Reduced-pressure, multi-orientation, liquid-collection canister

• US 8,377,018 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Smith, Kenneth R., Bendele, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Jackie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Mark K
• Application Number:
  US12/973,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 604319-326, 604/403, 604/543, 604313-315, 604/317, 604/318, 604540-542, 604/544, 215/DIG.3
• US Class Current: 604/324
• 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 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• 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 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes

Abstract

A liquid-collection canister includes a liquid collection chamber defined by at least one wall and a first and second gas-communication pathway formed within the at least one wall. A first aperture is positioned between the first gas-communication pathway and the liquid collection chamber to allow gaseous communication between the liquid collection chamber and the first gas-communication pathway. A second aperture is positioned between the second gas-communication pathway and the liquid collection chamber to allow gaseous communication between the liquid collection chamber and the second gas-communication pathway. A first and a second liquid-air separator are positioned over the first aperture and the second aperture, respectively, to substantially prevent liquid passing through the first and second apertures.

Claims

1. A reduced pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a canister comprising;

a plurality of walls forming a liquid collection chamber, each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a first wall of the plurality of walls having a first recess formed in the outer surface of the first wall;

a second wall of the plurality of walls having a second recess formed in the outer surface of the second wall;

a first cover disposed over the first recess to form a first space;

a second cover disposed over the second recess to form a second space;

a first aperture disposed in the first wall to fluidly connect the first space and the liquid collection chamber;

a second aperture disposed in the second wall to fluidly connect the second space and the liquid collection chamber;

a first liquid-air separator positioned to substantially prevent liquid from the liquid collection chamber from entering the first space through the first aperture of the first wall;

a second liquid-air separator positioned to substantially prevent liquid from the liquid collection chamber from entering the second space through the second aperture of the second wall; and

a reduced pressure port fluidly connected to the first space and the second space;

a reduced pressure source in fluid communication with the reduced pressure port to deliver a reduced pressure to the liquid collection chamber; and

a manifold in fluid communication with the liquid collection chamber and

adapted to be positioned at the tissue site to distribute the reduced pressure to the tissue site;

wherein;

the first recess is substantially L-shaped and includes a first leg portion intersecting a second leg portion at an apex region of the first recess;

the first aperture is positioned in the apex region of the first recess;

the second recess is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a first end and a second end;

the second aperture is positioned at the first end of the second recess;

the canister further comprises;

a third aperture positioned in the first leg portion of the first recess opposite the apex region;

a fourth aperture positioned in the second leg portion of the first recess opposite the apex region;

a fifth aperture positioned at the second end of the second recess;

a third liquid-air separator positioned to substantially prevent liquid from the liquid collection chamber from entering the first space through the third aperture;

a fourth liquid-air separator positioned to substantially prevent liquid from the liquid collection chamber from entering the first space through the fourth aperture; and

a fifth liquid-air separator positioned to substantially prevent liquid from the liquid collection chamber from entering the second space through the fifth aperture.

2. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first wall is opposite the second wall.

3. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first wall is adjacent the second wall.

4. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1, wherein the canister further comprises an absorbent pad disposed within the liquid collection chamber.

5. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1, wherein:

the first and third liquid-air separators are coplanar; and

the second and fourth liquid-air separators are coplanar.

6. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1, wherein:

the first aperture is one of a plurality of apertures covered by the first liquid-air separator;

the second aperture is one of a plurality of apertures covered by the second liquid-air separator;

the third aperture is one of a plurality of apertures covered by the third liquid-air separator;

the fourth aperture is one of a plurality of apertures covered by the fourth liquid-air separator; and

the fifth aperture is one of a plurality of apertures covered by the fifth liquid-air separator.