Patent Publication Number: US-2021186764-A1

Title: Evaporative fluid pouch and systems for use with body fluids

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/845,269, entitled “EVAPORATIVE FLUID POUCH AND SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH BODY FLUIDS,” filed Dec. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/860,165, entitled “EVAPORATIVE FLUID POUCH AND SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH BODY FLUIDS,” filed Sep. 21, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,877,873, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,567, entitled “EVAPORATIVE FLUID POUCH AND SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH BODY FLUIDS,” filed Apr. 9, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,314,377, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/084,813, entitled “DRESSINGS AND METHODS FOR TREATING A TISSUE SITE ON A PATIENT,” filed on Apr. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,604,265, and incorporated herein by reference, which claims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of the filings of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/359,181, entitled “DRESSINGS AND METHODS FOR TREATING A TISSUE SITE ON A PATIENT,” filed Jun. 28, 2010; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,359,205, entitled “EVAPORATIVE BODY FLUID CONTAINERS AND METHODS,” filed Jun. 28, 2010; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/325,115, entitled “REDUCED-PRESSURE SOURCES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS EMPLOYING A POLYMERIC, POROUS, HYDROPHOBIC MATERIALS,” filed Apr. 16, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,567 also claims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of the filings of: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,709, entitled “EVAPORATIVE FLUID POUCH AND SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH BODY FLUIDS,” filed Aug. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,722, entitled “REDUCED-PRESSURE DRESSINGS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS WITH EVAPORATIVE DEVICES,” filed Aug. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,735, entitled “ABSORBENT POLYMER DRESSINGS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS EMPLOYING EVAPORATIVE DEVICES,” filed Aug. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,751, entitled “REDUCED-PRESSURE INTERFACES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS EMPLOYING A COANDA DEVICE,” filed Aug. 31, 2011, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systems for treating wounds that produce liquids, such as exudate, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to reduced-pressure medical dressings, systems, and methods with evaporative devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Caring for wounds is important in the healing process. Wounds often produce considerable liquids, e.g., exudate. Medical dressings are often used in wound care to address the production of liquids from the wound. If not properly addressed, liquids at the wound can lead to infection or maceration of the periwound area. As used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity. Wound dressings may be used alone or as an aspect of applying reduced pressure to a tissue site. 
     Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing reduced pressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequently referred to in the medical community as “negative pressure wound therapy,” “reduced pressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides a number of benefits, which may include faster healing and increased formulation of granulation tissue. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an illustrative embodiment, an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from a patient is presented that involves introducing body fluids into a first chamber in the pouch and flowing air through a second chamber where the chambers are separated by a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. The air flow in the second chamber enhances liquid removal from the first chamber across the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced-pressure includes a reduced-pressure dressing for disposing proximate to the tissue site, a first reduced-pressure conduit fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure dressing for delivery reduced pressure thereto, and an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first reduced-pressure conduit is fluidly coupled to the first chamber. The system further includes a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the first chamber and a pressure source fluidly coupled to the second chamber at a first evaporation port. The system also includes a second evaporation port formed on the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch. The pressure source is configured to move air within the second chamber. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from a patient includes a pouch body having an interior portion divided into two parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber and a second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch also includes a storage material disposed within the first chamber and an air-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch also includes a first port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a second port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a first evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and a second evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for temporarily storing and processing body fluids outside of a patient includes providing an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch includes a pouch body having an interior portion divided into two parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber and a second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch further includes a storage material disposed within the first chamber and an air-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch further includes a first port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a second port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a first evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; and a second evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber. The method further includes delivering the body fluids, which include liquids, to the first port and into the first chamber and developing an airflow in the second chamber through the air-movement manifold. As a result, a humidity gradient is maintained across the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to evaporate liquids from the first chamber. 
     According to still another illustrative embodiment, an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from a patient includes a pouch body having an interior portion divided into three parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member and a second high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member to form a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. The first chamber is between the second and third chambers. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch further includes a storage material disposed within the first chamber, a first air-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber, and a second air-movement manifold disposed within the second chamber. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch also includes a first port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a second port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a first evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; a second evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the second chamber; a third evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the third chamber; and a fourth evaporation port formed on the pouch body and fluidly coupled to the third chamber proximate to the second end. 
