Clearing means for a liquid drainage system

Claim 2

In a liquid drainage system having a drainage lumen, clearing means, comprising: one-way valve means connected to and in fluid communication with said drainage lumen permitting the passage of air through the valve means to the drainage lumen, while preventing the passage of fluid from the drainage lumen through the valve means; means connected to the valve means for selectively pumping air from the atmosphere through the valve means into the drainage lumen for clearing the drainage lumen of suspended liquid; and air permeable filter means within said clearing means intermediate the atmosphere and the drainage lumen for filtering the pumped air and preventing contamination to the drainage lumen.

Claim 3

The clearing means of claim 1 wherein said filter means is positioned intermediate said valve means and pump means.

Claim 4

The clearing means of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a flap valve.

Claim 5

The clearing means of claim 1 wherein said pump means comprises, a hollow flexible bulb having a cavity communicating with the valve means and an aperture communicating between the cavity and the atmosphere, said bulb being compressed by a user''s finger while cLosing the aperture to force air from the cavity through the valve means into the drainage lumen, and said bulb being released to open the aperture and permit the bulb to expand, whereby air is drawn from the atmosphere through the aperture into said cavity.

Claim 6

In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a drainage tube having a drainage lumen, an adapter, comprising: a body member having a main lumen communicating with said drainage lumen and a side arm having a channel extending through the side arm and communicating with said main lumen; one-way valve means positioned in said channel for permitting the passage of air through the valve means to the main lumen, while preventing passage of fluid from the main lumen through the valve means; a hollow flexible bulb connected to the outer end of said side arm, said bulb having a cavity communicating with the valve means and an aperture communicating between the cavity and the atmosphere, said bulb being compressed by a user''s finger with the aperture closed to force air from the cavity through the valve means into the main lumen, and said bulb being released to open the aperture and permit expansion of the bulb for drawing air from the atmosphere through the aperture into the cavity, whereby air is pumped from the atmosphere into the main lumen for clearing the drainage lumen of suspended liquid; and air permeable filter means within said system intermediate the atmosphere and the drainage lumen for filtering the pumped air and preventing contamination to the drainage system.

Claim 7

In a liquid drainage system including a catheter and a drainage tube having a drainage lumen, an adapter, comprising: a body member having a main lumen communicating with said drainage lumen and a side arm having a channel extending through the side arm and communicating with said main lumen; one-way valve means positioned in said channel for permitting the passage of air through the valve means to the main lumen, while preventing passage of fluid from the main lumen through the valve means; a hollow flexible bulb connected to the outer end of said side arm, said bulb having a cavity communicating with the valve means and an aperture communicating between the cavity and the atmosphere, said bulb being compressed by a user''s finger with the aperture closed to force air from the cavity through the valve means into the main lumen, and said bulb being released to open the aperture and permit expansion of the bulb for drawing air from the atmosphere through the aperture into the cavity, whereby air is pumped from the atmosphere into the main lumen for clearing the drainage lumen of suspended liquid; and air permeable filter means within said system intermediate the atmosphere and the drainage lumen for filtering the pumped air and preventing contamination to the drainage system.

Claim 8

The adapter of claim 5 wherein said valve means comprises a flap valve.

Claim 9

The adapter of claim 5 wherein said filter means is positioned intermediate the cavity and the valve means.

Claim 10

The adapter of claim 5 wherein said bulb includes a slanted portion facing generally outwardly from the drainage system, said slanted portion including said aperture and defining a convenient surface for compression of the bulb with the user''s finger.