Modular thoracic drainage device

Claim 1

A thoracic drainage apparatus comprising first and second hollow plastic members each having an internal chamber, each of said members having integral connector means connecting the chambers of said members in fluid communication with each other, the chamber of said first member having an inlet adapted to bE connected in fluid communication with a cavity of a patient for receiving drainage fluid from the cavity, the chamber of said second member being partitioned by an integral wall into first and second channels interconnected at the lower ends thereof for receiving a liquid, a gas outlet, measn for connecting a source of negative pressure to said gas outlet, said first channel being connected in fluid communication with the chamber of said first member and said second channel being connected in fluid communication with said gas outlet whereby gas from the cavity can pass through the liquid to the outlet, a third hollow plastic member defining a pressure regulating manometer chamber with an integral wall dividing it into first and second channels interconnected at the lower ends thereof for receiving a liquid, integral connector means on said third member for connecting said first manometer channel in fluid communication with said second channel of second member, said second manometer channel being open to atmosphere whereby said third member is adapted to limit the pressure at the gas outlet, a fourth hollow plastic member having a chamber divided by an integral wall into firat and second channels interconnected at the lower ends thereof and adapted to receive a liquid, said first channel of said fourth member having integral connector means for connection with said chamber of said first member, said second channel of said fourth member being connected to atmosphere, and means for locking said members together to prevent separation thereof.