A chest drainage tube

Abstract

This invention discloses a chest drainage tube, comprising a drainage tube body, an air bladder, and an inflation tube. The air bladder is installed at the drainage tube body, and the inflation tube is connected to the air bladder and can inflate or deflat the air bladder. The air bladder is installed at the front end of the drainage tube body. The drainage tube body has multiple drainage side holes; the air bladder is closer to the front end of the drainage tube body than any of the drainage side holes. The chest drainage tube of this application can form a flexible buffer layer after the air bladder is inflated, which can effectively reduce the direct friction between the rigid chest tube and the pleura, lung tissue, and chest wall. It can also integrate chest drainage and respiratory monitoring functions, and the waveform signal obtained by the sound sensor can determine the extubation indication in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the application of closed chest drainage tubes in cardiothoracic surgery, specifically to a chest drainage tube. Background Technology

[0002] Thoracic drainage is a common treatment in cardiothoracic surgery, critical care medicine, and emergency medicine. It is primarily used to drain gas, fluid, or blood from the pleural cavity to restore negative pressure and promote lung re-expansion. Current thoracic drainage devices typically include a chest drainage tube, a drainage bottle, and a negative pressure suction system. The chest drainage tube is inserted into the pleural cavity through a chest wall puncture and drains gas or fluid through a side port.

[0003] Currently, most clinically used chest drainage tubes are made of materials such as silicone, polyurethane, or PVC. Their main structure includes the tube body, side holes, connectors, and fixation devices. To ensure unobstructed drainage, existing chest tubes typically need a certain degree of rigidity and support to prevent collapse. Some products feature external markings, anti-bending structures, or multi-hole drainage areas to improve drainage effectiveness. On the other hand, monitoring postoperative respiratory function in patients currently relies primarily on independent monitoring equipment, such as stethoscopes, bedside monitors, respiratory waveform monitoring devices, and imaging examinations. Doctors use a stethoscope to intermittently auscultate the patient's lungs to determine the presence of abnormalities such as moist rales, pneumothorax, and atelectasis; some critically ill patients require continuous monitoring using electronic auscultation equipment or respiratory monitoring systems. However, existing drainage tubes have the following drawbacks: 1) Existing chest drainage tubes cause significant irritation to the chest wall and pleura, resulting in substantial pain for patients: To ensure unobstructed drainage, currently used chest drainage tubes are typically rigid. During breathing, turning, or coughing, these rigid tubes continuously rub against the chest wall tissue and pleura, causing significant pain and a foreign body sensation. This is especially pronounced in the area where the tube tip contacts the pleural tissue, where the lack of a cushioning structure exacerbates the local mechanical irritation. Furthermore, existing chest tubes usually rely directly on the tube itself for contact with the tissue, failing to adapt flexibly to changes in the pleural environment. Therefore, patients are prone to local inflammation and decreased comfort during long-term placement.

[0004] 2) Existing chest drainage systems lack real-time breath sound monitoring: Current chest drainage devices are primarily used for fluid or gas drainage, and their structural design focuses on drainage efficiency, without integrating respiratory status monitoring functions. Doctors typically still rely on traditional stethoscopes for intermittent manual auscultation, making continuous dynamic monitoring impossible. Since breath sound monitoring and chest drainage are two independent systems, it is difficult to detect abnormal changes in lung breath sounds in a timely manner, such as moist rales, decreased breathing, or abnormal vibrations. This is especially problematic for critically ill or postoperative patients; the inability to obtain real-time respiratory waveforms and breath murmur information may delay diagnosis.

[0005] 3) Traditional external respiratory monitoring devices are susceptible to interference and lack monitoring stability: Most existing respiratory sound acquisition devices are placed on the skin surface, and the sound signal needs to be transmitted through the chest wall tissue before being received by the sensor. Therefore, they are easily affected by factors such as skin friction, environmental noise, and changes in patient position. At the same time, due to the thick tissue gap between the sensor and the lung tissue, the respiratory vibration signal is significantly attenuated, especially for weak breath sounds or sounds from deep lung tissue, resulting in low detection sensitivity and affecting monitoring accuracy.

[0006] 4) In addition, the current drainage tube system requires lung auscultation and X-ray imaging to rule out air leaks and pleural effusion. After that, the drainage tube is clamped for 4-6 hours before it can be removed. Drainage tubes based on real-time breath sound monitoring can guide us to make the correct choice of extubation timing in real time. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a chest drainage tube. Technical solution: A chest drainage tube includes a drainage tube body, an air bladder, and an inflation tube. The air bladder is installed at the drainage tube body, and the inflation tube is connected to the air bladder and can inflate or de-inflate the air bladder.

