Systems and methods for applying reduced pressure therapy
First Claim
1. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising:
- a negative pressure source configured to be in fluid communication with a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound;
a canister configured to be in fluid communication with the wound dressing and the negative pressure source via a fluid flow path, the canister configured to collect exudate aspirated from the wound;
a pressure sensor configured to monitor one or more characteristics of pressure signals generated by the negative pressure source in the fluid flow path, the one or more characteristics of the pressure signals comprising magnitude of the pressure signals, the magnitude of the pressure signals increasing as a level of exudate in the canister increases; and
a controller configured to;
determine a pressure threshold based at least on a pressure setting for the negative pressure source and a level of activity of the negative pressure source, andindicate that the canister is full of exudate in response to determining that the magnitude of the pressure signals satisfies the pressure threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes a controller configured to determine a level of exudate in a canister (or a dressing) based at least in part on one or more characteristics of pressure signals generated by a negative pressure source and monitored by a pressure sensor. One such characteristic of the pressure signals can be amplitude, which may increase as a level of exudate in the canister (or dressing) increases. The canister (or dressing) can include a filter configured to become occluded in order to prevent overflow of the canister (or dressing). The controller can be additionally configured to detect and indicate a canister (or dressing) pre-full condition before the filter becomes occluded. More efficient and reliable operation of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can thereby be attained.
549 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising:
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a negative pressure source configured to be in fluid communication with a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound; a canister configured to be in fluid communication with the wound dressing and the negative pressure source via a fluid flow path, the canister configured to collect exudate aspirated from the wound; a pressure sensor configured to monitor one or more characteristics of pressure signals generated by the negative pressure source in the fluid flow path, the one or more characteristics of the pressure signals comprising magnitude of the pressure signals, the magnitude of the pressure signals increasing as a level of exudate in the canister increases; and a controller configured to; determine a pressure threshold based at least on a pressure setting for the negative pressure source and a level of activity of the negative pressure source, and indicate that the canister is full of exudate in response to determining that the magnitude of the pressure signals satisfies the pressure threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24)
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18. A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising:
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monitoring pressure signals generated by a negative pressure source in a fluid flow path configured to fluidically connect the negative pressure source with a wound dressing and a canister, the one or more characteristics of the pressure signals comprising magnitude of the pressure signals, the magnitude of the pressure signals increasing as a level of exudate in the canister increases; determining a pressure threshold based at least on a pressure setting for the negative pressure source and a level of activity of the negative pressure source; and indicating that the canister is full of exudate in response to determining that the magnitude of the pressure signals satisfies the pressure threshold, wherein the method is performed under control of a controller of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25)
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Specification