In one example embodiment, a vibration apparatus can augment and enhance negative-pressure therapy systems. The apparatus can be attached to an external surface of a dressing, fluid conductor, or other components. The apparatus can generate low-amplitude vibrations, which can be transmitted through the components. Kinetic energy of the oscillations can agitate fluid in the components, which can lower the viscosity of the fluid and reduce the frequency of blockages in fluid conductors. Vibrations may also agitate a tissue site, which can encourage blood flow and granulation.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical treatment and therapy of mammalian tissue. More specifically, it relates to coverings and/or dressings that provide negative pressure at mammalian tissue sites, such as at one or more sites of surgical, non-surgical, and/or traumatic wounds, to promote closure and healing of the wounds. A key embodiment of the disclosed invention entails the use of a dressing that comprises a sponge that is shaped so as to create a vector force inward bringing wound edges together to promote healing, especially upon application of negative pressure. Other key features of the disclosed invention are its simplicity, its low cost, and that it is completely mechanical and lacks the need for any electronic components. The disclosure also relates to devices, systems, kits and methods for providing said negative pressure at said mammalian tissue sites and promote healing.

In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a drainage system. The drainage system may include a container having an interior and a mouth, the mouth having an outer surface and an opening. A frangible seal may cover the opening. A cap may be secured to the mouth, and the cap may be in fluid communication with a drainage line. The cap may have an inner surface for engaging with the outer surface of the mouth. The drainage system may further include a retention ring with a collar having an inner surface configured to engage an outer surface of the cap, where the retention ring includes a bead for at least partially concentrating a restriction force provided by the retention ring on an adjacent area of the outer surface of the cap.

Automatically-locking syringes are disclosed herein. A syringe in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include (i) a barrel, (ii) a plunger slidably positioned within the barrel, and (iii) a lock plate coupled to the barrel. The plunger also extends through an opening in the lock plate, and a biasing member is configured to bias the lock plate to a locking position. When the plunger is moved from a depressed position to a withdrawn position, the lock feature engages the lock plate to drive the lock plate away from the locking position to thereby permit the lock feature to pass through the opening in the lock plate. After the lock feature passes through the opening, the biasing member drives the lock plate to the locking position to inhibit movement of the plunger from the withdrawn position to the depressed position.

A wound-dressing conditioning device (12) for conditioning a wound dressing (14). The device (12) comprises a treatment-fluid flow path (20) and a waste-fluid flow path (22). A pumping means (24) is at the treatment-fluid flow path (20) and the waste-fluid flow path (22). The pumping means (24) can pump treatment fluid along the treatment-fluid flow path (20) pump waste fluid along the waste-fluid flow path (22), and apply negative-pressure condition to the wound dressing (14). The pumping means (24) has a controller to control the treatment fluid pumping, and a monitoring means for monitoring a volume of treatment fluid pumped to the wound dressing (14).

A waste collection unit for collecting medical waste through a suction line. The waste collection unit includes a manifold receiver having an opening in fluid communication with a canister. A suction pump is configured to draw a vacuum, and a vacuum regulator is configured to regulate the vacuum draw. A light assembly positioned near the opening of the manifold receiver may include a first light and a second light. The light assembly may be arranged to direct the first light towards a manifold configured to be removably received in the manifold receiver. The light assembly may be arranged to direct the second light arcuately around at least a portion of the opening of the manifold receiver. The first light may emit light of different colors based on a commanded or measured level of the vacuum draw.

This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to a connector for a dressing, such as a dressing of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy system. An example of a connector includes a connector body configured to define at least a portion of a first channel. The connector also includes a viewing member coupled to the connector body. The connector further includes a deformable member positioned within the first channel. The deformable member is configured to deform based on a pressure associated with the deformable member and to provide a visual indication, via the viewing member, of the pressure.

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating a variable liquid vacuum with an accompanying stable gas flow rate. In particular, when a suction device suctions a liquid and gas mixture it is advantageous to provide a variable vacuum or vacuum to apply to the liquid component while the flow rate of the gas stays constant or essentially constant.

A chest drainage system including a collection device configured to receive fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient. A sensor is included to detect a pressure differential in the fluid. A display is configured to display a trend in occurrences of changes in pressure of the fluid over time in predetermined time increments based on a number of detections of pressure differentials that exceed a predetermined pressure differential during each of the predetermined time increments. The trend is correlative to the percentage of time that the patient is deemed to have an air leak in the pleural cavity in the predetermined time increments. The trend is derived from a ratio of the quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient for which the predetermined pressure differential is detected (QRC.sub.leak) in the predetermined time increments to the total quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient in respective predetermined time increments (QRC.sub.total).

A portable pump is provided for negative pressure wound therapy for drawing a vacuum from a wound site via a tube. The pump includes an inlet configured to attach the tube from the wound site; a canister in fluid communication with the inlet for collecting fluids drained from the wound site; and a manually-actuated pump mechanism for creating the vacuum. The pump mechanism includes a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the canister; a piston disposed in the vacuum chamber; and a pump handle coupled to the piston to move the piston in the vacuum chamber between first and second positions to create the vacuum. The pump handle moving between a retracted position and an extended position. The piston is in the first position when said pump handle is in the retracted position and is in the second position when said pump handle is in the extended position.