Canister membrane for wound therapy system

• US 8,177,763 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wiesner, Joel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hanrahan, Benedict L
• Application Number:
  US12/205,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 604 401- 616, 604/35, 604 65- 67, 604245-247, 604304-305, 604311-322, 604/327, 604/355, 604540-543, 602/48, 248/95, 403/10, 405/94, 601/6, 606 7- 14
• US Class Current: 604/313
• 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 portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, which comprises:

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 and defining a central longitudinal axis extending along a length of the collection canister, the canister including 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 canister further including a hydrophobic membrane separating the first vacuum chamber and the second fluid chamber, the hydrophobic membrane dimensioned to span a major portion of the cross-sectional area of the canister and including one or more lobes extending outwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis, the one or more lobes positioned and dimensioned for permitting continued vacuum draw upon tilting, inverting, or placing the collection canister on a side thereof.

2. The portable system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic membrane is dimensioned to substantially span an internal dimension of the collection canister.

3. The portable system according to claim 1 including a plurality of lobes, the lobes being arranged in staggered relation with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

4. The portable system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic membrane is releasably mountable to the canister.

5. The portable system according to claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic membrane is supported within a divider separating the first vacuum chamber and the second fluid chamber.

6. The portable system according to claim 5 including one of a screen, grill, or mesh associated within the divider to provide support for the hydrophobic membrane.

7. The portable system according to claim 5 wherein the divider includes reinforcing ribs.

8. The portable system according to claim 1 wherein the first vacuum chamber includes a vacuum source.

9. The portable system according to claim 1 including a plurality of lobes extending outwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis, a first lobe being disposed outward of a first side of the central longitudinal axis and a second lobe being disposed outward of a second side of the central longitudinal axis.

10. The portable system according to claim 1 including at least two first lobes being disposed outward of a first side of the central longitudinal axis and at least two second lobes being disposed outward of a second side of the central longitudinal axis.

11. The portable system according to claim 10 wherein the at least two first lobes are longitudinally spaced relative to each other along the central longitudinal axis.

12. The portable system according to claim 11 wherein the at least two second lobes are longitudinally spaced relative to each other along the central longitudinal axis.

13. The portable system according to claim 12 wherein the at least two first lobes and the at least two second lobes are longitudinally spaced relative to each other along the central longitudinal axis.