Multi-Orientation Liquid Collection Canister with Vertical Filter Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reduced pressure systems and liquid-collection canisters face challenges in efficiently collecting liquids from tissue sites while maintaining the application of reduced pressure, particularly in multiple orientations, as existing filters often fail to allow continued gas transmission when liquid levels rise, leading to reduced pressure cessation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-collection canister with a multi-orientation filter featuring a frame with multiple openings and filter elements positioned in different planes, allowing communication between chambers and preventing liquid from blocking gas transmission, ensuring continued reduced pressure delivery even when the canister is oriented in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional filter is used in a liquid-collection canister, then liquid collection is achieved, but gas transmission is blocked when liquid levels rise, causing reduced pressure delivery to cease
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple segments or chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) stacked vertically, each with its own filter element. This segmentation allows liquid to be collected in the lower chambers while gas can still transmit through upper chambers that remain above the liquid level, maintaining reduced pressure delivery continuity while increasing liquid collection capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transitions from a traditional single-plane horizontal configuration to a multi-chamber vertical stacking arrangement. This dimensional change from 2D to 3D spatial utilization allows the filter to accommodate larger liquid volumes vertically while maintaining gas transmission pathways at higher elevations, resolving the contradiction between liquid collection capacity and gas transmission reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a filter is positioned horizontally in the canister, then liquid collection works in one orientation, but the filter fails when the canister is tilted or positioned differently
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are arranged in vertical chambers stacked one above another rather than in a single horizontal plane. This vertical stacking creates multiple elevation levels for gas transmission, ensuring that regardless of how the canister is tilted or oriented, there will always be upper chambers above the liquid level that can transmit gas, enabling reliable multi-orientation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-chamber vertical filter structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects liquid in the lower chambers, transmits gas through upper chambers, and adapts to various canister orientations. This universal design allows the same filter structure to perform effectively whether the canister is upright, tilted, or positioned differently, maintaining reliability across all orientations.
3Quantity of substance
If the filter chamber volume is increased to collect more liquid, then liquid collection capacity improves, but the distance for gas transmission increases, reducing transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into multiple vertical chambers of progressively smaller volumes from bottom to top. The lower chambers provide large volume for liquid collection, while the upper chambers provide short transmission pathways for efficient gas flow. This segmentation allows the system to collect large liquid volumes while maintaining short gas transmission distances through the upper chambers, resolving the contradiction between liquid collection volume and gas transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes vertical stacking to create distinct functional zones: lower chambers for liquid collection and upper chambers for gas transmission. This vertical dimensionality allows liquid to accumulate in the lower volume chambers while gas transmits through the upper chambers with shorter path lengths, maintaining gas transmission efficiency even as total liquid collection volume increases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables effective liquid collection in any orientation of the canister without interrupting reduced pressure delivery, allowing for larger liquid volumes to be collected while maintaining gas transmission, which is not possible with traditional filters.
Implementation Method 1
A first filter element is positioned over the opening of the first chamber, and a second filter element is positioned over the opening of the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with the canister outlet to deliver a reduced pressure to the first and second chambers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A reduced pressure treatment system includes a liquid-collection canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied. The canister includes a first space configured to collect the liquid from the tissue site and a filter having a frame and a non-planar filter element. The filter defines a second space within the canister separated from the first space by the filter element. The filter element substantially prevents liquid from passing from the first space into the second space. The filter element substantially allows gaseous communication between the first space and the second space when the second space is exposed to a reduced pressure.