CA1220538A - Electronic drainage system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The invention provides an electronic drainage system for draining of liquid and gases from a cavity such as the pleural cavity, while providing means for making any of a number of measurements and for generating accurate and easily comprehendable readings without the need to resort to manometer tubes or other fluid gauges. The invention contemplates both a comprehensive system for controlling the flow of fluids from the pleural cavity or the like, through a simple hook-up between the patient and a suction system, while monitoring any of various physical characteristics and indicating such measurements on readily readable displays, such characteristics including:
effluent temperature, effluent volume, effluent weight, patient negativity pressure, maximum negativity, patient air flow rate, suction, suction air flow and the like. A preferred circuit for performing the foregoing functions includes various transducers which can further be used to regulate the desired suction setting and to measure various air flow rates while providing automatic and precise control of the regulated parameters, and circuitry connected to an effluent collection chamber for repeatedly measuring and emptying the chamber to provide the drainage function as well as the measurement functions of the fluids associated therewith. Multiplex circuitry is preferably provided for automatically reading the various measuring devices and for displaying relevant information in an easily understandable form. The invention on a less comprehensive scale comprehends a combination of electronic and mechanical components for measuring and displaying values for air flow, suction, patient negativity and maximum negativity. The invention in its preferred form includes fluid contaminatable portions which are disposable after use.

Description

~ ~ O 5 ~ PC 6697 ELECTRONIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Field of the Invention This invention relates to drainage systems, and in particular, to systems for draining fluids from cavities such as the pleural cavity.
Background of the Invention In some situations, and particularly ln fields of medical treatment, lt is important to drain a body cavity of extraneous fluids in a sanitary and precisely controlled manner. For example, a common result of chest surgery and the puncturing of the chest wall or of organs therein, is the accumulation of blood, water, gas and other fluids in the pleural cavity. The accumulation of fluids or air in the pleural cavity can be very dangerous and even fatal. In such conditions, it is vitally important that means be pro-vided for evacuating such fluids and air from the pleuralcavity and for assisting the lung to its normal expansion or reexpansion. Essentially, this calls for the application of a level of suctlon on the pleural cavity to withdraw the extraneous fluids and air, and help re-inflate the lung once it has collapsed. For many years, a standard apparatus performing the evacuation process was an underwater seal drainage system known as the "3-bottle set-up". The 3-bottle set-up consists of a collection bottle, a water seal bottle and a suction control bottle. A catheter runs from the patient's pleural cavity to the collection bottle, and the suction bottle is connected by a tube to a suction source. The three bottles are connected in series by vari-ous tubes to apply a predetermined suction to the pleural cavity to withdraw fluid and alr and discharge same into the collection bottle. Gases entering the collection bottle bubble through water in the water seal bottle. The water in the water seal also prevents the back flow of air into the k chest cavity.
The 3-bottle set-up lost favor with the introduc-tion of an underwater seal drainage system sold under the name~"Pleur-evac" in 1965 by Deknatel Inc., the predecessor ~ r, -- ~22Q538 of the Deknatel Division of Howmedica Inc. U. S. Patent Nos.
3,363,626; 3,363,627; 3,559,647; 3,683,913; 3,782,497;
4,258,824; and Re. 29,877 are directed to various aspects of the Pleur-evac system which has been marketed over the years. The Pleur-evac system provided improvements that eliminated various shortcomings of the 3-bottle set-up.
These improvements have included the elimination of varia-tions in the 3-bottle set-up that existed between different manufacturers, hospitals, and hospital laboratories, such variations including bottle size, tube length and diameter, stopper material and the like. Various inefficiencies and dangers have existed in the 3-bottle set-up resulting from the many separate components and the large number (usually 16 or 17) of connections, such as pneumothorax which may result from the loss of the water seal in the water seal bottle if suction were temporarily disconnected, and possi-ble build-ups of positive pressure which could cause tension pneumothorax and possible mediastanal shift. Another seri-ous shortcoming of the 3-bottle set-up is danger of incor-rert connection and the time necessary to set the system upand to monitor its operation.
Among the features of the Pleur-evac system which provide its improved performance are employment of 3-bottle techniques in a single, pre-formed, self-contained unit.
~5 The desired values of suction are established by the levels of water in the suction control bottle and the water seal bottle, which levels are filled according to specified val-ues prior to the application of the system to the patient.
A special valve referred to as the "High Negativity Valve"
is included which floats closed when the patient's nega-tivity becomes sufficient to threaten loss of the water seal. Also, a "Positive Pressure Release Valve" in the large arm of the water seal chamber works to prevent a ten-sion pneumothorax when pressure in the large arm of the water seal exceeds a prescribed value because of suction malfunction, accidental clamping or occlusion of the suction tube. The Pleur-evac system is disposable and helps in the battle to control cross-contamination.

-- ~Z20~38 Despite the advantages of the Pleur-evac system over the 3-bottle set-up and the general acceptance of the devlce in the medical community, there has remained a con-tinuing need to improve the convenience and performance of chest drainage systems and to render such systems very com-pact. Underwater seal drainage systems as described above require the filling of manometer tubes to levels specified by the physician prior to being connected to the patient and the hospital suction system. Although it is conceivable that such filling could be performed at a manufacturing fa-cility prior to shipment, as a practical matter this would not suffice because frequent ad~ustments are needed accord-ing to the different values of patient suction as dictated by the attending physician~ Moreover, the presence of fluid in the various tubes could result in damage to the system during shipment such as because of freezing temperatures or because of leakage. In addition, accuracy of present under-water drainage systems is limited in that the filling of the manometers and the reading of the various gauges must be done visually by observing the liquid level in the respec-tive chambers. A reduction in size of the system would offer such benefits as ease of use, ease of storage, less expensive shipping costs, and the reduction in the obstruc-tion between the patient, his or her visitors and the medi-cal staff.
Furthermore, the present underwater seal drainagesystems are not conducive to incorporation in larger systems which perform other functions besides that of draining the pleural cavity and enabling the monitoring of a limited num-ber of physical factors such as various pressure measure-ments. It would be a great advantage to have a drainage system which could be incorporated with other systems for the purpose of monitoring various important occurrences associated with the patient, such as temperature, respira-tion, pressure differentials, the quantity and flow rate offluids drained from the patient and the like.
The use of electronic technology in con~unction with the monitoring of the drainage of body fluids is not ~ 1220S38 entirely new. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 4,206,727 de-scribes a urological drainage monitor including an electron-ic timing system for periodically altering the liquid flow path into a series of receptacles for indicating the charac-teristics of fluid collected in each time period. However,systems for electronically controlling independent variables such as imposed suction and fluid flow and for electronical-ly measuring the characteristics of gas flow and liquid flow associated with their drainage from the body was heretofore unknown.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an electronic drain-age system for draining of liquid and gases from a cavity such as the pleural cavity, while providing means for making any of a number of measurements and for generating accurate and easily comprehendable readings without the need to re-sort to manometer tubes or other fluid gauges. The inven-tion contemplates both a comprehensive system for controll-ing the flow of fluids from the pleural cavity or the like, through a simple hook-up between the patient and a suction system, while monitoring any of various physical character-istics and lndicating such measurements on readily readable displays, such characteristics including: effluent tempera-ture, effluent volume, effluent weight, patient negativity pressure, maximum negativity, patient air flow rate, suc-tion, suction air flow and the llke. A preferred circuit for performing the foregoing functions includes various transducers which can further be used to regulate the de-slred suction setting and to measure various air flow rates while providing automatic and precise control of the regu-lated parameters, and circuitry connected to an effluent collection chamber for repeatedly measuring and emptying the chamber to provide the drainage function as well as the measurement functions of the fluids associated therewith.
Multiplex circuitry is preferably provided for automatically reading the various measuring devices and for displaying relevant information in an easily understandable form. The ~2Z0538 invention on a less comprehensive scale comprehends a combination of elec-tronic and mechanical components for measuring and displaying values for air flow, suction, patient negativity and maximum negativity. The invention in its preferred form includes fluid contaminatable portions which are dispos-able after use.
In summary, the invention provides an electronic drainage system for monitoring the air and liquids flowing in a suction conduit from an in-accessible body cavity and for controlling the suction in the suction conduit, said system comprising: suction control means for controlling the suction in the conduit for the purpose of regulating the air and liquid flow from the cavity, said suction control means maintaining a suction in the conduit;
suction transducer means for monitoring the air pressure in the suction con-duit and for generating an actual suction signal whose value is reflective of the actual suction in the conduit; and adjusting means for automatically adjusting said suction control means in increments varying in proportion to deviations in the value of said actual suction signal from a predetermined suction value.
Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a comprehensive system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing the transducers and control devices incorporated in the system of Figure l;
Figures 3 and 4 are perspective and cross-sectional, schematic detailed views, respectively, of the suction air flow valve shown in Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows in schematic form circuitry for performing the information retrieval and display functions for the system of Figure l;

