Inline storage pouches for use with body fluids

An inline storage pouch for use with body fluids, the inline storage pouch comprising:

• a flexible pouch body comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a partitioning wall whereby an interior portion is formed having a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first manifolding material disposed within the first chamber;
• a fluid storage material disposed within the second chamber;
• a pouch connector coupled to the flexible pouch body at the proximal end, wherein the pouch connector fluidly couples body fluids received from the animal to the second chamber and fluidly couples reduced pressure received from a reduced-pressure source to the first chamber;
• and
• wherein the partitioning wall of the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of the partitioning wall has an exudate aperture for receiving a portion of the pouch connector and wherein the distal end of the partitioning wall has a return aperture for allowing fluid flow from the second chamber to the first chamber.

A method of manufacturing an inline storage pouch for use with body fluids from an animal, the method comprising:

• forming a flexible pouch body having a first wall, a second wall, and a partitioning wall whereby an interior portion is formed having a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end;
• disposing a first manifolding material within the first chamber;
• disposing a fluid storage material within the second chamber;
• coupling a pouch connector to the flexible pouch body at the proximal end, wherein the pouch connector fluidly couples body fluids received to the second chamber and fluidly couples reduced pressure received from a reduced-pressure source to the first chamber;
• wherein the partitioning wall of the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end;
• forming an exudate aperture proximate the proximal end of the partitioning wall;
• disposing a portion of the pouch connector through the exudate aperture;
• sealing the partitioning wall to the portion of the pouch connector extending through the exudate aperture;
• and
• forming a return aperture proximate the distal end of the partitioning wall for allowing fluid flow from the second chamber into the first chamber.

A method of processing liquids, the method comprising:

• providing an inline storage pouch, wherein the inline storage pouch comprises:
• a flexible pouch body comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a partitioning wall whereby an interior portion is formed having a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end,
• a first manifolding material disposed within the first chamber,
• a fluid storage material disposed within the second chamber,
• a pouch connector coupled to the flexible pouch body at the proximal end, wherein the pouch connector fluidly couples body fluids received to the second chamber and fluidly couples reduced pressure received from a reduced-pressure source to the first chamber, and
• wherein the partitioning wall of the flexible pouch body has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of the partitioning wall has an exudate aperture for receiving a portion of the pouch connector and wherein the distal end of the partitioning wall has a return aperture for allowing fluid flow from the second chamber to the first chamber;
• delivering reduced pressure to the pouch connector;
• delivering the liquids to the pouch connector;
• retaining the liquids in the fluid storage material in the second chamber;
• and
• flowing reduced pressure from the first chamber to the second chamber.

A connector for an inline storage pouch having first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being fluidly isolated from each other, the connector comprising:

• a connector body having an exudate chamber and a reduced-pressure chamber fluidly isolated from each other;
• an first intake port fluidly coupled to the exudate chamber;
• an first outlet port fluidly coupled to the exudate chamber;
• an second intake port fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure chamber and the first chamber;
• an second outlet port fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure chamber;
• and
• a displacement conduit fluidly coupled to the first outlet port and the second chamber.