Reduced-pressure, multi-orientation, liquid-collection canister

1. A reduced pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a reduced pressure source; and

a liquid-collection canister comprising:

a canister housing defining a first space configured to collect liquid from the tissue site;

a canister outlet configured to allow fluid communication between the reduced pressure source and the first space;

a liquid-air separator disposed adjacent the canister outlet to prevent the liquid from exiting the first space through the canister outlet;

an elongated member connected to the liquid-air separator and extending away from the liquid-air separator into the first space, the elongated member having a wall defining a second space, at least a portion of the wall allowing gaseous communication between the first space and the second space; and

a biasing member disposed in the second space to reduce collapse of the wall into the second space when the second space is exposed to reduced pressure;

wherein the elongated member and the biasing member are conformable within the canister housing.

2. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 further comprising a manifold adapted to be positioned at the tissue site and in fluid communication with the canister.

3. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is substantially perpendicular to the liquid-air separator.

4. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is a hydrophobic membrane.

5. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is welded to the liquid-air separator.

6. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is adhesively bonded to the liquid-air separator.

7. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a compressible manifold.

8. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a manifold made of a nonwoven material.

9. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a manifold made of a woven material.

10. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member includes is a manifold having a plurality of flow channels.

11. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the wall comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

12. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the wall is comprised substantially of a material that allows gaseous communication but substantially prevents liquid communication.

13. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the wall includes a first portion welded or bonded to a second portion and at least one of the first and second portions includes one or more liquid-air separators.

14. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member includes activated charcoal for odor adsorption.

15. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member extends into the first space in an undulating configuration.

16. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member extends into the first space such that the elongated member forms a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion.

17. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 16 , wherein the first substantially planar portion is substantially perpendicular to the second substantially planar portion.

18. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 16 , wherein the first substantially planar portion is substantially parallel to the second substantially planar portion.

19. The reduced pressure treatment system of claim 16 , wherein the elongated member further is positioned to form a third substantially planar portion.

20. A reduced pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a reduced pressure source;

a liquid-collection canister comprising:

a chamber configured to collect liquid from the tissue site;

a canister outlet in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source;

a flexible membrane forming a gas communication pathway; and

a manifold disposed within the gas communication pathway and adapted to support the flexible membrane and manifold gas through the gas communication pathway under reduced pressure;

wherein the flexible membrane is positioned in the chamber such that the gas communication pathway is in fluid communication with the canister outlet, and at least a portion of the flexible membrane is gas permeable and substantially liquid impermeable; and

wherein the flexible membrane and the manifold are conformable within the chamber.

21. A reduced pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a reduced pressure source; and

a liquid-collection canister comprising:

a chamber configured to collect liquid from the tissue site;

a canister outlet in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source;

a membrane positioned in the chamber, the membrane forming a gas communication lumen, the gas-communication lumen being fluidly connected to the canister outlet;

a manifold disposed within the gas communication lumen and adapted to support the membrane and manifold gas through the gas communication lumen under reduced pressure; and

wherein the membrane is adapted to allow gas communication but to substantially prevent liquid communication between the chamber and the gas-communication lumen; and

wherein the membrane and the manifold are conformable within the chamber.