Patent ID: 7686785

Claim:
A suction regulator for regulating suction withdrawal of body fluids from a patient, the suction regulator comprising: a body; an outlet port defined in said body that is configured to be coupled to a source of suction; an inlet port defined in said body that is configured to be in fluid communication with the patient; a fluid passageway defined between the outlet port and the inlet port; a means for regulating suction at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway for maintaining a desired level of suction within the fluid passageway, wherein in an open position of the regulating means fluid can travel in the fluid passageway between the inlet port and the outlet port under the source of suction, and in a closed position of the regulating means the regulating means substantially prevents fluid from travelling in the fluid passageway between the inlet port and the outlet port; and a means for introducing atmospheric air into at least a portion of the fluid passageway, over the regulating means and through the outlet port under the source of suction when the regulating means is maintained in the open position.