Drainage bag with vacuum metering chamber

Abstract

A drainage system for draining fluid from a patient includes a drainage tube coupled between a catheter and a metering chamber, the metering chamber including a vacuum compartment and a measurement compartment having a drainage port disposed between the vacuum compartment and the measurement compartment. A collection container is coupled to the measurement compartment through a transfer port that allows a clinician to inject effluent from the measurement compartment into the collection container. An air pump is coupled to the vacuum compartment such that, when activated, a vacuum created by the air pump (i) transitions a plunger valve from a normally open state to a closed state and (ii) directs a flow of trapped effluent along the drainage tube toward the vacuum chamber. The metering chamber provides for repeatedly collecting, measuring, and removing effluent. A sample port in the measurement compartment provides for sampling effluent collected in the measurement compartment.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Drainage of fluids (e.g., urine) from a patient can involve the use of a drainage system that includes a flexible drainage tube extending from a drainage catheter to a collection container. Typical catheters, including indwelling catheters, Foley catheters, balloon catheters, peritoneal drainage catheters, etc., are configured to be inserted into an opening in a patient's body to drain fluids therefrom. In some instances, the flexibility of the drainage tube can create a positively sloping section along the drainage tube, also known as a "dependent loop," where effluent can accumulate. Fluid retention in the dependent loop can lead to various complications. For example, urine retention can be a source of bacteria, microorganisms, and other agents that cause catheter-associated urinary tract infections ("CAUTIs"). Hospital-acquired infections ("HAIs"), such as CAUTIs, are harmful to patients and involve additional costs in treating these further complications. Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to reducing patient risk by eliminating effluent from the dependent loop. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Briefly summarized, a drainage system for draining fluid from a patient is disclosed herein. The system, according to some embodiments, includes a drainage tube configured to receive drainage fluid from the patient, the drainage tube having a distal end configured to couple to a catheter, and a metering chamber coupled to the drainage tube at a proximal end. The metering chamber includes a vacuum compartment and a measurement compartment. The vacuum compartment includes (i) an inlet port coupled to the drainage tube, (ii) a vacuum port, and (iii) a drain port having a plunger valve aligned with the drainage port. The measurement compartment is fluidly coupled to the vacuum chamber via the drainage port. The system further includes a collection container coupled to the metering chamber via a transfer port, the transfer port configured to enable selective transfer of the drainage fluid from the measurement compartment to the collection container. The system further includes an air pump assembly including: (i) an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; (ii) an air inlet tube coupled between the air inlet and the vacuum port; and (iii) an air outlet tube coupled between the air outlet and the air port of the drainage tube adjacent the distal end. Operation of the air pump induces a flow of effluent along the drainage tube toward the vacuum chamber. When the air pump is stopped, the effluent is expelled from the vacuum compartment through the plunger valve and into the measurement compartment.

[0003] In some embodiments, the plunger valve is configured to transition between an open state when the air pump is stopped and a closed state when the air pump is stopped. In some embodiments, the plunger valve comprises a plunger displaceable between a "down" position, in which the plunger valve is disposed in an open state, and an "up" position, in which the plunger valve is disposed in a closed state. In some embodiments, the plunger comprises a plurality of deflectable posts coupled to a circular base, the posts extending vertically away from the circular base. In some embodiments, the posts are coupled to the drainage port via a snap-fit ​​coupling, the snap-fit ​​coupling configured to limit downward displacement of the plunger and define the "down" position.

[0004] In some embodiments, the circular base includes an annular sealing step extending along the periphery of the circular base, the annular sealing step configured to form a seal with a corresponding annular sealing edge of the drain port when the plunger is disposed in the "up" position, the seal defining a closed state of the plunger valve.

[0005] In some embodiments, operation of the air pump creates a vacuum within the vacuum compartment, which exerts an upward force on the plunger to displace it to the "up" position, and stopping the air pump relieves the vacuum within the vacuum compartment, thereby allowing the plunger to self-displace to the "down" position.

