Chest tube drainage system with analyzer

• US 10,220,121 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2017
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northwestern University
• Original Assignee: Northwestern University
• Inventors: Bharat, Ankit
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcetich, Adam
• Application Number:
  US15/404,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20170119938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/61 Two- or three-bottle systems for underwater drainage, e.g. for chest cavity drainage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/86 Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1005 with O2 features or with parameter measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/101 Pleural cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1025 Respiratory system A61M2210/0618 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1039 Lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83

Abstract

A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Claims

1. A method of determining if it is proper for a chest tube to be removed, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a gas at a point downstream of a liquid seal in a chest tube drainage system connected to the chest tube, the gas having leaked from a lung into the pleural space, the gas selected from the group consisting of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen;

determining if an upper threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded at the point downstream of the liquid seal; and

removing the chest tube if the upper threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

administering supplemental oxygen if the upper threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

applying suction of higher intensity through the chest tube if the upper threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining if a threshold level of oxygen is exceeded in the chest tube drainage system; and

removing the chest tube if the threshold level of oxygen is not exceeded.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

administering additional supplemental oxygen if the threshold level of oxygen is exceeded.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

applying suction of higher intensity through the chest tube if the threshold level of oxygen is exceeded.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

administering supplemental oxygen if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded;

determining if a threshold level of oxygen is exceeded in the chest tube drainage system after administering supplemental oxygen; and

removing the chest tube if the threshold level of oxygen is not exceeded.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

disposing a clamp between the chest tube and the chest tube drainage system;

determining if a threshold pressure is exceeded between the clamp and a patient'"'"'s chest cavity; and

removing the chest tube if the threshold pressure is not exceeded.