This device is used to clear clots and blockages from chest drainage tubes. This invention relates to patient safety after open-heart surgical procedures, wherein postoperative drainage from the surgical site is a critical component of care. Blocked drainage tubes can cause dangerous retained blood complications, most notably, cardiac tamponade, which essentially smothers the heart.

The present invention provides a saliva evacuator system for removing saliva, and optionally debris, from the mouth of a dental patient. The saliva evacuator system includes a vacuum pump, a flexible tubing connected at one end to the vacuum pump, and a tip assembly at the other end of the tubing, the tip assembly carrying a vacuum on/off valve. The on/off valve is positioned so that the on/off valve remains outside of the patient's mouth when the tip assembly is inserted into the patient's mouth. The on/off valve is a single-piece body push valve that is transversely movable within a hollow body of the tip assembly and is retained on the hollow by opposite ends of the on/off valve. One end of the on/off valve preferably clips onto the hollow body. The tip assembly can include a saliva ejector tip, a high-volume evacuator tip or a surgical high-volume evacuator tip.

A portable negative-pressure device including a housing, a piston, a barrier layer and a spring means for forming a first collection chamber and a second collection chamber having a variable volume to form a pressure-reducing region is provided. In the situation of that the exudates have been stored in the first collection chamber, the portable negative-pressure device can still maintain a sufficient negative pressure by continuously compressing the piston, and the second collection chamber will provide an additional liquid storage space.

A filtration system for use in connection with a central vacuum system in a hospital or other medical facility. In certain aspects, the filtration system comprises a removable filter for removing contaminants; a fitting adapted for connection to a central vacuum source/system which provides constant suction, which fitting is positioned between the filter and the central vacuum source; a flow control valve positioned between the filter and the fitting; wherein the relative positions of the fitting, flow valve and filter prevent contaminants from being discharged into the central vacuum system. In other aspects, the system provides variable filter life based upon variable flow.

A flushing and aspirating device includes a device housing with an aspirating channel, a flushing channel, a flushing and aspirating channel and a valve chamber in which the channels empty or emerge therefrom, respectively. A manually operable valve push button is movably guided in the valve chamber against the force of a reset spring and which has at least one sealing section for controlling the connection of the flushing and aspirating channel to the aspirating channel and/or the flushing channel. The valve push button including the at least one sealing section is formed as a single piece of an elastic rubber material, such as silicone.

Airway adapters and suction catheter systems, and methods of using the same, are described herein. An exemplary airway adapter assembly may comprise a connector body portion having a first end and a second end. The connector body portion may define an elongate cavity having an axial center between the first and the second end. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a valve coupled to the second end of the connector body. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a ventilation base member comprising a tubular portion coupled to the second end of the connector body portion and ventilator port. The ventilator port may comprises a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, and the first conduit end may be coupled to the tubular portion through an articulable connection. An exemplary closed suction catheter system may comprise a suction control valve assembly and a closed suction catheter sheath.

A cleaning catheter (200) insertable into a tracheal ventilation tube (160) and an input module (156) are provided for use with a suction source (601), the input module (156) coupled to the cleaning catheter (200) and including (i) an inflation module (330), including an inflation chamber (335) separate from the suction source (601); (ii) a flow regulator (700), configured to assume first and second fluid-control states; and (iii) a mechanical user control element (320), which is configured (a) to mechanically and non-electrically set the fluid-control states, (b) to assume first and second configurations, and (c) to mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in an interior of an inflation chamber (335) during a transition of the mechanical user control element (320) from the first configuration to the second configuration. The flow regulator (700), when in the first fluid-control state connects the suction source (601) and an interior of an inflatable element (588) of the cleaning catheter (200) in fluid communication to deflate the inflatable element (588).

Airway adapters and suction catheter systems, and methods of using the same, are described herein. An exemplary airway adapter assembly may comprise a connector body portion having a first end and a second end. The connector body portion may define an elongate cavity having an axial center between the first and the second end. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a valve coupled to the second end of the connector body. The exemplary airway adapter assembly may also comprise a ventilation base member comprising a tubular portion coupled to the second end of the connector body portion and ventilator port. The ventilator port may comprises a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, and the first conduit end may be coupled to the tubular portion through an articulable connection. An exemplary closed suction catheter system may comprise a suction control valve assembly and a closed suction catheter sheath.

A fluid flow controller includes a first body portion defining a receiving surface, a second body portion, and a fluid transfer device. The second body portion includes a controller engagement member, and is configured to couple to the first body portion such that the controller engagement member faces and is spaced from an engagement point of the receiving surface. The controller engagement member is configured to be adjusted from a first distance to a second distance closer to the engagement point than the first distance based on a force applied by a foot pedal apparatus. The fluid transfer device defines a flow channel configured to be adjusted from defining a first cross sectional area to a second, lesser cross sectional area while the controller engagement member is in contact with the first fluid transfer device and adjusted towards the second distance in response to the applied force.

The present invention relates to an introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes a sheath and a hub assembly interconnected with the proximal end of the sheath, the hub assembly including a body defining an interior passageway in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath, the body having a proximal end and a distal end. A valve assembly is positioned within the interior passageway of the body, the valve assembly having a valve member, the valve member being at least partially movable from a first position to a second position with respect to the valve collar. A vacuum chamber positioned distal to the valve assembly and in fluid communication with the interior passageway of the body and the lumen of the sheath, the vacuum chamber including a vacuum port.