Apparatus and method for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site

Abstract

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a system and method for administering reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure source generates a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a tube having a plurality of lumens. The plurality of lumens includes at least one collection lumen. The reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site. The at least one collection lumen stores the fluid received from the tissue site.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for fluid communication in a reduced-pressure system, the apparatus comprising:
 a first fluid path configured to provide passage of fluids from a tissue site to a fluid collection apparatus;   a second fluid path configured to provide passage of fluids to the tissue site; and   a filter fluidly coupled to the second fluid path.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a delivery tube, the first fluid path and the second fluid path disposed in the delivery tube. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the delivery tube has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the delivery tube has an ovular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the delivery tube has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the delivery tube is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the filter is disposed at a midpoint of the second fluid path. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of filters. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first fluid path comprises a first lumen and the second fluid path comprises a second lumen. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first fluid path further comprises an open-cell reticulated foam. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path further comprises a trapping agent. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the trapping agent comprises an open-cell reticulated foam. 
     
     
         33 . A reduced-pressure therapy system, the system comprising:
 a dressing configured to be disposed over a tissue site;   a reduced-pressure source configured to provide a reduced pressure;   a first fluid path configured to fluidly couple the dressing to the reduced-pressure source to provide passage of fluids from the tissue site to a fluid collection apparatus;   a second fluid path configured to be fluidly coupled to the dressing to provide passage of fluids to the tissue site; and   a filter fluidly coupled to the second fluid path.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a delivery tube, the first fluid path and the second fluid path disposed in the delivery tube. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the delivery tube has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the delivery tube is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the filter is disposed at a midpoint of the second fluid path. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first fluid path comprises a first lumen and the second fluid path comprises a second lumen. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path further comprises a trapping agent. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the trapping agent comprises an open-cell reticulated foam. 
     
     
         41 . A method for providing reduced-pressure therapy, the method comprising:
 disposing a dressing adjacent to a tissue site;   providing a reduced-pressure source configured to provide a reduced pressure;   fluidly coupling the dressing to the reduced-pressure source with a first fluid path to provide passage of fluids from the tissue site to a fluid collection apparatus;   fluidly coupling a second fluid path to the dressing to provide passage of fluids to the tissue site; and   fluidly coupling a filter to the second fluid path.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein fluidly coupling the dressing to the reduced-pressure source with a first fluid path and fluidly coupling a second fluid path to the dressing comprises: fluidly coupling a delivery tube to the dressing and the reduced-pressure source, the delivery tube having the first fluid path and the second fluid path. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the delivery tube has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the delivery tube is formed from a flexible material.