Patent ID: 6299593
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A double-lumen chest cavity drainage tube comprising:a.) a longitudinal, flexible, polymeric, perforated hollow inner tube constructed for connection to a suction source which produces sufficient suction to remove unwanted material from the chest cavity;b.) a longitudinal, flexible, polymeric, perforated hollow outer tube surrounding the inner tube and connected thereto, a circumferential, longitudinal space being defined along and between the inner and outer tubes, the perforations of the outer tube being substantially greater in total overall surface area than the total overall surface area of the inner tube perforations;c.) a plurality of perforated, hollow septa being disposed in the longitudinal space for preventing collapse of the tubes when suction pressure is applied to the inner tube, and to reduce and equalize the pressure in the circumferential space between the outer and inner tubes; whereby,when the drainage tube is inserted into the chest cavity and suction pressure is applied to the inner tube, suction forces produced in the circumferential space between and along the inner and outer tubes are reduced and equalized, the reduced suction forces then being uniformly applied to the individual outer tube perforations, the suction forces along the outer tube perforations consequently being reduced compared to the suction forces along the individual inner tube perforations, thereby reducing the possibility of lung or soft tissues being sucked onto the drainage tube and blocking the perforations during a chest drainage procedure.