Wound irrigation device pressure monitoring and control system

• US 20070032763A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Therapies Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Therapies Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vogel, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,608,066 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/305
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/05 specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00157 for burns or skin transplants A61F2013/00187 takes precedence; not adhering to the wound A61F2013/00217
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00255 with pores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00412 for use with needles, tubes or catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00519 for treating burn
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00863 with pores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00927 with biological activity, e.g. enzymes for debriding wounds or others, collagen or growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00936 metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/984 portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 : Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 : with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 : Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback

Abstract

An apparatus includes a pressure housing configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and a diaphragm sealingly coupled to the pressure housing. The diaphragm is configured to move in response to the vacuum source. A magnet is coupled to the diaphragm. A magnetic switch is disposed opposite the magnet and is configured to be actuated by the magnet when the magnet is a predetermined distance from the magnetic switch. The magnetic switch is configured to selectively actuate the vacuum source.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a pressure housing configured to be coupled to a vacuum source;

a diaphragm sealingly coupled to the pressure housing, the diaphragm configured to move in response to the vacuum source;

a magnet coupled to the diaphragm; and

a magnetic switch disposed opposite the magnet, the magnetic switch configured to be actuated by the magnet when the magnet is a predetermined distance from the magnetic switch, the magnetic switch configured to selectively actuate the vacuum source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bracket coupled to the magnetic switch, the bracket configured to be adjusted to modify the predetermined distance between the magnet and the magnetic switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a wound dressing; and

a vacuum source coupled to the wound dressing, the wound dressing configured to apply negative pressure to a wound.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is configured to move away from the magnetic switch as the pressure within the pressure housing is reduced.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between the magnet and the magnetic switch corresponds to a predefined negative pressure in a wound dressing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet is a rare-earth magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic switch is a magnetic reed switch that is configured to close when exposed to a magnetic field of predetermined strength.

8. A system, comprising:

a power supply;

a vacuum pump coupled to the power supply, the vacuum pump configured to be coupled to a wound dressing;

a control element coupled to the vacuum pump;

a shunt resistor coupled to the control element and configured to provide an indication of a current draw associated with the vacuum pump; and

a processor coupled to the control element.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

an amplifier configured to output a pressure signal based on the vacuum pump current draw; and

an analog-to-digital converter configured to digitize the pressure signal and output the digitized pressure signal to the processor.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic switching control element is a field effect transistor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the vacuum pump current draw is correlated to a pressure associated with the vacuum pump and maintained within a predetermined range of pressure levels.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the shunt resistor is coupled in series with the control element and the vacuum pump produce a voltage signal based on the vacuum pump current draw.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to compare a pressure signal associated with the vacuum pump current draw with a predetermined threshold value.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to output an actuation signal to the control element based on a comparison of a pressure signal associated with the vacuum pump current draw with a predetermined threshold value.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the current draw associated with the vacuum pump is a proxy for a system pressure.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a portable housing;

a vacuum pump coupled within the portable housing;

a control panel operatively coupled to the vacuum pump accessible at least in part from outside the portable housing;

a fluid reservoir defined within the portable housing;

a collection container coupled to the portable housing; and

a wound dressing fluidically coupled between the fluid reservoir and the collection container.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the collection container is removably coupled to the portable housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to apply a negative pressure in the wound dressing.

19. A method, comprising:

receiving a digital representation of a pressure signal associated with a vacuum pump current draw;

comparing the digital representation of the pressure signal with a predetermined value; and

outputting a control signal based on the comparing to a control element configured to control the vacuum pump, the control signal operative to one of turn on the vacuum pump and turn off the vacuum pump to maintain a desired pressure level in a therapeutic wound dressing.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure level is between 0 in Hg and 5 in Hg.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the control signal is operative to turn on the vacuum pump when the digital representation of the pressure signal is lower than the predetermined value.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the vacuum pump current draw is a proxy for the pressure level.