Apparatus and method for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site

• US 20080200906A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Robinson, Timothy Mark, Heaton, Keith Patrick, Beard, Mark Stephen James, Locke, Christopher Brian, Jaeb, Jonathan Paul, Kieswetter, Kristine, Johnson, Royce W., Sanders, T. Blane, Ingram, Shannon C., Hardman, lan James
• Granted Patent: US 8,057,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• 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 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0036 with more than four lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7527 liquophilic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a system and method for administering reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure source generates a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a tube having a plurality of lumens. The plurality of lumens includes at least one collection lumen. The reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site. The at least one collection lumen stores the fluid received from the tissue site.

Claims

1. An apparatus for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:

a reduced pressure source, the reduced pressure source generating a reduced pressure; and

a tube having a plurality of lumens, the plurality of lumens including at least one collection lumen, the reduced pressure source applying the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site, the at least one collection lumen storing the fluid received from the tissue site.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one filter coupled to the tube, wherein the at least one filter is located at one or more locations, and wherein the at least one filter prevents the fluid from passing the one or more locations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one filter includes at least one of a hydrophobic filter, a hydrophilic filter, and a mechanical valve.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a delivery lumen, wherein the plurality of lumens includes the delivery lumen; and

a delivery lumen filter in the at least one filter, wherein the delivery lumen filter is coupled to the delivery lumen, and wherein the delivery lumen filter prevents the fluid from entering the delivery lumen.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the delivery lumen has a larger cross-section than the at least one collection lumen.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one collection lumen is a plurality of collection lumens, and wherein each of the plurality of collection lumens is equidistant from the delivery lumen, and wherein the delivery lumen is located along the longitudinal center of the tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the delivery lumen filter is coupled to an end of the tube adjacent to the tissue site, further comprising:

a manifold coupled to the end of the tube adjacent to the tissue site, wherein the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site via the manifold.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one filter further comprises:

at least one collection lumen filter coupled to the at least one collection lumen, the at least one collection lumen filter preventing the fluid from passing one or more locations at the at least one collection lumen.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one collection lumen filter is coupled to an end of the tube adjacent to the reduced pressure source, and wherein the at least one collection lumen filter prevents the fluid from exiting the at least one collection lumen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube is substantially transparent such that the fluid received by the at least one collection lumen is visible.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the tube includes a plurality of demarcations that indicate an amount of fluid in the at least one collection lumen.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one collection lumen includes an absorptive material.

13. A method for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the method comprising:

applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site using a reduced pressure source, the reduced pressure source being applied to the tissue site via a plurality of lumens in a delivery tube;

storing fluid from the tissue site in at least one collection lumen in the plurality of lumens; and

determining a fluid level of the fluid in the at least one collection lumen based on a plurality of demarcations located on the delivery tube.

14. An apparatus for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:

a reduced pressure source, the reduced pressure source generating a reduced pressure;

an indicator that is movable into a plurality of positions, the indicator moving into a retracted position in the plurality of positions in a presence of reduced pressure from the reduced pressure source; and

a compressible member coupled to the indicator, the compressible member exerting a biasing force on the indicator toward an extended position in the plurality of positions.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the indicator moves into the retracted position when the reduced pressure exceeds a first threshold reduced pressure.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the indicator moves into the retracted position when an absolute pressure generated by the reduced pressure source is equal to or less than approximately 125 millimeters of mercury.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compressible member biases the indicator to the extended position when the reduced pressure is less than a second threshold reduced pressure.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the compressible member biases the indicator into the extended position in an absence of reduced pressure.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compressible member is a coiled spring.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the coiled spring has a particular spring constant such that the coiled spring biases the indicator into the extended position when an absolute pressure exceeds approximately 125 millimeters of mercury.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a delivery tube, wherein the reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site via the delivery tube, wherein the indicator moves into one of the plurality of positions based on reduced pressure in the delivery tube.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

an indicator housing, wherein the indicator is slidable along an opening in the indicator housing.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indicator has a cylindrical shape, and wherein the opening is a tubular opening along which the indicator may slide.

24. A method for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the method comprising:

applying reduced pressure to the tissue site using a reduced pressure source;

moving an indicator from an extended position in a plurality of positions to a retracted position in the plurality of positions in a presence of a threshold reduced pressure from the reduced pressure source.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

moving the indicator from the retracted position to the extended position using a compressible member in an absence of the threshold reduced pressure.