Wound exudate removal and isolation system

• US 20070260226A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Xu, Tianning, Jaeb, Jonathan, Zheng, Xiaolu, Ginther, Devin, Kelch, Randall, Novak, Jennifer, Sanders, T., Randolph, Tab
• Granted Patent: US 8,273,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/63 with means for emptying the suction container, e.g. by interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• 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 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/98 Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors

Abstract

A wound exudate removal and isolation system includes a porous dressing, a canister in fluid communication with the dressing, and a first valve positioned between the dressing and the canister. The first valve is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A disposal line is fluidly connected to the canister and includes a second valve that is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A pump is fluidly connected to the canister and is configured to draw wound exudate from the dressing into the canister when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. The pump is configured to force wound exudate from the canister into the disposal line when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

Claims

1. A wound treatment apparatus comprising:

a porous dressing;

a canister in fluid communication with the porous dressing;

a first valve positioned between the porous dressing and the canister and positionable in an open position to allow fluid flow and a closed position to prevent fluid flow between the porous dressing and the canister;

a disposal line fluidly connected to the canister;

a second valve operably positioned within the disposal line and positionable in an open position to allow fluid flow and a closed position to prevent fluid flow through the disposal line; and

a pump in fluid communication with the canister and operable to draw wound exudate from the porous dressing into the canister when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, the pump further being operable to force wound exudate from the canister into the disposal line when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the porous dressing is an open-cell, reticulated foam.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an average pore size of the porous dressing is less than about 200 microns.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an average pore size of the porous dressing is less than or equal to about 100 microns.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the porous dressing is comprised of a material that minimizes tissue growth into the porous dressing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the porous dressing includes an antimicrobial agent.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a third valve positioned between the canister and an inlet of the pump, the third valve being positionable in an active position in which the canister is in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump and a vent position in which the inlet of the pump is vented; and

a fourth valve positioned between the canister and an outlet of the pump, the fourth valve being positionable in an active position in which the canister is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and a vent position in which the outlet of the pump is vented.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the pump is configured to draw wound exudate from the porous dressing into the canister when the third valve is in the active position and the fourth valve is in the vent position; and

the pump is configured to force wound exudate from the canister into the disposal line when the third valve is in the vent position and the fourth valve is in the active position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disposable container connectable to the disposal line to collect wound exudate from the canister when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operably connected to the canister and the first and second valves to close the first valve and open the second valve when the wound exudate in the canister reaches a predetermined level.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a check valve positioned between the porous dressing and the canister to prevent backflow of wound exudate from the canister to the porous dressing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a safety alarm to alert an operator if an event is detected that includes at least one of a leak detection event, a blockage event, a full canister event, a low pressure event, a high pressure event, and a low battery event.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a blood detection sensor.

14. A wound treatment apparatus comprising:

means for dressing a wound;

means for drawing exudate from the wound into a canister;

means for isolating the wound; and

means for forcing exudate from the canister.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for preventing backflow of exudate to the means for dressing the wound.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for sensing the level of exudate drawn from the wound and operating the means for forcing exudate into a disposal container when the level reaches a predetermined level.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for alerting an operator if an event is detected that includes at least one of a leak detection event, a blockage event, a full canister event, a low pressure event, a high pressure event, and a low battery event.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for preventing exsanguination.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

means for preventing backflow of exudate to the means for dressing the wound;

means for sensing the level of exudate drawn from the wound and operating the means for forcing exudate into a disposal container when the level reaches a predetermined level;

means for alerting an operator if the apparatus is not functioning; and

means for preventing exsanguination.

20. A wound stasis and isolation apparatus comprising:

an open-cell, reticulated foam dressing having an average pore size less than about 200 microns, the foam dressing being positionable adjacent a wound;

a drape to cover the foam dressing and the wound; and

a pump in fluid communication with the foam dressing to draw wound exudate from the wound at a pressure less than about 125 mmHg to maintain wound drainage and moisture control at the wound but minimize tissue in-growth into the foam dressing.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the average pore size of the foam dressing is less than or equal to about 100 microns.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pore size of the foam dressing minimizes tissue in-growth but allows drainage of fluids from the wound.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pressure is between about 25 and 75 mmHg.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a canister positioned between the foam dressing and the pump to collect the wound exudate, the canister having a drainage outlet; and

wherein the pump is selectively operable to force wound exudate from the canister through the drainage outlet.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a disposable container positionable in fluid communication with the drainage outlet to collect wound exudate from the canister.

26. A method of providing stasis and isolation to a wound comprising:

positioning an open-cell, reticulated foam dressing adjacent the wound, the foam dressing having an average pore size less than about 200 microns;

positioning a drape over the foam dressing and the wound; and

applying a reduced pressure of less than about 100 mmHg to the foam dressing.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the average pore size of the foam dressing is less than or equal to about 100 microns.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the pore size of the foam dressing minimizes tissue in-growth but allows drainage of fluids from the wound.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the reduced pressure is between about 25 and 75 mmHg.