[0006] In some embodiments, the metering chamber is attached to the front side of the collection container. In some embodiments, the front wall of the measurement compartment includes a volume measurement scale configured to indicate the volume of effluent contained within the measurement compartment, and in some embodiments, the front wall of the collection container includes a volume measurement scale configured to indicate the volume of effluent contained within the collection container.

[0007] In some embodiments, the transfer port is located above a predetermined maximum liquid level of the measurement compartment, and in some embodiments, the transfer port is located above a predetermined maximum liquid level of the collection container.

[0008] In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the vacuum compartment is sloped towards the drain port to facilitate complete drainage of the drain from the vacuum compartment. In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the measurement compartment comprises a sample port, and the bottom wall of the measurement compartment is sloped towards the sample port to facilitate sampling of effluent within the measurement compartment.

[0009] In some embodiments, the system further includes a shut-off valve positioned in alignment with the drainage tube at a distal end of the drainage tube, the shut-off valve configured to prevent fluid flow toward the catheter. In some embodiments, the shut-off valve is configured to transition between a closed state and an open state in response to activation and deactivation of the air pump, respectively. In some embodiments, the shut-off valve is a check valve configured to allow proximal fluid flow through the shut-off valve and prevent distal fluid flow through the shut-off valve.

[0010] In some embodiments, the system further includes a connector disposed at the distal end of the drainage tube, the air port and the shut-off valve being integral with the connector. In some embodiments, the system further includes a vacuum port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the vacuum port, the vacuum port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the metering chamber via the vacuum port. In some embodiments, the system further includes an air port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the air port, the air port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the drain tube via the air port.

[0011] Also disclosed herein is a method of draining fluid from a patient, the method, according to some embodiments, comprising: (i) providing a drainage system including a drainage tube extending between a catheter and a metering chamber; (ii) establishing a passive flow of effluent from the patient along the drainage tube; and (iii) operating an air pump to transport the trapped effluent along the drainage tube to the metering chamber, wherein operating the air pump creates a pressure differential across the trapped effluent in the drainage tube and operating the air pump transitions a plunger valve disposed between a vacuum compartment and a measurement compartment of the metering chamber from an open state to a closed state. The method further includes recording a volume measurement of the effluent contained in the metering chamber and injecting the effluent from the metering chamber of the drainage system into a collection container through a transfer port disposed between the metering chamber and the collection container.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method further includes stopping the air pump to transition the plunger valve from a closed state to an open state, the plunger valve in the open state defining a fluid flow path between the vacuum compartment and the measurement compartment.

[0013] In some embodiments of the method, the metering chamber is located in front of the collection container during use. In some embodiments of the method, the metering chamber comprises a rigid container and the collection container comprises a flexible bag.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further comprises collecting the overflow effluent in a collection container, the overflow effluent exiting the measurement compartment through a transfer port. In some embodiments of the method, the metering chamber is attached to a front wall of the collection container such that the metering chamber is suspended from the front wall during use.

[0015] Also disclosed herein, according to some embodiments, is a urine collection bag assembly including a metering chamber formed of a rigid structure coupled to a drainage tube, the drainage tube configured to couple to a urinary catheter. The assembly further includes a collection bag fluidly coupled to the metering chamber via a transfer port configured to allow selective transfer of urine from the metering chamber to the collection bag. In such embodiments, a rear wall of the metering chamber is attached to a front wall of the collection bag, and the transfer port extends between the rear and front walls.

[0016] In some embodiments, the metering chamber includes a vacuum compartment including (i) an inlet port coupled to a drain tube, (ii) a vacuum port configured to couple to an inlet air tube of an air pump, and (iii) a drain port having a plunger valve aligned with the drain port. The metering chamber further includes a measurement compartment fluidly coupled to the vacuum chamber via the drain port.

[0017] In some embodiments of the assembly, the plunger valve is configured to (i) transition from a normally open state to a closed state when a vacuum is created in the vacuum chamber, and (ii) transition from a closed state to an open state when the vacuum is removed from the vacuum chamber.

[0018] In some embodiments of the assembly, the front wall of the metering chamber includes a volumetric measuring scale configured to indicate the volume of effluent contained within the measurement compartment, and in some embodiments, the front wall of the collection container includes a volumetric measuring scale configured to indicate the volume of effluent contained within the collection container.