     Other aspects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, cross sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of a system for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure that includes an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic, lateral cross sectional view of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  and made into a whole cross section; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic, lateral cross sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic, longitudinal cross sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, plan view of an illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic, perspective view, with a portion in cross section (lateral), of an illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic, longitudinal cross sectional view of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch of  FIG. 6  with some alterations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of the illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims. 
     Referring now to the figures and primarily to  FIG. 1-2 , a system  100  for treating a tissue site  102 , such as a wound  103 , on a patient  104  with reduced-pressure is presented. The system  100  includes an illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  that allows the system  100  to process more liquids from the tissue site  102  than would otherwise be possible as well as offering other potential benefits. 
     The depicted wound  103  at tissue site  102  is through epidermis  108  and into dermis  110 . A reduced-pressure dressing  112  is disposed on the tissue site  102  and is operable to receive fluids from the tissue site  102 . The reduced-pressure dressing  112  may be any type of dressing for receiving fluids from the patient, but is shown as a dressing with a wound-interface manifold  113  and a drape  115 . Indeed, the reduced-pressure dressing  112  may involve only removing fluids from a body-fluid container, such as an ostomy bag. Fluids, including liquids, from the tissue site  102  are delivered through a reduced-pressure interface  114  to a first reduced-pressure conduit  116  that is fluidly coupled to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106 . 
     As an overview of the illustrative embodiment of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106 , the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  includes a pouch body  118  formed with exterior walls  119  and having an interior portion  120  that divided into two parts by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122 . The exterior walls  119  and first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  form a first chamber  124  and a second chamber  126 . A storage material  128  is disposed within the first chamber  124 . An air-movement manifold  130  is disposed in the second chamber  126 . These aspects of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  and others will be further described. 
     A first port  132  is formed on the pouch body  118  and fluidly coupled to the first chamber  124 . A second port  134  is formed on the pouch body  118  and fluidly coupled to the first chamber  124 . A first evaporation port  136  is formed on the pouch body  118  and is fluidly coupled to the second chamber  126 . A second evaporation port  138  is formed on the pouch body  118  and fluidly coupled to the second chamber  126 . Reduced pressure is applied to the second port directly by a reduced-pressure source, e.g., a micro-pump (see  FIG. 4 ), or by a second reduced-pressure conduit  140  ( FIG. 1 ). The first evaporation port  136 , which is the outlet to the second chamber  126 , may have a bacteria filter over the first evaporation port  136  to filter the air before the air exits the second chamber  126 . 
     Thus, liquids are pulled into the first chamber  124  as suggested by arrows  142  from the reduced-pressure dressing  112 . A hydrophobic filter  135  or other device may be placed at the downstream port, i.e., the second port  134  in  FIG. 1 , to prevent liquids from exiting through the downstream port. As suggested by arrows  144 , air is caused to flow in the second chamber  126  that helps create or maintain a relative humidity gradient across the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  and that helps remove liquids from the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  and more generally the system  100 . While air is mentioned throughout this document, it should be understood that another working gas could be used and that air is being used in a broad sense to reference a gas that creates the humidity gradient across the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122 . 
     The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  may be formed from any material that allows vapor to egress but not liquids. “Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate” or “MVTR” represents the amount of moisture that can pass through a material in a given period of time. The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  typically has a moisture vapor transmission rate greater than 300 g/m 2 /24 hours and more typically 1000 g/m 2 /24 hours or more. The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  allows vapor to egress or diffuse from the first chamber  124  to the second chamber  126 , but not liquids. 
     The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  may comprise one or more of the following: hydrophilic polyurethane, cellulosics, hydrophilic polyamides, an INSPIRE 2301 material from Exopack Advanced Coatings of Wrexham, United Kingdom; a thin, uncoated polymer drape; or polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic acrylics, hydrophilic silicone elastomers and copolymers of these. The INSPIRE 2301 illustrative film has an MVTR (inverted cup technique) of 14500-14600 g/m 2 /24 hours. See www.exopackadvancedcoatings.com. The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  may have various thicknesses, such as 10 to 40 microns (μm), e.g., 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 microns (inclusive of all numbers in the stated range). 
