Patent ID: 6432083
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
Apparatus for monitoring operation of a medical drainage system comprised of a dual lumen tube having linked suction and vent lumens, and a suction/collection system connected to the suction lumen operable to draw a vacuum from the suction lumen with resulting makeup air flow through the vent lumen linked serially upstream from the suction lumens comprising the combination of a dual lumen tube having a vent lumen and a suction lumen, a sealed vessel adapted to be partially filled with a liquid, the vessel having a substantially fixed area inlet configured to open directly between the atmosphere and the vessel under and into the vessel liquid, the vessel also having an outlet that is located above the vessel liquid, and means for connecting the vessel outlet in series with and upstream of the vent lumen of the drainage tube, wherein negative pressures applied to the suction lumen under proper drainage tube operation and resulting makeup air flow through the vent lumen will create makeup atmospheric air flow bubbles rising through the vessel liquid, and means for detecting the rising bubbles for monitoring operation of the drainage tube.