[0019] In some embodiments of the assembly, the transfer port is located above a defined maximum liquid level in the measurement compartment. In some embodiments of the assembly, the bottom wall of the measurement compartment includes a sample port, and the bottom wall of the measurement compartment is sloped towards the sample port to facilitate sampling of effluent within the measurement compartment.

[0020] In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a shut-off valve positioned in alignment with the drainage tube, the shut-off valve configured to prevent fluid flow toward the catheter.

[0021] In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a connector disposed at the distal end of the drainage tube, the connector including an air port in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the air port configured to couple with an air outlet tube of an air pump.

[0022] In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a vacuum port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the vacuum port, the vacuum port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the metering chamber via the vacuum port. In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises an air port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the air port, the air port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the drain tube via the air port.

[0023] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying drawings and the following description, which disclose in more detail certain embodiments of such concepts.

[0024] A more particular description of the present disclosure will be provided by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a drainage system for draining fluid from a patient, according to some embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a metering chamber of the system of FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 3A] 3A-3C illustrate various details of the plunger valve of the metering chamber of FIG. 2 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 3B] 3A-3C illustrate various details of the plunger valve of the metering chamber of FIG. 2 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 3C] 3A-3C illustrate various details of the plunger valve of the metering chamber of FIG. 2 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4A] 10A-10C are side cross-sectional views of a metering chamber and a collection reservoir illustrating an example use involving injecting effluent from the metering chamber into a collection reservoir, according to some embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4B] 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a metering chamber and a collection container illustrating another use example involving effluent overflowing from the metering chamber into a collection container, according to some embodiments disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method of draining fluid from a patient utilizing the system of FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Before some specific embodiments are disclosed in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein can have features that are readily separable from the specific embodiment and that can optionally be combined with or substituted for features of any of the other numerous embodiments disclosed herein.

[0027] With regard to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that the terms are intended to describe certain specific embodiments and do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps and do not provide sequential or numerical limitations. For example, "first," "second," and "third" features or steps do not necessarily have to appear in that order, and a particular embodiment including such features or steps is not necessarily limited to three features or steps. Designations such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," and "back" are used for convenience and do not imply, for example, a particular fixed position, orientation, or direction. Instead, such designations are used to reflect, for example, a relative position, orientation, or direction. The singular forms "one," "one," and "the" also include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] The phrases "connected to" and "coupled to" refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including, but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interactions. Two components may be connected or coupled to one another even if they are not in direct contact with one another. For example, two components may be coupled to one another by an intermediate component.

[0029] The directional terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein to refer to relative locations on a medical device. The proximal end of a device refers to the end of the device closest to an end user when the end user is using the device. The distal end refers to the end of the device opposite the proximal end along the length of the device, i.e., the end farthest from the end user. As used herein, the term "fluid" can refer to either a gas or a liquid.

[0030] The methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. Method steps and / or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order is required for the embodiment to function properly, the order and / or use of steps and / or actions may be changed. Furthermore, only subroutines or portions of methods described herein may be stand-alone methods within the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method.

[0031] 1 shows an exemplary drainage system (“system”) 100 including a catheter 110, a drainage tube 120, a metering chamber 150, and a collection container 160. The catheter 110 includes an eyelet 112 that provides fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter 110 and is configured to drain drainage (fluid) 123 from a fluid source within a patient, for example, the bladder. Generally, the system provides a drainage path for transporting the fluid 123 from the catheter 110 to the collection container 160. The system 100 provides volumetric measurements (including repeat measurements) of the fluid 123 during and / or at the end of a treatment period.