[0008] In some embodiments, the airbag is a spherical airbag when inflated.

[0009] Furthermore, the main body of the drainage tube passes through the airbag, and the airbag is installed at the front end of the main body of the drainage tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the main body of the drainage tube has multiple drainage side holes.

[0011] Furthermore, the airbag is located closer to the front end of the drainage tube body than any of the drainage side holes.

[0012] Furthermore, one end of the inflation pipe is connected to an inflation interface.

[0013] Furthermore, the proximal end of the drainage tube body is connected to a drainage connection interface.

[0014] Furthermore, the outer surface of the airbag has an anesthetic drug coating.

[0015] The outer surface of the airbag that contacts the pleura is coated with a drug that can release local anesthetic drugs in a slow-release manner, thereby further reducing the pain caused by the drainage tube irritating the parietal pleura.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a sound sensor, which is enclosed in the airbag.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sound sensor is a sound sensor fabricated using the piezoelectric principle.

[0018] Furthermore, the sound sensor is installed on the inner wall of the airbag.

[0019] In some other embodiments, the sound sensor is mounted on the outer wall of the drainage tube body.

[0020] Furthermore, the sound sensor is a flexible diaphragm sound sensor.

[0021] Furthermore, the sound sensor is connected to a sensor signal line, and the sensor signal line is connected to a sensor signal interface.

[0022] This interface connects to an external display screen to record the waveform of breathing sounds in real time.

[0023] Furthermore, the main body of the drainage tube has graduation lines.

[0024] This makes it easier for doctors to determine the depth of the drainage tube insertion.

[0025] Furthermore, the main body of the drainage tube has a drainage channel, and the inner wall of the main body of the drainage tube has a first channel portion and a second channel portion. The inflation pipe passes through the first channel portion and communicates with the internal space of the airbag; the sensor signal line passes through the second channel portion and is connected to the sound sensor.

[0026] Furthermore, the main body of the drainage tube has a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole, and a fourth through hole. The first and second through holes are connected to the first channel portion, and the third and fourth through holes are connected to the second channel portion. The inflation pipe passes through the first through hole, through the first channel portion, through the second through hole, and is connected to the internal space of the airbag. The sensor signal line passes through the third through hole, through the second channel portion, through the fourth through hole, and is connected to the sound sensor.

[0027] Furthermore, the inflation pipe is sealed to both the first through hole and the second through hole.

[0028] Furthermore, the inflation pipe is sealed with sealant between itself and both the first and second through holes.

[0029] Furthermore, the sensor signal line is sealed to both the third and fourth through holes.

[0030] Furthermore, the sensor signal line is sealed with sealant between itself and the third and fourth through holes.

[0031] Furthermore, the sensor signal line is connected to a signal processing module.

[0032] Furthermore, the sensor signal line is connected to a signal processing module via a sensor signal interface.

[0033] Furthermore, the signal processing module is connected to a display screen.

[0034] Thus, the display screen records the waveform of the breathing sound in real time.

[0035] Furthermore, it also includes a needle core, which can be inserted into the body of the drainage tube, and the front end of the needle core protrudes from the front end of the body of the drainage tube.

[0036] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1) Addressing the problem of significant friction and irritation to the chest wall and pleura caused by existing chest drainage tubes, resulting in substantial pain for patients: The proximal end of most existing chest drainage tubes is a rigid structure, which easily rubs against the chest wall and pleural tissue during breathing, coughing, and changes in body position, causing significant pain and discomfort. This invention addresses this by incorporating an inflatable cuff at the proximal end of the chest drainage tube. The cuff acts as a flexible buffer, reducing direct contact and mechanical friction between the rigid tube and the pleural tissue, thereby alleviating patient pain and improving comfort and tolerance during long-term placement.

[0037] 2) Addressing the problem that existing chest drainage systems cannot dynamically monitor respiratory waveforms and murmurs in real time: Traditional chest drainage devices are only used for drainage and cannot simultaneously acquire information about the patient's lung respiratory status. Clinically, this still requires doctors to perform intermittent auscultation, lacking continuity and real-time monitoring. This invention integrates a flexible diaphragm sound sensor inside the airbag to achieve real-time acquisition and transmission of respiratory vibration signals, respiratory waveforms, and abnormal respiratory murmurs within the chest cavity, thereby integrating chest drainage and respiratory monitoring.

