Patent ID: 11896755
Assignee: ATRIUM MEDICAL CORPORATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method for clearing a fluid pathway of a chest drainage system, the fluid pathway having a proximal portion configured to extend proximally toward the patient and a distal portion configured to extend distally from the patient, the method including the steps of:
(1) detecting a difference in pressure having a predetermined magnitude between the proximal and distal portions of the fluid pathway;
(2) opening a valve configured to release pressure in the proximal portion of the fluid pathway;
(3) introducing sub-atmospheric pressure to the distal portion of the fluid pathway from an accumulator of a pressure source, the accumulator having been charged with negative pressure;
(4) closing the valve; and
(5) ceasing the introduction of sub-atmospheric pressure to the distal portion of the fluid pathway.