Apparatuses, systems, and methods for managing liquid flow associated with a tissue site using the presence of reduced pressure

Abstract

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for managing liquid flow associated with a tissue site that involves using reduced pressure to control fluid flow. In one instance, an apparatus includes a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with a reduced-pressure source. The valves are movable between an open position and a closed position and are operable to change flow status (open to closed or vice versa) based on a presence of reduced pressure. At least one of the first valve or the second valve is in the closed position to obstruct a flow of a liquid while the other is in the open position. The apparatus also includes a reservoir fluidly coupled to the first valve and the second valve. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for managing a liquid flow associated with a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:
 a first valve movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first valve is configured to be activated based on a reduced pressure transmitted from the tissue site to the first valve;   a second valve movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the second valve is configured to be activated based on a reduced pressure transmitted from the tissue site to the second valve; and   wherein the first valve is configured to be in the open position when the second valve is in the closed position, and wherein the first valve is configured to be in the closed position when the second valve is in the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is configured to move from the open position to the closed position in an absence of the reduced pressure at the first valve; and wherein the second valve is configured to move from the open position to the closed position in the presence of the reduced pressure at the second valve. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in the presence of the reduced pressure at the first valve; wherein the first valve is configured to move from the open position to the closed position in an absence of the reduced pressure at the first valve; wherein the second valve is configured to move from the open position to the closed position in the presence of the reduced pressure at the second valve; and wherein the second valve is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in an absence of the reduced pressure at the second valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir disposed in fluid communication between the first valve and the second valve, the reservoir configured to contain a liquid when one of the first valve or the second valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a set of restriction strips configured to restrict expansion of the reservoir to contain a maximum amount of liquid, wherein the set of restriction strips are disposed over at least a portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a set of restriction strips configured to restrict expansion of the reservoir to contain a maximum amount of liquid, wherein the set of restriction strips are disposed over at least a portion of the reservoir, and wherein each of the set of restriction strips is removable from the reservoir to increase the maximum amount of the liquid holdable by the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one reduced-pressure conduit configured to transmit the reduced pressure from the tissue site to the first valve and the second valve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one reduced-pressure conduit configured to transmit the reduced pressure from the tissue site to the first valve and the second valve, the apparatus further comprising a first sheet and a second sheet coupled to the first sheet to at least partially form the reservoir and the reduced-pressure conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir and the reduced-pressure conduit are at least partially formed by abutting portions of the first sheet and the second sheet, or by welding at least a portion of the first sheet to the second sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a foam member disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the foam member is configured to transfer the reduced pressure and the liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the foam member is included in the reduced-pressure conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a first end of the foam member forms at least a portion of the first valve. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of the foam member is an enlarged end portion; and wherein the first end of the foam member compresses in the presence of reduced pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a third sheet coupled to the second sheet to form an inlet conduit, wherein the inlet conduit is configured to transfer the liquid to the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one reduced-pressure conduit configured to transmit the reduced pressure from the tissue site to the first valve and the second valve, the apparatus further comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet coupled to the first sheet to at least partially form the reservoir and the reduced-pressure conduit;   a foam member disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the foam member is configured to transfer the reduced pressure and the liquid;   wherein at least a portion of the foam member is included in the reduced-pressure conduit;   wherein a first end of the foam member forms at least a portion of the first valve;   wherein the second valve comprises a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall is a portion of the first sheet, and wherein the second wall is a portion of the second sheet;   wherein the first wall and the second wall are configured to draw nearer to one another in the presence of reduced pressure to form the closed position; and   wherein the first wall and the second wall are configured to move away from one another in an absence of reduced pressure to form the open position.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve and the second valve are pilot-actuated valves. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced pressure is received by the first valve and the second valve.