Reduced-Pressure Sources, Systems, And Methods Employing A Polymeric, Porous, Hydrophobic Material
Reduced-pressure sources, systems, and methods involve using a vacuum pump that is disposed within a sealed space to produce reduced pressure. The exhaust from the vacuum pump is exhausted from the sealed space through pores in an enclosure member that is made of a polymeric, porous, hydrophobic material. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
1 . A reduced-pressure source for use with a reduced-pressure system to treat a tissue site, the reduced-pressure source comprising:
a pump housing forming a sealed space having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the second flow path is at least partially formed by a hydrophobic polymer configured to permit gas to exit the sealed space through the hydrophobic polymer; and
a vacuum pump disposed within the sealed space, the vacuum pump having a first port in fluid communication with the first flow path and a second portal in fluid communication with the second flow path.
2 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises a hydrophobic sintered polymer.
3 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises a hydrophobic spun-bonded material.
4 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises hydrophobic bonded, porous fibers.
5 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises a polyolefin material.
6 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid-sensitive dye associated with the hydrophobic polymer and configured to change colors upon becoming wet.
7 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises an entirety of the pump housing.
8 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 2 , wherein at least part of the hydrophobic polymer is in a form of a vent panel on the pump housing.
9 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the hydrophobic polymer is in a form of a dressing covering, and wherein the vacuum pump comprises a micro-pump disposed between the dressing covering and the patient.
10 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises an odor-absorbing material.
11 . The reduced-pressure source of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid path is configured to permit a fluid to enter the first flow path from outside the sealed space.
12 . A system to treat a tissue site with reduced pressure, the system comprising:
a treatment manifold configured to be placed proximate to the tissue site to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site;
a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the treatment manifold and configured to provide reduced pressure to the treatment manifold; and
a sealing member configured to form a fluid seal over the tissue site.
13 . A dressing to treat a tissue site on with reduced pressure, the dressing comprising:
a treatment manifold configured to be placed proximate to the tissue site;
an absorbent layer configured to receive fluids from the tissue site;
a micro-pump having an outlet, the micro-pump configured to generate reduced pressure and a positive-pressure gas that exits the outlet; and
an enclosing cover configured to form a sealed space having at least a first flow path in fluid communication with the outlet, the enclosing cover comprising a hydrophobic polymer configured to permit the positive-pressure gas, to exit the first flow path.
14 . The dressing of claim 13 , wherein the hydrophobic polymer comprises at least one of a hydrophobic sintered material, a hydrophobic spun-bonded material, hydrophobic bonded, porous fibers, or a polyolefin material.
15 . The dressing of claims 13 , further comprising a liquid-gas separator and a diverter layer.
16 . The dressing of claim 13 , further comprising a liquid-gas separator configured to prevent liquids from reaching the micro-pump, a diverter layer configured to distribute reduced pressure from the micro-pump, a sealing layer configured to be placed proximate to the tissue site outboard of the treatment manifold, and a sealing member configured to be disposed over at least a portion of the enclosing cover.
17 . The dressing of claim 13 , wherein the enclosing cover is configured to cover at least one of the treatment manifold, the absorbent layer, or the micro-pump.
18 . The dressing of claim 13 , wherein the sealed space further comprises a second flow path, and wherein the micro-pump is fluidly coupled to the second flow path to provide reduced pressure to the second flow path.