Apparatus and method for collecting body fluids

Claim 1

A closed drainage apparatus for collecting and administering to a patient liquids suctioned from body and tissue cavities comprising: suctioning means, in communication with the body and tissue cavities, for suctioning and receiving liquids and gases from the cavities, said suctioning means comprising a resilient container which is compressible to create a suctioning force as it returns to its normal expanded condition; reservoir means, for receiving and storing excess liquids from said suctioning means; a conduit, in communication with said reservoir, for transporting liquids from said reservoir to the patient; and means, circumscribing said reservoir means, for applying pressure to said reservoir means to drive the collected fluids from said reservoir means through said conduit, said pressure applying means comprising an impervious flexible bag which circumscribes said reservoir means to establish an airtight pressure interface in the space between the outside wall of said reservoir means and the inside wall of said container, and means for inflating said airtight pressure interface.