     A patient-facing side  123  of the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  may be coupled by an attachment device (not shown), e.g., adhesive or cement, to the top side (for the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the storage material  128 , e.g., top of the second wicking member  162 . In such an embodiment, the performance of the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  with respect to MVTR may be enhanced by only covering a limited surface area of the patient-facing side  123  with the attachment device. For example, according to one illustrative embodiment, only 30 to 60 percent of the surface area of the patient-facing side  123  is covered with the attachment device. The limited coverage by the attachment device on the patient-facing side  123  may be accomplished by applying the attachment device in a pattern, e.g., grid, spaced dots, swirls, or other patterns. In another embodiment, the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  may be coupled by welding (e.g., ultrasonic or RF welding), bonding, stitching, staples, or another coupling device to the storage material  128 . In other embodiments, there is no attachment device. 
     The air flow in the second chamber  126  may be achieved in either direction and is shown in  FIG. 1  flowing in a direction opposite the reduced pressure flow of the first chamber  124 . In the embodiment shown, a positive pressure is applied to the second evaporation port  138 . The positive pressure may be applied directly by a micro-pump or other device (see  FIG. 4 ) or by positive pressure delivered by a pressure conduit  146 . When configured to apply positive pressure to the second evaporation port  138 , the first evaporation port  136  functions as an outlet for flowing air to exit the second chamber  126 . Alternatively, reduced pressure may be applied either directly or through pressure conduit  146  to the second evaporation port  138 . In that instance, the first evaporation port  136  functions as an intake for allowing air to enter the second chamber  126 . 
     The pouch body  118  may be formed in numerous ways. According to one illustrative embodiment, the exterior walls  119  are formed by a first sealing member  148  and a second sealing member  150 . The first sealing member  148  is bonded by bond  149  to the second sealing member  150  at peripheral ends  152 . The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  is disposed between the first sealing member  148  and second sealing member  150  and may be bonded with bonds  149  as well. The first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  thereby forms two parts or bisects (not necessarily equal parts) the interior portion  120  to form the first chamber  124  and the second chamber  126 . 
     The first sealing member  148  is formed from any material that inhibits air flow through the first sealing member  148  and typically that is liquid impermeable as well. In some embodiments, the first sealing member  148  may be a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate material to allow additional liquid to egress the second chamber  126 . The second sealing member  150  is formed from any liquid-impermeable material. Typically, the first sealing member  148  and second sealing member  150  are formed from one or more of the following: natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane (PU), EVA film, co-polyester, silicones, silicone drape, a 3M Tegaderm® drape, or a polyurethane (PU) drape such as one available from Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif., or any material mentioned for the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122 , or other appropriate material. The first sealing member  148  need not be liquid impermeable and could also be formed from a woven or non-woven material as long as the material is coated or constructed to contain the air flow. 
     The ports  132 ,  134 ,  136 , and  138  are formed through the pouch body  118 . Typically, the respective pairs of ports ( 132  and  132 ;  136  and  138 ) are displaced as far as possible from each other to maximize distribution of liquids or evaporation. Thus for example, typically the first port  132  is positioned on a first end  154  of the pouch body  118  and the second port  134  is positioned on the second end  156 . Likewise, the first evaporation port  136  is on the first end  154  and the second evaporation port  138  is on the second end  156 . 
     The storage material  128  is disposed in the first chamber  124 . The storage material  128  is any material that receives fluids, including liquids, and retains the fluids. For example, without limitation, the storage material  128  may be formed from one or more of the following: an absorbent member  158 , a first wicking member  160 , a second wicking member  162 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the storage material  128  comprises the absorbent layer  158  and two wicking members  160 ,  162 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the storage material  128  is only an absorbent member  158 . 
