Patent ID: 9033943
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A wound drainage device flow control apparatus, the wound drainage device for withdrawing fluid from a wound comprising a conduit to be connected at one end to a wound to receive fluid from the wound and to deliver said fluid to a container, the flow control apparatus comprising a valve arranged to establish communication between the conduit and the container in response to a level of vacuum in said conduit below a selected value, the valve including a diaphragm exposed to atmospheric pressure on one side and to the level of vacuum in the conduit on the other side, and an adjustable force means arranged to apply a force to the diaphragm in opposition to the atmospheric pressure, the difference between the force applied by the adjustable force means and the force generated by the atmospheric pressure providing a control force required to be applied by the level of vacuum in the conduit to close the valve to interrupt communication between the container and the conduit, and a lock mechanism arranged to lock the adjustable force means at a desired adjustment corresponding to a desired level of vacuum, whereby the lock mechanism includes a slidable lock member which is moveable between a first position in which the slidable lock member engages with an engagement portion of the adjustable force means to lock the adjustable force means at a position corresponding to the desired adjustment, thereby preventing unintentional adjustment of the adjustable force means, and a second position in which the slidable lock member is disengaged with the engagement portion of the adjustable force means, thereby unlocking the adjustable force means to permit adjustment.