Systems and methods for improved connection to wound dressings in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment systems

Abstract

A system for applying reduced pressure to tissue includes a multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery tube having a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and an ancillary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end. A vacuum pump is coupled to the proximate end of the primary lumen, and a reduced pressure adapter is coupled to the distal end of the reduced pressure delivery tube. The adapter includes channels to direct liquid away from the ancillary lumens and into the primary lumen.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An adapter for reduced-pressure treatment, the adapter comprising:
 a base;   a perimeter ring attached to the base;   a first bearing ring within the perimeter ring;   a sealing ring within the first bearing ring;   a second bearing ring within the sealing ring; and   a housing coupled to the perimeter ring and rotatable around the second bearing ring.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
 a primary conduit through the housing; and   a measurement conduit through the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
 a primary conduit through the housing;   a measurement conduit through the housing;   an entry surface; and   channels on the entry surface to preferentially route fluids into the primary conduit.   
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a recessed region defining an entry surface. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a primary conduit through the housing in fluid communication with a primary port on the entry surface;   at least one ancillary conduit in fluid communication with an ancillary port on the entry surface; and   channels positioned on the entry surface to direct fluids away from the ancillary port and to the primary port.   
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the channels comprise linear channels configured to direct fluids into the primary conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the channels comprise a linear channel section configured to direct fluids into the primary conduit; and   the linear channel section is located in approximately half of the recessed region.   
     
     
         8 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the channels comprise radial channels configured to direct fluids into the primary conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the base further comprises one or more of:
 radial channels positioned on the base to direct fluids from a periphery of the base away from the ancillary conduit;   an intermediate collection channel positioned on the base to direct fluids into the radial channels on the base; and   a perimeter collection channel positioned on the base to direct fluids into the radial channels on the base.   
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the channels comprise a radial channel section configured to direct fluids into the primary conduit; and   the radial channel section is located in approximately a third of the recessed region.   
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the channels comprise linear channels and radial channels configured to direct fluids into the primary conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a wall section supporting and surrounding the ancillary conduit, the wall section having a first surface, a second surface, and guide channels along the second surface extending from proximate the ancillary port toward the primary port.   
     
     
         13 . The adapter of  claim 4 , further comprising a volatile organic compound sensitive strip mounted within the recessed region. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter of  claim 13 , wherein a color pattern is adapted to appear on the volatile organic compound sensitive strip when the volatile organic compound sensitive strip is exposed to one or more microorganisms. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter of  claim 13 , wherein the volatile organic compound sensitive strip can be visually inspected through the housing. 
     
     
         16 . A multi-lumen reduced-pressure delivery apparatus having a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a primary conduit extending from the first end to the second end; and   an ancillary conduit extending from the first end to the second end adjacent to the primary conduit;   wherein the primary conduit has a first cross-section and the ancillary conduit has a second cross-section substantially smaller than the first cross-section.   
     
     
         17 . A system for providing reduced pressure to a tissue site, the system comprising:
 a delivery lumen fluidly coupled to the tissue site;   a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the delivery lumen;   a first measurement lumen fluidly coupled to the tissue site;   a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the first measurement lumen;   a first valve fluidly coupled to the first measurement lumen;   a second measurement lumen fluidly coupled to the tissue site;   a second pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the second measurement lumen;   a second valve fluidly coupled to the second measurement lumen; and   a controller coupled to the reduced-pressure source, the first pressure sensor, the first valve, the second pressure sensor, and the second valve, the controller configured to:
 receive data from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor indicative of pressure at the tissue site, 
 compare data from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, 
 open the first valve if a response time of the first pressure sensor is greater than a response time of the second pressure sensor, and 
 operate the reduced-pressure source based on the data from the second pressure sensor if the response time of the first pressure sensor is greater than the response time of the second pressure sensor. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery lumen, the first measurement lumen, and the second measurement lumen are disposed within a single multi-lumen reduced-pressure delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the delivery lumen has a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the first measurement lumen and a cross-sectional dimension of the second measurement lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a distribution manifold fluidly coupled to the delivery lumen, the first measurement lumen, and the second measurement lumen; and   a drape comprising an adhesive surface adapted for securing the distribution manifold to the tissue site.