The present invention relates to a surgical drain fabric and surgical drain device for providing a channel of exit or discharge from a wound or wound cavity and, more specifically, a fabric in the form of a tape having finished longitudinal edges useful for drawing wound drainage out of a patient's body. Preferably, the fabric is knitted in the form of a tape comprised of conductive yarns and nonconductive yarns stitched in a single warp and single weft pattern so as to provide enhanced drainage characteristics. The yarns and knit stitch are chosen to minimize the danger of sluffing and linting and other disadvantages associated with previous surgical drain materials.

The object of the invention is a device for determining the healing ability of a surgical wound or a connective tissue. A flexible capillary tube (1) is inserted into the wound, the said tube having at the end to be inserted a sponge (2) for the attachment and growth of cells. At least that end of the capillary tube (1) which is left inside the wound is provided with at least one inner groove. The sponge is wet-expanding viscose cellulose sponge containing macro- and micropores in communication with each other.

A surgical gravity drain includes biologically inert medical grade silicone rubber extruded to generally parallel longitudinally extending planar surfaces having transversely aligned and longitudinally extending capillary drainage channels. A ribbon of silicone rubber including integrally formed longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribs defining transversely aligned capillary drainage channels on external ribbon surfaces is disclosed in one embodiment; and a flattened tube of silicone rubber including integrally formed longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribs defining transversely aligned capillary drainage channels on internal and external tube surfaces is disclosed in a further embodiment. The novel drain of the present invention is substantially clogging-free, collapse-proof, and provides effective long term in situ drainage.

The surgical drain tube of the present invention is comprised of a tubular member of a flexible pliable material. The tubular member has a oval exterior surface and a collapsible wall which defines a lumen which is normally of a substantially oval cross section. A tongue member is integrally formed with the inner surface of the top wall portion of the tubular member and extends the longitudinal length of the lumen. Oppositely deposed from the tongue member is a groove member which is formed integrally with the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the tubular member and also extends the length of the passageway.

A surgical suction drain extruded from biologically inert medical grade silicone rubber includes first and second spaced flanges and a web integrally formed between and abutting the flanges defining first and second longitudinally extending and laterally directed exudate receiving channels. A longitudinally extending lumen is provided in the web that is directly connectable to a vacuum source. A plurality of transversely extending apertures are provided through the flanges each of which defines an exudate receiving passageway in communication with the central lumen, the exterior surfaces of both flanges, and with a corresponding one of the longitudinally extending and laterally directed channels. Tissue standoffs are provided on the flanges. An X-ray opaque strip is co-extruded on one of the flanges. Tabs are insert molded in the channels to provide structural strength for securing the drain to the body.