# US 11,027,050 B2 · Reduced pressure tissue therapy device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,050 B2 - Document ID: US11027050B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/755,477 - Filed: 2016-08-16 - Published: 2018-06-21 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-01 - Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Inventors: Dean Hu; Kenneth Wu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027050B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/602: {Mechanical means for preventing flexible containers from collapsing when vacuum is applied inside, e.g. stents} - A61M 1/60: {Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)} - A61M 1/604: {Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both} - A61M 1/684: {bellows-type} - A61M 1/815: {the barrel serving as aspiration container, e.g. in a breast pump} - A61M 1/98: {Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy} - A61M 1/982: {with means for detecting level of collected exudate} - A61M 2205/8281: spring operated - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Disclosed herein are devices and methods for reduced pressure tissue therapy. Some variations of suction devices for reduced pressure tissue therapy comprise a housing, a suction force generating mechanism located within the housing, and a storage module configured to retain tissue exudates. In some variations, the storage module includes a sleeve configured to collect tissue exudates. The sleeve may include a support element to help maintain the lateral structural integrity of the sleeve and/or retain the cross-sectional geometry of the sleeve under negative pressure. In use, the storage module may reduce sanitary and/or biohazard risks by preventing the exudates from contacting the housing and/or suction force generating mechanism. The storage module is configured to be replaced so that the housing and suction force generating mechanism can be used for more than one session. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A reduced pressure therapy device comprising: a housing comprising a suction force generating mechanism; a distal port; a suction chamber; a storage module comprising a sleeve including an internal compartment configured to collect exudates through the distal port, wherein the sleeve is configured to provide a barrier between the exudates and the suction chamber, wherein the sleeve has a wall and a support element along the wall configured to resist inward collapse of the wall under negative pressure, and wherein a proximal end wall of the sleeve is attached to the suction force generating mechanism; and a fluid retention assembly including a pouch positioned within the internal compartment and configured to retain exudates within the storage module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the wall of the sleeve is flexible and the support element comprises a support structure that is more rigid than the flexible wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises a helical coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises one or more rings or loops. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises wire grid scaffolding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises a mesh or weave. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the support element comprises hinges. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the hinges comprise living hinges. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the hinges comprise mechanical hinges comprising discrete components that are pivotally connected by a connecting structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the mechanical hinges include engaging structures that lock the hinge in a desired maximum open angle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the mechanical hinges include interfering features that limit the maximum angle to which the hinge can open. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the wall of the sleeve comprises a plurality of first pleats, wherein each first pleat is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device and defines a first angle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the support element is located along at least one first pleat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the support element comprises a second material added to the sleeve wall at the first pleat, wherein the second material defines a second pleat having a second angle more acute than the first angle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the support element comprises a second material extending from the first pleat and protruding perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve for a distance between about 0.005 inches and about 0.02 inches. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the distance is between about 0.01 inches and about 0.015 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure is enclosed within the wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure is located on an inner surface of the wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure is located on an outer surface of the wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the support structure is located on an inner surface and an outer surface of the wall of the sleeve. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a distal valve. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The device of claim 21, wherein the distal valve is a one-way valve. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the suction force generating mechanism comprises a force member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the force member comprises a constant force spring. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the force member comprises a variable force spring. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a sliding assembly translatable along the longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, wherein the sliding assembly is a sliding seal assembly. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, wherein the sliding assembly is attached to the suction force generating mechanism. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, wherein the proximal end wall of the sleeve is attached to the sliding assembly by snap-fit, screw-fit, twist-fit, friction-fit, adhesives, hooks and loop engagement, magnetic engagement, clips, and/or clasps. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26, further comprising an activation tool configured to urge the sliding assembly distally along a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is detachable from the suction force generating mechanism and the distal port. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve wall comprises a film or membrane.