- 12Z()538 Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a multiplexer select and LCD
driver decoder network used with the system of Figure 5;
FIGURE 7 shows in schematic form a block diagram for a single multiplexed display which is less comprehensive than the system of Figure l;
and Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of a system according to the embodi-ment of Figure 7.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Turning first to the comprehensive system shown schematically in Figure 1, it will be observed from the discussions that follow that the sys-tem provides a variety of information and fluid drainage controls while involving but two fluid connections, one to the patient and one to a suction line such as one associated with a hospital suction system. A suction control means in the form of a suction regulator 1 includes means for control-ling the suction applied to the system. Such means can conveniently comprise -5a-122053~
an electrically or pneumatically driven motor ~or varying the size of an orifice in the suction line through which air can be admitted from the atmosphere to atmospheric pressure.
The level of suction is established by the ad~ustment of a set point select 3, which can conveniently be manually set by an attendant according to appropriate instructions. Such a manual setting could be made by means of a dial or by the depression of a correct sequence of buttons on a numerical array, or the like. A common setting would be -20 cm. H20 pressure. A means for monitoring the flow of air into the suction system to arrive at the desired suction value is accomplished by a monitoring means shown in Figure 1 as an air flow transducer 5. Signals generated by a suction air flow transducer 5, indicating the amount of air flow, are processed in a signal processor 7 to which transducer 5 is connected, and the value is displayed on a suction air flow display 9.
The actual negative pressure in the suction line is measured by a suction transducer 11, and this transducer generates a signal reflective of that value and transmits it to a signal processor 13 which processes the signal and in turn transmits it to a suction display 15 where that value can be observed. Suction transducer 11 also transmits a signal of the actual negative pressure to a difference or error signal generating device 16. Device 16 generates a signal "e" whose magnitude is a function of the selected value of the set point device 3 and the real value repre-sented by the signal generated by suction transducer 11.
The drive motor of regulator 1 rotates in the correct direc-tion in response to the signal "e" generated by device 16 tovary the orifice through which ambient air is admitted to the suction llne, until the difference between the signals generated by devices 3 and 11 is zero or nearly zero, de-pending on whether a type 1 or type 2 control loop ~as dis-cussed below) is used. Suction regulator 1 is very impor-tant because it compensates for differences between the suc-tion systems of different hospitals or other facilities in which the system of Figure 1 would be used, as well as com-~22053~9 pensating for significant changes within a glven system asthe number of users connected to the suction line changes.
The suction applied to the patient is selected by the phy-sician according to the physical condition or nature of the illness Or the patient, and it ls important that variations in this pressure be kept to a minimum to avoid further dam-age to the lung or pleural space. As noted above, display 15 renders the output of transducer 11 in a legible form, which can be digital, a bar graph, a meter or the like.
It is very important that pressure build-up in the pleural space be prevented such as in the event of a failure of the vacuum system. Therefore, a positive pressure vent 17 is provided which can be either a mechanical or electron-ic device, although mechanical devices of simple construc-tion would be most economical under the preferred embodi-ment, particularly if venting is restricted to fixed values of differential pressure. The vent could be established whenever a positive pressure of, for example, 1 cm. H2O more positive than atmospheric occurs, which is indicative of a failure in the vacuum system.
A patient air flow transducer 19 is located to measure the flow rate of air and other gases in the conduit from the patient. When the system is perfectly sealed, any air flowing through the conduit is coming from the pleural space, and the flow rate is a function of both the volume of the air leak and the suction pressure as established by the setting of set point select 3. A signal processor 21 is electrically connected to transducer 19 to convert the sig-nal from the transducer to a form needed by an air flow dis-play 23. The readout of display 23 can conveniently be pro-vided in units of liters per minute.
Transducer 19 preferably operates in con~unction with a one-way valve. As the volume of the air leak de-creases, a natural consequence is the development of a nega-tive pressure in the pleural space, and this negative pres-sure is generally referred to as "patient negativity". If a patient develops a negative pressure greater than that of the suction system, the valve associated with transducer 19 :~Z20538 closes to assure the absence of a reverse air flow in the pleural space.
A patient negativity transducer 25 is also provided in the air conduit. The latter transducer measures the ne-gative pressure in the pleural space. If the valve associ-ated with transducer 19 is open, transducer 25 senses a negative pressure that is very close to that of the suction system, differing only by the loss downstream at element 19.
However, when the valve associated with transducer 19 closes, it is important to know what level of negativity the patient is achieving. Therefore, a signal processor 27 is electrically connected to transducer 25 and to a negativity display 29. If the patient negativity pressure sensed by transducer 25 and displayed on display 29 warrants an ad-~ustment, the pressure loss that occurs across element 19 can be ad~usted. Imposing a pressure loss in transducer 19 means that the physician wants the patient to develop a pressure before allowing any of the air to be released from the pleural space into the suction system.
Frequently, as the patient is healing, the level of negativity which develops cycles up and down. Since larger levels of negativity may occur while the attendant moni-toring the system is away from the patient, it may be useful for the physician to know what maximum level of negative pressure was actually attained. Such high levels of nega-tivity may also occur if the tube inserted into the pleural space, such as for withdrawing air and accumulated fluids, becomes clogged with blood clots, damaged tissue or the like. In order to clear the blockage, the attendant "milks"
the tube in an attempt to reopen it, however, this procedure often causes hlgh values of momentary negativity on the patient. In order to determine that this has happened and to what extent, a maximum negativity hold device 33 is elec-trically connected to signal processor 27 and is so devised as to record and store negativity values up to the level permitted by an excessive negativity release or safety valve 31. The stored value is displayed on display function 35.
In the event the maxlmum negativity reaches a dangerous l;~Z053~3 level, excessive negativity release 31 is provided as a safety valve which allows atmospheric air to enter the unit when a predetermined maximum occurs. The safety valve 31 prevents additional damage due to excessive negatlve pres-sures. A maximum negativity reset switch 37 allows theattendant to clear the old maximum in order to record a new one which may occur at a later time. This feature has a decided advantage over existing drainage systems which, in some cases, display the occurrence of a high negative pres-sure by using a water catching depression or cup; however,it is a one time mechanism because once filled it cannot be reset.
A collection chamber 39 is provided for receiving fluids which are withdrawn from the in~ured area such as the pleural cavity. Unlike present drainage systems wherein the face of the collection chamber is calibrated in cubic centi-meters (cc's) of fluid and which is normally marked to indi-cate the particular level of liquid present at specified times, in the electronic system shown in Figure 1, the vol-ume of liquid is monitored electronically with a volumetransducer 41. A signal processor 43 is electrically con-nected to transducer 41 and to a volume display 45. Volume display 45 shows the physician in a quickly and readily understandable way how much liquid has been lost by the patient. A computer memory 47 is electrically connected to the output of signal processor 43 for storing the time his-tory of this collection along with all of the other parame-ters as indicated by the dotted lines electrically connect-ing the respective signal processors with this memory. The memory 47 thus provides a complete, recoverable history of the illness and its therapy. A weight transducer 49 is electronically connected with fluid collection chamber 39 for weighing the fluid in the chamber as a function of time.
A signal processor 51 is electronically connected with the transducer and to a weight display 53. The weight trans-ducer and associated processor and display, enable the mea-surement and recording of the parameter fluid versus time, a parameter neither measured nor recorded under prior drainage _ g _ 12Z053~3 systems. The system of Figure 1 thus provides means for measuring and recording in real time~ i.e., a running compu-tation of weight or volume, and from this a determination of fluid density, fluid composition, and other analyses (such as spectral, enzyme, blood content of the fluid, and the like) to be made. Furthermore, by electronically connecting the signal processor 51 with computer memory 47, the com-puter can give the physician a very valuable measure of the actual loss of blood as well as providing other computer calculatable information.
Were fluid collection chamber 39 simply connected directly to the fluid flow conduit from the cavity being drained, there would be a necessary delay in the time for air flow to commence because there would have to be a suffi-cient buildup of air pressure withln the empty part of col-lection chamber 39 to overcome the loss at the valve asso-ciated with transducer 19. Therefore, a device referred to as a dead space limiter 55 is provided between the fluid flow conduit from the patient cavity being drained and the fluid collection chamber 39. Device 55 blocks the large volume of the empty collection chamber from the small volume of the air flow path. The limiter fills with liquid from the cavity, dumps lt lnto a recelvlng bottle and recloses the fluld passageway. Not only does dead space llmlter 55 block the empty part of collectlon chamber 39 from the air flow path, but it can also be used to record total volume based on its capacity and the number of times lt has been emptled.
In order to measure the temperature of fluld leaving the patlent's cavity and to record that temperature over time, an electronic thermometer in the form of a tem-perature transducer 57 is electronically connected to the fluid conduit from the cavity. The transducer or sensor 57 is advantageously mounted directly to the catheter structure that is inside the cavity wall. A signal processor 59 is electrically connected to transducer 57, and the temperature display 61 is connected to the processor. This arrangement provides for the automatic and accurate measurement and l~:Z0538 recording of temperature, and is more efficient than the prior procedure wherein a nurse makes temperature readings from tlme to time on a "conventional" thermometer. The signal processor can be electronically connected to computer memory 47 for the recording function.
The system is energized by appropriate means such as a battery 63. A battery monitoring device 65 can be provided for monitoring the state of the battery and for generating a warning signal on one or more displays of the system when the battery output falls below a predetermined voltage level. The battery voltage is indicated by the symbol VB.
The system of Figure 1 is thus a comprehensive unit having a very flexible format capable of obtaining, record-ing, displaying and evaluating a variety of data for accu-rately monitoring the state of a patient whose pleural or other cavity is being drained. Device 47 is a storage and computing system having enough memory for storing the de-sired amount of information for the expected life of the device. This computer and memory system can include such accessories as a cathode ray tube (CRT), chart recorder, printer, tape or disc or any other readout that will give a permanent running history of the parameters being measured.
The system can be modified to independently record data for more than one catheter should drainage be performed in the pleural cavity of a patient both of whose lungs have been damaged, or if more than one catheter is placed in a single pleural cavity (such as one for gas and one for liquids), and the system additionally could be centrally located to collect and store data from numerous locations for more than one patient. The system, when adapted to operate in con-~unction with drainage in several locations, can be operated on a time-share basis, while still possessing the ability to provide an on command CRT, chart recorder or printer history of each of the inputs, all of this with a minimal number of attendants. An especially useful readout, for example, would show not only the total amount of fluid lost, but also the amount lost during each hour of the treatment so that lZ20S38 the degree of improvement or decline could readily be determined and made a permanent part of the patient's record. Other attendant controlled display means could be used as well.
Figure 1 shows fluid flow patterns for both air flow and liquid flow. The system of Figure 1 thus makes the following measurements and effects the following controls:
(1) system suction and control; (2) patient air flow; (3) patient negativity and maximum negativity; (4) fluid tem-perature; (5) fluid volume; and (6) fluid weight.
Preferred embodiments for performing the foregoing functions are shown in Figures 2-6 and are described in the following paragraphs.
Figure 2 shows a control loop for suction regula-tion. Suction transducer 11 is mounted in an air flow lineor suction conduit 67 connected to a hospital suction source (not shown) when the unit is put into operation. Suction transducer 11 is shown as a resistive bridge 69 comprising four resistors. Two of the resistors are connected together and to a reference voltage source VR, and the other two resistors are connected together and grounded at their ~unc-ture. One of the resistors connected to voltage source VR
and one of the grounded resistors are connected to the posi-tive input of an ampllfier Al, and the ~uncture of the other resistor connected to VR and the other grounded resistor are connected to the negative input of ampllfier Al. (Although suction transducer 11 is shown as a reslstive brldge, other transducer techniques could be used as well, such as a diaphragm-actuated reslstive potentiometer, a capacltatlve device, an inductlve device such as a LVDT-linear voltage displacement transducer or a llght sensor.) Amplifler Al generates a voltage signal Vl from the small variations ln resistance detected by the bridge 69~ Ampllfler Al also provides a low impedance source for the resulting signal.
It is contemplated that brldge clrcuit 69 is a conventional unit which could be purchased with an integral amplifier Al.
The output Vl Or amplifier Al is the electrlcal equivalent of the pressure within suction line o7. A potentiometer P