[0032] Drainage tube 120 extends from catheter 110 to metering chamber 150. Transfer port 163 provides for the transfer of liquid 123 from metering chamber 150 to collection reservoir 160. During use, liquid 123 from the patient can flow from catheter 110, through drainage tube 120, and into metering chamber 150. Liquid 123 can then be transferred from metering chamber 150 through transfer port 163 to collection reservoir 160. Drainage tube 120 can be formed of rubber, plastic, polymer, silicone, or a similar suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, collection reservoir 160 comprises a flexible collection bag. However, in other embodiments, collection reservoir 160 may comprise a rigid container or similar suitable container for collecting liquid, such as urine, drained from the patient through catheter 110. During operation, drainage system 100 can facilitate the passive drainage of liquid 123 from the patient without incident. In some instances, one or more complications may arise during the passive drainage process that require corrective action as further described below.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the flexibility of the drainage tube 120 can result in a section of the drainage tube 120 having one or more depending loops 122 followed by a positive slope section 125. The positive slope section 125 can cause liquid to pool (i.e., accumulate) within the depending loops 122 of the drainage tube 120. The depending loops 122 can be any portion of the drainage tube 120 that is lower than the downstream portion, creating a positive slope 125 with respect to the direction of fluid flow. The depending loops 122 can form in slack portions of the drainage tube 120. The depending loops 122 can be a complete loop, a partial loop, or any segment of the drainage tube 120 that allows liquid 123 to pool within the drainage tube 120.

[0034] In the event of pooling, a drainage tube clearance process as described herein can provide corrective action for pooling of liquid 123. In the illustrated embodiment, an air pump 145 can provide a pressure differential across the trapped volume of liquid 123 within the drainage tube 120 to move the "trapped" liquid 123 proximally along the drainage tube 120. An air inlet tube 141 fluidly couples the inlet of the air pump 145 to the metering chamber 150, and an air outlet tube 142 fluidly couples the outlet of the air pump 145 to the drainage tube 120 at a junction 144 adjacent the catheter 110 (i.e., at the distal end of the drainage tube 120).

[0035] In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a three-way connector 146 disposed between the catheter 110 and the drainage tube 120, the connector 146 including a fluid flow path from the catheter 110 to the drainage tube 120. The catheter 110 may be coupled to the connector 146 at a first or distal port 146A, and the distal end of the drainage tube 120 may be coupled to a second or proximal port 146B. The air outlet tube 142 may be coupled to a third or side port 146C of the connector 146 such that the catheter 110, the drainage tube 120, and the air outlet tube 142 are in fluid communication with one another. Thus, the junction 144 may be integral with the connector 146.

[0036] During operation of the air pump, the air pump 145 draws air from the metering chamber 150 and delivers it to the drainage tube 120 at the junction 144, creating an air pressure differential across the “stuck” liquid 123 disposed within the depending loop 122, which causes the “stuck” liquid 123 to move proximally up the positive slope 125 along the drainage tube 120 and into the metering chamber 150; i.e., operation of the air pump 145 induces a flow of the liquid 123 along the drainage tube 120.

[0037] Metering chamber 150 includes vacuum compartment 151 and measurement compartment 152 located below vacuum compartment 151. Drain port 154 fluidly couples vacuum compartment 151 to measurement compartment 152. Drain port 154 includes a plunger valve that aligns with the drain port such that, when plunger valve 155 is in a normally open state, liquid 123 can passively flow from vacuum compartment 151 through drain port 155 to measurement compartment 151. During operation of air pump 145, a vacuum can be created within vacuum compartment 151, and as a result, plunger valve 155 can transition from a normally open state to a closed state, preventing fluid flow from measurement compartment 152 through drain port 154 to vacuum compartment 151.

[0038] During use, if liquid 123 becomes trapped in the drain tube 120, the air pump 145 can be activated. When the air pump 145 is activated, air is drawn from the vacuum compartment 151 and delivered to the drain tube 120 at the junction 144, i.e., upstream of the "trapped" liquid 123. The plunger valve 155 closes to prevent backflow of fluid through the drain port 154. The "trapped" liquid 123 is displaced into the vacuum compartment 151, where it accumulates. The air pump 145 is then stopped, removing the vacuum from the vacuum compartment 151. As a result, the plunger valve 151 transitions to an open state, and the accumulated liquid 123 in the vacuum compartment 151 is expelled into the measurement compartment 152 via the drain port 154.

