Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a liquid-collection canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied. The canister includes a first space configured to collect the liquid from the tissue site and a filter having a frame and a non-planar filter element. The filter defines a second space within the canister separated from the first space by the filter element. The filter element substantially prevents liquid from passing from the first space into the second space. The filter element substantially allows gaseous communication between the first space and the second space when the second space is exposed to a reduced pressure.

Abstract: A wound fluid collection system includes a canister with a chamber fluidly connected to a wound dressing in a tissue site through an inlet and also fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source through an outlet. At least a portion of the canister is collapsible and yet can be maintained in an extended state when exposed to subatmospheric pressure. The canister is releasably attachable to a supporting member.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and dressing are presented for treating a tunnel wound on a patient. In one instance, a reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing includes a longitudinal core member formed from a closed-cell foam that is surrounded by a first longitudinal concentric member formed from a manifolding material. When subjected to reduced pressure, the longitudinal core member expands and the first longitudinal concentric member compresses. These actions create intimate contact between the tunnel wound and the dressing, oppose collapse of the tunnel, and when reduced pressure is removed provide clearance to remove the dressing. Other embodiments are presented.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure system for delivering reduced pressure for medical purposes to a desired site and to receive fluids in one instance includes a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain the fluids. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit is placed in fluid communication with the interior space for delivering the reduced pressure to the desired site. A source conduit and a pressure sensor conduit are placed in fluid communication with the interior space. A pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit. A reduced-pressure source is placed in fluid communication with the source conduit. A reduced-pressure control unit is associated with the pressure sensor and the reduced-pressure source and is operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: Connection pads for coupling fluid-instillation and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods and wound dressings for breaching a drape after coupling a wound dressing to a fluid-instillation and/or NPWT apparatus.

Abstract: Wound treatment systems and methods (e.g., having hydrophilic wound inserts), such as for negative-pressure and/or fluid-installation wound therapies. Some embodiments include a check-valve assembly between a wound dressing and a vacuum source.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to removing fluids from a patient are provided. In one instance, fluid is removed from the patient and delivered to a canister using reduced pressure. Reduced pressure is supplied to the canister via a reduced-pressure delivery conduit that includes a moisture processing device and a hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing device condenses moisture from the air to prevent condensation from occluding the hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing devices includes an expanded volume and one or more liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membranes. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane allows vapor to egress the moisture processing device. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.

Abstract: A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover is positioned over the pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump.

Abstract: Wound treatment systems and methods (e.g., having hydrophilic wound inserts), such as for negative-pressure and/or fluid-installation wound therapies. Some embodiments include a check-valve assembly between a wound dressing and a vacuum source.

Abstract: A wound fluid collection system includes a canister with a chamber fluidly connected to a wound dressing in a tissue site through an inlet and also fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source through an outlet. At least a portion of the canister is collapsible and yet can be maintained in an extended state when exposed to subatmospheric pressure. The canister is releasably attachable to a supporting member.

Abstract: A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover is positioned over the pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to removing fluids from a patient are provided. In one instance, fluid is removed from the patient and delivered to a canister using reduced pressure. Reduced pressure is supplied to the canister via a reduced-pressure delivery conduit that includes a moisture processing device and a hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing device condenses moisture from the air to prevent condensation from occluding the hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing devices includes an expanded volume and one or more liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membranes. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane allows vapor to egress the moisture processing device. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.

Abstract: A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A pump is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover is positioned over the pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump.

Abstract: Multi-conduit connector apparatuses for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods for installing multi-conduit connector apparatuses in NPWT apparatuses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reduced-pressure interface for providing reduced pressure through a sealing member to a distribution manifold includes a housing having a flange portion and a cavity wall portion such that the cavity wall portion forms a cavity having a tissue-facing cavity opening. A conduit port is coupled to the cavity wall and has a conduit aperture, such that the conduit port is adapted to receive a reduced-pressure delivery conduit. An attachment device is coupled to a tissue-facing side of the flange portion of the housing such that the attachment device couples the housing to the sealing member. Additionally, a cutting element is at least temporarily coupled to the housing proximate to the tissue-facing cavity opening such that the cutting element is adapted to form an aperture in the sealing member when the cutting element is driven into the sealing member with a driving force.

Abstract: A two-cavity pump having a single valve in one cavity and a bidirectional valve in another cavity is disclosed. The pump has a side wall closed by two end walls for containing a fluid. An actuator is disposed between the two end walls and functions as a portion of a common end wall of the two cavities. The actuator causes an oscillatory motion of the common end walls to generate radial pressure oscillations of the fluid within both cavities. An isolator flexibly supports the actuator. The first cavity includes the single valve disposed in one of a first and second aperture in the end wall to enable fluid flow in one direction. The second cavity includes the bidirectional valve disposed in one of a third and fourth aperture in the end wall to enable fluid flow in both directions.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, a system for treating a wound at a tissue site of a patient comprising a reduced-pressure source to supply reduced pressure, a drape adhering to the tissue site to cover the wound where possible leak passages between the drape and the tissue site may occur, and a seal disposed between the drape and the tissue site, is disclosed. The seal is adapted to react with a fluid to form a sealant substantially filling the passages in response to air leaking through the passages from outside the drape when reduced pressure is applied to the wound. According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for sealing a drape to a tissue site for treating a wound at the tissue site comprising applying the drape to cover the tissue site whereby passages are formed between the drape and the tissue site, positioning a seal between the drape and the tissue site wherein the seal is adapted to react with a fluid to form a sealant for substantially filling the passages, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reduced-pressure interface for providing reduced pressure through a sealing member to a distribution manifold includes a housing having a flange portion and a cavity wall portion such that the cavity wall portion forms a cavity having a tissue-facing cavity opening. A conduit port is coupled to the cavity wall and has a conduit aperture, such that the conduit port is adapted to receive a reduced-pressure delivery conduit. An attachment device is coupled to a tissue-facing side of the flange portion of the housing such that the attachment device couples the housing to the sealing member. Additionally, a cutting element is at least temporarily coupled to the housing proximate to the tissue-facing cavity opening such that the cutting element is adapted to form an aperture in the sealing member when the cutting element is driven into the sealing member with a driving force.

Abstract: A manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure apparatus for use with a reduced-pressure system for treating tissue at a tissue site includes a flexible, collapsible member that is operable to move between a compressed position and an extended position. The collapsible member may be disposed between a carrier member and a slider member that move between a compressed position and an extended position. The carrier member and slider member are urged away from each other by a constant-force biasing member, e.g., a constant force coil spring. As the apparatus moves from the compressed position to the extended position, a constant reduced-pressure is generated and delivered to a reduced-pressure port. Methods of manufacturing a manually-actuated, constant reduced-pressure apparatus and methods of treating a tissue site are also provided.

Abstract: A disc pump includes a pump body having a cavity for containing a fluid. The disc pump also includes an actuator adapted to hold an electrostatic charge to cause an oscillatory motion at a drive frequency. The disc pump further includes a conductive plate positioned to face the actuator outside of the cavity and adapted to provide an electric field of reversible polarity, the conductive plate being electrically associated with the actuator to cause the actuator to oscillate at the drive frequency in response to reversing the polarity of the electric field. The disc pump further includes a valve disposed in at least one of a first aperture and a second aperture in the pump body. The oscillation of the actuator at the drive frequency causes fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.