[0038] 3) Addressing the issues of high signal attenuation and poor anti-interference capability in traditional surface respiratory monitoring devices: Existing respiratory sound monitoring devices are mostly placed on the patient's skin, requiring respiratory sounds to travel through chest wall tissue before being collected. This makes them susceptible to environmental noise, skin friction, and changes in body position, resulting in insufficient monitoring sensitivity and accuracy. This invention places a flexible diaphragm sound sensor directly inside the chest cavity near the lung tissue, shortening the sound propagation distance and thus improving the clarity and stability of respiratory vibration signal acquisition, enhancing monitoring accuracy.

[0039] 4) Solving the problem of ineffective integration of existing sensors with chest drainage tubes: Traditional acoustic sensors are large or rigid in structure. If directly installed on the outside of the chest drainage tube, they can easily increase the tube diameter, affecting thoracentesis and tube placement procedures. This invention uses a flexible diaphragm acoustic sensor, which is attached to the inside of the cuff or the outside of the chest tube. This achieves monitoring function without significantly increasing the volume of the chest tube, ensuring the flexibility of the chest tube and the convenience of clinical operation. The flexible diaphragm acoustic sensor used in this invention is characterized by its thinness, high flexibility, and bendable attachment. By attaching the sensor to the outside of the front end of the chest tube or inside the cuff, and embedding the wiring inside the wall of the chest drainage tube, the problem of increased tube diameter caused by traditional external sensors can be avoided. Therefore, this invention can increase respiratory monitoring function while maintaining the original flexibility and small outer diameter of the chest tube, without affecting thoracentesis, tube placement, and clinical procedures, thus improving the practicality of the product.

[0040] 5) Addressing the problem of existing technologies failing to effectively enhance weak respiratory vibration signals: Traditional respiratory monitoring devices have limited ability to acquire weak respiratory vibration signals, often resulting in low signal amplitude and poor signal-to-noise ratio. This invention utilizes the vibration transmission effect of the air medium inside the airbag to buffer and amplify respiratory vibrations within the thoracic cavity when the airbag is inflated. This improves the sensitivity of the flexible diaphragm sound sensor to detect weak respiratory sounds and abnormal noises, thereby enhancing the quality of respiratory waveform monitoring.

[0041] 6) Embedded wiring structure improves safety and stability: This invention places the sensor signal lines inside the chest drainage tube, avoiding the problems of tangling, contamination, or detachment that are common with traditional exposed wires. This structure not only improves the overall sealing and safety of the device but also reduces signal interference caused by external pulling on the wiring, improving the stability and reliability of respiratory monitoring. Simultaneously, the embedded structure helps maintain a sterile operating environment, reducing the risk of infection.

[0042] 7) Compatible with existing chest drainage systems, facilitating clinical application: This invention improves upon the traditional chest drainage tube's main structure and drainage function, while maintaining compatibility with existing drainage bottles and negative pressure suction systems at its rear end. Therefore, it eliminates the need for large-scale modifications to existing clinical chest drainage equipment, reducing clinical costs and simplifying promotion.

[0043] 8) Addressing the limitations of existing chest drainage devices in terms of functionality and intelligence: Current chest drainage systems primarily focus on fluid and gas drainage, lacking the ability to simultaneously monitor the patient's lung function. This invention integrates chest drainage, breath sound acquisition, and breath waveform monitoring and display functions, achieving multifunctionality and intelligence in the chest drainage device. This provides clinicians with more timely, continuous, and intuitive information on the patient's respiratory status, aiding in postoperative lung function assessment and complication early warning. Furthermore, breath sound waveforms can be acquired using waveforms or signals to determine whether the patient is ready for extubation. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 A first-view schematic diagram of a chest drainage tube; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of region A; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of region B; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a chest drainage tube from a second perspective; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of region C. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solutions of the present invention, and it should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Drainage tube body; 2. Airbag; 3. Sound sensor; 4. Drainage side hole; 5. Inflation pipe; 6. Inflation interface; 7. Sensor signal line; 7.1. Third through hole; 8. Sensor signal interface; 9. Drainage connection interface; 10. Scale line.

