Systems and methods for improved connection to wound dressings in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment systems

• US 20070219512A1
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Robinson, Timothy, Heaton, Keith, Locke, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,651,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00068 specially adapted for application or removal of fluid, e.g. irrigation or drainage of wounds, under-pressure wound-therapy A61F13/0216 takes precedence; drainage appliances for wounds in general A61M27/00
• 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: 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 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/75 Intermittent or pulsating suction A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/95 with sensors for exudate composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/966 having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code

Abstract

Described are improvements to the structure and functionality of a reduced pressure adapter used to connect a distribution manifold and a reduced pressure source instrumentation in a reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) system. The reduced pressure adapter reduces instances of unintentional liquid ingress into ancillary lumens of a reduced pressure delivery tube, while channeling the liquid to a primary lumen of the reduced pressure delivery tube.

Claims

1. A reduced pressure adapter for connecting a reduced pressure source to a

porous pad, the adapter comprising:

a conduit housing having a recessed region defining an entry surface;

a primary conduit through the conduit housing in fluid communication with a primary port on the entry surface;

at least one ancillary conduit through the conduit housing in fluid communication with an ancillary port on the entry surface; and

channels positioned on the entry surface to direct liquid away from the ancillary port and into the primary port.

2. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the conduit housing such that an aperture of the base surrounds the recessed region.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the conduit housing is rotatable about the base.

4. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the conduit housing such that an aperture of the base surrounds the recessed region; and

radial channels positioned on the base to direct liquid from a periphery of the base away from the ancillary conduit.

5. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the conduit housing such that an aperture of the base surrounds the recessed region;

radial channels positioned on the base to direct liquid from a periphery of the base away from the ancillary conduit; and

an intermediate collection channel positioned on the base to direct liquid into the radial guide channels.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the channels comprise:

a linear channel section along approximately half of the entry surface; and

a radial channel section along approximately one-third of the entry surface.

7. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising an oval reduced pressure delivery tube having a primary lumen fluidly connected to the primary conduit and an ancillary lumen fluidly connected to the ancillary conduit.

8. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a volatile organic compound sensitive strip mounted within the recessed region.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein there are at least two ancillary conduits having diametrically opposite ancillary ports on the entry surface.

10. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a wall section supporting and surrounding the ancillary conduit, the wall section having an inside surface, an outside surface, and guide channels along the outside surface extending toward the primary port.

11. A system for applying reduced pressure to tissue, the system comprising:

a multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery tube having a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and an ancillary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end;

a vacuum pump coupled to the proximate end of the primary lumen; and

a reduced pressure adapter coupled to the distal end of the reduced pressure delivery tube, the adapter having channels to direct liquid away from the ancillary lumens and into the primary lumen.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the reduced pressure adapter comprises:

a conduit housing having an recessed region defining an entry surface;

a primary conduit through the conduit housing in fluid communication with the primary lumen and a primary port on the entry surface;

an ancillary conduit through the conduit housing in fluid communication with the ancillary lumen and an ancillary port on the entry surface; and

wherein the channels are positioned on the entry surface to direct liquid away from the ancillary port and to the primary port.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a base attached to the conduit housing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the conduit housing is rotatable about the base.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the conduit housing is rotatable about the base; and

the ancillary port is positioned substantially flush with the base.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a base attached to the conduit housing; and

radial guide channels positioned on the base to direct liquid from a periphery of the base away from the ancillary port.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a pressure sensor coupled to the proximate end of the ancillary lumen;

a valve coupled to the ancillary lumen; and

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor, the valve, and the vacuum pump, the controller programmed to;

operate the vacuum pump to reduce pressure in the primary lumen;

receive pressure data from the pressure sensor,

monitor changes in the pressure data in response to associated changes to

the vacuum pump operation;

identify if the ancillary lumen has a delayed pressure response; and

operate the valve coupled to the identified ancillary lumen.

18. A method for monitoring a pressure applied to a tissue site, the method comprising:

measuring pressure through at least two pressure measurement conduits having openings near the tissue site, said measurement conduits isolated from each other and from a primary conduit;

monitoring a response time associated with changes in pressure measured through the pressure measurement conduits when changes in pressure are applied through the primary conduit; and

opening one or more of the pressure measurement conduits to a pressure greater than the applied pressure if the response time associated with the pressure measurement conduits indicates a delayed response.

19. A rotatable reduced pressure adapter for connecting a reduced pressure source

to a porous pad, the adapter comprising:

a base;

a perimeter ring attached to the base;

an first insert ring within the perimeter ring;

an o-ring within the first insert ring;

a second insert ring within the o-ring; and

a housing covering the second insert ring.

20. The connector of claim 19, wherein the housing includes a recessed region defining an entry surface.

21. The connector of claim 20, further comprising:

a primary conduit through the housing in fluid communication with a primary port on the entry surface;

at least one ancillary conduit in fluid communication with an ancillary port on the entry surface; and

channels positioned on the entry surface to direct liquid away from the ancillary port and to the primary port.

22. A system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery tube having an oval cross-section, a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and a plurality of ancillary lumens extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end;

a vacuum pump coupled to the proximate end of the primary lumen; and

a reduced pressure adapter coupled to the distal end, the adapter comprising;

a conduit housing having a recessed region defining an entry surface;

a primary conduit positioned within the conduit housing and terminating at a primary port centrally positioned on the entry surface;

ancillary conduits positioned adjacent to the primary conduit and terminating at ancillary ports located on the entry surface;

a linear serrated channel section along approximately half of the entry surface;

a radial serrated channel section along approximately one-third of the entry surface;

a base attached to the conduit housing;

radial guide channels positioned on the base to direct liquid from a periphery of the base away from the ancillary ports;

an intermediate collection channel positioned on the base to direct liquid into the radial guide channels; and

a volatile organic compound sensitive strip mounted within the recessed region.

23. A reduced pressure adapter comprising:

a conduit housing having a recessed region for receiving a liquid from a tissue site;

means for fluidly connecting the recessed region to a primary lumen and an ancillary lumen; and

means for directing the liquid away from the ancillary lumen and to the primary lumen.

24. The adapter of claim 23, further comprising:

a base connected to the conduit housing; and

means for rotating the conduit housing about the base.

25. A system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site, the system comprising:

a multi-lumen conduit having a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and ancillary lumens extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end;

a vacuum pump coupled to the proximate end of the primary lumen;

a reduced pressure adapter coupled to the distal end, the adapter having channels to direct liquid into the primary lumen; and

means for operating the vacuum pump using feedback from at least two pressure sensors coupled to the ancillary lumens.

26. A multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery apparatus comprising:

a flexible tube having a first end, a second end, and an oval cross-section;

a primary conduit extending from the first end to the second end; and

an ancillary conduit extending from the first end to the second end adjacent to the primary conduit;

wherein the primary conduit has a first diameter and the ancillary conduit has a second diameter substantially smaller than the first diameter.

27. A dressing for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site, the dressing comprising:

a multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery tube having a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and ancillary lumens extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end;

a reduced pressure adapter coupled to the distal end, the adapter having channels to direct liquid away from the ancillary lumens and into the primary lumen;

a porous pad attached to the reduced pressure adapter; and

a drape placed over the reduced pressure adapter and the porous pad, the drape having an adhesive surface for securing the reduced pressure adapter and the porous pad at the tissue site.