Low profile filter devices suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy systems

Abstract

A filter adaptor includes a body that defines an internal passageway disposed between an inlet and an outlet, the passageway configured to permit passage of a fluid in a first direction defined by the inlet and the outlet; and a filter disposed within the passageway and oriented to define a volumetric direction that is different than the first direction. Another filter adaptor includes a body that defines an internal passageway disposed between an inlet and an outlet, and a filter disposed within the passageway, wherein the filter comprises a gelling absorbent material that, when in a dry state, is permeable to gas and that, when contacted by an aqueous fluid, converts to a gel. Such filter adaptors may be used for negative pressure wound therapy, dressing, or as syringe filters.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A filter adaptor, comprising:
 a body that defines an internal passageway disposed between an inlet and an outlet, the passageway configured to permit passage of a fluid in a first direction defined by the inlet and the outlet;   a filter disposed within the passageway and oriented to define a volumetric direction that is different from the first direction; and   a first visual indicator, wherein the first visual indicator is configured to provide a first visual indication regarding a first condition.   
     
     
         22 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , wherein the first condition relates to at least one of (a) a need for a dressing change, or (b) blockage. 
     
     
         23 . The filter adaptor of  claim 22 , further comprising a second visual indicator configured to provide a second visual indication regarding a second condition. 
     
     
         24 . The filter adaptor of  claim 23 , wherein the first visual indication relates the need for the dressing change; and
 wherein the second visual indication relates to blockage.   
     
     
         25 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , further comprising a second visual indicator configured to provide a second visual indication regarding a second condition. 
     
     
         26 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , wherein the first condition relates to pH of a fluid passing through the filter adaptor. 
     
     
         27 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , wherein the first visual indicator is configured to change color to provide the first visual indication. 
     
     
         28 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , wherein the body comprises:
 a first component comprising the inlet; and   a second component comprising the outlet; and   wherein the first component and the second component are releasably coupled to one another.   
     
     
         29 . The filter adaptor of  claim 21 , wherein the first visual indicator is positioned within the internal passage. 
     
     
         30 . A filter adaptor, comprising:
 a tubular body defining an internal passageway that is disposed between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the internal passageway is configured to permit passage of a fluid in a first direction defined by the inlet and the outlet; and   a filter disposed in the internal passageway such that the fluid flows through the filter in a volumetric direction that is different from the first direction.   
     
     
         31 . The filter adaptor of  claim 30 , wherein the internal passageway comprises:
 an inlet passageway in fluid communication with the inlet; and   an outlet passageway in fluid communication with the outlet; and   wherein the filter is planar and is positioned between the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway such that the fluid flows through the planar filter in the volumetric direction.   
     
     
         32 . The filter adaptor of  claim 30 , further comprising a visual indicator configured to provide a visual indication regarding a selected condition. 
     
     
         33 . The filter adaptor of  claim 30 , wherein the tubular body further comprises:
 an inlet connector defining the inlet; and   an outlet connector defining the outlet.   
     
     
         34 . The filter adaptor of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector comprises a threaded luer connector. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus comprising the filter adaptor of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 an inlet conduit removably coupled to the inlet connector; and   an outlet conduit removably coupled to the outlet connector.   
     
     
         36 . An apparatus comprising the filter adaptor of  claim 30 , the apparatus further comprising a conduit comprising an internal lumen;
 wherein the tubular body is positioned within the internal lumen.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising a seal that forces fluid flowing through the conduit to travel through the internal passageway. 
     
     
         38 . A filter adaptor, comprising:
 a first component defining a first port, the first component comprising a shaft including a hole;   a second component defining a second port, the second component comprising a tubular wall in which at least a portion of the shaft is received; and   a tubular filter positioned between the shaft and the tubular wall;   wherein the first component and the second component are releasably coupled to one another to thereby permit fluid to flow in a first direction defined by the first port and the second port; and   wherein the hole is configured to permit fluid to flow through the tubular filter in a volumetric direction that is different from the first direction.   
     
     
         39 . The filter adaptor of  claim 38 , wherein the hole is formed on a circumferential wall of the shaft. 
     
     
         40 . The filter adaptor of  claim 38 , further comprising a visual indicator configured to provide a visual indication regarding a selected condition.