Reduced-pressure, multi-orientation, liquid-collection canister

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a multi-orientation liquid collection canister to collect liquid from a tissue site is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially planar, liquid-air separator disposed on at least one wall of the multi-orientation liquid collection canister to prevent the liquid from exiting the multi-orientation liquid collection canister. The apparatus further includes an elongated member connected to the liquid-air separator and extending away from the liquid-air separator into a first space of the multi-orientation liquid collection canister. The elongated member has a membrane defining a second space along at least a portion of a length of the elongated member. At least a portion of the membrane allows gaseous communication between the first space and the second space.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use in a multi-orientation canister to collect liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied, the apparatus comprising:
 a flexible member configured for fluid connection to a canister outlet of the multi-orientation canister, the flexible member having a gas communication pathway at least partially defined by a flexible membrane, the gas communication pathway adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the canister outlet, at least a portion of the flexible membrane being gas-permeable and substantially liquid impermeable.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a substantially planar, liquid-air separator configured to be disposed adjacent the canister outlet of the multi-orientation canister to prevent a liquid from exiting a collection chamber of the multi-orientation canister through the canister outlet. 
     
     
         13 . A canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied, the canister comprising:
 at least one canister wall defining a chamber configured to collect liquid from the tissue site;   a canister outlet in fluid communication with a reduced pressure source;   a conduit positioned in the chamber, the conduit having a conduit wall forming a gas communication lumen, the gas communication lumen being fluidly connected to the canister outlet; and   a liquid-air separator operably associated with the conduit to allow gas communication but to substantially prevent liquid communication between the chamber and the gas communication lumen.   
     
     
         14 . The canister of  claim 13 , further comprising a substantially planar, hydrophobic filter disposed between the canister outlet and the gas communication lumen of the conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The canister of  claim 14 , wherein the conduit is welded to the hydrophobic filter. 
     
     
         16 . The canister of  claim 14 , wherein the conduit is adhesively bonded to the hydrophobic filter. 
     
     
         17 . The canister of  claim 14 , wherein the conduit and the hydrophobic filter is a single unit. 
     
     
         18 . A reduced pressure treatment apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first space configured to collect liquid;   an outlet configured to allow fluid communication with the first space;   a liquid-air separator disposed adjacent the outlet and configured to prevent liquid from exiting the first space through the outlet;   an elongated member connected to the liquid-air separator and extending into the first space, the elongated member having a wall defining a second space, at least a portion of the wall allowing gaseous communication between the first space and the second space; and   a biasing member disposed in the second space, wherein the elongated member and the biasing member are conformable with the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the biasing member is configured to reduce collapse of the wall into the second space when the second space is exposed to reduced pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the biasing member is a compressible material. 
     
     
         21 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the biasing member is made of a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         22 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the biasing member is made of a woven material. 
     
     
         23 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the biasing member includes a plurality of flow channels to manifold gas flow. 
     
     
         24 . The reduced pressure treatment apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the wall comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). 
     
     
         25 . A canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site, the canister comprising:
 a chamber configured to collect liquid from the tissue site;   a canister outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and   a membrane forming a gas communication pathway; and   a manifold disposed within the gas communication pathway and adapted to support the membrane;   wherein the membrane is positioned in the chamber such that the gas communication pathway is in fluid communication with the canister outlet, and at least a portion of the membrane is gas permeable and substantially liquid impermeable; and   wherein the membrane and the manifold are conformable within the chamber.   
     
     
         26 . The canister of  claim 25 , wherein the canister further comprises a biasing member disposed in the gas communication pathway to reduce collapse of the membrane into the gas communication pathway when the membrane is exposed to reduced pressure. 
     
     
         27 . The canister of  claim 25 , wherein the manifold includes a plurality of flow channels to manifold gas flow. 
     
     
         28 . The canister of  claim 25 , wherein the membrane comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). 
     
     
         29 . The canister of  claim 25 , wherein substantially the entire membrane is comprised of a material that allows gaseous communication but substantially prevents liquid communication. 
     
     
         30 . The canister of  claim 25 , wherein the membrane includes a first portion welded or bonded to a second portion and at least one of the first and second portions includes one or more liquid-air separators. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for use in a multi-orientation canister to collect liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied, the apparatus comprising:
 a conduit connected to and in fluid communication with an outlet of the multi-orientation canister, the conduit having a gas-communication lumen at least partially defined by a conduit wall; and   a liquid-air separator operably associated with the conduit to allow gas-communication but substantially prevent liquid communication between the gas-communication lumen and an area surrounding the conduit, wherein the conduit and the liquid-air separator are conformable within the multi-orientation canister.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit is a compressible material. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit is made of a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit is made of a woven material. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the gas-communication lumen includes a plurality of flow channels to manifold gas flow. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit wall comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).