Vacuum port for vacuum wound therapy

1. A wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment comprising:

a cover layer configured for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound;

a portal member mounted to the cover layer, the portal member defining a fluid passage for fluid coupling with a reduced pressure supply conduit for creating the reduced pressure within the reservoir; and

a filter screen integral to the portal member and mounted relative to the fluid passage, the filter screen dimensioned to minimize passage of tissue particles of predetermined dimension through the fluid passage of the portal member.

2. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , wherein the filter screen comprises a therapeutic material, the therapeutic material adapted to control a characteristic of exudate drawn through the fluid passage of the portal member.

3. The wound dressing according to claim 2 , wherein the therapeutic material includes activated charcoal to control an odor of the exudate.

4. The wound dressing according to claim 2 , wherein the therapeutic material includes an antimicrobial to control a bio-burden of the exudate.

5. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , including a treatment element mounted adjacent the filter screen, the treatment element comprises a material adapted to control a characteristic of exudate drawn through the fluid passage of the portal member.

6. The wound dressing according to claim 5 wherein the material of the treatment element is adapted to control one of odor and microbials.

7. The wound dressing according to claim 1 wherein the portal member includes:

a flange defining an outer surface and a patient surface generally facing the wound, the fluid passage extending through the outer surface and the patient surface; and

a connector segment for connection to the reduced pressure supply conduit.

8. The wound dressing according to claim 7 wherein the flange of the portal member is secured to the cover layer.

9. The wound dressing according to claim 1 including a negative pressure source in fluid communication with the reduced pressure supply conduit.

10. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , wherein the filter screen extends across the fluid pass age of the portal member such that any fluid passing through the fluid passage of the portal member must pass through the filter screen.

11. A wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment comprising:

a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound;

a portal member mounted to the cover layer, the portal member defining a fluid passage for fluid coupling with a reduced pressure supply conduit for creating the reduced pressure within the reservoir, the portal member including an opening adapted to receive a vacuum tube in a releasable and fluid tight manner; and

a filter screen integral to the portal member and mounted such that a base of the filter screen extends across an entire face of the fluid passage, the filter screen including a plurality of distinct openings extending directly through the base in a direction of fluid flow through the portal member, the openings dimensioned to reduce passage of tissue particles of predetermined dimension through the fluid passage of the portal member wherein each of the distinct openings extending through the base of the filter screen exhibits a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the opening adapted to receive the vacuum tube, the distinct openings collectively exhibiting a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the opening adapted to receive the vacuum tube.

12. The wound dressing according to claim 11 , wherein the filter screen includes a pair of lips projecting from opposite edges of the base.