Body cavity drainage devices including drainage tubes having inline portions and related methods

1. A drainage device, comprising:

a drainage tube having a first elongate axis, comprising:

a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient;

a central open lumen defined by a wall of the drainage tube, the central open lumen having a second elongate axis that coincides with the first elongate axis;

a plurality of lateral openings in the wall of the drainage tube proximate to the distal end of the drainage tube, each of the plurality of lateral openings in fluid communication with the central open lumen; and

a fluid outlet proximate a proximal end of the drainage tube, the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the central open lumen of the drainage tube; and

an activation apparatus detachably coupled to the drainage tube, the activation apparatus configured, when coupled to the drainage tube, to alter a position of the distal end of the drainage tube in response to an input at a control device of the activation apparatus, the control device comprising at least two flexible members each extending longitudinally through at least two closed lumens, the at least two closed lumens disposed within the wall of the drainage tube and positioned substantially directly opposite each other with the central open lumen disposed therebetween, wherein the at least two closed lumens are not in fluid communication with the central open lumen, the activation apparatus including a suction tube that forms a fluid seal with the fluid outlet of the drainage tube when the drainage tube is coupled to the activation apparatus.

2. The drainage device of claim 1 , further comprising at least two linking elements, each linking element of the at least two linking elements configured to operatively couple one of the at least two flexible members to the control device.

3. The drainage device of claim 2 , wherein each linking element of the at least two linking elements comprises a slot or a hook.

4. The drainage device of claim 2 , wherein each linking element of the at least two linking elements comprises a notch or a ridge.

5. The drainage device of claim 2 , further comprising at least two racks, wherein the at least two linking elements comprise complimentary features on each rack of the at least two racks and on each flexible member of the at least two flexible members.

6. The drainage device of claim 1 , further comprising at least two racks, each rack of the at least two racks configured to couple to one of the at least two flexible members.

7. The drainage device of claim 6 , wherein the control device comprises a pinion gear configured to engage with the at least two racks.

8. The drainage device of claim 7 , wherein the control device further comprises a knob that is directly attached to the pinion gear.

9. The drainage device of claim 1 , wherein each lateral opening of the plurality of openings comprises a diameter that is less than an inside diameter of the drainage tube.

10. The drainage device of claim 1 , further comprising a plug configured to cap the fluid outlet of the drainage tube when the activation apparatus is detached from the drainage tube.

11. The drainage device of claim 1 , wherein the drainage tube comprises at least one optical fiber configured to couple to a visualization device.

12. The drainage device of claim 1 , wherein the central open lumen is substantially larger in width than each of the at least two closed lumens, the width being measured perpendicular to the elongate axis.

13. A method of draining a body cavity, comprising:

advancing the distal end of a drainage tube into a body cavity such that a central open lumen of the drainage tube is in fluid communication with the body cavity, the drainage tube having a first elongate axis and the central open lumen having a second elongate axis that coincides with the first elongate axis;

coupling an activation apparatus comprising a control device and a suction tube to the drainage tube while a portion of the drainage tube is positioned within the body cavity, wherein coupling an activation apparatus includes operably coupling the control device to at least one flexible member disposed within at least one closed lumen in a wall of the drainage tube, the at least one closed lumen is not in fluid communication with the drainage lumen, and wherein coupling an activation apparatus additionally includes forming a fluid seal between the suction tube and the central open lumen of the drainage tube;

adjusting a position of a distal portion of the drainage tube via the control device; and

detaching the activation apparatus from the drainage tube.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein adjusting the position of the distal portion of the drainage tube comprises manipulating a pinion operably coupled to at least one rack such that displacement of the rack displaces the at least one flexible member.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying suction to the drainage tube by connecting the suction tube to a vacuum source when the activation apparatus is coupled to the drainage tube.

16. A drainage system comprising:

a first drainage tube having a first elongate axis, comprising:

a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient;

a central open lumen having a second elongate axis that coincides with the first elongate axis;

at least one flexible member disposed within at least a first closed lumen in a wall of the first drainage tube, wherein the at least a first closed lumen is not in fluid communication with the central open lumen; and

a fluid outlet proximate a proximal end of the first drainage tube, the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the central open lumen of the first drainage tube;

a second drainage tube having a third elongate axis, comprising:

a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient;

a central open lumen having a fourth elongate axis that coincides with the third elongate axis;

at least one flexible member disposed within at least a second closed lumen in a wall of the second drainage tube, wherein the at least a second closed lumen is not in fluid communication with the central open lumen of the second drainage tube; and

a fluid outlet proximate a proximal end of the second drainage tube, the fluid outlet in fluid communication with the central open lumen of the second drainage tube; and

an activation apparatus selectively coupleable to the first drainage tube and the second drainage tube, the activation apparatus comprising a control device that is operably coupled to the at least one flexible member of the first drainage tube or the second drainage tube when the activation apparatus is coupled to the first drainage tube or the second drainage tube, respectively, the activation apparatus additionally comprising a suction tube that forms a fluid seal with the fluid outlet of the first drainage tube or the second drainage tube when the activation apparatus is coupled to the first drainage tube or the second drainage tube.