Pressure gauge display for chest drainage unit

Abstract

A pressure indicator for a chest drainage device includes an outer casing with a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions defining first and second openings. A flexible element is disposed inside the outer casing to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening. An indicator element is disposed inside the outer casing configured to translate along the longitudinal axis. The flexible element, indicator element and outer casing together define a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening. A force resistance element is placed in the casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings. The pressure indicator is placed inside the chest drainage device to be viewable from multiple angles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the separate components of a modular chest drainage device prior to final assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a modular chest drainage device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, shown as assembled without the face plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a flow control module in the chest drainage assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pressure indicator device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a longitudinal view of a pressure indicator of the present invention taken along section 6-6 in FIG. 5, showing the indicator in fully expanded position.

FIG. 6B is another view of the indicator shown in FIG. 6A, showing the indicator in a contracted position.

FIG. 7 is a detail front view showing a pressure indicator of the present invention installed and positioned inside a modular chest drainage device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, shown as assembled without the face plate, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a pressure indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of another embodiment of a chest drainage assembly.

FIG. 10A is a top view of the chest drainage assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the pressure gauge display in the top view of the chest drainage assembly shown in FIG. 9.

Claims

1. A pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly, comprising: a pressure indicator device; anda chest drainage assembly housing body enclosing the pressure indicator device, the housing body defining a plurality of windows through which the pressure indicator device can be viewed.

2. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing body defines a front face and a top face, the front face being substantially aligned along a first plane and the top face being substantially aligned along a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the plurality of windows including a first window defined on the front face and a second window defined on the top face.

3. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 1, the chest drainage assembly further comprising: a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port, anda conduit coupling the pressure indicator device with the collection chamber, the pressure indicator device reading a pressure in the collection chamber.

4. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 1, the pressure indicator device further comprising: an outer casing having a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions defining first and second openings, respectively,a flexible element disposed inside the outer casing defining a base open end being attached to the second end portion of the outer casing around the second opening to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening,an indicator element disposed inside the outer casing configured to translate along the longitudinal axis, the flexible element, indicator element and outer casing together defining a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening, anda force resistance element disposed inside the outer casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings.

5. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 4, the chest drainage assembly further comprising: a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port, anda conduit coupling the second opening of the outer casing of the pressure indicator device with the collection chamber, the pressure indicator device reading a pressure in the collection chamber.

6. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 4, wherein the force resistance element is a linear force resistance element.

7. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage assembly of claim 4, wherein the flexible element is a collapsible and expandable membrane.

8. A pressure indicator in a chest drainage device, comprising: a pressure indicator means; anda housing enclosing the pressure indicator means, the housing defining a plurality of viewing angles for viewing a pressure indicator element in said pressure indicator means.

9. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage device of claim 8, wherein the housing defines a front face and a top face, the front face being substantially aligned along a first plane and the top face being substantially aligned along a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the plurality of viewing angles including a first viewing angle through the front face and a second viewing angle through the top face.

10. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage device of claim 9, wherein the chest drainage device defines a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion defining a surface upon which the chest drainage device can stand, the top face being disposed on the top portion of the chest drainage device and substantially opposite the surface upon which the chest drainage device can stand.

11. The pressure indicator in a chest drainage device of claim 8, further comprising: a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port, anda conduit coupling the pressure indicator means with the collection chamber, the pressure indicator means reading a pressure in the collection chamber.

12. A chest drainage assembly, comprising: a pressure gauge having pressure indicator element translating along a longitudinal axis;an assembly housing enclosing the pressure gauge, the assembly housing defining a top face defining a display for viewing the pressure indicator element.

13. The chest drainage assembly of claim 12, wherein the assembly housing body defines a front face, the front face being substantially aligned along a first plane and the top face being substantially aligned along a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the front face defining an additional display for viewing the pressure indicator element.

14. The chest drainage assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port, anda conduit coupling the pressure gauge with the collection chamber, the pressure gauge reading a pressure in the collection chamber.

15. The chest drainage assembly of claim 12, the pressure gauge further comprising: an outer casing aligned along the longitudinal axis and having first and second end portions defining first and second openings, respectively,a flexible element disposed inside the outer casing defining a base open end being attached to the second end portion of the outer casing around the second opening to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening,the pressure indicator element being disposed inside the outer casing, the flexible element, pressure indicator element and outer casing together defining a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening, anda force resistance element disposed inside the outer casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings.

16. The chest drainage assembly of claim 15, the chest drainage assembly further comprising: a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port,the second opening of the outer casing of the pressure gauge being coupled in fluid communication with the collection chamber, the pressure gauge reading a pressure in the collection chamber.

17. The chest drainage assembly of claim 15, wherein the force resistance element is a linear force resistance element.

18. The chest drainage assembly of claim 15, wherein the flexible element is a collapsible and expandable membrane.