Canister for receiving wound exudate in a negative pressure therapy system

Abstract

A system to promote the healing of an exuding wound includes a wound dressing, a subatmospheric pressure mechanism, and a collection canister. The wound dressing is dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a control unit disposed within a housing. The control unit includes a vacuum source associated with a vacuum port. The collection canister has an interior wall which defines an internal chamber. The internal chamber is in fluid communication with the vacuum source of the subatmospheric pressure mechanism through the vacuum port and with the wound dressing for collecting exudates removed for the wound bed under influence of the vacuum source. The canister including a baffle mechanism disposed within the internal chamber for dampening the movement of the collected exudates.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A negative pressure wound therapy system comprising:
 a collection canister configured to collect exudates aspirated from a wound, the collection canister comprising:
 an enclosure defining an internal chamber configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source through a vacuum port and with a wound dressing; and 
 a baffle mechanism disposed within the internal chamber, the baffle mechanism configured to dampen the movement of exudates aspirated from the wound, the baffle mechanism positioned between a top and bottom portion of the collection canister, wherein the baffle mechanism comprises at least one baffle having at least one aperture. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism is anchored to the enclosure of the collection canister. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism extends substantially across the entire width of the internal chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one aperture in the baffle is configured to facilitate the passage of fluid therethrough. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism includes at least one antimicrobial treated portion configured to control the growth of microorganisms in the exudates. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism is configured as a removable insert adapted for positioning within the internal chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism includes a plurality of baffles attached to the enclosure and within the internal chamber of the collection canister, the plurality of baffles dimensioned and arranged to impede flow of exudates within the internal chamber to thereby reduce potential of spillage of the exudates. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the collection canister defines a longitudinal axis and an orthogonal axis extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of baffles comprises a first group of baffles, the baffles of the first group being arranged in spaced relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the baffles of the first group are arranged in general parallel relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of baffles comprises a second group of baffles, the baffles of the second group being arranged in spaced relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the baffles of the second group are arranged in general transverse relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the baffles of the second group are arranged in general orthogonal relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of baffles comprises a third group of baffles, the baffles of the third group being arranged in spaced relation with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the baffles of the third group are arranged in general diametrical opposed relation with respect to the baffles of the second group. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising the wound dressing configured to be positioned over the wound. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising the vacuum source. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the baffle mechanism comprises a plurality of baffles positioned around a perimeter of the internal chamber.