[0039] The metering chamber 150 includes a volume measuring scale 157 to allow a clinician to determine the volume of the liquid 123 contained within the measuring compartment 152. Similarly, the collection container 160 may include a volume measuring scale 167 to allow a clinician to determine the volume of the liquid 123 contained within the collection container 160.

[0040] The transfer port 163 extends between the measurement compartment 152 and the collection container 160. The transfer port 163 is vertically positioned so that it is above a specified maximum liquid level in the measurement compartment 152. During use, if the liquid 123 in the measurement compartment 152 exceeds the maximum liquid level, the liquid 123 may spill through the transfer port 163 into the collection container 160. Further, during use, a clinician can tilt or rotate the metering chamber 150 to inject (i.e., empty) some and / or all of the liquid 123 contained in the measurement compartment 152 into the collection container 160 through the transfer port 163.

[0041] The metering chamber 150 includes a sample port 170 configured to facilitate obtaining a sample of the liquid 123 contained within the measurement compartment 152. The collection container 160 includes a drain tube 168 configured to facilitate selectively removing the liquid 123 from the collection container 160.

[0042] In one embodiment, the system 100 may include a safety (or shut-off) valve 143 disposed between the catheter 110 and the drainage tube 120. More specifically, the safety valve 143 may be disposed between the catheter 110 and the junction 144. The safety valve 143 may at least partially shut off the catheter 110 from the drainage tube 120. In other words, when closed, the safety valve 143 may prevent internal pressure of the drainage tube 120 from affecting the pressure within the catheter 110. Similarly, when closed, the safety valve 143 may prevent fluid 123 within the drainage tube 120 from flowing into the catheter 110. The safety valve 143 may transition between a closed position and an open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the safety valve 143 is a check valve configured to prevent fluid flow toward the catheter 110. Thus, the safety valve 143 may prevent positive pressure, such as may be present within the drainage tube 120, from reaching the patient. In some embodiments, the safety valve 143 may be integral with the connector 146. In some examples, the air pump 145, when activated, can create a positive pressure within the drainage tube 120. Thus, activating the air pump 145 can transition the safety valve 145 from an open state to a closed state.

[0043] In other embodiments, the relief valve 143 may be a manually operated valve, such as a tube clamp or pinch valve. In still other embodiments, the relief valve 143 may be an electromechanical valve, such as a solenoid valve. In such embodiments, the relief valve 143 may be coupled to the air pump 145 such that when the air pump 145 is activated, the relief valve 143 is actuated toward a closed position.

[0044] In some embodiments, system 100 can include an air port sterile filter 147 positioned in alignment with air port 146C and configured to define a sterile barrier between drain tube 120 and air pump 145, i.e., air port sterile filter 147 can prevent contamination of drain tube 120 through air port 146C. In some embodiments, air port sterile filter 147 can have a pore size of less than 0.5 microns.

[0045] In some embodiments, system 100 includes a liquid (e.g., urine) collection bag assembly 115 that includes drainage tube 120, metering chamber 150, and collection container 160. Similarly, system 100 may define an air pump assembly 116 that includes air pump 145, air inlet tube 141, and air outlet tube 142. Liquid collection bag assembly 115 may be configured for single use, while air pump assembly 116 may be configured for multiple use. Thus, liquid collection bag assembly 115 may be sterilized prior to use, while air pump assembly 116 may be used in a contaminated (i.e., non-sterile) state.

[0046] 2 shows a front view of metering chamber 150. In some embodiments, metering chamber 150 may be formed of a transparent / translucent material as shown. In some embodiments, metering chamber 150 may be formed of a rigid material, such as, for example, a rigid plastic material. Metering chamber 150 includes a front wall 231 and a rear wall 232, with transfer port 163 extending through rear wall 232.

[0047] As described above, metering chamber 150 includes vacuum compartment 151 and measurement compartment 152. A bottom wall 222 of vacuum compartment 151 separates vacuum compartment 151 from measurement compartment 152, and drain port 154 extends through bottom wall 222. In some embodiments, the bottom wall is sloped toward drain port 155 so that drain port 155 can completely empty liquid 123 from vacuum compartment 151. Drain port 155 includes plunger valve 155, as described further below.

