System and method for collecting exudates

Abstract

A reduced pressure treatment system includes a porous pad positioned at a tissue site and a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the porous pad. A reduced pressure source is fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister to such that fluid from the tissue site may be drawn into the collection chamber. A hydrophobic filter is positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet. A baffle is positioned within the canister to create a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet to prevent premature blocking of the hydrophobic filter.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A reduced pressure treatment system comprising:
 a manifold positioned at a tissue site;   a collection canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet, the inlet being fluidly connected to the manifold and the outlet being positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber;   a reduced pressure source fluidly connected to the outlet of the collection canister to deliver a reduced pressure to the collection chamber and the tissue site such that fluid from the tissue site is drawn into the collection chamber;   a liquid-air separator associated with the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet; and   a baffle positioned within the collection canister, the baffle including a deflector plate that is angled with respect to the liquid-air separator, the baffle configured to deflect liquid entering the collection canister from blocking the liquid-air separator.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle creates a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector plate includes a surfactant coating configured to reduce the surface energy of bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the deflector plate is permeable to gas flow. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collection canister includes a basin portion and a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is formed by the exit wall, and wherein the inlet is positioned in the basin portion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the baffle is positioned within the collection canister to receive droplets or spray from bubbles bursting within the collection canister;   the bubbles burst in a droplet-formation area of the collection canister; and   the baffle is positioned between the droplet-formation area and the outlet.   
     
     
         8 . A collection canister for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the collection canister comprising:
 a collection chamber;   an entry chamber positioned above the collection chamber, the entry chamber having an open end and a closed end defined by an entry wall;   a floor separating the entry chamber from the collection chamber, the floor having an aperture configured to allow communication between the entry chamber and the collection chamber;   a porous foam positioned in the entry chamber configured to minimize bubble formation near the open end of the entry chamber;   an inlet disposed in the entry wall of the entry chamber, the inlet configured to be fluidly connected to a tissue site;   an outlet configured to be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source; and   a liquid-air separator positioned adjacent to the outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The collection canister of  claim 8 , wherein the porous foam creates a tortuous pathway for liquid entering the entry chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The collection canister of  claim 8 , wherein the porous foam is an open-cell polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         11 . The collection canister of  claim 8 , further comprising a baffle positioned within the collection canister to deflect liquid entering the collection canister from blocking the liquid-air separator. 
     
     
         12 . The collection canister of  claim 11 , wherein the baffle comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The collection canister of  claim 11 , wherein the outlet and the liquid-air separator are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber, and wherein the baffle includes a deflector plate that is angled, when positioned within the collection canister, relative to a level-liquid line of the collection canister to direct fluid contacting the deflector plate away from the exit wall. 
     
     
         14 . A collection canister for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the collection canister comprising:
 a collection chamber;   an entry chamber positioned above the collection chamber, the entry chamber having an open end and a closed end defined by an entry wall;   a floor between the entry chamber and the collection chamber, the floor having an aperture configured to allow communication between the entry chamber and the collection chamber;   an inlet disposed in the entry wall of the entry chamber, the inlet configured to be fluidly connected to a tissue site;   an outlet in communication with the collection chamber and configured to be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source;   a hydrophobic filter positioned adjacent to the outlet, the hydrophobic filter configured to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet; and   a baffle having a deflector plate, the deflector plate configured to direct liquid entering the entry chamber from the inlet through the aperture of the floor and away from the hydrophobic filter.   
     
     
         15 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , wherein the deflector plate includes a surfactant coating configured to reduce the surface energy of bubbles that form as fluid enters the collection chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , wherein the baffle creates a tortuous pathway between the entry chamber and the outlet of the collection canister. 
     
     
         17 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , wherein the baffle comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         18 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , further comprising a porous foam positioned in the entry chamber configured to minimize bubble formation near the open end of the entry chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , wherein the outlet and hydrophobic filter are positioned on an exit wall of the collection chamber opposite the entry wall of the entry chamber, and wherein the outlet and the hydrophobic filter are positioned below the floor. 
     
     
         20 . The collection canister of  claim 14 , wherein the aperture of the floor is a slot.