Systems and methods for controlling operation of negative pressure wound therapy apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a full waste canister condition and a fluid flow path blockage condition in a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a negative pressure from a negative pressure source at a first power level to a flow path configured to be fluidically connected to a wound dressing, wherein the flow path comprises a waste canister;
in response to determining that a pressure within the wound dressing has not reached a threshold pressure over a period of time;
determining a second power level for the negative pressure source, the second power level being greater than the first power level; and
in response to determining that the second power level does not satisfy a maximum power level threshold, increasing the negative pressure provided to the flow path by operating the negative pressure source at the second power level; and
detecting and indicating the presence of a blockage condition in response to determining that the pressure within the wound dressing has not reached the threshold pressure following the increase in the negative pressure provided to the flow path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for detecting full waste canister and/or fluid flow path blockage conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for controlling a pump. In some embodiments, flow of fluid can be restricted in a portion of the fluid flow path. A controller can be configured to compare a difference in pressure values upstream and downstream of a fluid flow restrictor to a pressure difference threshold, and determine based on the comparison whether to activate an alarm indicating the full waste canister condition or the fluid flow path blockage condition. The controller can be additionally or alternatively configured to determine a fluid flow using a flow meter, open a selectable valve in response to a comparison of the fluid flow with a fluid flow threshold, determine fluid flow after opening the valve, and determine based on the fluid flow after opening the valve whether to activate the alarm.
222 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a full waste canister condition and a fluid flow path blockage condition in a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:
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providing a negative pressure from a negative pressure source at a first power level to a flow path configured to be fluidically connected to a wound dressing, wherein the flow path comprises a waste canister; in response to determining that a pressure within the wound dressing has not reached a threshold pressure over a period of time; determining a second power level for the negative pressure source, the second power level being greater than the first power level; and in response to determining that the second power level does not satisfy a maximum power level threshold, increasing the negative pressure provided to the flow path by operating the negative pressure source at the second power level; and detecting and indicating the presence of a blockage condition in response to determining that the pressure within the wound dressing has not reached the threshold pressure following the increase in the negative pressure provided to the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
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a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure at a first power level to a wound dressing through a flow path, wherein the flow path comprises a conduit and a waste canister; a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within the wound dressing; and a controller programmed to; in response to determining that a pressure within the wound dressing has not reached a threshold pressure over a period of time; determine a second power level for the negative pressure source, the second power level being greater than the first power level; and in response to determining that the second power level does not satisfy a maximum power level threshold, increase negative pressure provided to the flow path by operating the negative pressure source at the second power level; and detect and indicate the presence of a blockage condition in response to determining that the pressure within the wound dressing has not reached the threshold pressure following the increase in the negative pressure provided to the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification