A FLUID FLOW INDICATOR

摘要

A fluid flow indicator (3) for use in a medical drainage device for draining fluid from a pleural cavity of a patient comprises an upper housing part (20), a lower housing part (21), a balloon member (22), a sampling port (23), and a control mechanism to selectively control flow of a body fluid through the balloon member (22) or through the sampling port (23). The balloon member (22) defines a lumen therethrough. Upon flow of a body fluid into the balloon member (22), for example upon inhalation of a patient, the balloon member (22) inflates from a deflated rest configuration to an inflated flow configuration. This inflation of the balloon member (22) provides a visual indication to an operator of the flow of the body fluid through the balloon member (22). When flow of the body fluid ceases, for example upon exhalation of a patient, the balloon member (22) deflates from the inflated flow configuration to the deflated rest configuration. This deflation of the balloon member (22) provides a visual indication to the operator of the cessation of the flow of the body fluid through the balloon member 22).