[0048] A top wall 223 of the metering chamber 150 defines a cap for the vacuum compartment 151, through which the inlet port 210 and the vacuum port 220 extend. The inlet port 210 is coupled to the drain tube 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the drain tube 120 is fixedly attached to the inlet port 210. In other embodiments, the drain tube 120 may be removably coupled to the inlet port 210. In some embodiments, the inlet port 210 may include an internal extension 211 disposed within the vacuum compartment 151. The internal extension 211 may be configured to separate the liquid 123 from the vacuum port 220; i.e., the internal extension 211 may prevent the liquid 123 exiting the inlet port 210 from being drawn into the vacuum port 220 during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum port 220 is removably coupled to the air inlet tube 141. In other embodiments, vacuum port 220 may be fixedly attached to air inlet tube 141. In the illustrated embodiment, air inlet tube 141 may be configured for multiple use across several metering chambers 150. In such embodiments, air inlet tube 141 may generally be considered contaminated or non-sterile. Accordingly, in some embodiments, vacuum port 220 may include a sterile filter 221 positioned in alignment with vacuum port 220, where sterile filter 221 is configured to prevent internal contamination of metering chambers 150 via vacuum port 220. In some embodiments, sterile filter 221 may include a membrane defining a pore size of less than 0.2 microns.

[0049] As mentioned above, the metering chamber 150, and more specifically the measurement section 152, includes a sample port 170. The sample port 170 extends through a bottom wall 233 of the measurement section 152, which may be sloped toward the sample port 170. In some embodiments, the measurement section 152 may include a funnel 234 configured to accumulate a small amount of liquid 123 toward the sample port 170.

[0050] 3A-3C show various views of plunger valve 155. FIG. 3A is a detailed perspective view of plunger valve 155 and associated components. FIG. 3B shows the plunger in the "down" or open position, and FIG. 3C shows plunger 330 in the "up" or closed position. Plunger valve 155 includes a displaceable plunger 330 having a circular base 331. An upper side 332 of circular base 331 includes a radially outwardly sloping surface 334 to prevent liquid 123 being expelled from vacuum compartment 151 from accumulating on upper side 332.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, four deflectable posts 340 are coupled to and extend away from the upper side 332, with each post 340 including a hook 341 at a free end. In other embodiments, the plunger 330 may include three, five, or more posts 340. The drain port 154 includes an inwardly projecting annular hook shoulder 317 configured to engage the hooks 341 in a snap-fit ​​relationship. Engagement of the hooks 341 with the hook shoulder 317 limits downward displacement of the plunger 330 in the "down" position, as shown in FIG. 3B . Spaces 342 between the posts 344 define flow paths for the liquid 123 to be expelled from the vacuum compartment 151.

[0052] The plunger 330 further includes an annular sealing step 336 disposed on the upper side 331, and the drain port 154 includes a corresponding annular sealing edge 318 at the bottom end of the drain port 154. The annular sealing step 336 and the corresponding annular sealing edge 318 are configured to define a seal between the plunger 330 and the drain port 154 when the plunger 330 is disposed in the "up" position, as shown in FIG.

[0053] During use, with the plunger 330 in the "down" position, liquid 123 is expelled from the vacuum compartment 151 through the drain port 154 and flows vertically to the upper side 331 of the plunger 330, where it flows radially outward along the inclined surface 334, through the space 342 between the posts 340 and into the measurement compartment 152. During further use, when the air pump 145 is activated, the vacuum within the vacuum chamber 151 draws the plunger 330 to the "up" position, such that the annular sealing shoulder 336 engages the corresponding annular sealing edge 318 to seal the drain port 312, thereby preventing air and / or liquid 123 from flowing upward through the drain port 154.

