System and method for locating fluid leaks at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system

• US 10,232,095 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Locke, Christopher Brian, Beard, Mark Stephen James, Blandford, David Robson, Robinson, Timothy Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcetich, Adam
• Application Number:
  US15/275,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20170007748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5056 pneumatically controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0057 Suction suction kneading A61H7/008
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/604 Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 : Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0468 : Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 : ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 : Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 : adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 : adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 : for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 : by friction
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 : by measurement of pressure

Abstract

A system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site, sensing a fluid parameter being applied to the tissue site, generating a fluid sensor signal in response to sensing the fluid parameter, and altering the fluid sensor signal in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. A fluid leak location mode may be entered. In response to the fluid leak location mode being entered, a graphical user interface that provides for fluid leak location functionality may be displayed. In one embodiment, the fluid leak location mode may be automatically entered in response to the sensor signal crossing a threshold value. Additionally, an alarm signal may be generated in response to determining that the fluid sensor signal crosses the threshold value.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting leaks at a tissue site, comprising:

a drape configured for positioning over the tissue site to form a sealed space between the tissue site and the drape for receiving a reduced pressure;

a fluid sensor in fluid communication with the sealed space and configured to sense a fluid parameter that changes within the sealed space and to generate a fluid sensor signal in response to sensing the fluid parameter;

a processing unit configured to receive the fluid sensor signal and to enter a fluid leak location mode in response to the fluid sensor signal crossing a threshold value; and

an electronic display in communication with the processing unit and configured to provide a graphical user interface for displaying output related to the fluid leak location mode.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid sensor is an airflow sensor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid sensor is a pressure sensor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a speaker in communication with the processing unit, wherein the processing unit is further configured to communicate a fluid leak location signal to the speaker to generate an audible sensory indicator in a variable manner.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processing unit is further configured to, in response to the fluid sensor signal being altered, change the fluid leak location signal in the variable manner.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is configured to alter an audible frequency of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is configured to alter a duration of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is configured to alter an amplitude of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

9. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the fluid sensor signal crosses a threshold value;

generate an alarm signal in response to determining that the fluid sensor signal crossed the threshold value; and

communicate the alarm signal to the speaker to cause an alarm to be generated.

10. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit is selectably configured to toggle the audible sensory indicator on and off.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to output a graphical user element to be displayed on the graphical user interface that enables a user to selectably cause the processing unit to enter the fluid leak location mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to generate a graphical indicator indicative of the fluid parameter and to change the graphical indicator in response to a change of the fluid parameter while in the fluid leak location mode.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the graphical indicator is a numerical value.

14. An apparatus for treating a tissue site on a patient, comprising:

a drape configured for positioning over the tissue site to form a sealed space between the tissue site and the drape for receiving a reduced pressure;

sensor means in fluid communication with the sealed space for providing a plurality of data outputs based on measurements of a fluid parameter applied to the tissue site;

processing means for comparing each of the plurality of data outputs to a predetermined value and for enabling a fluid leak location mode to be entered when one of the data outputs equals the predetermined value; and

communication means for providing a user with an output related to the fluid leak location mode being entered.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication means is a graphical user interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication means is a speaker.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid parameter corresponds to a fluid pressure.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid parameter corresponds to a fluid flow rate.