WOUND THERAPY SYSTEM WITH HOUSING AND CANISTER SUPPORT

• US 20090292264A1
• Filed: 05/21/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dorsey, Michael C., Harr, James M., Breitweiser, Kenneth M., Hudspeth, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/313
• 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 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with the healing of a surgical wound is disclosed. The system may be portable or semi-portable, thereby providing the subject with the ability to be partially or completely ambulatory through the course of the treatment. The system includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing, a vacuum source at least partially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a collection canister for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under subatmospheric pressure. An elevation member is mounted with respect to the housing. The elevation member is adapted to position the housing and canister at a predetermined orientation when positioned relative to a support surface to minimize a potential of at least one of spillage of the exudates from the canister, clogging of the filter or an inappropriate canister full indication.

Claims

1. A portable or semi-portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, which comprises:

a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject;

a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject, the subatmospheric pressure mechanism including a housing, a vacuum source at least partially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a collection canister for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under subatmospheric pressure, and

an elevation member mounted with respect to the housing, the elevation member adapted to position the housing and canister at a predetermined orientation when positioned relative to a support surface to minimize a potential of at least one of spillage of the exudates from the canister or clogging of the filter.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the elevation member is a stand member, the stand member positionable on the support surface.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the stand member is dimensioned to define a cradle for at least partial reception of the housing or the canister.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the stand member includes at least two support members, the support members adapted for relative movement to vary a dimensioning of the stand member.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the support members are adapted for relative pivoted movement between an initial position and a pivoted position.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the elevation member includes a leg member mounted to one of the housing or the collection canister, the leg member movable between a closed position where the leg member is proximate the housing and an open position where the leg member depends from the housing at a predefined angular orientation to support the housing on the support surface.

7. The system according to claim 6 including means for releasably securing the leg member in the open position and the closed position.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the elevation member includes a hinge member mounted to one of the collection canister and the housing, the hinge member defining first and second hinge segments connected to each other through hinge means, the first and second hinge segments adapted to pivot relative to each other from an initial ambulatory position and a deployed position to support the subatmospheric pressure mechanism on the support surface.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein the collection canister includes at least one step depending therefrom and engageable with an edge of the first hinge segment to secure the hinge segment in the deployed position.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the collection canister includes a plurality of spaced steps to vary an orientation of the subatmospheric pressure mechanism.