Abstract:
A system for draining the chest cavity of a patient subjected to a traumatic chest injury and/or to surgery within the chest. The system includes a small, portable suction device and a chest tube with an improved terminal structure. A number of embodiments of the suction device are disclosed; the first (with two variations) a small, completely disposable, bottle-shaped assembly comprising a motor/pump section, a power section, and a desiccant filled chamber, the second (also with two variations) a small box shaped assembly with a disposable desiccant pouch and a power supply that mounts to a battery charger positioned on an IV pole. A number of chest tube terminus structures are disclosed, including multi-lumen structures having high-airflow and low-airflow lumens as well as “dead” and “live” lumens. Fenestrations are variously positioned between and through the lumens in order to collect coagulated components of the extracted fluids and prevent them from clogging the primary flow tube and restricting or preventing continuous airflow.

Description:
[0001]     This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/600,229, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to medical and surgical devices and systems that serve to remove air and fluids from the body of a patient after injury or during and after surgery. The present invention relates more specifically to a system for use in association with the removal of air and fluids from the chest cavity of a patient during surgery or as a manner of treatment for a chest injury.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     The human chest cavity is lined with membranes referred to as the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura. The parietal pleura line the chest cavity itself, while the viscera pleura are the membranes that line the lungs. The space between the two membranes is called the intrapleural space (or sometimes simply “the pleural space”) that normally has a small amount of fluid within it in a healthy individual. This fluid is drained and regulated by the lymphatic system and provides lubrication and cohesion between the pleura for normal lung function.  
         [0006]     An individual may accumulate air, fluid, or purulent drainage in the intrapleural space due to a number of pathologic conditions. When blood accumulates in this space, the condition is referred to as a hemothorax; air accumulation in the space is referred to as a pneumothorax; and purulent drainage accumulating in that space is referred to as empyema. Under such conditions as these, chest tubes may be required to provide drainage of air and excess fluid of any type. Excess fluid in the intrapleural space may be caused by liver or kidney failure, congestive heart failure, infection, malignancy blocking the lymphatic system, trauma, or other injury to the lungs or chest cavity. If the amount of fluid is very small, chest tubes would not typically be necessary. However, if a considerable amount of fluid or blood that cannot be absorbed by the body itself is present, chest tubes and a drainage system will typically be required. Similar conditions may exist within the intrapleural space during and after surgical intervention into the chest cavity.  
         [0007]     When there is an excess amount of fluid or air in the pleural space, simply having an open airway will not typically result in sufficient air exchange for the patient due to the likely presence of a partial or complete lung collapse. A lung collapse occurs when the pressure in the intrapleural space is altered by the excess air or fluid accumulation presses inward on the lung causing it to collapse. Normally, the intrapleural pressure is below atmospheric pressure, thus allowing the lung to easily expand. When a lung does collapse, chest tubes may be used to allow drainage of the air or fluid and restore normal pressure to the intrapleural space so the lungs can expand and adequate gas exchange will occur. Such chest tubes inserted into the pleural space are typically attached to a drainage system that is closed to the atmosphere and is often maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure so as to create suction.  
         [0008]     Depending on the condition of the patient, a chest tube may be inserted and maintained at the patient&#39;s bedside, in an ambulance, or in an operating room. The positioning of a chest tubes and the point of insertion will depend in part upon the type of fluid which has accumulated in the intrapleural space.  
         [0009]     Previous efforts to provide chest tube drainage systems have typically utilized gravity and suction to evacuate the excess fluids and air. The typical closed chest drainage system is maintained at a level lower than that of the patient in order for gravity to facilitate fluid drainage from the intrapleural space. Suction may also be used to promote the transfer of air or fluid out of the intrapleural cavity.  
