from the sensor, and determine a volume of the wound space based on the measurements.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a collection canister, outflow tubing coupled between the surgical instrument and the collection canister to define an outflow path from the surgical instrument to the collection canister, and a control console. The outflow tubing includes a valve module including a controllable valve disposed within the outflow path to selectively control flow therealong. The control console is configured to control operation of the surgical instrument and to control the controllable valve.

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a collection canister, outflow tubing coupled between the surgical instrument and the collection canister to define an outflow path from the surgical instrument to the collection canister, and a control console. The outflow tubing includes a valve module including a controllable valve disposed within the outflow path to selectively control flow therealong. The control console is configured to control operation of the surgical instrument and to control the controllable valve.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “η” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “η” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.

Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids are disclosed in which a drainage assembly is configured to prevent negative pressure build-up. The drainage assembly generally includes a catheter which may include a drainage lumen, a reservoir, a venting mechanism in fluid communication with the drainage lumen and a positive pressure lumen, and a controller. The venting mechanism may further include a valve which is configured to maintain a closed position, as well as a vent in fluid communication with the valve, where the venting mechanism is configured to inhibit wetting of the vent from fluid within the drainage lumen.

Fluid management systems are disclosed that include software-controlled, electro-mechanical devices used in combination with single-use or multi-use tubing sets. Functions of the fluid management systems can include fluid pressurization, fluid warming, fluid deficit monitoring (including flow-based and weight-based), suction, fluid collection, and fluid evacuation (including indirect-to-drain and direct-to-drain options). The systems can be configured based on the surgical environment (e.g., operating room or physician office) as well as other user needs and/or preferences.