Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids
Inventors
BURNETT, Daniel R. • Keenan, Rich • Sokolov, Dimitri • Boyd, Stephen • Williams, Martin • VENKATESWARA-RAO, Kondapavulur • Arney, Michelle
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10391275-B2
Publication Date
2019-08-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids are disclosed in which a drainage assembly is configured to prevent negative pressure build-up. The drainage assembly generally includes a catheter which may include a drainage lumen, a reservoir, a venting mechanism in fluid communication with the drainage lumen and a positive pressure lumen, and a controller. The venting mechanism may further include a valve which is configured to maintain a closed position, as well as a vent in fluid communication with the valve, where the venting mechanism is configured to inhibit wetting of the vent from fluid within the drainage lumen.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a drainage assembly configured to prevent negative pressure build-up in an elongate catheter system. It includes an elongate catheter having at least one opening near or at a first end in fluid communication with a catheter lumen, and a drainage lumen in fluid communication with a second end of the catheter. The assembly further includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the drainage lumen, where the reservoir defines a tortuous path that inhibits bubbles from flowing through the tortuous path.
To manage excess fluid, the reservoir is provided with an overflow area in fluid communication with the reservoir, configured to drain fluid from the reservoir when excess fluid enters into the reservoir. For venting, a venting mechanism is coupled to the drainage lumen and includes a vent tube, and is configured to inhibit wetting of a vent from fluid within the drainage lumen. The venting mechanism works together with a valve positioned within the venting mechanism that is maintained in a closed position until a first pressure level is dropped to a second pressure level, at which time the valve moves to an open position.
A controller in communication with the reservoir applies negative pressure to the drainage lumen to drop the first pressure level to the second pressure level so the valve moves to the open position. The controller is further configured to determine a fluid volume collected within the reservoir. The disclosure thus combines a tortuous reservoir bubble-inhibition structure, overflow drainage, and a venting/valve pressure-triggered mechanism with negative-pressure control for drainage assembly operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims (independent claims clm-00001 and clm-00024). Across these claims, the coverage centers on a negative-pressure drainage assembly that uses a tortuous reservoir to inhibit bubbles, an overflow area for excess fluid, and a venting mechanism with a vent tube and a valve that opens when pressure drops from a first pressure level to a second pressure level, while a controller determines collected fluid volume.
Tortuous reservoir path inhibiting bubbles with overflow area drainage
A reservoir in fluid communication with the drainage lumen, wherein the reservoir defines a tortuous path which inhibits bubbles from flowing through the tortuous path, and an overflow area in fluid communication with the reservoir configured to drain fluid from the reservoir when excess fluid enters into the reservoir.
Venting mechanism with vent tube configured to inhibit vent wetting
A venting mechanism in fluid communication with the drainage lumen, wherein the venting mechanism includes a vent tube, and the venting mechanism is configured to inhibit wetting of a vent from fluid within the drainage lumen.
Valve pressure-level trigger for opening venting
A valve positioned within the venting mechanism and configured to maintain a closed position until a first pressure level within the drainage lumen is dropped to a second pressure level such that the valve moves to an open position.
Controller applies negative pressure to open valve and determine collected volume
A controller in communication with the reservoir, configured to apply a negative pressure to the drainage lumen to drop the first pressure level to the second pressure level such that the valve is moved to the open position, and further configured to determine a fluid volume collected within the reservoir.
Controller-controlled valve between closed and open positions based on pressure drop
A valve configurable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the controller is configured to apply a negative pressure to the drainage lumen such that the valve moves from the closed position to the open position when a first pressure level imparted upon the valve is dropped by the controller to a second pressure level.
The independent claims collectively require a catheter drainage lumen with a reservoir having a tortuous path inhibiting bubble flow, an overflow area that drains excess fluid entering the reservoir, a venting mechanism with a vent tube configured to inhibit wetting of the vent, and a controller that applies negative pressure to move a valve from a closed to an open position when pressure drops from a first to a second pressure level, while determining fluid volume collected within the reservoir.
Stated Advantages
Prevents negative pressure build-up.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?