         [0010]     The traditional drainage system of the prior art involved the use of one, two, or three bottle pleural drainage systems. Each of these systems operated under the basic principles of gravity, positive pressure, and suction, with the one bottle system being the simplest, yet most difficult to monitor. The two bottle system required less vigilance with respect to fluid level monitoring, whereas the three bottle pleural drainage system enabled suction control. Most modern facilities now use a disposable (or partially disposable) pleural drainage system that combines suction control, fluid collection, and a water seal into one multi-chambered unit. These are simply three chambered systems that use the same principles as the classic three bottle system. Examples of such systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,784,642, 4,769,019 and 4,354,493.  
         [0011]     Several difficulties arise with systems heretofore described in the art, including the kinking of the tubing, the formation of clots and blockages, problems with the suction, and problems with dependent loops (air and fluid) in the tubing. Additionally, the classic bottle systems, even those that involve an integrated three chamber structure, are typically quite bulky and do not allow easy transportation or ambulation of the patient. Although some integrated systems have been developed that are directed to being lightweight, portable, non-breakable, and disposable, many problems with the collection tubing still exist. Additionally, these types of devices typically must be connected to large pump systems or stationary vacuum sources which decrease or altogether eliminate their portability.  
         [0012]     A problem almost universally encountered within the prior art is the inadequate drainage of the intrapleural space due to clots or gelatinous inflammatory material and the resultant plugging or kinking of the tube. Another frequent problem in the prior art is the disposal of the biohazardous fluids from the drainage collection chambers. While the chambers may be sealed during use it is often necessary to expose the health care provider to the collected fluids during the removal and disposal process.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention provides a system for draining the chest cavity of a patient subjected to a traumatic chest injury and/or subjected to surgical procedures within the chest cavity. The system includes a small, portable suction device and a chest tube with an improved terminal structure. Two embodiments of the suction device are disclosed. The first embodiment of the suction device is a small, completely disposable, bottle shaped assembly comprising a motor/pump section, a power section, and a desiccant chamber. The second suction device embodiment is a small box shaped assembly with a disposable desiccant pouch. This second configuration of the suction device can be mounted to a battery charger that may in turn be positioned on an IV pole.  
         [0014]     A number of chest tube terminal structures for insertion into the pleural space of a patient are disclosed in the system of the present invention, including multi-lumen structures having both high-airflow and low-airflow lumens. Fenestrations in the form of small slits or the like in the tubular walls are variously positioned between the lumens and between the interior and exterior spaces defined by the lumens, in order to collect coagulated components of the extracted fluids and facilitate the maintenance of a continuous flow of air.  
         [0015]     Further, system of the present invention lends itself to the incorporation of a variety of sensors in the chest tube, the chest tube terminus, and/or the suction device. These sensors may include any of a number of pressure monitoring devices, differential pressure devices, flow rate meters, fluid/gas mixture transducers, and blood saturation monitors. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first structural embodiment of the suction device component of the system of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic functional diagram of the first structural embodiment of the suction device component of the system of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a second structural embodiment of the suction device component of the system of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the second structural embodiment of the suction device component of the system of the present invention, shown attached to an IV pole.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a first chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a transverse cross-sectional view (along A-A in  FIG. 5 ) of the first chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternate configuration to the chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6C  is a top cross-sectional view of the first chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6A  at its attachment to the chest tube.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6D  is a side cross-sectional view of the chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6B  at its attachment to the chest tube.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 7A, 7C , and  7 E are transverse cross-sectional views of further alternate embodiments of the chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 7B, 7D , and  7 F are top and side cross-sectional views of the further alternate embodiments of the chest tube terminus structure of the system of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7C , and  7 E respectively.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a further alternate chest tube terminus structural embodiment of the system of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the chest tube terminus embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the human chest showing the typical placement of a chest tube using a trocar.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing the placement and use of the primary components of the chest tube drainage system of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12  with the addition of a power charger unit.  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12  with the power charger unit attached.  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 12  with the desiccant chamber detached.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of suction device of the system of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 16  with the desiccant chamber and the pump/motor unit detached from each other.  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0000]     1. The Suction Pump and Desiccant Container  
