System and method for determining a fill status of a canister of fluid in a reduced pressure treatment system
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a fill status of a canister of fluid in a tissue treatment system, the method comprising:
- creating a reduced pressure in a fluid communication path of the tissue treatment system;
applying the reduced pressure to a tissue site;
collecting fluid from the tissue site in the canister;
releasing the reduced pressure;
measuring a decay of the reduced pressure as the reduced pressure is released; and
determining from the measured decay a fill status of the canister.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting a fill status of a canister of fluid in a tissue treatment system, the method comprising:
-
creating a reduced pressure in a fluid communication path of the tissue treatment system;
applying the reduced pressure to a tissue site;
collecting fluid from the tissue site in the canister;
releasing the reduced pressure;
measuring a decay of the reduced pressure as the reduced pressure is released; and
determining from the measured decay a fill status of the canister. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A reduced pressure treatment system comprising:
-
a canister fluidly connected to a tissue site and configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure;
a reduced pressure source configured to provide the reduced pressure and fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, the fluid communication path including a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit, the canister being positioned between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site and being fluidly connected to the reduced pressure source by the source conduit, the canister further being fluidly connected to the tissue site by the target conduit;
a sensing device in communication with the source conduit and configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit;
a valve in communication with the source conduit and configured to vent the reduced pressure; and
a processing unit in communication with the sensing device and the valve and configured to;
open the valve for a selected amount of time;
receive sensing data from the sensing device during the selected amount of time to determine a decay of reduced pressure; and
determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A reduced pressure treatment system having full canister detection capabilities, the system comprising:
-
a reduced pressure source to provide a reduced pressure;
a porous pad positioned at the tissue site and fluidly connected to the reduced pressure source;
a canister fluidly connected between the porous pad and the reduced pressure source to collect fluid drawn from the tissue site;
a solenoid valve fluidly connected to a conduit between the canister and the reduced pressure source; and
means for determining a pressure decay in the conduit when the solenoid valve is opened. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification