HK1160412A - Medical canister connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical canister connector is presented for connecting to a medical canister, which has a patient port and a reduced-pressure port. The medical canister connector includes a first connection member that is coupled to a patient-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and has a patient-port opening with a first longitudinal axis. The medical canister connector also includes a second connection member coupled to a reduced-pressure-port-attachment member, which is for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and has a reduced-pressure-port opening with a second longitudinal axis. A spacing member or pressure transport member may be used to couple the first connection member to the second connection member. The spacing member or transport member flexes and twists during connection. The medical canister connector may also help organize one or more pressure-sensing conduits. Methods are also presented.

Description

Medical canister connector

RELATED APPLICATIONS

In accordance with title 119 (e) of U.S. code 35, title 29, the present invention claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/109,439 entitled "a Medical Canister Connector" filed on 10.2008, 29, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Background

The present invention relates generally to medical treatment systems, and more particularly to medical canister connectors and methods.

In many medical applications, fluids from wounds, such as blood, ascites, and exudates, are removed from a patient and need to be stored for disposal or treatment. The removal of these fluids may be the primary purpose or secondary result of the treatment. For example, in many surgical procedures, suction is typically applied to remove blood. As another example, in applying reduced pressure therapy or negative pressure wound therapy, the fluid is removed and must be stored or handled.

The removed fluid is often stored in a medical canister. The medical canister receives fluid from a patient and suction or reduced pressure from a reduced pressure source. Cans come in a variety of sizes and designs. The tank typically needs to be changed or removed periodically. Existing systems for attaching a reduced pressure source to a canister and for attaching a patient conduit to a canister require significant attention to the possibility of significant error.

SUMMARY

The problems with existing medical canisters and systems are addressed by the illustrative embodiments described herein. According to one illustrative embodiment, a medical canister connector for releasable connection to a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port includes a first connection member for coupling to a first reduced-pressure delivery conduit; a patient-port-attachment member (patient-port-attachment member) for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and having a patient-port opening (patient-port opening) and a first longitudinal axis. The first patient port attachment member is coupled to the first connection member. The illustrative medical canister connector also includes a second connection member for coupling to a second reduced-pressure delivery conduit; a reduced-pressure-port attachment member (reduced-pressure-port attachment member) for coupling with a pressure-relief port on the medical canister and having a pressure-relief port opening and a second longitudinal axis; and a spacer member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the spacer member is coupled to the first connecting member and the second end of the spacer member is coupled to the second connecting member. The medical canister connector has a free position and is operable to be manoeuvred into a loading position.

A medical canister connector for releasable connection to a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port includes a first connection member for coupling to a first reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a first pressure-sensing conduit; a patient port attachment member for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and having a patient port opening and a first longitudinal axis. The first patient port attachment member is coupled to the first connection member. The medical canister connector further includes a second connection member for coupling to a second reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a second pressure-sensing conduit; a reduced-pressure port attachment member for coupling with a reduced-pressure port on a medical canister and having a reduced-pressure port opening and a second longitudinal axis; and a pressure transmission member having a first end and a second end. A first end of the pressure transmission member is coupled to the first connection member and a second end of the pressure transmission member is coupled to the second connection member. The medical canister connector has a free position and the canister is operable to be manipulated into a loaded position.

A method for manufacturing a medical canister connector includes the step of forming a body from a soft thermoplastic polymer to form a medical canister connector. The step of forming the body may include injection molding, thermoforming, thermosetting, overmolding or progressive machining.

A method for connecting a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port to a first reduced-pressure conduit, a first pressure-sensing conduit, a second reduced-pressure conduit, and a second pressure-sensing conduit, comprising the steps of: providing a medical canister connector; providing a flexing force on the pressure transmitting member of the medical canister connector such that an angle alpha formed by the intersection of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is greater than 90 degrees and such that the patient port opening interfaces with the patient port on the medical canister while the reduced pressure port opening interfaces with the reduced pressure port on the medical canister; and releasing the flexing force.

Objects, features and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative embodiment of a reduced pressure treatment system, a portion of which is shown in cross-section and containing a medical canister connector;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the medical canister connector of fig. 1 shown on a portion of a medical canister;

fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the medical canister connector of fig. 1-2; and

fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the medical canister connector of fig. 1-3.

Detailed description of illustrative embodiments

In the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which 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 to be 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 present 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, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments is defined only by the appended claims.

Referring to fig. 1-4, and initially to fig. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a medical canister connector 100 is shown as part of a reduced pressure treatment system 102. While the medical canister connector 100 is present in the context of a reduced pressure treatment system 102, it should be understood that the medical canister connector 100 may be used with any medical system involving a need to connect a conduit to a medical canister. Other examples of medical systems may include surgical aspiration systems, medical drainage systems, or open abdominal decompression systems.

In this illustrative embodiment, the reduced-pressure treatment system 102 provides reduced-pressure treatment to a tissue site 104 on a patient. The tissue site 104 may be body tissue of any human, animal, or other organism, including bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, dermal tissue, vascular tissue, epithelial tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, or any other tissue. The tissue site 104 may be within a body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. Treatment by the reduced pressure treatment system 102 may include removing fluids such as ascites or exudates, delivering reduced pressure, or providing a protective barrier. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, "or" does not require mutual exclusivity.

Reduced pressure is delivered through conduit 106 to reduced pressure interface 108. The reduced-pressure interface 108 delivers reduced pressure to a manifold 110 adjacent the tissue site 104. The tissue site 104 is shown as a wound or damaged area of tissue comprising epidermis 112 and other tissue layers. The pneumatic seal is formed over the patient's epidermis 112 by a sealing member 114, the sealing member 114 having an attachment device 116, such as an adhesive on a patient facing side 118. The catheter 106 may be a dual lumen catheter in which one lumen delivers reduced pressure and transfers removed fluid, such as exudate or ascites. Another lumen of the catheter 106 may provide a pressure sensing lumen to allow pressure at the tissue site 104 to be measured or otherwise determined by a remote measurement device. The catheter 106 may contain additional lumens, but in this example is a dual lumen design.

The conduit 106 is fluidly coupled to or in fluid communication with the interface member 120. The interface member 120 fluidly couples the first lumen to a first reduced-pressure conduit 122 and the second lumen to a first pressure-sensing conduit 124. The first reduced-pressure conduit 122 is coupled to a first connection member 126 of the medical canister connector 100. The first pressure sensing conduit 124 is also coupled to a first connecting member 126.

As best shown in fig. 4, the first connecting member 126 may be formed with a first reduced-pressure conduit opening 128 and a first pressure-sensing conduit opening 130. The first pressure sensing conduit opening 130 may be a tubular access port that receives and surrounds the entire circumference of the first pressure sensing conduit 124, or the first pressure sensing conduit opening 130 may be a passage opening, such as may be an extension or portion of the passage 186, in which only a portion of the circumference of the first pressure sensing conduit 124 is secured. The first reduced-pressure conduit 122 may be coupled into the first reduced-pressure-conduit opening 128 by solvent bonding, interference fit, adhesive, or other method of achieving a substantially fluid-tight connection. Similarly, the first pressure sensing conduit 124 may be coupled into the first pressure sensing conduit opening 130 by solvent bonding, interference fit, adhesive, or other methods.

The medical canister connector 100 is also coupled to a second reduced-pressure conduit 132 that delivers reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure unit 134. The reduced-pressure unit 134 includes a reduced-pressure source, such as a vacuum pump (not shown) or other device that may be housed within the housing 136 that supplies reduced pressure. The second reduced-pressure conduit 132 enters the housing 136 at a reduced-pressure housing port 138 and is fluidly coupled to a reduced-pressure source within the reduced-pressure unit 134.

The medical canister connector 100 is also coupled to a second pressure sensing conduit 140 that delivers pressure to the pressure relief unit 134. A second pressure sensing conduit 140 enters the housing 136 at a pressure sensing housing port 142. The measurement device within the housing 136 of the reduced-pressure unit 134 houses a second pressure sensing conduit 140 and is capable of measuring or determining the pressure present at the tissue site 104. It should be noted that the first pressure sensing conduit 124 and the second pressure sensing conduit 140 may be a unitary conduit as shown.

The medical canister connector 100 facilitates easy connection of the first and second reduced-pressure conduits 122, 132 to the medical canister 144, and more specifically to the cap 146 of the medical canister 144. Preferably, the medical service provider is able to mount the medical canister connector 100 to the medical canister 144 with one motion; that is, instead of having to couple two conduits to two ports one at a time, a healthcare provider can hold the medical canister connector 100 and apply the medical canister connector 100 to the cap 146 in one operation. The use of the medical canister connector 100 is discussed further below. Furthermore, as a safety measure, the medical canister connector 100 is configured such that the first and second reduced-pressure conduits 122, 132 may only be attached in an appropriate manner without significant deviation; this minimizes or eliminates the possibility of making mistakes in the process. Alternatively, the medical canister connector 100 may transmit the pressure in the first pressure sensing conduit 124 to the second pressure sensing conduit 140, for example, in an internal passageway.

The medical canister 144 may be any canister that requires the catheter to be accurately or preferably easily attached. Off-the-shelf medical canisters may provide economic advantages to patients and healthcare providers and are therefore preferred. The medical canister connector 100 may be sized and configured for use with a particular model of medical canister. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the medical canister 144 may be an 800cc hydrophobic rigid canister, available from Beamis Manufacturing Company of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, that includes a hydrophobic shut-off filter. The medical canister connector 100 will be further described in the illustrative context of use with such a medical canister, but it should be understood that the medical canister connector 100 can be readily used with other off-the-shelf medical canisters by adjusting the size and position of the components. The cap 146 of the medical canister 144 has a horizontal (for the orientation shown in fig. 1) patient port 148 and a vertical (for the orientation shown in fig. 1) reduced-pressure port 150 or suction port.

As previously described, the first connecting member 126 is fluidly coupled to the first reduced-pressure conduit 122 and may be fluidly coupled to the first pressure-sensing conduit 124. A patient port attachment member 152 is coupled to the first connection member 126 and is formed with a patient port attachment body 153 having a patient port opening 154. The patient port opening 154 of the patient port attachment member 152 can be formed with a plurality of sealing ribs 156 to assist in forming an interference fit with the patient port 148 on the medical canister 144. The patient port opening 154 may also be tapered to further facilitate an interference fit with the patient port 148 on the medical canister 144. In the installed position, the patient port opening 154 and the patient port 148 form a substantially fluid tight connection. The volume within the patient port opening 154 has a first longitudinal axis 157.

A plug 158 or cap may be coupled to the first connection member 126 along with the band 160, and the plug 158 may be sized and configured to block the patient port opening 154 when the medical canister connector 100 is not in use or is being modified. The use plug 158 prevents fluid from leaking through the patient port opening 154 when the medical canister connector 100 is not in use or when the medical canister 144 is being changed.

The second coupling member 162 is formed with a second reduced-pressure conduit opening 164 and a second pressure-sensing conduit opening 166. The second reduced-pressure conduit 132 may be coupled into the second reduced-pressure-conduit opening 164 by solvent bonding, interference fit, adhesive, or other method of achieving a substantially fluid-tight connection. Similarly, the second pressure sensing conduit 140 may be coupled into the second pressure sensing conduit opening 166 by solvent bonding, interference fit, adhesive, or other methods. The second connecting member 162 further includes a pressure-reduction-port attachment member 168, the pressure-reduction-port attachment member 168 having a pressure-reduction-port main body 170 formed with a pressure-reduction-port opening 172. The volume within the relief port opening 172 has a second longitudinal axis 174.

The second reduced-pressure conduit opening 164 may extend until it intersects the reduced-pressure port opening 172 and thereby forms a fluid path for reduced pressure to flow into the second reduced-pressure conduit opening 164 and out of the reduced-pressure port opening 172. As used herein, "fluid" may include a gas or a liquid. The reduced-pressure port opening 172 may be formed with a plurality of sealing ribs 176 on an inner surface of the reduced-pressure port opening 172 to help form an interference fit when the reduced-pressure port opening 172 is placed over the reduced-pressure port 150 of the lid 146 of the medical canister 144. The inner surface of the relief port opening 172 may also be tapered to further facilitate the interference fit. In the installed position, the pressure relief port opening 172 and the pressure relief port 150 make a substantially fluid tight connection.

First coupling member 126 and second coupling member 162 may be used to convert catheter sizes. For example, the first reduced-pressure conduit 122 may be a small-diameter conduit, but the first connection member 126 allows the first reduced-pressure conduit 122 to be fluidly coupled to a larger-diameter patient port 148 on the medical canister 144. First coupling member 126 and second coupling member 162 may be used to transition the catheter size from small to large or large to small.

In one embodiment, the medical canister connector 100 receives and manages only reduced pressure associated with the first and second reduced-pressure conduits 122, 132. In this alternative embodiment, patient port attachment member 152 and reduced-pressure port attachment member 168 are coupled and secured in spaced-apart relation by a spacer member 180.

In another illustrative embodiment, the medical canister connector 100 receives and manages reduced pressure associated with the first and second reduced-pressure conduits 122, 132 and reduced pressure associated with the first and second pressure-sensing conduits 124, 140. In this illustrative embodiment, pressure transmission member 178 serves as a spacer member and couples and secures patient port attachment member 152 and reduced pressure port attachment member 168 in a spaced apart relationship. The pressure transmitting member 178 facilitates the transmission of reduced pressure between the first pressure sensing conduit 124 and the second pressure sensing conduit 140. The transmission of reduced pressure through the pressure transmitting member 178 may be through an integral chamber or passageway connecting the pressure sensing conduits 124, 140 or through a fixture or channel securing the conduits fluidly coupling the pressure sensing conduits 124, 140.

The pressure transmitting member 178 or the spacing member 180 may be used as part of the medical canister connector 100 to retain the first and second connection members 126, 162 in their relative positions and still allow flexibility. The pressure transmitting member 178 has a first end 182 and a second end 184. A first end 182 of the pressure transmitting member 178 is coupled to the first connecting member 126, and a second end 184 of the pressure transmitting member 178 is coupled to the second connecting member 162. The pressure transmitting member 178 may be a solid conduit or passage formed in the medical canister connector 100 that transmits pressure from the first pressure sensing conduit 124 to the second pressure sensing conduit 140. Alternatively, as shown, the pressure transmitting member 178 may include a device, such as a channel or clamp, for supporting the first pressure sensing conduit 124 as the first pressure sensing conduit 124 traverses the length of the medical canister connector 100 to exit at the second pressure sensing conduit 140. In the latter case, the pressure transmitting member 178 may have a channel 186 and a plurality of clamps 188 to releasably couple the first/second pressure sensing conduits 124, 140 to the medical canister connector 100.

Again, in an alternative embodiment, where the medical canister connector 100 is used with only the first and second reduced-pressure conduits 122, 132, the spacing member 180 holds the first and second connection members 126, 162 in their opposing positions but does not transmit reduced pressure for sensing. The spacing member 180 has a first end 190 and a second end 192. The first end 190 of the spacer member 180 is coupled to the first connection member 126 and the second end 192 of the spacer member 180 is coupled to the second connection member 162. The spacer member 180 may also include support ribs 194 to provide additional strength and stability. When both the pressure transmitting member 178 and the spacing member 180 are included, the pressure transmitting member 178 and the spacing member 180 may cooperate to maintain the first connecting member 126 and the second connecting member 162 in their relative positions and allow flexibility. The pressure transmission member 178 and the spacing member 180 may be the same member.

The medical canister connector 100 is made of a flexible material that allows the medical canister connector 100 to move and twist in a limited manner, but sufficiently allows the patient port opening 154 to interface with the patient port 148 on the medical canister 144 while the reduced-pressure port opening 172 interfaces with the reduced-pressure port 150 on the medical canister 144. Thus, the medical canister connector 100 is designed to assume at least two positions: a free position in which patient port opening 154 and reduced-pressure port opening 172 are spaced apart and aligned to simultaneously engage patient port 148 and reduced-pressure port 150; and a loaded position in which the medical canister connector 100 is flexed and positioned to allow access to the patient port 148 through the patient port opening 154 while the reduced-pressure port opening 172 is accessed to the reduced-pressure port 150.

One way to describe the bending or movement of the medical canister connector 100 in one illustrative embodiment is with reference to the first longitudinal axis 157 and the second longitudinal axis 174. In a two-dimensional elevation view, the first longitudinal axis 157 and the second longitudinal axis 174, or at least their projections, intersect to form an angle alpha (α). In the free position, as shown, the angle alpha (α) is about 90 degrees. The angle alpha (a) may expand to 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 110 degrees, 120 degrees, 130 degrees, 140 degrees, 150 degrees, 160 degrees, 170 degrees, 180 degrees, or more, or any of them, when the medical canister connector 100 is bent to the loaded position. Additionally, the medical canister connector 100 may be twisted axially about the pressure transmitting member 178 or the spacing member 180, or may be twisted about the first longitudinal axis 157 or the second longitudinal axis 174. The twist may be between 1-90 degrees or more.

As previously described, the medical canister connector 100 is made of a flexible material that allows the medical canister connector 100 to move and twist. An elastic polymer may be used to form the medical canister connector 100. For example, the medical canister connector 100 may be formed from a soft thermoplastic polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or from a thermoset polymer, such as silicone. Still other polymers and materials, such as flexible composites, may be used. The medical canister connector 100 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as by injection molding, thermoforming, heat curing or overmolding, progressive machining.

There are a variety of ways in which the medical canister connector 100 may be applied to the cap 146 of the medical canister 144, and only one illustrative example will now be given. According to one illustrative manner of installing the medical canister connector 100, a medical service provider may place their hand on the pressure transmitting member 178 or the spacing member 180 to lift the medical canister connector 100 and place the medical canister connector 100 adjacent the cap 146 of the canister 144. The patient port opening 154 may then be manipulated to cause the patient port 148 of the canister cover 146 to at least partially enter the patient port opening 154. The healthcare provider may pull or rotate on the pressure transmitting member 178 or the spacing member 180. This causes the medical canister connector 100 to bend and cause the angle alpha (α) to increase beyond 90 degrees. If not already aligned, the medical canister connector 100 may be twisted about the first longitudinal axis 157 to align the reduced-pressure port opening 172 with the reduced-pressure port 150 on the cap 146. The health care provider may push the patient's mouth 148 deeper into the patient's mouth opening 154 and release the force on the pressure transmitting member 178 or the spacing member 180 to decrease the angle alpha (a). The relief port 150 extends further into the relief port opening 172 due to the decrease in the angle alpha (α). From there, the medical service provider may push the medical canister connector 100 further onto the cap 146. The medical canister connector is thus fully connected to the medical canister 144. The medical canister connector 100 attaches to the medical canister 144 in only one way and thereby reduces or eliminates the possibility of error. The medical canister connector 100 is typically applicable by a healthcare provider with one hand.

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 herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. A medical canister connector for releasable connection to a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port, the medical canister connector comprising:

a first connecting member for coupling to a first reduced-pressure delivery conduit;

a patient port attachment member for coupling to the patient port on the medical canister and having a patient port opening and a first longitudinal axis, the patient port attachment member being coupled to the first connection member;

a second connecting member for coupling to a second reduced-pressure delivery conduit;

a reduced-pressure port attachment member for coupling with a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and having a reduced-pressure port opening and a second longitudinal axis, the reduced-pressure port attachment member being coupled to the second connection member;

a spacer member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the spacer member being coupled to the first connection member and the second end of the spacer member being coupled to the second connection member;

wherein the medical canister connector has a free position, and wherein the medical canister is operable to be maneuvered into a loaded position.

2. The medical canister connector according to claim 1, wherein an angle (a) is formed by the intersection of the first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein the angle (a) is about 90 degrees in the free position and greater than 100 degrees in the loaded position.

3. The medical canister connector according to claim 1, wherein an angle (a) is formed by the intersection of the first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein the angle (a) is about 90 degrees in the free position and greater than 110 degrees in the loaded position.

4. The medical canister connector according to claim 1, wherein an angle (a) is formed by the intersection of the first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein the angle (a) is about 90 degrees in the free position and greater than 120 degrees in the loaded position.

5. The medical canister connector according to claim 1, wherein an angle (a) is formed by the intersection of the first and second longitudinal axes, and wherein the angle (a) is about 90 degrees in the free position and greater than 140 degrees in the loaded position.

6. The medical canister connector of claim 1, wherein the medical canister comprises an elastic polymer.

7. A medical canister connector for releasable connection to a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port, the medical canister connector comprising:

a first connection member for coupling to a first reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a first pressure-sensing conduit;

a patient port attachment member for coupling to a patient port on the medical canister and having a patient port opening and a first longitudinal axis, the patient port attachment member being coupled to the first connection member;

a second connection member for coupling to a second reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a second pressure-sensing conduit;

a reduced-pressure port attachment member for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and having a reduced-pressure port opening and a second longitudinal axis;

a pressure transmitting member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the first connecting member and the second end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the second connecting member; and is

Wherein the medical canister connector has a free position, and wherein the medical canister is operable to be maneuvered into a loaded position.