         [0038]     As summarized above, the present invention is directed to a system for sucking air and excess fluid out of the chest cavity of a patient during and after surgical operations, as well as in response to a chest injury such as, for example, a collapsed lung.  FIG. 1  discloses one critical element of a first preferred system embodiment of the present invention, comprising a suction device  10  having a motor/pump section  14 , a power section  16 , and a desiccant chamber section  12  in operative communication with each other. Desiccant chamber  12  preferably incorporates chest tube connection  18 , which in the preferred embodiment may be a screw-on, or quick connect fitting, for connection to a chest tube (not shown), the other end of which is adaptable for placement in the chest cavity as described in more detail below. Desiccant chamber  12  is preferably constructed of a clear, high impact plastic and is removable from power section  16  and motor/pump section  14  at disconnection point  20  and is replaceable in a like manner. Desiccant chamber  12  contains a desiccant material (not shown in this view) for absorbing liquids, such as blood, that are sucked out of the chest cavity along with the air. Desiccant chamber  12  preferably contains anti-microbial and/or anti-bacterial chemicals, which are preferably chlorine-based, to render the suctioned materials non-bio-hazardous. Although  FIG. 1  shows for illustration the power section  16  located at the base of the motor/pump section  14 , the power section  16  may be placed in any other desired location including without limitation between the desiccant chamber  12  and the motor/pump section  14 , and on the inside or outside (or a combination of both) of the suction device  10 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  discloses in schematic form the basic functional components of the suction device of the system of the present invention, as characterized in each of the preferred embodiments described. Suction device  10  comprises motor/pump section  14  and power section  16  connected to desiccant chamber  12  at disconnection point  20 . Airflow is directed through the device from chest tube connection  18  (wherein the air flow may include fluid flow) into desiccant chamber  12  wherein fluids in the airflow are absorbed into desiccant material  22 . An electrically driven motor (powered by power section  16 ) turns an air pump within motor/pump section  14  to direct the air flow from desiccant chamber  12  and out from the device.  
         [0040]     An alternative preferred embodiment of the suction device of the system of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . This embodiment of suction device  40  may be mounted on an IV pole  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This embodiment of suction device  40  incorporates chest tube connection  42  and preferably has a disposable desiccant pouch  44  (hidden in these views within the device enclosure) as disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,862, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a power charging unit  46  is preferably clipped to IV pole  50  by way of bracket  52 . Suction device  40  incorporates chargeable power supply  44  which in turn attaches, clips, plugs into or otherwise connects into power charging unit  46  as shown.  
         [0041]     The first embodiment of the suction device of the present invention described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  may be constructed small enough and of readily available materials and components as to allow the unit to be completely disposable (i.e. a single patient, single use device). The desiccant chamber section ( 12  in  FIG. 1 ) may be replaced as needed for a particular patient while the entire device might be disposed of after use is completed for the particular patient.  
         [0042]     The first embodiment of the suction device of the present invention described above may also find application in other medical situations not involving chest tube placement and drainage. The low vacuum device could, for example, be utilized as a very small wound pump to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure on a healing wound as has become beneficially evident in the wound treatment field. The airflow volume required for a chest tube pump would generally be higher, and the volume required for a wound pump generally lower. Variations in the airflow generated by this variation of the suction device component of the system of the present invention could be achieved through known methods of modifying the pump rate by way of modifying the motor speed. These variations could be implemented as “hard wired” flow rates through preset electronic/electrical parameters, or as variable flow rates through the use of variable electronic/electrical components in the motor controller circuitry.  
         [0043]     The second embodiment of the suction device of the present invention described above with respect to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  would be constructed in a manner similar to the device described in the referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,862. In so far as the device described in this referenced U.S. Patent is primarily directed to the wound healing arts, the structure of a similar device appropriate for use with chest drainage would require modifications that would increase the airflow volume through the device and the capacity of the desiccant chamber. The desiccant material (contained within the desiccant pouch) and the chamber within which it is positioned, would be separately disposable apart from the motor/pump section and the power section of the device.  
