Canister membrane for wound therapy system

• US 10,004,835 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2015
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Wiesner, Joel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimbouski, Ariana
• Application Number:
  US14/951,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20160144081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/64 Containers with integrated suction means containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/98 Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/21 insensitive to tilting or inclination, e.g. spill-over prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a collection canister in fluid communication with the wound dressing. The canister includes a first vacuum chamber for drawing a vacuum and a second fluid chamber for collecting fluids removed from the wound dressing under the vacuum. The vacuum chamber may have a vacuum and a power source. The canister further includes a hydrophobic membrane separating the first and the second fluid vacuum chambers. The hydrophobic membrane is dimensioned to span a major portion of the cross-sectional area of the canister. The hydrophobic membrane may be dimensioned to substantially span an internal dimension of the collection canister. The hydrophobic membrane may include one or more outwardly extending lobes. The outwardly extending lobes may be arranged in staggered relation. The hydrophobic membrane may be releasably mountable to the canister, and, may be supported within a divider separating the first vacuum chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Claims

1. A collection canister for negative pressure wound therapy comprising:

a first chamber configured to communicate negative pressure to a wound, and a second chamber configured to collect fluids removed from the wound under application of negative pressure;

a hydrophobic membrane placed between the first and second chambers; and

a divider supporting the hydrophobic membrane and positioned to span a portion of a cross-sectional area of the canister, wherein the divider includes reinforcing ribs;

wherein the divider and the hydrophobic membrane separate the first and the second chambers,

wherein the hydrophobic membrane is positioned and dimensioned to permit negative pressure to be communicated upon tilting, inverting, or placing the collection canister on a side thereof, and

wherein the collection canister is configured to be in fluid communication with a wound dressing positioned over the wound; and

wherein the first chamber includes a vacuum source.

2. The canister according to claim 1, wherein the divider is dimensioned to span an internal dimension of the collection canister.

3. The canister according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic membrane comprises one or more outwardly extending lobes.

4. The canister according to claim 3, wherein the outwardly extending lobes are arranged in a staggered relation.

5. The canister according to claim 3, wherein the outwardly extending lobes are arranged in a symmetric relation.

6. The canister according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is releasably mountable to the canister.

7. The canister according to claim 1, further comprising one of a screen, grill, or mesh associated within the divider to provide support for the hydrophobic membrane.

8. The canister according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is Z-shaped.

9. A kit comprising the canister according to claim 1, and the wound dressing.

10. A method of operating a negative pressure system, the method comprising:

communicating negative pressure to a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound through a collection canister that is tilted, inverted, or placed on a side thereof,

wherein the collection canister comprises;

a first chamber configured to communicate negative pressure to the wound, wherein the first chamber includes a vacuum source, and a second chamber to collect fluids removed from the wound under application of negative pressure;

a hydrophobic membrane placed between the first and second chambers; and

a divider supporting the hydrophobic membrane and positioned to span a portion of a cross-sectional area of the canister, wherein the divider includes reinforcing ribs, and wherein the divider and the hydrophobic membrane separate the first and the second chambers.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the divider is dimensioned to span an internal dimension of the collection canister.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the hydrophobic membrane comprises one or more outwardly extending lobes.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the outwardly extending lobes are arranged in a staggered relation.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the outwardly extending lobes are arranged in a symmetric relation.

15. The canister method to claim 10, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is releasably mountable to the canister.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the collection canister further comprises one of a screen, grill, or mesh associated within the divider to provide support for the hydrophobic membrane.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is Z-shaped.