Inventors:
Joseph W. Blake - New Canaan CT
International Classification:
A61M 100
Abstract:
An article useful in the suction-assisted removal of fluids, including gases, such as air, and liquids, such as blood, from a body cavity which will prevent flow of gases therethrough into said cavity without the intervention of any liquid seals, in the event the pressure within said cavity becomes negative relative to the pressure at the discharge end of said article comprising a cap assembly, for fluid connection to said cavity and an accumulation chamber, for applying a controlled suction to said cavity, said assembly comprising a horizontal wall comprising at its periphery and normal thereto an annular wall for attachment to a liquid collection container surrounding said accumulation chamber; inlet means in fluid connection with said cavity, and, as desired, a liquid accumulation chamber or the atmosphere, through which said fluids may pass when the pressure within the cavity is greater than at the discharge end of said means; first one-way valve means associated with the discharge end of said inlet means for passing of said fluids from said cavity when the pressure in said cavity is positive relative to the pressure at the discharge end of said valve and which is closed when said cavity pressure is negative relative to the pressure at the discharge end of the valve to prevent flow of gases through said assembly into said cavity and negative pressure indicating means for measuring negative pressure in said cavity when said one-way valve means operates to seal its associated inlet means.