     The absorbent member  158  may be any material that retains liquids and may comprise one or more of the following: BASF  402   c , Technical Absorbents  2317 , sodium polyacrylate super absorbers, cellulosics (carboxy methyl cellulose and salts such as sodium CMC), or alginates. The first wicking member  160  and second wicking member  162  may be formed from one or more of the following: non-woven fabrics such as Libeltex TDL2, woven fabrics including 3D spacer fabrics and Textiles (Baltex, Ilkeston, Derby, UK), open-cell foam, or sintered polymers. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , the storage material  128  includes a first wicking member  160 , an absorbent member  158 , and a second wicking member  162 , which is proximate to the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122 . The first wicking member  160  and the second wicking member  162  may be coupled at their peripheral edges  165  as shown by a coupling  163 . The coupling  163  may be formed using any known technique, including without limitation welding (e.g., ultrasonic or RF welding), bonding, adhesives, cements, stitching, staples, or another coupling device. Alternatively, the first wicking member  160  and the second wicking member  162  may be disposed adjacent to one another at least at their peripheral ends (overlapping portions) and held in contact with one another to allow fluid communication therebetween. The wicking layers  160 ,  162  may thus be in fluid communication with each other to allow fluid flow between the wicking layers  160 ,  162  and along the wicking layers  160 ,  162  at times when the flow of fluid in the absorbent layer  158  is inhibited or blocked. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  for use with body fluids from a patient is presented. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is analogous in many respects to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  of  FIGS. 1-3 , and accordingly, some parts are labeled but not further discussed. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  includes a first micro-pump  164  coupled to the pouch body  118  and fluidly coupled to the second port  134 . The first micro-pump  164  is operable to produce reduced pressure that is delivered to the second port  134 . The first micro-pump may be any pump capable of producing reduced pressure and small and light weight enough to be attached directly to the pouch body  118 . For example, and not by way of limitation, the micro-pump shown in United States Patent Publication 2009/0240185 (application Ser. No. 12/398,904; filed 5 Mar. 2009), entitled, “Dressing and Method for Applying Reduced Pressure To and Collecting And Storing Fluid from a Tissue Site,” which is incorporated herein for all purposes, may be used. 
     Similarly, a second micro-pump  166  is coupled to the pouch body  118  and fluidly coupled to the second evaporation port  138 . The second micro-pump  166  is operable to produce air flow in the second chamber  126  between the first evaporation port  136  and the second evaporation port  138 . The second micro-pump  166  is analogous to the first micro-pump but may configured to either pull air as shown and suggested by arrows  168  or to push air. In the latter situation, air goes from the second evaporation port  138  through the second chamber  126  to the first evaporation port  136 . The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  may be formed with one or both of the micro-pumps  164 ,  166  or with one or more conduits  140 ,  146  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A first reduced-pressure conduit  116  is fluidly coupled to a wound dressing (not shown), such as the reduced-pressure dressing  112  in  FIG. 1 , and to the first port  132 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the reduced-pressure dressing may also be directly coupled to the first port  132 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 5 , a plan view of an illustrative system  100  for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced-pressure that includes an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is presented. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is analogous in most respects to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  of  FIGS. 1-3 , and accordingly, some parts are labeled but not further discussed. In addition, components referenced but not explicitly shown are analogous to those previously presented. The embodiment of  FIG. 5  differs primarily in that the pouch body  118  has a main portion  170  and a neck portion  172  and the first port  132  is coupled directly to the reduced-pressure dressing  112 . 
     It should be noted that that the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  may take many different shapes. Some embodiments of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  are for wearing on the patient and others may be for a stationary position near the patient. In some embodiments, the second chamber  126  may encircle the first chamber  124  or other configurations may be used. The pouch body  118  may take different sizes too. In one illustrative embodiment, the pouch body  118  has surface area in plan view greater than 200 centimeters 2  and less than 730 centimeters 2 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , reduced pressure is developed into the first chamber and that reduced pressure pulls liquids from the reduced-pressure dressing  112  directly into the first port  132  and is distributed in the first chamber. A micro-pump  166  pushes or pulls air into the air-movement manifold. Thus, air will enter or exit through the first evaporation port  136 , which in this embodiment comprises a plurality of apertures. The movement of air in the second chamber establishes a strong humidity gradient across a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member and liquid is thus processed out of the system  100 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , another illustrative embodiment of an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is presented. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is analogous in most respects to the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  of  FIGS. 1-3 , and accordingly, some parts are labeled but not further discussed. In addition, components referenced but not explicitly shown are analogous to those previously presented. This embodiment differs primarily in that three chambers are formed in the interior portion  120  in order to provide for evaporation on two sides of the first chamber  124 . 
