Fluid collection

• US 10,071,190 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Inventors: Hartwell, Edward Yerbury, Chappel, Jonathan, Bannister, Neill Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treyger, Ilya
• Application Number:
  US14/948,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20160151547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• 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 1/604 Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/64 Containers with integrated suction means containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/69 Drainage containers not being adapted for subjection to vacuum, e.g. bags devices worn by the patient for reception of urine A61F5/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/88 Draining devices having means for processing the drained fluid, e.g. an absorber for liposuction A61M1/892
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/884 Draining devices provided with means for filtering out the harmless water content before discarding the drainage container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/98 Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters

Abstract

An apparatus and method for collecting fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body portion comprising a fluid inlet and an outlet, an expandable container secured to the body portion, at least one wicking element extending from within the body portion into the container, and at least one super absorber element arranged inside the container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collecting fluid from a wound and delivering negative pressure to a wound dressing from a negative pressure source, comprising:

a canister comprising a fluid inlet, an outlet, a top end, and an elongate portion, the elongate portion having a length extending from the top end to an opposite bottom end of the canister, the inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the wound dressing, the outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the negative pressure source, wherein the inlet and the outlet are positioned at the top end of the canister, wherein the canister is configured to be expandable while maintaining negative pressure and wherein the canister comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface configured to be in contact with fluid from the wound and the outer surface configured to be exposed to ambient atmosphere;

at least one wicking element comprising an elongate section extending into the canister along substantially the entire length from the top end to the opposite bottom end of the canister; and

at least one super absorber element arranged inside the canister and positioned proximate to the at least one wicking element, wherein the at least one super absorber element comprises a plurality of sheets of super absorbent material spaced apart in a substantially parallel arrangement, wherein the plurality of sheets of super absorbent material extends along substantially the entire length from the top end to the opposite bottom end of the canister;

wherein the plurality of sheets of super absorbent material are located between the at least one wicking element and the inner surface of the canister.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged to trap and store liquid in the super absorber element as fluid is drawn through the inlet by a negative pressure applied at the outlet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one screening element located in a portion of the canister to prevent migration of the super absorber element to the inlet and/or outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when compressive pressure is applied at the outlet, the canister is arranged to expand in volume as liquid drawn through the inlet is absorbed by the super absorber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the super absorber element comprises one or more of polycationic or polyanionic polymers.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one wicking element comprises one or more of cotton gauze and/or non-woven polyester.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pathogen filter located at the inlet and/or outlet.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canister comprises a flexible bag.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canister comprises a flexible bag comprising walls formed form a substantially flexible material, wherein the walls are collapsible when the canister is empty and expandable as fluid is drawn into the canister so that the canister expands as the liquid is absorbed by the plurality of sheets of super absorbent material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top end comprises an upper portion and the bottom end comprises a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is configured to be elevated in operation.