[0054] 4A shows a side cross-sectional view of system 100 in a first use case. System 100 is generally configured to (i) collect in measurement section 152 a quantity of fluid 123 drained from a patient over a defined measurement period, such as one hour, and (ii) collect substantially all of the drainage fluid 123 in collection container 160 over a defined collection period (e.g., eight or 24 hours). At the end of the measurement period, a clinician can record a volumetric measurement of the amount of fluid 123 in measurement section 152. The clinician can then transfer the quantity of fluid 123 from measurement section 152 to collection container 160. To transfer the quantity of fluid 123, the clinician can rotate or tilt metering chamber 150 away from its normal vertical orientation toward a horizontal orientation, as shown in FIG. 4A , and inject a first quantity of liquid 123 from measurement section 152 into collection container 160 through transfer port 163. The process of collecting a volume of liquid 123 in the measurement compartment 152, recording the volume measurement, and injecting a volume of liquid 123 into the collection container 160 may be repeated several times over a defined collection period.

[0055] 4B shows a side cross-sectional view of system 100 in a second use case. In some instances, a patient may excrete enough liquid 123 to exceed the capacity of measurement compartment 152. In such instances, liquid 123 may overflow from measurement compartment 152 through transfer port 163 and into collection container 160, as shown.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a method for draining fluid from a patient using system 100, including all or any subset of the following steps, actions, or processes, according to some embodiments. Method 500 can include providing a drainage system (block 510), the drainage system including a drainage tube extending between the catheter and the metering chamber. The method further includes establishing a passive flow of effluent from the patient along the drainage tube (block 520). In some examples, the passive flow continues unimpeded throughout the drainage process. In some examples, the effluent may remain in the drainage tube. Accordingly, method 500 can include activating an air pump (block 530) to transport the trapped effluent in the drainage tube to the metering chamber. Activating the air pump creates a pressure differential across the trapped effluent in the drainage tube, and activating the air pump also transitions a plunger valve disposed between the vacuum compartment and the measurement compartment of the metering chamber from an open state to a closed state. Method 500 may further include recording a volume measurement of the effluent contained within the metering chamber (block 540). Method 500 may further include transferring (or injecting) the effluent from the metering chamber into a collection container (block 550), where the effluent flows from the metering chamber through a transfer port and into the collection container.

[0057] In some embodiments, the method 500 further includes stopping the air pump (block 560) to transition the plunger valve from a closed state to an open state, allowing liquid collected in the vacuum compartment to flow through the open plunger valve and into the measurement compartment.

[0058] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein, and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and / or modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the broader aspects also encompass these adaptations and / or modifications. Thus, departures can be made from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. 1. A drainage system for draining fluid from a patient, comprising: a drainage tube configured to receive drainage fluid from the patient, a distal end of the drainage tube configured to couple to a catheter; a metering chamber coupled at a proximal end to the drainage tube; A collection container; an air pump assembly; Equipped with the metering chamber A vacuum compartment comprising: an inlet port coupled to the drainage tube; A vacuum port; a drainage port including a plunger valve aligned with said drainage port; a vacuum compartment comprising: a measurement compartment fluidly coupled to the vacuum chamber via the drain port; Equipped with the collection container is coupled to the metering chamber via a transfer port configured to allow selective transfer of the effluent from the measurement zone to the collection container; the air pump assembly an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; an air inlet tube coupled between the air inlet and the vacuum port; an air outlet tube coupled between the air outlet and an air port of the drainage tube adjacent the distal end; Equipped with Upon operation of the air pump, a flow of the drainage liquid is induced along the drainage tube toward the vacuum chamber; When the air pump is stopped, waste liquid is discharged from the vacuum compartment through the plunger valve into the measurement compartment. system.

2. The plunger valve is an open state when the air pump is stopped; a closed state when the air pump is stopped; configured to transition between The system of claim 1 .

3. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plunger valve comprises a plunger displaceable between a "down" position where the plunger valve is disposed in the open state and an "up" position where the plunger valve is disposed in the closed state.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the plunger comprises a plurality of deflectable posts coupled to a circular base, the posts extending vertically away from the circular base.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the post is coupled to the drainage port via a snap-fit ​​connection, the snap-fit ​​connection configured to limit downward displacement of the plunger and define the "down" position.

6. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the circular base includes an annular sealing step extending along a periphery of the circular base, the annular sealing step configured to form a seal with a corresponding annular sealing edge of the drain port when the plunger is positioned in the "up" position, the seal defining the closed state of the plunger valve.

