#$%^&*AU2019261792A120191128.pdf#####ABSTRACT Disclosed is a chest drainage system which reduces or eliminates pooling of blood/liquid and/or clogging/clotting in the drainage tube. Generally, the chest drainage 5 system continuously monitors chest tube status and clears pooled liquid when necessary to restore negative pressure to the chest. The system may include a valve device which is located between the patient's chest tube and drainage tube and may be used with any standard chest tube. The chest drainage system also includes a controller for monitoring the pressure at or near the valve device and/or at or near the suction device, and possibly a pump for 0 assisting in clearance of pooled liquid and/or clots. The controller may also control the valve device and/or suction device in response to pressure signals.