~2Z0538 includes a resistor connected at one end to the voltage reference source VR and grounded at its other end, and a probe is connected to the positive port of an amplifier A2.
The voltage established by potentiometer Pl is manually set by an attendant according to the desired value of suction.
Amplifier A2 is a voltage follower, and the voltage versus suction relationship from the upper part of potentiometer P
should be identical to that of amplifier A1. The output of voltage follower A2 is shown as V2. The outputs of devices A1 and A2 are connected respectively to resistors R2 and R3, which are in turn connected to the negative and positive inputs of a differential integrator 71. Differential inte-grator 71 comprises an amplifier A3, resistors R2 and R3, a capacitor C1 connected across the negative input and the output of amplifier A3, and a capacitor C2 connected from the positive input to ground.
Suction regulator 1 from Figure 1 is shown as a suction flow valve 73. Valve 73 is preferably an air flow flap valve which is operated by a drive motor 75 and func-tions as a variable orifice for flow line 67. The construc-tion of valve 73 is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The valve includes a stationary member shown as a disc 377 fixed in the wall of conduit 67 and having a pair of orifices 379 and 380 shown as equal partial sectors of disc 377, a coaxi-al disc 381 mounted for rotation in the direction of arrow A
on the common axis x of the two discs and having an orifice 383 of equal size and shape to orifices 379 and 380, and a flap valve 385 mounted on disc 377 over orifice 380. Flap valve 385 functions to measure the flow of air through o~i-fice 380; it is pivotally mounted near axis x on disc 377 for movement between a closed position where it closes ori-fice 380, and an open position, the amount which corresponds to the volume of air flow through orifice 380. Flap valve 385 is attached to disc 377 at location 378 by appropriate means such as rivets or other fasteners, welding, or the like. The valve is preferably biassed to its closed posi-tion by means of springs, the resiliency of the material from which it is made, gravity or the like. Valve 73 is l;i~ZOS319 preferably mounted in a vertical plane hanging vertically downward so that closure of flap valve 385 can be gravity controlled if so desired. Valve 73 regulates the suction in conduit 67 by regulating the flow of atmospheric air into the conduit. Disc 381 iS movable among various positions, and is in sliding engagement with disc 377 to prevent air flow between the discs. In order to prevent any air flow through valve 73, such as when conduit 67 has not yet achieved the deslred valve of suction, disc 381 is rotated to put orifice 383 out of any alignment with either of ori-fices 379 and 380, and with the body of disc 381 closing orifices 379 and 380. Intermediate amounts of air flow through valve 73 are obtained by the partial overlapping of orifices 383 and 380 while the body of disc 381 closes ori-fice 379. That is, the intermediate air flow needed tocontrol suction to the selected valve is achieved by the movement of an edge 387 of orifice 383 across orifice 380 between edges 391 and 393 of orifice 380. As noted above, flap valve 385 measures the flow of air through orifice 380.
This measurement is accomplished by means of a grounded resistence bar 395 to which a reference voltage VR is ap-plied, and a conductive feeler 397 which rides across bar 395 as flap valve 385 pivots with changes in the flow of air through orifice 380. Changes in the resistance at bar 395, and consequently in the pick-off voltage of feeler 397, reflect the air flow through orifice 380. The output signal is impressed across a low pass filter comprising resistor RSF and capacitor CsF, provided to filter out extraneous signal variations, to provide a suction air flow signal VsF
which is transmitted to processor 21 and to display 23. The suction detection and readout devices tell the attendant when the hospital suction is set in the correct range for efficient system operation. Disc 381 is rotatable by the drive shaft of motor 75, the operation of which is con-trolled by the output voltage V3 of differential integrator71. When the output voltage V2 of voltage follower A2 exceeds the output V1 of amplifier Al, the suction in flow line 67 has failed to reach the value selected by the atten-lZZQ538 dant in the ad~ustment of potentiometer Pl. Therefore, differential integrator 71 integrates (V2 - Vl) in a posi-tive directionJ and a positive output V3 results. V3 is applied to drive motor 75, and the motor turns in a direc-tion to reduce the openlng established by valve 73, and thusreduces the amount of atmospheric air leaking into the line.
With the reduction in the size of the opening, the suction level in line 67 increases, causing voltage Vl to increase until voltage Vl equals or exceeds voltage V2, at which time the foregoing operation reverses itself. The behavior of this loop as it approaches a steady state condition depends upon the response speed of its components and the damping or time constraints of the entire loop. Differential integra-tor 71 acts to reduce ~ts output V3 to zero in the steady state condition; therefore, this is defined as a Type II
loop in control theory terminology. A graph showing the variation of V3 with time is shown adjacent to integrator 71. Of course, all of the rules for loop stability as dic-tated by the techniques of Bode, Nyquist or Root Locus must -be obeyed to avoid the occurrence of an unstable oscillatorycondition.
A feedback resistor Rl is connected across the negative input and the output of amplifier Al. Resistor R
and the output of amplifier Al are also connected to the negative input of a comparator A4. The positive input of comparator A4 is connected to a voltage source whose nega-tive value corresponds to a predetermined positive pressure.
The function of comparator A4 is to provide the positive pressure vent referred to as device 17 in Figure 1. A nega-tive value of the output Vl of amplifier Al indicates thatthe pressure in line 67 is greater than atmospheric pres-sure; when the value Vl becomes more negative than the volt-age applied to the positive input of comparator A4, which value can for example correspond to +l cm. H20, the output of comparator A4 changes to its high state which sends a positive pressure vent signal to the negative port of dif-ferential integrator A3. When this occurs, the output V3 of diffe l~ial amplifier A3 goes full negative, forcing valve .