[0047] like Figure 1-4As shown, a chest drainage tube includes a drainage tube body 1, an air bladder 2, and an inflation tube 5. The air bladder 2 is installed at the drainage tube body 1, and the inflation tube 5 is connected to the air bladder 2 and can inflate or deflat the air bladder 2. The drainage tube body 1 passes through the air bladder 2, and the air bladder 2 is installed at the front end of the drainage tube body 1. The drainage tube body 1 has multiple drainage side holes 4; the air bladder 2 is closer to the front end of the drainage tube body 1 than any of the drainage side holes 4. One end of the inflation tube 5 is connected to an inflation interface 6; the proximal end of the drainage tube body 1 is connected to a drainage connection interface 9. The chest drainage tube also includes a sound sensor 3, which is enclosed by the air bladder 2. The sound sensor 3 is installed on the inner wall of the air bladder 2; or, the sound sensor 3 is installed on the outer wall of the drainage tube body 1. The sound sensor 3 is a flexible diaphragm sound sensor; the sound sensor 3 is connected to a sensor signal line 7, and the sensor signal line 7 is connected to a sensor signal interface 8. The drainage tube body 1 has a drainage channel. The wall of the drainage tube body 1 has a first channel portion and a second channel portion. The inflation pipe 5 passes through the first channel portion and communicates with the internal space of the airbag 2. The sensor signal line 7 passes through the second channel portion and is connected to the sound sensor 3. The drainage tube body 1 has a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole 7.1, and a fourth through hole. The first and second through holes communicate with the first channel portion, and the third and fourth through holes communicate with the second channel portion. The inflation pipe 5 passes through the first through hole, through the first channel portion, through the second through hole, and communicates with the internal space of the airbag 2. The sensor signal line 7 passes through the third through hole 7.1, through the second channel portion, through the fourth through hole, and is connected to the sound sensor 3. The sensor signal line 7 is connected to a signal processing module, and the signal processing module is connected to a display screen. Additionally, a needle core 11 is included. The needle core 11 can be inserted into the drainage tube body 1, and the front end of the needle core 11 protrudes from the front end of the drainage tube body 1.

[0048] The chest drainage tube of this application includes the following main components: 1. Drainage Tube Body: The drainage tube body is a hollow, flexible tube with an internal drainage channel for liquid or gas passage. The body is preferably made of medical-grade silicone, polyurethane, or other highly biocompatible flexible materials to ensure good flexibility and bending resistance. The front end of the drainage tube body is inserted into the pleural cavity, and the rear end extends externally to connect to an external drainage system.

[0049] 2. Drainage side holes: Drainage side holes are located at the front end of the main body of the chest drainage tube and are used to guide gas, effusion, or blood from the pleural cavity into the drainage tube. Multiple drainage side holes are spaced apart along the circumference or axis of the tube body to improve drainage efficiency and reduce the risk of blockage.

[0050] 3. Inflatable Cuff: The inflatable cuff is positioned on the outer side of the front end of the drainage tube and covers the periphery of the drainage side opening area. Made of flexible, elastic material, the cuff forms a sealed inflatable cavity. After inflation, the cuff creates a flexible buffer layer to reduce friction and irritation between the chest tube and the chest wall and pleural tissue. Simultaneously, the air layer inside the cuff enhances the transmission and amplification of respiratory vibration signals. Furthermore, the outer surface of the cuff in contact with the pleura has a drug coating that can slowly release local anesthetic drugs, further reducing pain from irritation of the parietal pleura inside the drainage tube.

[0051] 4. Inflation Tube and Inflation Interface: The inflation tube is located inside the main body of the drainage tube, with one end connected to the inside of the airbag and the other end connected to the inflation interface located outside the body. Medical personnel can inject or release gas into the airbag through the inflation interface to adjust the airbag's inflation level and cushioning performance. The inflation interface preferably uses a one-way valve structure to prevent gas leakage.

[0052] 5. Sound Sensor: The sound sensor is a flexible diaphragm sound sensor, which is placed inside the air sac, for example, attached to the outer wall of the front end of the chest drainage tube or to the inner wall of the air sac. This sensor uses a flexible thin-film structure, which can be attached to curved surfaces without significantly increasing the volume of the chest tube. The flexible diaphragm sound sensor is used to collect respiratory vibration signals within the chest cavity and convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. Because it is located inside the chest cavity and close to the lung tissue, it improves the sensitivity of breath sound acquisition.

[0053] 6. Sensor signal line: The sensor signal line is located inside the main body of the drainage tube. One end of the sensor signal line connects to the flexible diaphragm sound sensor, and the other end extends to the signal processing module located outside the body. The embedded wiring structure avoids exposed wiring from affecting the chest tube insertion operation, while also improving the overall sealing and safety of the structure.

[0054] 7. Signal Processing Module: The signal processing module is externally located and electrically connected to the sensor signal line. This module is used to acquire, amplify, filter, perform analog-to-digital conversion, and analyze the waveform of the breathing sound signal to obtain stable breathing waveform data. In some embodiments, the signal processing module may also integrate abnormal breathing sound recognition functionality.

[0055] 8. Display Screen: The display screen can be an LED display, which is connected to the signal processing module to display the patient's respiratory waveform, respiratory rate, and respiratory murmur monitoring results in real time. Medical staff can visually observe changes in the patient's respiratory status through the LED display screen.

