Multi-orientation fluid management
Apparatuses for multi-orientation fluid management are described. In some example embodiments, an apparatus for managing fluids may comprise an absorbent core and one or more layers of a fluid acquisition and manifolding material. The fluid acquisition and manifolding material can provide a shell or envelope for capturing the fluid and distributing it to the absorbent core for storage. The manifolding material can distribute fluid as the absorbent core swells. The apparatus may additionally include an exudate container providing a casing for the absorbent core and the fluid acquisition and manifolding layers.
1. An exudate container, comprising:
a rigid casing that is fluid impermeable;
an absorbent core disposed within the casing, wherein the absorbent core is configured to absorb and retain liquid;
a manifold disposed in the casing and enclosing the absorbent core, the manifold comprising a hydrophobic envelope enclosing the absorbent core and a hydrophilic envelope enclosing the hydrophobic envelope, the hydrophobic envelope coupled to the hydrophilic envelope, wherein:
the manifold is larger than the absorbent core and provides a margin between the absorbent core and the manifold;
the absorbent core is configured to swell in response to absorbing liquid; and
the manifold is configured to provide a fluid path around the absorbent core in the event the absorbent core expands and presses the manifold against the rigid casing;
an inlet port fluidly coupled to the manifold; and
an outlet port fluidly coupled to the manifold.
2. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a non-woven textile.
3. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a textile of polyester fibers.
4. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold consists essentially of polyester fibers.
5. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold consists essentially of polyester fibers forming a porous envelope around the absorbent core.
6. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises bonded polyester fibers.
7. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent core comprises a super-absorbent polymer.
8. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a dual-layer non-woven textile of dry polyester and hydrophilic, profiled polyester and bi-component fibers.
9. The exudate container of claim 1 , further comprising:
a single filter configured to block liquid transmission through the outlet port.
10. The exudate container of claim 1 , wherein:
the manifold comprises a distribution manifold;
the hydrophobic envelope is an inner envelope having pores of about 50 microns; and the hydrophilic envelope is an outer shell having pores of about 400 microns.
11. An apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:
a negative-pressure source;
a rigid fluid-impermeable container comprising an outlet port fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source;
a hydrophilic layer disposed in the container and fluidly coupled to the outlet port;
an absorbent core disposed in the container, wherein the absorbent core is configured to absorb and retain liquid;
a hydrophobic layer disposed between the absorbent core and the hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophobic layer forms a first envelope around the absorbent core and the hydrophobic layer forms a second envelope around the hydrophobic layer; and
a gap between a planar side of the hydrophobic layer and a planar side of the absorbent core.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the container further comprises an inlet port fluidly coupled to the hydrophilic layer, and the hydrophilic layer is configured to manifold fluid around the absorbent core between the outlet port and the inlet port.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the hydrophilic layer is coupled to the hydrophobic layer.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the hydrophilic layer comprises bonded hydrophilic polyester fibers;
the hydrophobic layer comprises bonded polyester fibers; and
the absorbent core comprises a super-absorbent polymer.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the hydrophilic layer comprises woven hydrophilic polyester fibers;
the hydrophobic layer comprises woven polyester fibers; and
the absorbent core comprises a super-absorbent polymer.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the hydrophilic layer is a first side of a non-woven textile; and
the hydrophobic layer is a second side of the non-woven textile.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
an inlet port fluidly coupled to the hydrophilic layer; and
a dressing configured to be coupled to the inlet port.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the hydrophobic layer has pores of about 50 microns; and
the hydrophilic layer has pores of about 400 microns.
19. A method for managing fluid in a rigid fluid-impermeable canister of a negative-pressure therapy system, the method comprising:
receiving fluid through an inlet port of the canister;
capturing liquid from the fluid in a distribution envelope fluidly coupled to the inlet port, wherein the distribution envelope comprises a distribution layer and an acquisition layer coupled to the distribution layer, wherein the distribution layer is a hydrophobic shell and the acquisition layer is a hydrophilic shell;
transferring the liquid from the distribution envelope to an absorbent core enclosed within the distribution envelope, wherein the distribution layer encloses the absorbent core, the acquisition layer encloses the distribution layer, and a space is provided between the distribution envelope and the absorbent core;
swelling the absorbent core within the space between the distribution envelope and the absorbent core in response to liquid being absorbed by and retained in the absorbent core; and
transmitting gas from the fluid through an outlet port of the canister.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising filtering the fluid to prevent liquid from egressing through the outlet port.
21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising pushing the distribution envelope against the canister by the absorbent core in response to swelling of the absorbent core.