Devices and methods for managing chest drainage

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drainage assembly, including:
 a suction device configured to generate a negative pressure;   a first lumen configured for insertion into a patient body;   a second lumen configured for insertion into the patient body and fluidly coupled to the suction device;   a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the first lumen and to the second lumen, wherein the valve assembly includes at least a first valve having a closed configuration where the negative pressure generated by the suction device is maintained within the second lumen, and the first valve further having an open configuration where the first valve is opened automatically based on a pressure differential across the first valve such that negative pressure draws air from an environment and through the first and second lumens; and   a controller programmed to increase the negative pressure to clear an obstruction within the second lumen, wherein the controller is further programmed to decrease the negative pressure within the second lumen after increasing the negative pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the drainage assembly includes a chest tube. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second lumen is fluidly coupled to a drainage tube. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  further including a drainage container in fluid communication with the second lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to increase the negative pressure upon detection of the obstruction. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to continuously monitor the pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to intermittently actuate the first valve into its open configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to monitor the pressure in the valve assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to monitor the pressure in proximity to the suction device. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to monitor the pressure in the second lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the controller is programmed to monitor the pressure in proximity to a chest of the patient body. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the controller is programmed to monitor the pressure in proximity to a chest tube of the drainage assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A method for draining a body lumen, including:
 applying a negative pressure to a second lumen inserted into a patient body;   drawing a fluid from the patient body via the second lumen and through the second lumen in fluid communication with a first lumen;   increasing the negative pressure to clear an obstruction from the second lumen;   actuating a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the first lumen and to the second lumen upon a pressure differential forming across at least a first valve in the valve assembly such that the at least a first valve actuates automatically from a closed configuration, where the negative pressure is maintained within the second lumen, and into an open configuration, where the negative pressure draws air into the first lumen from an environment and through the second lumen; and   decreasing the negative pressure within the second lumen after increasing the negative pressure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein prior to actuating a valve assembly, further including monitoring via a pressure sensor for a decrease in the negative pressure as indicative of an obstruction within the second lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein actuating a valve assembly includes actuating via a controller in communication with the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further including introducing a chest tube into the patient body prior to applying a negative pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further including draining the fluid into a drainage container in fluid communication with the second lumen. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein prior to actuating a valve assembly further includes monitoring via a pressure sensor for an indication of the obstruction within the second lumen. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein prior to actuating a valve assembly further including monitoring for an increase or decrease in pressure depending on a location of a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein monitoring via a pressure sensor includes continuously monitor the pressure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13  wherein actuating a valve assembly includes intermittently actuating the first valve into its open configuration. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  further including monitoring the pressure in the valve assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13  further including monitoring the pressure in proximity to the suction device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13  further including monitoring the pressure in the second lumen. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13  further including monitoring the pressure in proximity to a chest of the patient body. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13  further including monitoring the pressure in proximity to a chest tube of the drainage assembly.