     A pouch body  118  is formed having exterior walls  119 . The pouch body  118  is partitioned by a first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  and a second high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  174  to form the first chamber  124 , a second chamber  126 , and a third chamber  176 . The second high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  174  may formed from the same materials as the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  as previously presented. The first chamber  124  is between the second chamber  126  and third chamber  176 . As with previous embodiments, a storage material  128  is disposed within the first chamber  124  and an air-movement manifold  130 , which is a first air-movement manifold  178 , is disposed within the second chamber  126 . In addition, a second air-movement manifold  180  is disposed in the third chamber  176 . The first air-movement manifold  178  and second air-movement manifold  180  are formed from one or more of the same materials previously mentioned for the first air-movement manifold  130  in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     The storage material  128  may be any of the materials previously mentioned.  FIGS. 6 and 7  differ from one another slightly with respect to the storage material  128 . The storage material  128  in  FIG. 6  has an absorbent member  158  disposed between a first wicking member  160  and a second wicking member  162 . In contrast, the storage material of  128  of  FIG. 7  is only an absorbent member  158 . 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 7 , a schematic, longitudinal cross section of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  of  FIG. 6  is presented. The various ports are shown best in this view. The pouch body  118  is formed with a first port  132  formed on the pouch body  118  and is fluidly coupled to the first chamber  124 . A second port  134  is also formed on the pouch body  118  and is fluidly coupled to the first chamber  124 . A first evaporation port  136  and a second evaporation port  138  are formed on the pouch body  118  and are fluidly coupled to the second chamber  126 . In addition, a third evaporation port  182  is formed on the pouch body  118  and is fluidly coupled to the third chamber  176 . Likewise, a fourth evaporation port  184  is formed on the pouch body  118  and is fluidly coupled to the third chamber  176 . To maximize distribution or evaporation, the pairs of ports are typically remote from each other and usually one is on the first end  154  and the other on the second end  156 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , according to one illustrative embodiment, in operation, the first port  132  is fluidly coupled to the wound dressing (e.g., reduced-pressure dressing  112  in  FIG. 1 ) and receives fluids, including liquid, therefrom. The liquid is pulled through the second port  134  into the first chamber  124  by reduced pressure applied to the first chamber  124  through the first port  132 . The liquid is distributed within the storage material  128  from the second port  134  to the first port  132  as suggested by arrows  142 . The liquid in the storage material  128  interacts with both the first high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  122  and the second high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member  174 . 
     An air flow is produced in the second chamber  126  as suggested by arrows  144 . Air may flow to or from the first evaporation port  136  and from or to the second evaporation port  138 . The air flow in second chamber  126  is caused by applying positive or reduced pressure to one of the evaporation ports  136 ,  138 . In addition, an air flow is produced in the third chamber  176  as suggested by arrows  186 . Air may flow to or from the third evaporation port  182  and from or to the fourth evaporation port  184 . The flow in third chamber  176  is caused by applying positive or reduced pressure to one of the evaporation ports  182 ,  184 . In this way, air flowing on both sides of the first chamber  124  enhances the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106 &#39;s ability to process liquids out of the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106 . 
     In all the embodiments herein, the air movement through the second chamber  126  (and third chamber  176  when applicable) may be continuous, intermittent, or actively controlled. In the latter situation, a saturation sensor may be applied in the first chamber  124  or an outward facing side of the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate members  122 ,  174 . The saturation sensor may be any device that allows monitoring of the saturation status of the storage material  128 . For example, without limitation, the saturation sensor may be a resistive element that changes resistance when liquid covers the sensor, a galvanic cell that creates a voltage when covered with liquid from a wound, a capacitive sensor that changes properties when saturated liquid is nearby, or any other electrical saturation sensor. The saturation sensor is coupled to a controller, and the controller and saturation sensor determine when the storage material  128  or high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate members  122 ,  174  are saturated. Upon detecting the same, the controller may activate a pressure source that supplies either reduced pressure or positive pressure to one of the evacuation ports  136 ,  138 . When the saturation sensor and controller determine that the storage material  128  is not saturated, the controller may deactivate the pressure source. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, an inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  is coupled directly to a body-fluid bag, e.g., an ostomy bag. The inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch  106  may form an outer wall of the fluid-bag itself. 
     The illustrative systems and inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouches presented herein offer a number of perceived advantages. These include the ability to manage a higher volume of fluid than otherwise possible. In this regard, one may consider that exudate from a wound often has about 88 percent water and 12 percent other materials. With such a device in use, the system may not need changing for a relatively extended period of time. In addition, the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch is multi-directional and involves fewer parts than canisters in use. In addition, the inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch has a low profile and is light. These are only some of the potential advantages. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment. 
     It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. It will further be understood that reference to “an” item refers to one or more of those items. 
     The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. 
     Where appropriate, aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and addressing the same or different problems. 
     It will be understood that the above description of preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.