Abstract: The invention described herein is drawn to a hollow cylindrical filter for use with a suction canister including a first portion having an open end and a first wall thickness, a second portion having a closed end and second wall thickness less than said first wall thickness, and an elongate central chamber having a substantially uniform diameter along its length. The filter is composed of a composite material including a porous plastic material and material adapted to increase the viscosity of a liquid coming into contact therewith. The filter is constructed to accommodate the changes associated with air flow velocity and shear force across the filter material as the fluid level in the canister rises, and automatically shuts off the vacuum to the interior environment of the suction canister.

Abstract: A gasketless valve for use, among other applications, with a vacuum suction canister or bottle that is adapted to collect fluids, such as for purposes of example without limitation, fluids resulting from various medical procedures including surgery as well as wound irrigation applications, to name a few of many possible applications. The gasketless valve can be integrated with a canister lid that incorporates a valve seat that is formed with a smoothly finished sealing ramp or valving surface or face that can surround a vacuum source port adapted to communicate fluid to establish a vacuum within the canister.

Abstract: The invention described herein is drawn to a hollow cylindrical filter for use with a suction canister comprising a first portion having an open end and a first wall thickness, a second portion having a closed end and second wall thickness less than said first wall thickness, and an elongate central chamber having a substantially uniform diameter along its length. The filter is composed of a composite material comprising a porous plastic material and material adapted to increase the viscosity of a liquid coming into contact therewith. The filter is constructed to accommodate the changes associated with air flow velocity and shear force across the filter material as the fluid level in the canister rises, and automatically shuts off the vacuum to the interior environment of the suction canister.

Abstract: A large volume medical fluid vacuum collection canister includes a blow molded canister body defining a medical fluid receiving cavity. The canister body includes a pair of opposed upstanding sidewalls interconnected by a pair of opposed upstanding end walls a top wall with an opening and an opposed bottom wall. Each sidewall includes at least one reentrant beam portion extending inwardly from opposed sidewall surfaces into a central region of the medical fluid receiving cavity. The reentrant beams from opposing sidewalls are disposed in registering alignment so that there internal end faces abut in face to face relationship. The collection canister also includes a plurality of bellows recesses defined in the bottom wall and each of the opposed upstanding end walls. Each bellows recess extends the entire width of the bottom wall or end wall and further extends in a wrap around manner from the end wall or bottom wall portions to an intermediate point defined in the adjacent opposed sidewalls.