The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for storing liquid from a tissue site. The apparatus may include a drape having an aperture, and a fluid pouch coupled to the drape such that the fluid pouch is in fluid communication with the aperture. In one embodiment, the fluid pouch is operable to transfer reduced pressure to the aperture such that the liquid from the tissue site is drawn into the fluid pouch. The fluid pouch may have a cavity that stores the liquid that is drawn from the tissue site. In another embodiment, the fluid pouch may include at least one baffle. The fluid pouch may also include a fluid channel at least partially defined by the at least one baffle. The fluid channel may be operable to store liquid from the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied through the fluid channel.

An apparatus for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) includes: a pump, a sealed wound cover applicable to a wound, and a tube connecting the pump to the sealed wound cover for generating a negative pressure within the sealed wound cover. The tube includes a longitudinal segment which is at least partially filled in with an absorbent material adapted to absorb wound fluids coming from the wound and travelling along the tube.

Fluid collection systems and methods are disclosed which may utilize suction to draw fluids into containers for storage and eventual disposal. The system may utilize rigid or semi-rigid canisters to provide a chamber in which fluids may be collected under negative pressure, stored, and transported. The system may utilize disposable or reusable flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid liners for isolating fluid and liquid waste from the walls of the canister. In various embodiments, either a single canister assembly or multiple canister assemblies are mounted to a manifold, the manifold being configured to support each canister assembly and/or provide a connection to a source of suction for each canister assembly.

A surgical tissue therapy device includes a sealant layer and a collection chamber. The sealant layer functions so as to create a sealed enclosure, or space between it and the surface of a patient, by forming an airtight seal around a surgical area of skin trauma. The closed incision tissue therapy device also comprises a collection chamber, which may comprise an elongate tubular chamber with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings. The collection chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the sealant layer and the area of skin trauma and functions as to distribute the negative pressure applied to a surgically closed area of skin trauma. Preferably, the pressure under the sealant layer is reduced by expanding the volume of the enclosure space and thereby decreasing the density of air molecules under the sealant layer. The collection material may comprise a material and/or a configuration that permits length changes based upon the length of the corresponding surgical wound or incision.

A portable negative pressure wound therapy system includes a dressing assembly for positioning over a wound to apply a negative pressure to the wound and a canister assembly. The canister assembly includes a control unit having a vacuum source and a controller and a collection canister in communication with the dressing assembly operable to receive fluid from the wound. The collection canister has a filter assembly having a filter and a passageway between the filter and a wall of the collection canister. The collection canister also includes a canister interface having a suction port, an inlet port, and a channel. The vacuum source draws air through the suction port from the channel which draws air from the passageway connected to the channel, the air in the passageway is drawn from the collection canister through the filter, and the air in the collection canister is drawn through the inlet port.

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for storing liquid from a tissue site. The apparatus may include a drape having an aperture, and a fluid pouch coupled to the drape such that the fluid pouch is in fluid communication with the aperture. In one embodiment, the fluid pouch is operable to transfer reduced pressure to the aperture such that the liquid from the tissue site is drawn into the fluid pouch. The fluid pouch may have a cavity that stores the liquid that is drawn from the tissue site. In another embodiment, the fluid pouch may include at least one baffle. The fluid pouch may also include a fluid channel at least partially defined by the at least one baffle. The fluid channel may be operable to store liquid from the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied through the fluid channel.

A system and apparatus for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure and collecting fluids from the tissue site is disclosed. The system may include a reduced-pressure source, a pouch in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source, and a dressing in fluid communication with the pouch. The pouch may include a first wall, a second wall having a periphery coupled to the first wall to form an interior, and a third wall extending through the interior to form a first chamber in fluid communication with the dressing and a second chamber in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source. A plurality of filters are positioned in the third wall. The filters permit fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.

A medical device is provided for irrigation of a patient wound site. The device contains a tube having a proximal portion adapted to receive an irrigation solution, a distal portion having a nozzle and an intermediate portion for transporting the solution. The tube has a barrel portion that may be manipulated by a user to position the device relative to the wound site. A distinctive nozzle has a body formed with a distally leading channel presenting a semispherical first spatial conformation and a proximally leading opening formed in the body presenting a second spatial conformation intersecting the semispherical terminus. This geometry, derived from principles of flow mechanics discussed herein, defines what will be described as an effective diameter of the nozzle. An assembly and system utilizing the device are also disclosed. The invention utilizes a fluid-isolating durable peristaltic pump for a continuous flow of irrigation solution, along with a single use tube set that embodies the device.

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.