Chest Drainage System with Automated Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chest tube systems suffer from issues such as pooling of liquid in drainage tubing, clogging, and inaccurate measurement of fluid volume and air leaks, leading to reduced effectiveness in draining fluids from the chest cavity, which can result in complications like pericardial tamponade and respiratory issues.
Innovation Solution
A chest drainage system that includes a chest tube with a drainage lumen, a pump, and a pressure sensor, along with a controller that monitors pressure and suction levels to detect and clear blockages, measure fluid volume accurately, and guide the removal of the chest tube based on patient progress parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction is applied continuously to drain fluid from the chest, then drainage effectiveness is improved, but liquid pooling in the drainage tubing occurs which prevents proper drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by periodically interrupting continuous suction to clear liquid pooling in the drainage tubing before it obstructs flow. The controller detects pooling conditions and activates clearing mechanisms (such as reversing suction or applying positive pressure) to prevent blockages, ensuring reliable suction transmission throughout the drainage process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous suction, the system implements periodic action by cycling between suction phases and clearing phases. During suction phases, fluid is drawn from the chest; during clearing phases, the system reverses or interrupts suction to prevent and eliminate liquid pooling. This periodic operation maintains both high drainage effectiveness and reliable suction transmission.
2Productivity
If chest tube length is increased to improve drainage coverage, then drainage capability is improved, but risk of clogging and accidental dislodging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including pressure sensors that monitor suction levels and flow characteristics along the chest tube. When clogging is detected through changes in pressure differential or flow rate, the controller activates clearing sequences. The system also provides feedback on tube positioning and stability, allowing real-time adjustments to prevent dislodging while maintaining effective drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical clearing methods (such as milking or stripping the tube) with an automated mechanical system. The controller automatically reverses suction or applies controlled positive pressure through the tube to clear clogs, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of tissue damage while maintaining drainage capability in longer tubes.
3Productivity
If manual clearing methods (milking and stripping) are used to prevent clogging, then drainage is maintained, but tissue damage may occur due to extremely high negative pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and clearing its own clogs without requiring manual intervention. Pressure sensors and flow monitors detect obstruction conditions, and the controller automatically activates clearing mechanisms (reversed suction or positive pressure bursts) to maintain drainage. This eliminates the need for dangerous manual clearing methods while ensuring continuous drainage maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes dangerous manual mechanical clearing (milking and stripping that generate extremely high negative pressures up to -370 cmH2O) with a controlled mechanical system. The automated system applies precisely regulated positive pressure or reversed suction to clear clogs, maintaining drainage effectiveness while eliminating tissue damage risk associated with uncontrolled high negative pressures.
4Reliability
If clinicians use cautious clinical decisions based on inaccurate fluid volume measurements, then patient safety is prioritized, but hospital stay duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces subjective and inaccurate manual measurement methods with automated electronic measurement and monitoring systems. Pressure sensors, flow meters, and controllers continuously and objectively measure fluid volume and drainage characteristics, providing accurate data for clinical decision-making. This enables earlier, more confident decisions about chest tube removal while maintaining patient safety through reliable measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through automated measurement and monitoring of fluid volume, drainage rate, and pressure parameters. This objective feedback provides clinicians with real-time, accurate data about drainage effectiveness and patient progress, enabling timely and confident decisions about chest tube removal without extending hospital stay unnecessarily, while still prioritizing patient safety through continuous monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents pooling and clogging, provides accurate fluid drainage measurements, and helps in determining the readiness for chest tube removal, thereby reducing patient risk and hospital stay duration.
Implementation Method 1
A pump may be in fluid communication with the chest tube drainage lumen... the controller is configured to actuate the pump at a first suction level sufficient to drain a fluid from the chest tube drainage lumen
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor may be positioned proximal to the chest tube and in communication with the chest tube drainage lumen
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for managing chest or wound drainage are disclosed where in one embodiment, the system generally comprises a chest tube configured for insertion at least partially within a body of a subject, a drainage tube fluidly coupled with the chest tube, a reservoir fluidly coupled with the drainage tube, a pump in communication with the reservoir, and a controller in fluid communication with the drainage tube. The controller may be configured to determine a readiness for removal of the chest tube from the body based upon one or more removal parameters which are obtained over a period of time via the controller.