8. A medical canister connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the angle (a) is more than 100 degrees in said loaded position.

9. A medical canister connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the angle (a) is greater than 110 degrees in the loaded position.

10. A medical canister connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the angle (a) is greater than 120 degrees in the loaded position.

11. The medical canister connector of claim 7, wherein the pressure transmitting member includes a channel and a plurality of clamps operable to secure the pressure sensing conduit.

12. The medical canister connector according to claim 7, wherein the patient port attachment member comprises a patient port body formed with a patient port opening, and wherein the patient port opening comprises a tapered opening formed with a plurality of sealing ribs on an inner surface.

13. A medical canister connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein said reduced-pressure-port attachment member comprises a reduced-pressure-port body formed with a reduced-pressure-port opening.

14. The medical canister connector according to claim 7, wherein the reduced-pressure-port attachment member includes a reduced-pressure-port body formed with a reduced-pressure-port opening, and wherein the reduced-pressure-port opening includes a tapered opening formed with a plurality of sealing ribs on an inner surface.

15. The medical canister connector according to claim 7, wherein the first connection member, the patient port attachment member, the second connection member, the reduced-pressure port attachment member, and the pressure transmission member are formed as a unitary unit from a soft polymer.

16. The medical canister connector according to claim 7, wherein the first connection member, the patient port attachment member, the second connection member, the reduced-pressure port attachment member, and the pressure transmission member are formed as a unitary unit from an elastic polymer.

17. The medical canister connector according to claim 7, wherein the first connection member, the patient port attachment member, the second connection member, the reduced-pressure port attachment member, and the pressure transmission member are formed as a unitary unit from a thermoplastic Polymer (PVC).

18. A method of manufacturing a medical canister connector comprising forming a body from a soft thermoplastic polymer, the body comprising:

a first connection member for coupling to a first reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a first pressure-sensing conduit;

a patient port attachment member for coupling to a patient port on a medical canister and having a patient port opening and a first longitudinal axis, the first patient port attachment member being coupled to the first connection member;

a second connection member for coupling to a second reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to a second pressure-sensing conduit;

a reduced-pressure port attachment member for coupling to a reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and having a reduced-pressure port opening and a second longitudinal axis;

a pressure transmitting member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the first connecting member and the second end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the second connecting member; and is

Wherein the medical canister connector has a free position and wherein the canister is operable to be manipulated into a loaded position.

19. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, wherein forming the body from a soft thermoplastic polymer comprises injection molding the body as a monolithic body.

20. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, wherein forming the body from a soft thermoplastic polymer comprises injection molding the body from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

21. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, wherein forming the body from a soft thermoplastic polymer comprises injection molding the body from silicone.

22. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, wherein forming the body from a soft thermoplastic polymer comprises thermoforming the body.

23. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, wherein forming the body from a soft thermoplastic polymer comprises thermally curing the body.

24. A method of releasably connecting a medical canister having a patient port and a reduced-pressure port to a first reduced-pressure conduit, a first pressure-sensing conduit, a second reduced-pressure conduit, and a second pressure-sensing conduit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a medical canister connector, the medical canister connector comprising:

a first connecting member for coupling to the first reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to the first pressure-sensing conduit,

a patient port attachment member for coupling with the patient port on the medical canister and having a patient port opening and a first longitudinal axis, the first patient port attachment member being coupled to the first connection member,

a second connection member for coupling to the second reduced-pressure delivery conduit and for coupling to the second pressure-sensing conduit,

a reduced-pressure port attachment member for coupling to the reduced-pressure port on the medical canister and having a reduced-pressure port opening and a second longitudinal axis,

a pressure transmitting member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the first connecting member and the second end of the pressure transmitting member being coupled to the second connecting member, and

wherein the medical canister connector has a free position and wherein the canister is operable to be manipulated into a loaded position;

providing a flexing force on the pressure transfer member such that an angle alpha (a) formed by the intersection of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is greater than 90 degrees and such that the patient port opening interfaces with the patient port on the medical canister while the reduced pressure port opening interfaces with the reduced pressure port on the medical canister; and

releasing the flexing force.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of coupling the first pressure sensing conduit to the pressure transmitting member.