System and method for collecting exudates

• US 8,100,873 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Jaeb, Jonathan Paul, Kelch, Randall Paul, Locke, Christopher Brian, Luckemeyer, James, McDaniel, Terrie Lea, Phillips, Bruce, Robinson, Timothy Mark, Jaswal, Abhay, Higley, Kevin, Simmons, Tyler
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapman, Ginger T
• Application Number:
  US12/395,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 604/319, 604/540, 604/317, 604/318, 137/216, 137/254, 137/262, 137/395, 138/37, 138/42, 141/44, 141/286, 239/461, 239/462, 239/483, 239498-499, 239504-505, 239/507, 239/509, 239/512, 239/518, 239521-524
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• 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 1/65 the suction means being electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/684 bellows-type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• 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 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7563 with means preventing clogging of filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/14 Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3185 Air vent in liquid flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4666 With baffle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/479 Flow dividing compartments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7313 Control of outflow from tank

Abstract

A reduced pressure treatment system includes a porous pad positioned at a tissue site and a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the porous pad. A reduced pressure source is fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister to such that fluid from the tissue site may be drawn into the collection chamber. A hydrophobic filter is positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet. A baffle is positioned within the canister to create a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet to prevent premature blocking of the hydrophobic filter.

Claims

1. A reduced pressure treatment system comprising:

a manifold positioned at a tissue site;

a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet, the inlet being fluidly connected to the porous pad;

a reduced pressure source fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister to deliver a reduced pressure to the collection chamber and the tissue site such that fluid from the tissue site is drawn into the collection chamber;

a liquid-air separator associated with the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet;

a baffle positioned within the canister to deflect liquid entering the canister from prematurely blocking the liquid-air separator;

wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate;

wherein at least one raised member is positioned on the deflector plate to burst bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the baffle creates a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the baffle prevents line-of-sight between a droplet-formation area and the outlet of the canister.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the baffle is a screen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate that extends below the liquid-air separator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet and the liquid-air separator are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate that is angled, when positioned within the canister, relative to a level-liquid line of the canister to direct fluid contacting the deflector plate away from the exit wall.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid-air separator is a hydrophobic filter.

9. A collection canister for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the canister comprising:

a collection chamber;

an inlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a tissue site;

an outlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source;

a liquid-air separator positioned adjacent the outlet; and

a baffle positioned within the canister to deflect liquid entering the canister from prematurely blocking the liquid-air separator;

wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate;

wherein at least one raised member is positioned on the deflector plate to burst bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber.

10. The collection canister of claim 9, wherein the baffle creates a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet.

11. The collection canister of claim 9, wherein the baffle prevents line-of-sight between a bubble-bursting area and the outlet of the canister.

12. The collection canister of claim 9, wherein the baffle is a screen.

13. The collection canister of claim 9, wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate that extends below the liquid-air separator.

14. The collection canister of claim 9, wherein the outlet and the liquid-air separator are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber.

15. The collection canister of claim 14, wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate that is angled, when positioned within the canister, relative to a level-liquid line of the canister to direct fluid contacting the deflector plate away from the exit wall.

16. A collection canister for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the canister comprising:

a collection chamber;

an entry chamber positioned above the collection chamber, the entry chamber having an open end and a closed end defined by an entry wall, the entry chamber further having a floor separating the entry chamber from the collection chamber, the floor having an aperture allowing communication between the entry chamber and the collection chamber;

an inlet disposed in the entry wall of the entry chamber, the inlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a tissue site;

an outlet in communication with the collection chamber and adapted to be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source;

a hydrophobic filter positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet; and

a baffle having a base and a deflector plate, the base being removably positioned within the entry chamber through the opening of the entry chamber;

wherein the deflector plate of the baffle deflects liquid entering the entry chamber through the inlet from prematurely blocking the hydrophobic filter;

wherein at least one raised member is positioned on the deflector plate to burst bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber.

17. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the baffle creates a tortuous pathway between the entry chamber and the outlet of the canister.

18. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the baffle prevents line-of-sight between the opening of the entry chamber and the outlet of the canister.

19. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the baffle is a screen.

20. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the deflector plate extends below the hydrophobic filter.

21. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the outlet and the hydrophobic filter are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber opposite the entry wall of the entry chamber.

22. The collection canister of claim 21, wherein the deflector plate is angled relative to the base to direct fluid contacting the deflector plate away from the exit wall.

23. The collection canister of claim 21, wherein the outlet and the hydrophobic filter are positioned below the floor of the entry chamber.

24. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein the aperture is a slot.

25. The collection canister of claim 16, wherein:

the baffle prevents line-of-sight between the opening of the entry chamber and the outlet of the canister;

the outlet and the hydrophobic filter are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber opposite the entry wall of the entry chamber and below the floor of the entry chamber; and

the deflector plate extends below the hydrophobic filter.

26. A collection canister for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the canister comprising:

a collection chamber;

an inlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a tissue site;

an outlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source;

a liquid-air separator positioned adjacent the outlet; and

a baffle positioned within the canister to receive droplets or spray from bubbles bursting within the canister;

wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate;

wherein at least one raised member is positioned on the deflector plate to burst bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber.

27. The collection canister of claim 26, wherein the baffle is positioned between a droplet-formation area and the outlet.

28. The collection canister of claim 26, wherein:

the bubbles burst in a droplet-formation area of the canister; and

the baffle is positioned between the droplet-formation area and the outlet.

29. A method for collecting exudate from a tissue site comprising:

creating a reduced pressure within a collection canister to draw exudate from the tissue site to the collection canister, the collection canister having an outlet and a liquid-air separator associated with the outlet; and

minimizing deposition of protein from the exudate on the liquid-air separator;

wherein said minimizing said deposition of protein further comprises;

providing a baffle within the collection canister to deflect exudate entering the canister;

wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate;

wherein at least one raised member is positioned on the deflector plate to burst bubbles that form as exudate enters the collection chamber.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein minimizing deposition further comprises preventing deposition.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein minimizing deposition further comprises:

preventing line-of-sight between a bubble-bursting area of the collection canister and the outlet.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein minimizing deposition further comprises:

creating a tortuous path for exudate entering the collection canister.