lZZO531B
73 to open to its fullest extent (so that orifices 383 and 379 are completely aligned), thus allowing the excess air pressure in line 67 to escape unimpeded into the atmosphere.
This action eliminates the influence of flap valve 385 which will normally close with the occurrence of reverse pressure to actually prevent the release of the positive pressure that must be eliminated. Other means for venting such posi-tive pressure could be used; for example, a solenoid valve driven by the output of comparator A4 could be used as well.
However, the use of an orifice already available simplifies the mechanical design of the system. A diode Dl is con-nected to the output of comparator A4 to protect differen-tial amplifier A3 against negative voltages from comparator A4.
Although the means for rotating disc 381 is shown as an electrical drive motor in an analog loop, this ~.eans could also be a stepper motor as part of a digital control loop. The approach selected would depend on the des$red resolution of the correction, power consumption, size, cost and speed.
The electrical signal for patient air flow is shown as a voltage V4 and the electrical equivalent of the suction air flow VsF. The value of voltage V4 is established by a patient air flow transducer 81, similar to suction air flow transducer 73. Transducer 81 itself includes, in addition to a hinged flap 79, a stop 83 positioned so that flap 79 is rotatable between a vertical position in which it abuts stop 83 and a position to the left of vertical in which the ori-fice is virtually wide open. When the pressure downstream of the flap (i.e., to the left as shown in Figure 2) exceeds that upstream of the flap, flap 79 abuts stop 83 and blocks passage 67 so that no reverse air flow occurs. A conductive feeler 85 is attached to the free end of flap 79 for riding across a resistive bar 87 as flap 79 moves. Bar 87 is grounded at one end and has the reference voltage VR applied to the other end. As flap 79 moves to its closed position, the resistance and the pickoff voltage of transducer 81 are zero. When the pressure upstream of flap 79 exceeds that lZ;Z0538 downstream thereof, flap 79 rotates clockwise according to the pressure differential (and air flow) across it. The resulting variation in resistance and pickoff voltage on resister 87 are representative of the air flow, and the electrical output of transducer 81 is processed accordingly.
A resistor R5 and a grounded capacitor C3 form a low pass filter connected to flap 79 and are provided to smooth out any unwanted variations in the signal reflective of air flow, such as that component of the total imposed by the patient's breathing. As indicated earlier, the purpose for providing a flap 79 of transducer 81 and the positive pressure release function of comparator A4 is to provide protection against the dangerous situation of reverse air flow to the patient when a pressure greater than atmospheric exists in flow line 67. These functions are redundant and serve to back each other up.
Patient negativity transducer 25 from Figure 1 is shown in its preferred form as a bridge circuit 89 in Figure

