System for combined transcutaneous blood gas monitoring and vacuum assisted wound closure

• US 20040225208A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Royce
• Granted Patent: US 7,524,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/364
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6834 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood gases generally comprises a blood gas data acquisition device, a vacuum source and a blood gas transducer unit. The blood gas transducer unit is adapted for application to a patient'"'"'s skin and administration of a local vacuum at the area of patient application. It further comprises an electrochemical blood gas transducer, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which is disposed entirely within the local vacuum at the area of patient application. The vacuum source is placed in fluid communication with the blood gas transducer unit, through a hydrophobic membrane filter for safety purposes, in order to induce a condition of hyperperfusion in the locality of the electrochemical blood gas transducer. Under the control of a microcontroller, or equivalent means, the blood gas acquisition device is then utilized to capture a measure of skin surface oxygen or carbon dioxide pressure. The microcontroller can then utilize this measure to arrive at an estimate of arterial partial pressure of oxygen or carbon dioxide, accordingly. Because vacuum induced perfusion produces the requisite condition of hyperperfusion without local heating and, therefore, without acceleration of the local metabolic function, the present invention results in more accurate than previously available estimates of partial pressure blood gas pressures and does so while eliminating a significant risk for injury to the patient.

Claims

1. A transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device particularly suited for application to a site on a patient'"'"'s skin under a local vacuum, comprising:

a non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with a wound site in proximity to the site on patient'"'"'s skin for applying a negative pressure to the wound site;

an electrochemical blood gas transducer unit in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

a transducer interface module communicating between the electrochemical blood gas transducer, the vacuum source and the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device and adapted to reduce or eliminate contamination; and

a screen formed to fit within said wound site.

2. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is in fluid communication with the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device through an interposed vacuum hose.

3. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the electrochemical blood gas transducer unit is in electrical communication with the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device through an interposed electrical cable.

4. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the interposed vacuum hose and the interposed electrical cable comprise a unitary hose and cable pair for reduction of entanglement with other tubes, cables or equipment.

5. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 4, further comprising a hydrophobic membrane filter interposed in the vacuum hose.

6. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 5, wherein the hydrophobic membrane filter is disposable.

7. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 3 wherein the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device monitors healing of the wound site.

8. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 3 further comprising:

a seal for maintaining a negative pressure within said wound site during application of negative pressure.

9. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 3, further comprising a collection canister interposed between the vacuum source and the screen.

10. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 9, wherein the vacuum hose is bifurcated at a position between the vacuum source and the canister adapted to prevent fluids drawn from the wound site from interfering with the blood gas transducer.

11. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 3 further comprising a controller for governing actions of said non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device.

12. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the transducer interface module comprises a male and female interface pair, wherein the male interface is adapted to plug into the female interface and establish communication between the electrochemical blood gas transducer, the vacuum source and the non-invasive blood gas acquisition device.

13. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source comprises a vacuum pump operated by a pump motor.

14. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical blood gas transducer unit is incorporated within the screen.

15. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the screen is in fluid communication with the vacuum source.

16. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a second vacuum source adapted to provide negative pressure at the wound site by communicating with the screen.

17. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the blood gas data acquisition device is adapted to measure skin surface oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure.

18. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is capable of providing suction in the range of about 50 mmHg to about 250 mmHg.

19. A transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device particularly suited for application to a site on a patient'"'"'s skin under a local vacuum, comprising:

a non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with a wound site in proximity to the site on patient'"'"'s skin for applying a negative pressure to the wound site;

an electrochemical blood gas transducer unit in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

a transducer interface module communicating between the electrochemical blood gas transducer, the vacuum source and the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device and adapted to reduce or eliminate contamination;

a screen formed to fit within said site, such that said screen is in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

an interposed vacuum hose connected to the vacuum source and the non-invasive blood-gas data acquisition device; and

a hydrophobic membrane filter interposed in the vacuum hose.

20. A transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device particularly suited for application to a site on a patient'"'"'s skin under a local vacuum, comprising:

a non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with a wound site in proximity to the site on patient'"'"'s skin for applying a negative pressure to the wound site;

an electrochemical blood gas transducer unit in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

a transducer interface module communicating between the electrochemical blood gas transducer, the vacuum source and the non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device and adapted to reduce or eliminate contamination;

a screen formed to fit within said site, such that said screen is in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

wherein said data acquisition device monitors healing of said wound site.