A cardiothoracic drainage device includes a collection unit adapted to contain a cardiothoracic liquid drained from the chest of a patient; a main unit adapted to contain the components of the drainage device and to measure the cardiothoracic liquid contained in the collection unit; and a connection tube associated with the collection unit, with the main unit and with the drainage tube.

The main unit includes inside it: a suction pump; a normally closed electric valve; an interface component adapted to receive inputs by the user and to supply outputs for the user; an electronic control and management component adapted to control the functions of the drainage device; and a pressure sensor component operatively connected to the electronic control and management component.

A low-cost and simple-to-use system and method to facilitate a prophylactic pleural lavage protocol at the time of thoracostomy tube placement for traumatic hemothorax in order to reduce the need for secondary intervention for the management of retained hemothorax. The invention may be used in conjunction with existing chest tubes and be administered at the time of initial chest tube placement, and continued at the bedside (by a bedside nurse) over the duration of chest drainage, as necessary. The system includes an operator device that semi-automatically administers a pleural lavage protocol consisting of saline instillation, and suction to slow the clotting process, prevent gelling of blood, and maintain drainability.

A low-cost and simple-to-use system and method to facilitate a prophylactic pleural lavage protocol at the time of thoracostomy tube placement for traumatic hemothorax in order to reduce the need for secondary intervention for the management of retained hemothorax. The invention may be used in conjunction with existing chest tubes and be administered at the time of initial chest tube placement, and continued at the bedside (by a bedside nurse) over the duration of chest drainage, as necessary. The system includes an operator device that semi-automatically administers a pleural lavage protocol consisting of saline instillation, and suction to slow the clotting process, prevent gelling of blood, and maintain drainability.

The human chest cavity is lined with membranes referred to as the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura. The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity itself, while the viscera pleura is the membrane that lines the lungs. The space between the two membranes is called the intrapleural space or the pleural space. It normally has a small amount of fluid within it in a healthy individual. This fluid is drained and regulated by the lymphatic system and provides lubrication and cohesion between the pleura for normal lung function. Embodiments described herein are directed to a positioning device that can be inserted into a chest tube to facilitate positioning of the chest tube in a desired location for improve drainage of fluid from the chest space.

The human chest cavity is lined with membranes referred to as the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura. The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity itself, while the viscera pleura is the membrane that lines the lungs. The space between the two membranes is called the intrapleural space or the pleural space. It normally has a small amount of fluid within it in a healthy individual. This fluid is drained and regulated by the lymphatic system and provides lubrication and cohesion between the pleura for normal lung function. Embodiments described herein are directed to a positioning device that can be inserted into a chest tube to facilitate positioning of the chest tube in a desired location for improve drainage of fluid from the chest space.

Devices and to methods for thoracic drainage for a patient having an air fistula. A vacuum is produced in the pleural cavity of the patient by means of a suction device. In order to adjust the vacuum on the basis of objective criteria, a suitable size measure for the air fistula is determined and the vacuum produced by the suction device is controlled according to said size measure. An adaptive algorithm includes: (a) determining a first value of a size measure for the air fistula; (b) changing the vacuum by a first difference value; (c) determining a second value of the size measure after a first waiting period; (d) changing the vacuum by a second difference value having the opposite sign if the second measure is greater than the first measure; (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) after a second waiting period.

Devices and to methods for thoracic drainage for a patient having an air fistula. A vacuum is produced in the pleural cavity of the patient by means of a suction device. In order to adjust the vacuum on the basis of objective criteria, a suitable size measure for the air fistula is determined and the vacuum produced by the suction device is controlled according to said size measure. An adaptive algorithm includes: (a) determining a first value of a size measure for the air fistula; (b) changing the vacuum by a first difference value; (c) determining a second value of the size measure after a first waiting period; (d) changing the vacuum by a second difference value having the opposite sign if the second measure is greater than the first measure; (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) after a second waiting period.

An improved method and device are provided for forming and/or maintaining a percutaneous access pathway. The device generally comprises at least one of three type of components: access pathway, insertion device, and attachment device. In one embodiment, the device is used to form and/or maintain a percutaneous access pathway into the pleural cavity (i.e. tube thoracostomy). The provided assembly substantially reduces the possibility of iatrogenic infection while accessing and/or re-accessing a body space.

An improved method and device are provided for forming and/or maintaining a percutaneous access pathway. The device generally comprises at least one of three type of components: access pathway, insertion device, and attachment device. In one embodiment, the device is used to form and/or maintain a percutaneous access pathway into the pleural cavity (i.e. tube thoracostomy). The provided assembly substantially reduces the possibility of iatrogenic infection while accessing and/or re-accessing a body space.

A neonatal pneumothorax decompression device is disclosed. The device comprises a needle stabilizer, a pressure indicator, and a fluid evacuation pump. The needle stabilizer is configured to facilitate insertion of the needle into a subject's pleural cavity and to hold a needle at an adjustable length. The pressure indicator is coupled to the proximal end of the needle stabilizer and is configured to visibly display pressure within the subject's pleural cavity. The fluid evacuation pump is configured to be actuated by a user to evacuate air or fluid from the subject's pleural cavity through the needle. The fluid evacuation pump is proximally coupled to the pressure indicator and the needle stabilizer.