2. Bridge circuit 89 includes a pair of resistors connected to a reference voltage VR, one of the latter resistors and a third resistor connected to the negative input of an ampli-fier A5, the latter resistor and a fourth resistor connected to ground, and the first and fourth resistors connected to the positive input of amplifier A5. A feedback resistor R6 is connected across the negative input and the output of amplifier A5. The output of amplifier A5 is the electrical equlvalent of patient negativity and is shown as a voltage V5. The function and arrangement of bridge 89, amplifier A5 and their associated connections are similar to those asso-ciated with bridge 69 and amplifier Al. A negativity com-parison means in the form of a comparator A6 has connected at its input port the output of amplifier A5, and the nega-tive input of comparator A6 is connected to a voltage source which corresponds to a predetermined level of pressure such as -50 cm. ~2- Comparator A6 changes state and generates a negativity signal when the negative pressure exceeds that to which the predetermined value applied to the negative input corresponds. A transistor Q2 is connected to the output of comparator A6. The output of voltage comparator A6 is shown as a voltage V6. A solenoid S1 is connected to the col-lector of transistor Q2 as well as to the system power VB.
Solenoid S1 includes a movable rod 91 having a valve 93 at a free end for closing a port 95 in air flow line 67. A
spring 97 biases rod 91 to a position where valve 93 closes port 95. When the negative pressure on comparator A6 ex-ceeds the predetermined level shown as -50 cm. H20, the high state of voltage V6 turns on transistor Q2~ the coil of solenoid S1 is energized, and rod 91 is moved upwardly to open port 95 so that atmospheric air bleeds into line 67 to release excess negativity. When the excess negativity is released, spring 97 forces valve 93 into the closed posi-tion. Diode D3 and capacitor C4 are used to hold valve 93 in the open position long enough to avoid a chattering con-dition.
Preferred embodiments of the dead space limiter, the fluid collection chamber, and the electronic elements associated with the fluid collection chamber are shown in Figure 2. Weight transducer 49 can take any of a number of forms since the measurement which it must make is straight-forward and not particularly delicate. It is shown sitting on a fixed platform supporting a collection chamber 99 which is a preferred embodiment of fluid collection chamber 39 in Figure 1. Collection chamber 99 could be hung on a hook attached to transducer 49; alternatively, the weight of liquids withdrawn from the patient's cavity could be mea-sured using a weight transducer operatively associated with the dead space limiter and volume monitor described below.
In either event, a transducer of the type described with regards to bridge circuits 69 and 89 would be appropriate devices for the weight transducer.
Dead space limiter 55 and volume transducer 41 from Figure 1 are depicted in their preferred form as a "dead 35 space limiter and volume monitor" 101. Device 101 comprises a cup of known volume having a horizontal sliding trap door bottom 103. A spring 107 of solenoid S2 is provided for biasing door 103 to its closed position until a predeter-mined quantity of liquid accumulates in device 101, after which the door opens and fluid empties into collection cham-ber 99. Alternatively, solenoid S2 could be a rotary sole-noid to efficiently open the trap door in a rotary rather than a sliding motion. An electronic circuit is provided for use in conjunction with device 101. This circuit in-cludes a pair of contact points separated by a distance shown as R8, the points being connected respectively to ground, and to a resistor R7 and to the input of an inverter Il. When device 101 ls full of liquid, a resistance conduc-tive path very much lower than that of resistor R7 is pro-vided between the foregoing conductive points across the place shown as R8. System power VB is applied to resistor R7. The output voltage of inverter Il is a voltage V8 whose high state corresponds to volume monitor 101 belng filled to the level of R8. The output port of inverter Il is con-nected to a diode D2 which is in turn connected both to the base of a transistor Ql and to a capacitor C5. The emitter of transistor Q1 is connected to ground and to capaci~or C5.
The collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the coil of a solenoid S2, and power is supplied to the circuit from the system power supply as indicated by VB. Door 103 is part of a solenoid rod 105 of solenoid S2 and it is biased to the closed position by a spring 107. When the coil is ener-25 gized, rod 105 is urged against the bias of spring 107 to open trap door 103.
As noted, when device 101 is full of liquid, R8 forms a low resistance reslstor, this resistance being much lower than that of resistor R7. When the reslstance of R8 is low, the output V8 of inverter I1 goes high, thus turning on transistor Q1 to energize the coil of solenoid S2 to momentarily open trap door 103. When dead space limiter and volume monitor 101 empties, the contacts of resistor R8 are cleared, I1 goes low and spring 107 closes door 103. Diode D2 and capacitor C5 assure that enough charge exists to hold transistor Q1 in the ON state long enough for the cup of device 101 to completely empty. The output voltage V8 is connected to a counter, and whenever V8 goes through a low-lZZ0538 to-high transition as shown on the graph ad~acent inverter Il, the counter keeps a running accumulation of the number of tlmes the cup of device 101 empties, and therefore the total volume collected. As indicated earlier, when trap door 103 is closed, the large volume of collection chamber 99 is disconnected from the small volume of the air line coming from the patient pleural cavity, thereby avoiding a large delay before air flow will begin. It should be noted that a second trap door at the top of collection chamber 101 could be used to totally separate collection chamber 99 from air line 67 by closing when solenoid S2 opens, but this probably represents more complexity than reasonably needed.
Temperature transducer 57 generates an electrical signal V9 which corresponds to the temperature of the fluid being withdrawn from the cavity. A variety of temperature sensitive devices can be used for performing this function.
Some examples are thermocouples, thermistors, semiconductor detectors such as the LM 135 series integrated circuit tem-perature sensors marketed by National Semiconductor Inc.
Figure 5 shows the preferred system for processing the various values detected and controlled by the system of Figure 2, and further shows how these values are displayed in a meaningful ~anner. In the interest of incorporating an economical system format, all of the analog signals gener-ated by the system of Figure 2 are converted to their binary coded decimal (BCD) equivalents with a multiplexer 109 and a single analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 111. Since seven separate analog signal outputs from the system of Figure 2 are to be processed (Vl, V2~ VSF~ V4~ V5, V7 and V9), an appropriate multiplexer chip such as the standard CMOS CD
4051 can be used to transmit all 7 signals to A/D 111. For the system shown in Figure 5, a particularly advantageous A/D is a BCD three-digit A/D converter such as the DATEL
ADC-EK 12D. Other such devices are available, and the spe-cific device selected can be made according to such factors as speed, resolution, accuracy, size, power and cost. Al-though the latter device is relatively slow at a ten milli-second conversion time, it is in fact more than adequate for - ~220538 the present application. Analog Devices, Inc. also offers converters that will suffice.
Alternatively, digital voltmeter chips such as the National Semiconducter ADD3501 could be used. However, a different circuit design would be needed since the display driver (an LED in this case) is included on the chip and the digits of a particular display are multiplexed internally.
The output ports of A/D 111 are electrically con-nected to the inputs of a series of LCD drivers 113-121.
Appropriate LCD drivers are CD4056 drivers. These devices contain data latches and the logic to convert the four-bit BCD input code to the 7-segment code for the digital dis-play. The respective drivers are electrically connected to liquid crystal display (LCD) devices 123-131 for indicating the respective values measured. As noted, one CD4056 LCD
driver is used for each digit, so that the data readout for a particular parameter is always present and only changes when a new conversion occurs. The storage of new informa-tion is explained below with regard to Figure 6.
The A-word of a pair of digital comparators 133, 134 are connected to the ones and tens output lines of A/D
converter 111, and the output of latches 135 and 137 are connected to the B-word of the foregoing comparators. These comparators and latches are used to detect and store the maximum value of patient negativity. Each new digltal value for negativity is compared to the prior maximum stored in the latches, this being defined as the "B-word". If the new value, defined as the "A-word", is greater than the old value, then the A greater than B (A > B) output port of the comparators goes high. The low-to-high transition of A > B
goes to the clock input C of the respective latch and the new data is stored. As soon as A equals B or A is less than B (A < B), the A > B output goes low again in preparation for the next comparison. An AND gate 139 at the clock input of the respective latches assures that the data transfer can only occur for comparisons made during the negativity inter-val. Preferred digital comparators 133 and 134 are CD4063 digital comparators and preferred latches are CD4042 ~220538 latches. The preferred AND gate 139 is a CD4081 AND gate.
A 16-bit BCD counter 141-145 is provided for re-ceiving the signal V8 generated by inverter I1 in Figure 2.
Each time the cup of device 101 empties, voltage V8 goes from low to high, and a one count increase in counter 141 occurs. An appropriate counter for this system is a CD4518 dual binary coded decimal (BCD) counter. The display for the volume collected is preferably ln cubic centimeters;
therefore, if the container of 101 is greater than 1 cubic centimeter, a preconditioned multiple count is needed to make the CD4518 output compatible with the actual value of the container. As previously, the display driver chips are preferably CD4056 devices. These chips are shown by identi-fication numbers 147-149.
When using LCD displays as suggested above, a back plane frequency is needed. This is provided by a pair of inverters 151 and 153 which are connected to form an oscil-lator 155 which provides two oscillitory signals 180 out of phase with each other. Accordingly, the output of inverter 20 151 is connected to the input of inverter 153 and this out-put and input are connected to display driver chips 147-149, 113-121, and the back plane of the LCD displays. A pair of resistors are connected across inverter 151, and one of the latter resistors and a capacitor are connected across in-25 verter 153, which together form the oscillator 155. The output of inverter 153 is connected to the in-phase segment (i.e., never on, such a decimal points, etc.) of the various LCDs 123-131, associated with driver chips 113-121. Prefer-ably, inverters 151 and 153 are CD40106 inverters. When the digit segments are in phase with the back plane frequency, the segment is OFF (i.e., the output of inverter 153 provid-ing this function); if the two frequencies are out of phase, the segment comes ON. The display driver chips, as indi-cated above, are preferably CD4056 chips, provide this logic.
Figure 6 shows circuitry for the display storage logic for the system of Figure 5. The graph associated with the circuitry shows the correct timing for display storage, ~ZZ0538 multiplexer 109 and A/D converter 111. A four input NOR
gate 156, which is preferably a CD4002, is driven by the output lines of a system timing counter 157, preferably a 4-bit binary CD4520 which also drives the channel select inputs of MUX 109 and a pair of decoders 158 and 159, which are preferably CD4555 "1 of 4" decoders. The output of NOR
gate 156 is connected to an OR gate 160 at the input of A/D
converter (Figure 5) and assures an initial power-up conver-sion by giving a high level to the converter input; this happens because counter 157 comes ON with an "all zeros"
output causing NOR gate 156 to be high which triggers A/D
111 so that the channel zero data of multiplexer 109 is immediately converted and stored. At the end of each con-version, A/D 111 generates an "end of convert" (EOC) pulse whlch increments counters 157. As indicated above, the out-puts of counters 157 are decoded by multiplexer 109, and the next channel is selected. At the same time, they are de-coded in "1 of 4" decoders 158, 159 to instruct LCD driver chips 113-121 as to where the newly converted signal should 20 be held in storage. The pair of decoders 158, 159 does this by providing a different output line in the high state for each of the possible combinations of the A,B and C outputs from the 157 counters. The EOC pulse also returns to the convert lnput port of the converter 111 to initiate the conversion of the next MUX input. The timing diagram at the bottom of Figure 6 shows the sequence and timing for these events.
Figure 7 shows another comprehensive drainage sys-tem similar to that of Figure 1 but capable of performing fewer functions. Nevertheless, it should be noted at the outset that the system of Figure 7 is more comprehensive than any mechanical or other drainage system presently known. It also should be noted that the system of Figure 7 is capable of belng supplemented with additional devices for monitoring and controlling values in addition to those shown in the diagram. Also, the system of Figure 7 incorporates various mechanical portions in addition to the electronic portions. An air flow line is shown extending from the pleural cavity of a patient. A mechanical suction regulator 161 includes a variable orifice in the air flow line for controlling the pressure in the line. As explained with regard to Figure 2, it is contemplated that the desired pressure is obtained by increasing or decreasing the tension on a spring which controls a valve to vary the opening in the orifice. As indicated previously with regards to Figure l, the readout of system parameters is normally cyclic;
however, in Figure 7 each of the values monitored will auto-matically appear in a sequential manner on a single displayunless, of course, a given value is locked in place so that the display of that parameter remains ln the readout for an extended period of time.
The system of Figure 7 includes a mechanical suc-tion regulator 161, an electronic pressure measuring devicein the form of a suction transducer 163, a mechanical posi-tive pressure vent 165, an electronic air flow measuring device in the form of an air flow transducer 167, an elec-tronic patient negativity measuring device in the form of a patient negativity transducer 169, and a mechanical exces-sive negativity release 171. Transducers 163, 167 and 169 are connected to a multiplexer 173. A signal processor 175 is electrically connected to multiplexer 173 for receiving signals from each of the transducers and for processing the signals and then transmitting them to a display 177. The functioning of the foregoing devices and the nature of other devices in the system are described below.
Suction regulator 161 is preferably a simple spring-loaded mechanical regulator which can be ad~usted to ~30 a desired pressure by increasing or decreasing the spring tension on a valve-controlled orifice. Since the pressures in the air flow line and the readout of the system parame-ters are normally cyclic, it is advantageous to lock a spe-cific parameter on display 177 while necessary ad~ustments are made. Accordingly, display 177 should have some means including a manually controlled switch or button for per-forming such a locking function for each parameter. A set of parameter or mode select buttons 178, which include an ON

