Waste container for negative pressure therapy

Abstract

A system for treating a patient with a wound comprises a bandage, a receptacle, and a vacuum source. The bandage comprises a cover to seal about the wound and to define a space above the wound in which a vacuum is to be formed. The bandage further comprises a port providing communication with the space. The receptacle is connected to the port to receive exudate from the wound and is provided to be placed below the wound. The vacuum source is spaced apart from the receptacle, is connected to the receptacle, and is effective to provide a vacuum in the receptacle and in the space.

1 . A system for treating a patient with a wound, the system comprising: 
 (a) a bandage comprising a cover to seal about the wound and define a space above the wound in which a vacuum is to be formed, and a port providing communication with the space,    (b) a receptacle to be placed below the wound and connected to the port to receive exudate from the wound, and    (c) a vacuum source spaced apart from the receptacle and connected to the receptacle, the vacuum source being effective to provide a vacuum in the receptacle and in the space.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a first tube coupled to the port of the bandage and the receptacle and a second tube coupled to the vacuum source and the receptacle.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle further includes an inlet port coupled to the first tube and an outlet port coupled to the second tube.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the receptacle further includes an anti-microbial filter adjacent the outlet port.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the filter is hydrophobic.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes an air vent to allow an inner area of the receptacle to communicate with the surrounding atmosphere.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes an upper portion and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion, and wherein the upper portion of the receptacle is formed from a rigid material.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion of the receptacle includes an inlet port coupled to the bandage and an outlet port coupled to the vacuum source.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lower portion of the receptacle is formed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum bandage, receptacle, and vacuum source are configured to operate in series with each other.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a mounting portion coupled to the receptacle.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a control dominating the vacuum source, the control being configured to establish the amount of vacuum applied to the space.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control is configured to establish the time when vacuum is applied to the space.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising means for attaching the receptacle to a support below the wound.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising means for supporting the vacuum source away from the receptacle.  
     
     
         16 . A system for creating a vacuum above a wound and drawing exudate away from the wound, the system comprising: 
 (a) a vacuum bandage to place over and seal about the wound on a patient to provide a vacuum space above the wound and a port communicating with the space,    (b) a receptacle configured to be placed below the wound, the receptacle being in communication through the port with the vacuum space, and    (c) a vacuum source positioned away from the receptacle and connected to the receptacle to provide a vacuum in the receptacle and in the vacuum space, thereby subjecting a surface of the wound to vacuum therapy.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a vacuum pump and associated controls, the pump being connected to the receptacle.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the vacuum source is positioned above the receptacle.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the vacuum source is positioned above the receptacle.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a flow sensor to be connected to a vacuum line, the flow sensor being configured to determine the level of vacuum present in the receptacle.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , comprising means for supporting the receptacle below the wound.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , comprising means for supporting the vacuum source above the receptacle.  
     
     
         23 . A method for treating a wound on a patient, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) sealing a bandage having a port about the wound to define a space above the wound and in communication with the port in which a vacuum can be formed,    (b) placing a receptacle below the wound,    (c) placing a vacuum source spaced away from the receptacle,    (d) connecting the receptacle to the port of the bandage,    (e) connecting the vacuum source to the receptacle, and    (f) operating the vacuum source to evacuate the receptacle and provide a vacuum in the space above the wound.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising the step of controlling the level of vacuum applied to the space and the time of application of the vacuum.