[0056] 9. External drainage connection interface: A drainage connection interface is provided at the rear end of the drainage tube body for connecting a drainage bottle or negative pressure suction system. This drainage connection interface is compatible with existing clinical thoracic drainage systems, thereby ensuring good clinical adaptability of the present invention.

[0057] This invention provides a chest drainage tube that integrates respiratory sound monitoring and an air bag. Based on the traditional chest drainage tube, it integrates an air bag buffer structure and a flexible diaphragm sound sensing system, thereby simultaneously realizing functions such as chest drainage, respiratory waveform monitoring, and respiratory noise detection.

[0058] The working principle of this invention is as follows: after puncture of the chest wall, the chest drainage tube is inserted into the patient's pleural cavity. The front end of the main body of the drainage tube is located inside the chest cavity, and the rear end of the main body of the drainage tube is connected to the drainage connection interface, which is used to continuously drain gas, effusion or blood from the chest cavity.

[0059] An inflatable cuff is installed around the front end of the chest drainage tube. The cuff is connected to an external inflation port via an independent inflation channel. Medical staff can inflate the cuff with an appropriate amount of gas according to the patient's condition, causing it to expand and form a flexible buffer layer. After inflation, the cuff reduces direct friction between the rigid front end of the chest tube and the pleura, lung tissue, and chest wall, thereby reducing patient pain and tissue irritation.

[0060] Meanwhile, a flexible diaphragm sound sensor is installed inside the airbag. Because the airbag is located inside the chest cavity and close to the lung tissue, the chest vibrations and breathing sounds generated by the patient can be directly transmitted to the air medium inside the airbag, causing the flexible diaphragm to vibrate slightly. The flexible diaphragm sound sensor converts the received mechanical vibration signals into electrical signals.

[0061] The sensor signal line is located inside the main body of the drainage tube, extending along the tube to the outside and connecting to an external signal processing module and LED display terminal. The signal processing module amplifies, filters, and analyzes the acquired respiratory sound signals, then displays the patient's respiratory waveform, respiratory rate, and abnormal respiratory noise information in real time on the LED display screen. Furthermore, because the air bladder is filled with air, it can resonate and amplify weak vibrations within the chest cavity when inflated, thereby improving the sensitivity and stability of the flexible diaphragm sound sensor in acquiring weak respiratory sound signals. Therefore, this invention can achieve continuous dynamic monitoring of the patient's lung respiratory status while maintaining normal chest drainage function.

[0062] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chest drainage tube, characterized in that, It includes a drainage tube body, an airbag, and an inflation pipe. The airbag is installed at the drainage tube body, and the inflation pipe is connected to the airbag and can inflate or deflate the airbag.

2. A chest drainage tube according to claim 1, characterised in that, The main body of the drainage tube passes through the airbag, and the airbag is installed at the front end of the main body of the drainage tube.

3. A chest drainage tube according to claim 2, characterised in that, The main body of the drainage tube has multiple drainage side holes; the airbag is closer to the front end of the main body of the drainage tube than any of the drainage side holes.

4. The chest drainage tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the inflation tube is connected to an inflation interface; the proximal end of the drainage tube body is connected to a drainage connection interface; the outer surface of the airbag has an anesthetic drug coating.

5. The chest drainage tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sound sensor, which is enclosed in the airbag.

6. The chest drainage tube according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sound sensor is installed on the inner wall of the airbag; or, the sound sensor is installed on the outer wall of the drainage tube body.

7. The chest drainage tube according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sound sensor is a flexible diaphragm sound sensor; the sound sensor is connected to a sensor signal line, and the sensor signal line is connected to a sensor signal interface.

8. The chest drainage tube according to claim 7, characterized in that, The main body of the drainage tube has a drainage channel, and the inner wall of the main body of the drainage tube has a first channel section and a second channel section. The inflation pipe passes through the first channel section and communicates with the internal space of the airbag; the sensor signal line passes through the second channel section and is connected to the sound sensor.

9. The chest drainage tube according to claim 8, characterized in that, The main body of the drainage tube has a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole, and a fourth through hole. The first and second through holes are connected to the first channel portion, and the third and fourth through holes are connected to the second channel portion. The inflation pipe passes through the first through hole, through the first channel portion, through the second through hole, and is connected to the internal space of the airbag. The sensor signal line passes through the third through hole, through the second channel portion, through the fourth through hole, and is connected to the sound sensor. The inflation pipe is sealed to both the first and second through holes, and the sensor signal line is sealed to both the third and fourth through holes.

10. The chest drainage tube according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sensor signal line is connected to a signal processing module, and the signal processing module is connected to a display screen.

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