:lZ2053~

button and an OFF button, and parameter or mode indicator devices 18G (shown as lights) for indicating the parameter whose value is being shown on display 177, are therefore provided. Hence, to set the deslred suction, the suction transducer~s output is locked on display 177, the regulator knob of suction regulator 161 is then adjusted until the pressure measured by transducer 163 and shown on display 177 equals the desired value.
Positive pressure vent 165 is also preferably me-chanical and can be made from a "ball" filled orifice. Whenthe pressure in the air flow line exceeds atmospheric pres-sure by some specified amount, such as 1 cm. H2O, the pres-sure differential is great enough to lift the ball from the orifice to vent atmospheric air into the system. In this way the internal pressure is controlled to a given amount above atmospheric.
Air flow transducer 167 is similar in function to air flow transducer 19 of Figure 1. Thus, air flow trans-ducer 167 only allows air to flow in the direction of the suction source and blocks the path if the pressure differen-tial is reversed. Patient negativity transducer 169 is similar to transducer 25 in Figure 1. Transducer 169 gives a reading very nearly the same as that of suction transducer 161 when the air flow passage is open; however, it reads patient negativity whenever the patient's pressure is fur-ther below atmospheric than that of the suction system, i.e, when the foregoing pressure differential is reversed. Ex-cessive negativity release 171 is a mechanical device such as a ball filled orifice, and it vents the system to atmo-spheric air when patient negativity exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
As mentioned earlier, multiplexer 173 selectively receives and transmits electrical signals from transducers 163, 167 and 169, and transmits them to signal processor 175 35 and display 177. A maximum negativity hold device 179 is connected to an output of signal processor 175, and it has an output connected to multiplexer 173. This device is provided for retaining information in either analog or digi-:IZZ0538 tal form depending on the exact circuitry used; however, if done in digital form, a D/A converter would be provided, unless of course, multiplexer 173 is a digital device.
A processor/printer 181 can be provided to make a real time readout of the amount of liquid collected during predetermined time periods such as hourly, or over the course of the lllness or treatment, while also providing the cumulative total from the beginning of the measuring period.
The printer could be a detachable unit which is removed from the disposable part of the system and returned to the manu-facturer for sterilization, and subsequently re-used. Pro-cessor/printer 181 iS shown operatively connected to a fluid collection chamber 183.
The system of Figure 7 is powered by a battery 185, which is connected to the various devices requiring system power as indicated by the arrow at the output of the bat-tery. A low battery process device 187 corresponds to a similar device 65 in Figure l, that is, it monitors the condition of the battery and produces a warning signal via display 177 if voltage VB falls below a predetermined mini-mum. A system clock and timing device 189 is connected to multiplexer 173, processor/printer 181, low battery process device 187 and maximum negativity hold device 179 for trans-mitting timing signals to the respective electronic devices.
A maximum negativity reset switch corresponding to switch 37 in Figure 1 is preferably provided to enable an attendant to clear the prior maximum value of patient negativity so that a new maximum can be recorded. While a printer is shown, it is contemplated for a low cost disposable version of Figure 5 that the liquid level in collection chamber 183 be marked by an attendant to give an indication of volume versus time for the collected liquids.
Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7. Transducers 163, 167 and 169 are shown respectively in Figure 8 as bridge circuit 191 for measuring suction, a bridge circuit 193 for measuring air flow and a bridge circuit 195 for measuring patient negativity. These bridge circuits are similar in construc-lZZO53l~

tion and function to transducer 69 in Figure 2; however, for reasons of economy, the three transducers 191-195 share a common amplifier as discussed below. Thus, in order to reduce the number of amplifiers required, a multiplexer 197 is used for sequentially connecting transducers 191-195 to amplifier A7. Multiplexer 197 is connected to the three transducers by means of connections at the input channels CHo, CH1 and CH2. The outputs of these channels are con-nected to amplifier A7, amplifier A7 having a positive port which is connected through a resistor R2 to ground and hav-ing connected across it a feedback resistor R1. Multiplexer 197 is preferably a CD4052 4-channel differential device.
As each channel closes, the small signal generated by the respective bridges is amplified by amplifier A7 and trans-mitted to a voltage-to-frequency converter (VFC) 198 through a line having a maximum negativity reset switch in series and a resistor from the output side of the switch connected to ground.
The VFC generates a signal whose frequency is linearly related to the DC voltage at its input. The VFC
output pulse train from VFC 198 goes to a clock input C of a binary coded decimal (BCD) counter 199; BCD 199 is coupled to a second BCD counter 201. As described below, these counters ultimately control the readout value of each of a pair of digits on a display devlce 207. The counters are preferably CD4518 devices, and the accumulated BCD count of the VFC pulses over a fixed and predetermlned interval of time yields a numerical equivalent of the parameter being measured. The counters are connected respectively to a pair 30 of LCD drivers 203 and 205 which are preferably CD4056 units for the circuit shown. Drivers 203 and 205 are connected to a liquld crystal display (LCD) 207. As with the circuit of Figure 5, a back plane frequency is needed for the LCD
drivers and displays. Therefore, an inverter is used to form a simple oscillator 209 by having a grounded capacitor connected to its input and a feedback resistor connected from its input to its output which in turn is connected to inputs of each of drivers 203 and 205 and the back plane input of LCD displays 207. As in the circuit of Figure 5, the preferred inverter is a CD40106 inverter. Also, as in the previous circuit, when the digit segments are in phase with the back plane frequency, the segment is OFF; whereas if the frequencies are out of phase, the digit comes ON.
The 8 output 3ITS of counters 199 and 201 are also connected to the inputs of a pair of latches 211 and 213, these pre-ferably being CD4042 latches. The 8 BIT output from latches 211 and 213 are connected to the input of a digital-to-analog converter 215, this being connected to the input ofthe maximum negativity channel CH3 of multiplexer 197 through a resistor R3. The other switch associated with CH3 is connected to ground through resistor R4.
A decoder 217 whose four output ports are shown as C, D, E and F, is used to identify the four display inter-vals for the data taken from multiplexer 197. As described in Figure 6, the High-Low states of decoder 217 coincide with the sequence of closing for the four channels of the multiplexer and are controlled by timing signals A and B
20 emitted by a binary counter 221. Counter 221 is driven by an oscillator 223 whose timing interval dictates that data counters 199 and 201 can only be active for fixed and very accurate intervals of time. Oscillator 223 is made up with a set of resistors, a capacitor and a pair of inverters 25 which are preferably CD40106 inverters. Decoder 217 is preferably a CD4555 decoder, and counter 221 is preferably a CD4520 binary counter.
The data count for each of the measurement inter-vals is transferred to the input latches of LCD drivers 203 and 205 by a "store" pulse as described below. Serving as the system clock, pulses from oscillator 223 increment the 221 counter to give the A and B timing signals. When A and B are both zero, the zero channel of multiplexer 197 is closed and VFC 198 responds to the voltage from suction transducer 191, and so on.
As indicated above, the system of Figure 8 alterna-tively measures suction, air flow and negativity. In order to indicate in which mode the system is at any time, a set of mode lndicator lights 225 is provided. Lights 225 are preferably light emitting diodes (LED's). These lights com-prise a suction LED 227, an air flow LED 229, a negativity LED 231 and a maximum negativity LED 233. Each LED network includes a transistor whose base is connected to a corre-sponding output C, D, E or F of decoder 217, a collector to which the LED and a current limit resistor are connected in series, and a grounded emitter. The respective LED's go on when the corresponding output line C, D, E or F goes high.
Thus, when A and B both equal zero, the "zero" channel of multiplexer 197 is closed, and the VFC "sees" or is elec-trically connected to suction transducer 191. This combina-tion of A and B causes the C output of decoder 217 to go high, and this in turn causes suction LED 227 to go on since the transistor of that light has been activated. A and B
sequentially close all of the MUX 197 channels and simulta-neously energize each of the corresponding lights.
A pair Or monostable multivibrators ("one shots") 235 and 237 are connected to the output of oscillator or clock 223. The first monostable 235 has a +TR input con-nected to the clock and is therefore trlggered by the posi-tive edge of the clock signal; monostable 235 provides the "store" pulse which will latch the last data count by counters 199 and 201 as provided by VFC 198. Monostable 237 has a -TR gate which is triggered by the trailing edge of the "store" signal to provide the "reset" pulse to counters 199 and 201 which sets the counters to zero in preparation for the next data interval, i.e., the next parameter. The sequence of store and reset signals to counters 199 and 201 causes a cyclic readout of the parameters which continues indefinitely unless a particular readout is requested by the attendant who is caring for the patient.
As noted above, the value of maximum negativity is stored in 8 BIT digital form in latches 211 and 213. The output of latches 211 and 213 is transmitted to digital-to-analog converter 215, the output of which is transmitted to comparator Cl as well as to MUX 197. This signal, in analog form, which represents the stored value of maximum negativi-122053~3 ty, is compared with the new negativity signal generated by transducer 195 and transmitted through channel 2 via ampli-fier A7 to comparator C1. If the new signal from channel CH2 is larger than the signal from digital-to-analog con-verter 215, comparator Cl goes high and enables one input ofthe triple-IN AND gate 219. If the F output of decoder 217, which corresponds to the maximum negativity interval, is also high, the second input of AND gate 219 is enabled. The "store" pulse from one shot 235 enables the third and final input of AND gate 219 causing the output of gate 219 to go high, consequently clocking data latches 211-213. Thus, the most recent negativity signal, which is now the new maximum negativity, becomes the signal stored in latches 211 and 213.
When channel CH3 closes the signal from digital-to-analog converter 215 is transmitted to VFC 198 via amplifier A7, the latter now being configured as a normal unity gain differential amplifier because of the addition of R3 and R4 positioned at the input of channel 3. Counters 199 and 201 record the value transmitted by channel 3 and VFC 198 and this value is displayed on LCD 207.
A set of flip flops 239-245 are used to latch a particular parameter on the display readout. For the cir-cuit shown, these devices are preferably CD4013 "D" type flip flops. The activation of the respective flip flops is controlled by a set of mode select buttons 247-253 which are disposed in transmission lines connected between the voltage source and the clock (C) inputs. A free run button 255 is a switch in the line running from the voltage source to the reset (R) input of flip flops 239-245. An OR gate 257 is connected to the Q outputs of flip flops 239-245. For the system shown, it is preferably a 4-in CD4072 OR gate. The output of OR gate 257 is connected to one input of AND gate 259 and the second input of gate 259 is enabled by NOR gate 271 which is always high in the "free run" mode. The output of AND gate 259 is connected to a switch 261 located in the timing network of system clock 223. AND gate 259 is pref-.