         [0044]     The device of this second embodiment would also lend itself to the use of more complex automated decision algorithms that may serve to control the airflow rates and respond to changes in pressure within the system. This increased electronic control complexity also allows the second embodiment described to lend itself to the greater use of sensors within the system that would monitor the various pressures, fluid content, and blood composition (oxygen saturation, for example). A number of such sensor applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,862, incorporated by reference above.  
         [0000]     2. The Chest Tube &amp; Chest Tube Terminus  
         [0045]     As indicated above, many problems with chest tubes have centered around blood coagulating in the tube and blocking the flow of air and fluid through the tube. The present invention provides a solution to this problem in the form of a combination high-flow/low-flow tube design that incorporates low-flow or “dead tubes” that allow the blood to collect within them without blocking the high-flow portion of the tube. An example of one such tube and terminus structure is illustrated in  FIG. 5  (top view),  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  (transverse cross-section views) and  FIGS. 6C &amp; 6D  (lateral cross-sectional views). As shown in  FIG. 5 , this chest tube terminus has a central, relatively large, high-flow lumen  62  and two smaller low-flow lumens  64  &amp;  66  on either side. In a first variation of the structure shown, all of the lumens may be connected to the suction device with the individual lumen air flow rate determined by the differences in cross-sectional geometry of the lumens (and the opening of the lumen into the tube) as well as the number and size of the fenestrations positioned through the lumen walls. This structure shown in transverse cross-section in  FIG. 6A  is functionally disclosed in clear detail in the lateral cross-section of  FIG. 6C . As shown, flow can occur directly from the low flow lumens into the suction tube in addition to flowing first into the high flow lumen (through the intermediate fenestrations  75 ) and then into the suction tube  73 .  
         [0046]     Each of the lumens is preferably perforated with a plurality of external fenestrations as shown; high flow lumen  62  with fenestrations  68 , low flow lumen  64  with fenestrations  72 , and low flow lumen  66  with fenestrations  70 . Additional intermediate fenestrations  75  may be incorporated that would allow the low-flow lumens to communicate with the high-flow lumen as described above. In any of these variations, the structures as shown and described serve to maintain the free flow of air through the system. As collected blood and other fluids coagulate, the coagulated components tend to migrate into the low-flow lumens and thereby leave the high-flow lumen unobstructed for continuous airflow. In addition, the fenestrations provide multiple pathways for air to move around a blood clot in the tube and thereby facilitate continuous airflow.  
         [0047]     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , a chest tube in accordance with the present invention may have one or more “live” lumens  74 ,  78  &amp;  82 , connected to the suction source and one or more “dead” lumens  76 ,  80  &amp;  84  that are not directly connected to the suction source. The “live” lumens  74 ,  78  &amp;  82  are connected by intermediate fenestrations (as shown) to the “dead” lumens  76 ,  80  &amp;  84 , which serve as reservoirs for the suctioned liquid, leaving the “live” lumens  74 ,  78  &amp;  82  clear for continuous airflow.  FIG. 6D  discloses in a lateral cross-sectional view the manner in which the “dead” lumens terminate prior to the suction tube connection point leaving only the “live” lumens to directly connect with the suction tube.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 7A , a further alternative preferred chest tube design in accordance with the present invention is shown in cross-section to comprise a centralized, relatively stiff, high-flow lumen  90  and one or more peripheral low-flow lumens  92  &amp;  94  formed of relatively flexible outer walls that collapse as blood coagulates in them. The collapse of the outer, flexible lumens  92  &amp;  94  helps to push the liquid through the chest tube and into the desiccant chamber of the suction device.  FIG. 7B  discloses the manner of connection to the suction tube wherein low flow lumens  92  &amp;  94  terminate prior to the suction tube connection leaving only high flow lumen  90  directly connected to the suction tube. In this manner, flow through the low flow lumens is restricted through the intermediate fenestrations into the high flow lumen, thus resulting in the lower flow and the desired accumulation of fluids and coagulates in the side lumens.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIG. 7C , still another alternative preferred embodiment of a chest tube design in accordance with the present invention comprises a central suction lumen  100  and one or more diffused suction lumens  102  &amp;  104 , each of which may be connected to a different level of suction (via different ports on the suction device connected to the respective lumens/lines (not shown)) or the same level of suction as shown in  FIG. 7D . In this structure, with the different levels of suction, blood clots will again tend to congregate in the lower-suction lumens  102  &amp;  104 , leaving the higher-suction lumen  100  free for continued airflow.  
         [0050]     Still another alternate preferred embodiment of the cross-sectional structure of the chest tube component of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7E &amp; 7F . In this embodiment, a central fenestrated suction tube  110  is surrounded by an outer tube  114 , with dead space  112  in between the two tubes. In this embodiment, suction that is placed on inner tube  110  allows fluids to be drawn up into the tube and then deposited through the fenestrations (as shown) into the dead space  112  in between inner tube  110  and outer tube  114 .  FIG. 7F  shows the manner in which this embodiment is connected to the suction tube with only the central tube  110  directly connected.  
         [0051]     The multi-lumen structures described above also lend themselves to utilization of certain two-way airflow configurations and methods that could be used to help keep the tubes clear of fluids. The basic principles of a two-way airflow are known in the art and have been utilized with mixed success in conjunction with known suction devices and known drainage catheters. An example of the application of the basic principle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,656. As long as the overall functional effect of the chest tube structure and the suction system is to create a sub-atmospheric pressure (suction) within the intrapleural space, such two-way air-flow could direct and allow a constant flow of air through the tubes to keep them clear. Unique applications of the two-way air flow approach could, for example, be implemented in the present invention by alternately reversing the “live” and “dead” lumens in the multi-lumen configurations described above. In a first state, deposits would tend to form in the “dead” chambers and in particular in the fenestrations connecting to the “live” chambers. In a reverse state these same deposits could be “cleared” from the fenestrations when the airflow across the fenestrations is reversed. Such flow reversal could be accomplished by using a valve located at the chest tube terminus or by bringing separate suction tubes or tube lumens back to the suction device where the switching could occur. Other approaches that implement a reversal of pressure differentials across the fenestrations may also serve to clear the tube of blockages.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , still another embodiment is shown having a central high flow lumen  122  with fenestrations (hidden in this view, interior to the structure) and diffusion areas or low flow lumens  124  &amp;  126  on either side, each with their own fenestrations  128  &amp;  130  to the outside. In this embodiment, internally fenestrated central tube  122  would be of the same stiffness as currently available chest tubes. Central tube  122  is bordered by lumens  124  &amp;  126  formed by a softer rubber material, which serves to define diffusion areas within. The chest tube terminus  120  thus defined, including side lumens  124  &amp;  126  constructed of the softer material, may be readily inserted into the intrapleural space with a trocar removably positioned down the central tube  122 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 10  describes in broad terms the manner of insertion of a drainage chest tube through the use of a trocar as is known in the art.  FIG. 11  shows in broad terms the arrangement of the basic components of the chest tube drainage system of the present invention and its placement within the chest of a patient.  
         [0000]     3. Further Alternate Configurations of the Suction Device  
         [0054]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 12-15  for a brief description of an alternate structural embodiment of the system of the present invention. In  FIG. 12 , suction device  154  is shown incorporating desiccant chamber  158 , which itself is connected by way of chest tube  152  to chest tube terminus  150 . Suction device  154  is seen to comprise pump/motor section  156 , as well as power supply  164 . Pump/motor section  156  incorporates flow controls  160  and data display  162 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  lends itself to greater mobility and ease of use by the health care providers attending to the patient utilizing the chest tube drainage system.  
         [0055]      FIG. 13  shows the system described above in  FIG. 12  with the addition of battery charger and mounting bracket  166 . The structure of charger and bracket  166  is such as to receive suction device  154  therein and provide a charge to incorporated power supply  164 . This attachment is shown in clearer detail in  FIG. 14  where suction device  154  is slid into and electrically connected with battery charger and mounting bracket  166 . Bracket  166  may incorporate features on a reverse side that would permit it to be mounted to an IV pole as in the previously described embodiments.  
