Fluid container with pressure regulation

Abstract

A system or apparatus may include a container configured to collect fluid from a tissue site and regulate negative-pressure from a negative-pressure source. In some embodiments, the container may include a regulator that receives negative pressure directly from an unregulated negative-pressure source, such as a wall-suction outlet. The regulator may regulate down the pressure delivered to a collection chamber in the container, which may in turn be connected to a tissue site.

1 . An apparatus for enclosing a fluid canister, the apparatus comprising:
 a rim configured to sealingly engage the fluid canister;   a regulator comprising a regulator chamber, a first passage fluidly coupled to the regulator chamber, a second passage fluidly coupled to the regulator chamber, and a regulator valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the first passage based on changes to negative pressure in the regulator chamber;   a downstream connector fluidly coupled to the first passage; and   an upstream connector fluidly coupled to the second passage.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator valve is disposed in the regulator chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator comprises a cap and a base coupled to the cap to define the regulator chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the regulator comprises a cap and a base coupled to the cap to define the regulator chamber; and   the first passage is a first passage through the base and the second passage is a second passage through the base.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator valve is configured to close the first passage if negative pressure in the regulator chamber is greater than a target negative pressure, and to open the first passage if negative pressure in the regulator chamber is less than the target negative pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator valve comprises a regulator seal and a regulator spring operatively engaged with the regulator seal to bias the regulator valve away from the first passage. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the regulator further comprises a valve seat adjacent to the first passage;   the regulator seal comprises a valve body adapted to sealingly engage the valve seat; and   the regulator spring is operatively engaged with the valve body to bias the valve body away from the valve seat.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the downstream connector and the first passage. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a membrane defining a negative-pressure chamber fluidly coupled to the downstream connector and to the first passage; and   a spring disposed in the negative-pressure chamber against the membrane to bias the membrane to a discharged position.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for collecting fluid from a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:
 a canister; and   a lid coupled to the canister to form a collection chamber;   an upstream connector fluidly coupled to the collection chamber;   a regulator coupled to the lid, the regulator comprising a regulator chamber, a first passage fluidly coupled to the regulator chamber, a second passage fluidly coupled to the regulator chamber and to the collection chamber, and a regulator valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the first passage based on changes to negative pressure in the regulator chamber; and   a downstream connector fluidly coupled to the first passage.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the regulator is integral to the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the upstream connector and the downstream connector are integral to the lid. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the regulator valve is disposed in the regulator chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the regulator comprises a cap and a base coupled to the cap to define the regulator chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the regulator comprises a cap and a base coupled to the cap to define the regulator chamber; and   the first passage is a first passage through the base and the second passage is a second passage through the base.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the regulator valve is configured to close the first passage if negative pressure in the regulator chamber is greater than a target negative pressure, and to open the first passage if negative pressure in the regulator chamber is less than the target negative pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the downstream connector and the first passage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a membrane defining a negative-pressure chamber fluidly coupled to the downstream connector and to the first passage; and   a spring disposed in the negative-pressure chamber against the membrane to bias the membrane to a discharged position.   
     
     
         19 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of applying negative-pressure therapy to a tissue site, the method comprising:
 applying a dressing to the tissue site;   fluidly coupling the dressing to a collection chamber of a container having a regulator; and   fluidly coupling the collection chamber to a negative-pressure source through the regulator.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising disposing of the container with the regulator. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising charging a secondary negative-pres sure source within the container. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising disconnecting the negative-pressure source from the collection chamber and maintaining negative pressure with the secondary negative-pressure source.