erably a CD4081 AND gate, and switch 261 is preferably a CD4066 switch for the system shown.
The activation of OR gate 257 sends AND gate 259 to the high state, thus closing switch 261. The introduction of a smaller resistance in the oscillator time constant of system clock 223 results in a corresponding increase in oscillator frequency. The reason for using this technique is to force timing counter 221 to immediately arrive at the A-B code corresponding to the parameter readout requested;
this rather than waiting for the normal time delay asso-ciated with the cyclic display of each of the parameters in the normal manner. The normal sequence could add up to a total of several seconds delay before arriving at the de-sired readout.
One input of each of a set of AND gates 263-269 is connected to the Q outputs of flip flops 239-245; conse-quently, when a Q signal goes high, one input of the corre-spondlng AND gate 263-269 is enabled. The AND gates are preferably CD4081 2-IN AND gates. A second input of AND
gates 263-269 is connected to the correct output of decoder 217. Hence, when the output line of 217 corresponds to the activated mode of a selected one of flip flops 239-245, one of the AND gates 263-269 goes high. If any input of NOR
gate 271 is high, its output goes low which in turn disables counter 221 and the system display will "lock" on the se-lected readout until the free run button 255 is pushed to return the display sequence to its normal mode of operation.
While operating in the "lock" mode, the "store" and "reset" signals occuring with each and every data interval will repeatedly update display 207 with the selected parame-ter. It should be noted that an automatic return to the "free run" mode can easily be implemented by including a clock pulse of the desired time delay. An OR gate driving the reset ports of 239-245 (switch 247-253 on one input and the clock on the other) would do the resetting function.
The resistors connected to the select switches simply refer-ence the flip flop inputs to ground.

~ ~Z20538 Reset of the maximum negativlty value stored in latches 211 and 213 is realized by selecting the maximum negativity mode and then depressing the maximum negativity reset button. ~his opens the line to the ~FC allowing the resistor to reference its input to ground; referencing the input of the VFC to ground assures a zero count for the next data cycle.
A timing diagram for the circuit shown in Figure 8 is shown in the lower left-hand corner of that figure. Al-though a printer is not shown in conjunction with the systemof Figure 8, the addition of such a unit could be connected uslng conventional procedures.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description has shown preferred embodiments of a very important invention. The invention provides an ex-tremely accurate, compact and effective system for monitor-ing the drainage of fluids from a cavity such as the pleural cavity. The system can be very comprehensive, providing measurements and controls of many parameters, or it can be somewhat less comprehensive while still providing many mea-surements and controls more accurate and more complete than exists at the present time. The invention can be practiced in very economical ways, and portions of the inventive sys-tem which become contaminated after use can be rendered dis-posable. In its preferred forms, the invention can be prac-ticed with conventional components using known manufacturing techniques.
The invention has been described in detail with particular emphasls on preferred embodiments thereof. How-ever, it should be understood that varlatlons and modifica-tions withln the splrlt and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims (27)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electronic drainage system for monitoring the air and liquids flowing in a suction conduit from an inaccessible body cavity and for controlling the suction in the suction con-duit, said system comprising: suction control means for control-ling the suction in the conduit for the purpose of regulating the air and liquid flow from the cavity, said suction control means maintaining a suction in the conduit; suction transducer means for monitoring the air pressure in the suction conduit and for generating an actual suction signal whose value is reflective of the actual suction in the conduit; and adjusting means for automatically adjusting said suction control means in increments varying in proportion to deviations in the value of said actual suction signal from a predetermined suction value.

2. The invention according to claim 1, further character-ized in that said drainage system further comprises patient air flow transducer means for generating an air flow signal whose value is reflective of the rate of flow of air from the body cavity in the conduit.

3. The invention according to claim 1, further character-ized in that said drainage system further comprises negativity transducer means for generating an electrical actual negativity signal reflective of the negativity pressure in the body cavity and excessive negativity means electrically connected to said negativity transducer means for opening the conduit to the atmos-phere when said actual negativity signal exceeds a predetermined value.

4. The invention according to claim 1, further characterized in that said drainage system further comprises liquid collection means for receiving liquids drained from the body cavity and liquid collection transducer means for generating signals reflective of the amount of liquid collected by said liquid collection means.

5. The invention according to claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting means comprises set point selection means for establishing a reference signal reflective of said predetermined suction value and error signal generating means electrically connected to said set point selection means, to said suction transducer means, and to said suction controlling means, for generating adjusting signals to said suction controlling means to adjust said suction controlling means to bring the actual suction signal within a predetermined limit from the predetermined suction value.

6. The invention according to claim 1, further characterized in that said suction control means comprises variable orifice means including rela-tively movable members defining a variable orifice in the conduit and suction air flow measuring means for measuring the rate of atmospheric air flow through said variable orifice into the conduit; and said adjusting means comprises means for moving at least one of said members to establish an orifice of the size necessary for admitting atmospheric air into the conduit to establish the predetermined value of suction in the conduit.

7. The invention according to claim 6, further characterized in that said suction air flow measuring means comprises flap valve means movably mounted across said variable orifice for moving by an amount reflective of the air flow rate through said orifice and electrical circuit means for generating a suction air flow signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said flap valve means.

8. The invention according to claim 7, further characterized in that said suction control means comprises:
a first member having a first orifice for admitting atmospheric air into the conduit, said flap valve means being mounted for movement be-tween a position closing said first orifice and a position opening said first orifice corresponding to a maximum flow of air through said first orifice; and a second member movable relative to said first member and having a second orifice, said second member being movable between a position wherein said orifices are substantially out of alignment for substantially blocking the flow of air into the conduit, and a position wherein said orifices are substantially in full alignment for admitting a large amount of air into the conduit, said orifices cooperating to define said variable orifice according to the extent said orifices overlap;
with said adjusting means being operatively connected to said second member for moving said second member relative to said first member according to deviation of said actual suction signal from the predetermined suction value.

9. The invention according to claim 8, further characterized in that said first member further comprises a supplemental orifice, said second member being movable to align said second orifice with said supplemental ori-fice for venting gas from the conduit when the air pressure in the conduit exceeds atmospheric pressure by a predetermined amount.

10. The invention according to claim 1, further characterized in that said adjusting means comprises:
suction selection means for generating a suction selection signal whose value corresponds to the predetermined suction value;
differential integrating means electrically connected to said suction transducer means and to said suction selection means for receiving said actual suction signal and said suction selection signal, and for gener-ating a differential integrated signal corresponding to the integral of the difference between said suction selection signal and said actual suction selection signal; and motor means operatively connected to said suction control means and to said differential integrating means for adjusting said suction control means according to the value of said differential integrated signal to establish said predetermined suction value in the conduit.

11. The invention according to claim 10, further characterized in that said system further includes positive pressure vent means for venting air from the conduit when the air pressure in the conduit exceeds a predetermined positive value to prevent air in the conduit from flowing into the body cavity, said positive pressure vent means comprising:
comparison means electrically connected to an electrical source, said source transmitting to said comparison means a positive pressure signal whose value corresponds to said predetermined positive value, to said suction transducer means, and to said suction regulator means; said comparison means generating a positive pressure vent signal for adjusting said suction control means to vent air from the conduit when said actual suction signal exceeds said positive pressure vent signal.

12. The invention according to claim 2, further characterized in that said patient air flow transducer means comprises:
flap valve means mounted across the conduit between a closed position for blocking the conduit to air flow and a wide open position for enabling a maximum air flow; an electrical air flow circuit operatively connected to said flap valve means for generating a patient air flow signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said flap valve means; and means for moving said flap valve means to the closed position when the pressure in the conduit exceeds atmospheric pressure.

13. The invention according to claim 3, further characterized in that said system comprises negativity air admission means electrically connected to said negativity transducer means and being actuable for admitting atmos-pheric air into the conduit when said negativity signal exceeds a predeter-mined suction value; and negativity comparison means electrically connected to an electrical source transmitting an electrical signal to said negativity comparison means corresponding to said predetermined suction value, and to said negativity transducer means, for generating a negativity signal to actuate said negativity air admission means when said actual negativity signal exceeds said predetermined suction value.

14. The invention according to claim 4, further characterized in that said liquid collection means comprises a chamber, and the drainage system further comprises dead space limiter means for blocking to air flow from the conduit a portion of said chamber not filled with liquid to expedite air and liquid flow from the body cavity, with said dead space limiter means com-prising a receptacle for receiving predetermined quantities of liquid drained from the body cavity, and emptying means actuable for discharging liquid from said receptacle into said chamber when said receptacle has received said predetermined quantity of liquid.