7. activating the air pump to create a vacuum within the vacuum compartment, the vacuum exerting an upward force on the plunger to displace it to the "up" position; deactivating the air pump relieves the vacuum in the vacuum compartment and allows the plunger to self-displace to the "down" position; The system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the metering chamber is coupled to a front side of the collection container.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a front wall of the measurement compartment includes volumetric measurement markings configured to indicate a volume of the effluent contained within the measurement compartment.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transfer port is located above a defined maximum liquid level of the measurement compartment.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a front wall of the collection container includes volumetric indicia configured to indicate a volume of the effluent contained within the collection container.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transfer port is located above a defined maximum liquid level of the collection vessel.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bottom wall of the vacuum compartment is sloped towards the drain port to facilitate complete drainage of the drained liquid from the vacuum compartment.

14. a bottom wall of the measurement compartment including a sample port; the bottom wall of the measurement compartment is sloped toward the sample port to facilitate sampling of the effluent within the measurement compartment; A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. 15. The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a shut-off valve positioned adjacent the distal end and aligned with the drainage tube, the shut-off valve configured to prevent fluid flow toward the catheter.

16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the shut-off valve is configured to transition between a closed state and an open state in response to activation and deactivation of the air pump, respectively.

17. 17. The system of claim 15 or 16, wherein the shut-off valve is a check valve configured to allow proximal fluid flow through the shut-off valve and prevent distal fluid flow through the shut-off valve.

18. The system of any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising a connector disposed at the distal end of the drainage tube, the air port and the shut-off valve being integral with the connector.

19. 19. The system of any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising a vacuum port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the vacuum port, the vacuum port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the metering chamber via the vacuum port.

20. 20. The system of any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising an air port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the air port, the air port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the drainage tube via the air port.

21. a metering chamber formed of a rigid structure, the metering chamber coupled to a drainage tube, the drainage tube configured to couple to a urinary catheter; a collection bag fluidly coupled to the metering chamber via a transfer port, the transfer port configured to allow selective transfer of urine from the metering chamber to the collection bag; 1. A urine collection bag assembly comprising: a rear wall of the metering chamber attached to a front wall of the collection bag; the transfer port extending between the rear wall and the front wall; Urine collection bag assembly.

22. the metering chamber A vacuum compartment comprising: an inlet port coupled to the drainage tube; a vacuum port configured to couple to an inlet air tube of an air pump; a drainage port having a plunger valve aligned with said drainage port; a vacuum compartment comprising: a measurement compartment fluidly coupled to the vacuum chamber via the drain port; 22. The assembly of claim 21, comprising:

23. The plunger valve is transitioning from a normally open state to a closed state when a vacuum is created within the vacuum chamber; transitioning from the closed state to the open state when the vacuum is removed from the vacuum chamber; 23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the assembly is configured as follows:

24. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a front wall of the metering chamber includes volumetric indicia configured to indicate a volume of the effluent contained within the measurement compartment.

25. Assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the transfer port is located above a defined maximum liquid level in the measurement compartment.

26. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein a front wall of the collection reservoir includes volumetric indicia configured to indicate a volume of the effluent contained within the collection reservoir.

27. 27. An assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the transfer port is located above a defined maximum liquid level of the collection vessel.

28. a bottom wall of the measurement compartment including a sample port; the bottom wall of the measurement compartment is sloped toward the sample port to facilitate sampling of the effluent within the measurement compartment; Assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 27.

29. 29. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 28, further comprising a shut-off valve positioned in alignment with the drainage tube, the shut-off valve configured to prevent fluid flow toward the catheter.

30. a connector disposed at a distal end of the drainage tube; the connector includes an air port in fluid communication with the drainage tube; 30. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the air port is configured to mate with an air outlet tube of the air pump.

31. 31. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 30, further comprising a vacuum port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the vacuum port, the vacuum port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the metering chamber via the vacuum port.

32. 32. The assembly of any one of claims 21 to 31, further comprising an air port sterile filter positioned in alignment with the air port, the air port sterile filter configured to prevent contamination of the drainage tube via the air port.

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