A method of analyzing fluid collected from a wound site, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pump unit comprising: one or more pumps, one or more fluid collectors, and one or more drainage structures each in communication with an exit site of the wound site to draw the fluid through the one or more drainage structures into the pump unit and create a negative pressure at the exit site to remove and transport the fluid from the exit site and into the one or more fluid collectors, wherein the pump unit is configured to create a negative pressure, wherein the fluid removal from the exit site is provided at a controlled and measured rate; b) collecting the fluid within the one or more fluid collectors; c) removing the one or more fluid collectors; e) capping the one or more fluid collectors with a cap; and d) analyzing the collected fluid of step “b” once the fluid connectors are removed in step “c”.

A mobile negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device is described having an inlet; a canister in fluid flow connection with the inlet; a pump having a pump casing with a pump inlet in fluid flow connection with the canister in the canister, and a pump outlet for output of air transported through the pump; an elastomeric jacket at least partly enclosing the pump, the elastomeric jacket being configured to define a flow channel having a first end arranged to receive air output by the pump outlet and a second end spaced apart from the first end for discharging the air output by the pump outlet following passage through the flow channel; a control unit for controlling operation of the mobile NPWT device; a battery arrangement for powering the mobile NPWT device; and a housing enclosing at least the pump, the elastomeric jacket, the control unit, and the battery arrangement.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved filter assemblies for use with in a canister for collecting wound exudate from a wound site, the canister comprising a filter and a shield configured to protect the filter from components within the interior of the canister.

Vacuum dressings with a guide tube are provided for implantable medical devices that inhibit infection associated with in-dwelling devices while encouraging healing of the incision around the device. The vacuum dressings mitigate pooling of fluids that harbor bacteria from between the outer diameter of an inserted implantable medical device and the inner diameter of a guide tube and also in the cylindrical gap, between the outer diameter of an inserted implantable medical device and the inner wall of the subcutaneous tunnel, which remains in fluid communication with skin microflora. Implantable medical devices may also illustratively include a variety of catheters, such as venous access, peritoneal dialysis, and other indwelling venous access catheters that require skin penetration; cannulas; Steinman pins; Kirschner wires; and cardiac assist device lines.

The present invention relates to a device for the extraction of body fluid by suction, comprising a pump (2) with a pump housing (4) that comprises a suction opening (31), a container (6) with a container housing (8) that surrounds a reservoir (10) for storing the extracted body fluid and comprises an interface (84) in a container housing wall (82) for the communication between the suction opening (31) and the reservoir (10), a suction line port (74) that is connectable to a suction line (6) for the extraction of body fluid by suction, which is provided with a cover element covering the coupling device to improve the cleanliness and/or for the formation of functional surfaces for securing the suction line and/or releasing the coupling device.

Disclosed embodiments may relate to a fluid bridge configured to facilitate negative -pressure therapy when used in a vertical orientation and/or under compression, and to systems and methods related thereto. In some embodiments, the fluid bridge may comprise an open-cell foam support manifold within an envelope. The support manifold may be configured to reduce negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge and/or to maintain therapeutic levels of negative pressure, for example despite vertical orientation and/or use under a compression garment.

A negative pressure device for applying to skin is configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when at least a portion of the device is sealed against the skin. The device includes a body including at least one expandable segment that is configured to expand after the device has been sealed against the skin.

An apparatus for negative pressure treatment and instillation of wounds. The apparatus includes a dressing for covering a wound in a fluid-tight manner, a drain line for extracting fluid from the wound, a negative pressure unit for generating negative pressure in the drain line, an instillation line for providing an instillation fluid, an optional rinse line for providing a rinse fluid, and a main line connected to the dressing. The main line (60) has a single lumen and is connectable via a connection element (64) to two of the following lines, drain line (20), instillation line (40), and rinse line (50). Also, a method for operating this apparatus.

Embodiments of a canister for a negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the canister includes a receptacle for receiving wound exudate. A filter stack is interposed between the receptacle and the pump assembly and provides a fluid flow path therebetween. The flow path is more easily navigable by gas than by liquid, thereby allowing the pump assembly to apply a negative pressure to the canister without aspirating wound exudate into filters housed within the filter stack.

Connectors and devices for flexible negative pressure systems are described.