15. The invention according to claim 3, further characterized in that said drainage system further comprises maximum negativity holding means operatively connected to said negativity transducer means for storing the maximum actual negative signal generated by said negativity transducer means over a period of time, with said maximum negativity holding means including storage means for storing the maximum actual negativity signal generated by said negativity transducer means, and means for replacing any such stored signal with a yet greater actual negativity signal subsequently generated by said negativity transducer means.

16. An electronic drainage system for monitoring and controlling the flow of fluid in a suction conduit from a body cavity, said system compris-ing:
at least two signal generating means selected from the group con-sisting of:
adjusting means for generating signals whose values are reflective of a predetermined suction value;
suction transducer means for generating actual suction sig-nals whose values are reflective of the suction in the conduit;
suction control means for admitting atmospheric air into the conduit to regulate the suction in the conduit, and suction air flow transducer means for generating suction air flow signals whose values are reflective of the air flow into the conduit;

patient air flow transducer means for generating patient air flow signals whose values are reflective of the rate of patient air flow in the conduit;

negativity transducer means for generating actual negati-vity signals whose values are reflective of the negativity pres-sure in the body cavity;
liquid collection means for collecting liquid drained from the body cavity, and liquid collection transducer means for generating liquid collection signals whose values are reflective of the amount of liquid collected by said liquid collection means;
and temperature transducer means for generating temperature signals whose values are reflective of the temperature of fluid in the body cavity;
multiplexer means electrically connected to said at least two signal generating means and to a processing means for alternatively transmitting signals from said at least two signal generating means to said processing means;
display means for displaying in intelligible form symbols in response to signals transmitted to said display means;
signal processing means electrically connected to said multiplexer means for processing signals received from said multiplexer means into signals readable by said display means, and for transmitting processed signals to said display means;
parameter locking means electrically connected to said multiplexer means for locking said multiplexer means to transmit signals from only a selected one of said signal generating means to said signal processing means;
and parameter indicating means electrically connected to said parameter locking means for indicating the selected one of said signal generating means locked by said multiplexer means;
said display means comprising a numerical display for displaying a number to which said selected signal corresponds.

17. An electronic drainage system for monitoring gases and liquids flowing in a suction conduit from a pleural cavity and for controlling the suction in the suction conduit, characterized in that said system comprises:
suction control means for controlling the suction in the conduit for the purpose of regulating the flow of gas and liquid from the pleural cavity, said suction control means including air admission means for admit-ting atmospheric air into the conduit;
suction transducer means for monitoring the pressure in the suction conduit and for generating actual suction signals whose values are reflective of the suction in the conduit;
positive pressure vent means for venting gas from the conduit when the gas pressure in the conduit exceeds atmospheric pressure by a predeter-mined amount;
patient air flow transducer means for generating air flow signals whose values are reflective of the rate of air flow from the pleural cavity in the conduit;
patient negativity transducer means for generating actual negativity signals whose values are reflective of the negativity pressure in the pleural cavity;
excessive negativity means for admitting atmospheric air into the conduit when the actual negativity is less than a predetermined value;
liquid collection means for collecting liquid drained from the pleural cavity;

multiplexer means electrically connected to said suction transducer means, said patient air flow transducer means and to said patient negativity transducer means, for alternatively transmitting the signals generated by said respective transducer means;
signal processor means electrically connected to said multiplexer means for processing signals transmitted by said multiplexer means;
display means electrically connected to said signal processor means for displaying in intelligible form signals corresponding to the signals transmitted by said signal processor means;
maximum negativity holding means electrically connected to said signal processor means for receiving and retaining actual negativity signals generated by said negativity transducer means whose value exceeds that of previously generated actual negativity signals, with said maximum negativity holding means being further electrically connected to said multiplexer means for periodically receiving signals generated by said negativity transducer means; and means for arbitrarily resetting said maximum negativity holding means.

18. The invention according to any one of claims 16 and 17, further characterized in that said drainage system further comprises an electrical battery for energizing said system and low battery voltage warning means connected to said battery and to said display means for transmitting a warn-ing signal to said display means for indicating when the voltage of said battery falls below a predetermined value.

19. The invention according to claim 17, further characterized in that said signal processor means comprises amplifier means for amplifying signals generated by said respective transducer means and transmitted by said multi-plexer means; voltage-to-frequency converter means connected to said ampli-fier means for receiving signals amplifier by said amplifier means; and first counter means electrically connected to said voltage-to-frequency converter means for generating count signals according to the frequency of said ampli-fied signals, with said display means being connected to said first counter means for generating in intelligible form signals according to the count signals generated by said first counter means.

20. The invention according to claim 19, further characterized in that said drainage system further comprises system clock and timing function means electrically connected to said multiplexer means and to said signal processor means for generating timing signals to control the timing and sequencing of the operations of said multiplexer means and of said signal processor means, said system clock and timing function means comprising:
decoder means electrically connected to said multiplexer means for adjusting said multiplexer means to transmit actual signals from said suction transducer means, in response to the reception of timing signals by said decoder means; second counter means electrically connected to said decoder means for sending timing signals to said decoder means in response to timing pulses; and oscillator means for sending timing pulses to said second counter means to cause said second counter means both to actuate said decoder means and to cause said multiplexer means to transmit actual suction signals from said suction transducer means.

21. The invention according to claim 20, further characterized in that said decoder means includes a plurality of gates corresponding to the respec-tive transducer means, the respective gates having high states when said multiplexer means transmits signals from the transducer means to which the respective gates correspond, and in that said system further comprises:
mode indicator means electrically connected to the respective gates of said decoder means, said mode indicator means generating intelligible signals reflective of which of said gates is in its high stage for indicat-ing the transducer means from which said multiplexer means is transmitting signals to said display means.

22. The invention according to claim 18, further characterized in that said maximum negativity holding means comprises latching means for storing maximum negativity signals and in that said drainage system further comprises comparison means electrically connected to said multiplexer means and to said latching means for comparing actual suction signals transmitted by said multiplexer means with the maximum negativity signal stored in said latching means, and for generating a new maximum negativity signal when an actual suction signal exceeds the stored maximum negativity signal, with said latching means storing the actual suction signal in response to the genera-tion of a new maximum negativity signal.

23. The invention according to claim 22, further characterized in that said drainage system further comprises:
AND gate means having high and low states, said AND gate means having an output connected to said latching means, and first, second and third inputs; decoder means having a maximum negativity gate connected to the first input of said AND gate means, said maximum negativity gate transmitting a decoder signal to the first input of said AND gate means in response to maximum negativity timing signals; oscillator means for periodically trans-mitting maximum negativity timing signals to said decoder means; and counter control means electrically connected to the second port of said AND gate means for periodically generating store signals;
with said comparison means having an output port electrically con-nected to the third port of said AND gate means and with said AND gate means assuming its high state in response to the transmission of a decoder signal, a store signal and a new maximum negativity signal to its respective first, second and third ports, and said latching means replacing a stored maximum actual negativity signal with the new maximum negativity signal in response to said AND gate assuming its high state.

24. A device for admitting a high pressure gas into a suction conduit to control the suction in the conduit and for measuring the rate of gas flow into the conduit, characterized in that said device comprises:
variable orifice means including relatively movable members defin-ing a variable orifice in the conduit; gas flow transducer means associated with said variable orifice means for generating a gas flow signal whose value is reflective of the rate of flow of high pressure gas through said orifice into the conduit; and moving means operatively connected to said gas flow transducer means for moving said members relative to each other for admitting a high pressure gas into the conduit to establish a predetermined suction value in the conduit according to the deviation of the value of said gas flow signal from a predetermined value.

25. The invention according to claim 24, further characterized in that said gas flow transducer means comprises:

flap valve means movably mounted across said variable orifice for moving by an amount reflective of the gas flow rate through said orifice, and electrical circuit means for generating a gas flow signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said flap valve means.

26. The invention according to claim 25, further characterized in that said variable orifice means comprises:
a first member having a first orifice for admitting high pressure gas into the conduit, said flap valve means being mounted for movement be-tween a position closing said first orifice and a position opening said first orifice corresponding to a maximum flow of high pressure gas through said first orifice; and a second member movable relative to said first member and having a second orifice, said second member being movable between a position wherein said orifices are substantially out of alignment for substantially blocking the flow of high pressure gas into the conduit, and a position wherein said orifices, are substantially in full alignment for admitting a large amount of high pressure gas into the conduit, with said orifices cooperating to define said variable orifice according to the extent said orifices overlap and with said moving means being operatively connected to said second member for moving said second member relative to said first mem-ber according to deviation of said gas flow signal from the predetermined suction value.

27. The invention according to claim 26, further characterized in that said first member further comprises a supplemental orifice, said second member being movable to align said second orifice with said supplemental orifice for venting gas from the conduit when the gas pressure in the conduit exceeds the pressure of the high pressure gas by a predetermined amount.