         [0056]     Reference is finally made to  FIG. 15  wherein desiccant chamber  158  is shown removed from suction device  154 . In this view, vacuum ports  168  and  170  are shown on suction device  154  and desiccant chamber  158  respectively. When attached together, these ports  168  and  170  mate to form the connection between suction device  154  and desiccant chamber  158 . In this manner, the assembly comprising desiccant chamber  158 , chest tube  152 , and chest tube terminus  150 , may all be disposed of separately. In some instances it may be appropriate to dispose of desiccant chamber  158  alone once it becomes full, while not immediately removing or disposing of chest tube  152  and chest tube terminus  150 .  
         [0057]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 16-18  for a brief description of a further alternative embodiment of the suction device described for the system of the present invention. Suction device  180 , shown in  FIG. 16 , is similar in many respects to the embodiment disclosed above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . Suction device  180  is connected to chest tube  182  by way of chest tube connector  184 , which is positioned at a top point on desiccant chamber  188 . Desiccant material  190  is shown contained within desiccant chamber  188  in  FIG. 16 . Motor/Pump section  186  is shown attached to desiccant chamber  188  at disconnection point  192 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 17  shows in greater detail the interior components and structure of suction device  180  described above with respect to  FIG. 16 . In this view, desiccant chamber  188  has been removed from motor/pump section  186  at disconnection point  192 . Various features along this connection point  192  are designed to match and mate when the assembly is connected. Vacuum ports  194   a  in desiccant chamber  188  align with and match vacuum ports  194   b  in motor/pump section  186 . Desiccant chamber  188  incorporates a pressure sensor (described in more detail below with regard to  FIG. 18 ) which electrically connects into motor/pump section  186  by way of contacts  196   a / 196   b  and  198   a / 198   b.  Desiccant chamber  188  incorporates a reduced perimeter  200   a  that fits into and locks onto track  200   b  positioned on the upper perimeter of suction device  186 . When connected in this way, each of the respective vacuum ports and electrical contacts align for connection between the components of the device.  
         [0059]     Reference is finally made to  FIG. 18  for a detailed description of the interior construction of desiccant chamber  188  and its respective connections to motor/pump section  186 . In this partial cross sectional view of  FIG. 18 , desiccant material  202  is shown positioned within the volume of space  204  defined by the walls of desiccant chamber  188 . Tube connector  184  is shown to incorporate a check valve  206  to prevent the backflow of material from chamber  188  into chest tube  182 . Aligned ports  194   a  and  194   b  are shown in this view, as are aligned contacts  196   a / 196   b  and  198   a / 198   b.    
         [0060]     Shown positioned below desiccant material  202  in  FIG. 18  is differential pressure transducer  208 . This transducer provides the necessary determination of the content of desiccant chamber  188  and serves to alert a health care provider when the chamber has been filled and needs to be replaced.  
         [0000]     4. Additional Features and Additional Embodiments  
         [0061]     A variety of sensors may also be utilized in association with the chest tube embodiments constructed in accordance with the present invention. For example, flow rate, SAO 2 , ECG, and respiratory rate sensors could be incorporated into the chest tube at a variety of appropriate locations. Pressure sensors, both absolute and differential, could be placed at various locations within the airflow path of the full system to permit accurate monitoring and control over the function of the drainage system. These sensors serve to reduce the level of human monitoring that might otherwise be required and supplement such human monitoring to provide better patient care.  
         [0062]     Additionally, embedded web-enabled sensor and monitoring technologies could be placed in the various devices of the present invention to transmit the data collected to a remote location via the Internet. Such systems, typically housed within the suction device of the present system, could serve to alert the health care providers of both critical and non-critical conditions within the patient.  
         [0063]     It is anticipated that further variations in both the structure of the suction device of the present invention and the chest tube terminus of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the present disclosure and a discernment of the attached drawing figures. Such variations, while not explicitly described and defined herein, may be seen to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.