Chest tube drainage system

Three functional chambers are generally a part of most chest tube collection devices. From right to left, the first chamber (ie, collection chamber, depicted with three subsections) accepts air and fluid from the patient via the chest tube; the fluid accumulates in this chamber. The air rises and enters the second chamber (ie, water seal chamber), which contains water at the bottom. Air from the patient enters this chamber below the water level, bubbling through the water seal and preventing return of air to the patient. The air enters the third chamber (ie, suction chamber) connected to wall suction and is discharged through the hospital collection system. The height of water in the suction chamber indicates the amount of suction applied. Suction pressures are typically between -10 and -40 mmHg. An atmospheric vent prevents the application of excessive suction; manual venting through a pressure relief valve rapidly equilibrates the collection chamber with atmospheric pressure. Modern devices vary in appearance, method of suction regulation, and volume of the fluid collection chambers; this basic design in common to most.