REDUCED-PRESSURE TREATMENT SYSTEMS WITH RESERVOIR CONTROL

• US 20100042059A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Pratt, Benjamin Andrew, Toul, Aldan Marcus, Locka, Christopher Brion
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• 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 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• 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 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

A reduced-pressure system for delivering reduced pressure for medical purposes to a desired site and to receive fluids in one instance includes a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain the fluids. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit is placed in fluid communication with the interior space for delivering the reduced pressure to the desired site. A source conduit and a pressure sensor conduit are placed in fluid communication with the interior space. A pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit. A reduced-pressure source is placed in fluid communication with the source conduit. A reduced-pressure control unit is associated with the pressure sensor and the reduced-pressure source and is operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists. Other systems and methods are presented.

Claims

1. A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient, the system comprising:

a manifold member for placing proximate the tissue site;

an over-drape for providing a fluid seal over the manifold member and the patient;

a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the over-drape; and

wherein the reduced-pressure subsystem comprises;

a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain fluids,

a reduced-pressure delivery conduit in fluid communication with the interior space for delivering reduced pressure to the over-drape,

a source conduit in fluid communication with the interior space,

a pressure sensor conduit in fluid communication with the interior space,

a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit,

a reduced-pressure source in fluid communication with the source conduit and operable to deliver reduced pressure to the source conduit, and

a reduced-pressure control unit associated with the pressure sensor and reduced-pressure source, the reduced-pressure control unit operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists.

2. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure control unit is further operable to turn off the reduced-pressure source when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists.

3. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure control unit is further operable to turn off the reduced-pressure source when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists and to send an alarm signal.

4. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure control unit is further operable to send an alarm signal when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists.

5. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor conduit is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir proximate a top portion for an orientation parallel to gravity.

6. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure source is a vacuum pump.

7. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure source is a vacuum pump, wherein the reduced-pressure control unit is further operable to turn off the vacuum pump when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists and to send an alarm signal.

8. The system for treating a tissue site on a patient of claim 1 wherein the reduced-pressure source is a regulated wall suction.

9. A reduced-pressure system for providing reduced pressure and for receiving fluids, the reduced-pressure system comprising:

a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain the fluids;

a reduced-pressure delivery conduit in fluid communication with the interior space for delivering reduced pressure;

a source conduit in fluid communication with the interior space;

a pressure sensor conduit in fluid communication with the interior space and separate from the source conduit;

a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit;

a reduced-pressure source in fluid communication with the source conduit and operable to deliver reduced pressure to the source conduit; and

a reduced-pressure control unit associated with the pressure sensor and reduced-pressure source, the reduced-pressure control unit operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists.

10. A reduced-pressure system for supplying reduced pressure for a medical application and receiving a fluid, the system comprising:

a reservoir housing that forms an interior space;

a reduced-pressure source for delivering reduced pressure, the reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the interior space of the reservoir and operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the interior space, wherein the reduced-pressure source is responsive to a control signal;

a supply conduit fluidly coupled to the interior space;

a supply sensor for measuring a supply rate of reduced pressure delivered by the reduced-pressure source and operable to develop a signal I indicative of reduced pressure made available to the supply conduit;

a pressure sensor conduit fluidly coupled to the interior space;

a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit, the pressure sensor operable to develop a signal P indicative of a pressure level in the pressure sensor conduit proximate the pressure sensor; and

a reduced-pressure control unit coupled to the supply sensor, pressure sensor, and the reduced-pressure source, the reduced-pressure control unit operable to receive signal I from the supply sensor and signal P from the pressure sensor, and to adjust the control signal to cause the reduced-pressures source to provide a desired pressure to the reservoir and to shutdown when the reservoir is full.

11. The reduced-pressure system of claim 10, wherein the reduced-pressure control unit comprises:

a microprocessor;

a memory device associated with the microprocessor;

a plurality of input devices associated with the microprocessor, the input devices for receiving the signal P and the signal I and delivering the signal P and signal I to the microprocessor in a useable form;

an output device associated with the microprocessor, the output device for receiving the control signal from the microprocessor and making the control signal available to be delivered to the reduced-pressure source; and

wherein the microprocessor and memory device are operable to determine if an absolute value of a pressure value represented by signal P is greater than a selected pressure value, and if not, to activate the reduced-pressure source, and is further operable to stop the reduced-pressure source with the control signal and send a reservoir-full/blockage signal when the reduced-pressure source is not able to increase the absolute value of the pressure value represented by signal P for more than a predetermined time interval.

12. The reduced-pressure system of claim 10 wherein the pressure sensor conduit is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir proximate a top portion for an orientation parallel to gravity.

13. The reduced-pressure system of claim 10 wherein the pressure sensor conduit is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir proximate a top portion for an orientation parallel to gravity and the reduced-pressure source is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir proximate the top portion.

14. The reduced-pressure system of claim 10, wherein the reduced-pressure control unit comprises:

a microprocessor;

a memory device associated with the microprocessor;

a plurality of input device associated with the microprocessor, the input devices for receiving the signal P and signal I and delivering the signal P and signal I to the microprocessor in a useable form;

an output device associated with the microprocessor, the output device for receiving the control signal from the microprocessor and making the control signal available to control the vacuum pump; and

wherein the microprocessor and memory device are operable to determine if an absolute value of a pressure value represented by signal P is greater than a selected pressure value, and if not, to activate the pump, and is further operable to stop the reduced-pressure source and send a reservoir-full/blockage signal when the reduced-pressure source is not able to increase the absolute value of the pressure value for more than a set time interval and after increasing delivery of reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source to a set value.

15. A method of detecting a fill status of a reservoir for use in treating a patient with a reduced-pressure treatment system, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a reduced pressure in fluid communication with the reduced-pressure treatment system;

applying the reduced pressure to a tissue site;

collecting fluid from the tissue site in the reservoir;

monitoring a pressure within the reservoir;

wherein the reservoir has a pressure sensor conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and a supply conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir, and wherein step of monitoring the pressure within the reservoir comprises monitoring pressure within the pressure sensor conduit; and

terminating the application of reduced pressure when the pressure in the pressure sensor conduit decreases below a selected absolute value for specified time interval.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the reduced-pressure source in is a vacuum pump.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the reduced-pressure source in is a vacuum pump and wherein step of terminating the application of reduced pressure comprises the step of terminating the treatment when the monitored pressure within the pressure sensor conduit decreases below a selected absolute value for a specified time interval and increased power to the vacuum pump does not cause the monitored pressure to rise in absolute value.

18. A method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure system, the method comprising:

forming a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain fluids;

fluidly coupling a reduced-pressure delivery conduit to the interior space, the reduced-pressure delivery conduit for delivering a reduced pressure to a delivery site;

fluidly coupling a source conduit to the interior space, the source conduit for delivering reduced pressure to the interior space;

fluidly coupling a pressure sensor conduit to the interior space;

fluidly coupling a pressure sensor to the pressure sensor conduit;

providing a reduced-pressure source responsive to a control signal;

coupling the reduced-pressure source to the source conduit;

providing a reduced-pressure control unit operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists; and

associating the reduced-pressure control unit with the pressure sensor and reduced-pressure source.

19. The method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure system of claim 18, wherein the step of providing a reduced-pressure control unit further comprises providing a control unit that comprises:

a microprocessor;

a memory device associated with the microprocessor;

a plurality of input devices associated with the microprocessor, the input devices for receiving the signal P and signal I and delivering the signal P and signal I to the microprocessor in a useable form;

an output device associated with the microprocessor, the output device for receiving the control signal from the microprocessor and making the control signal available to control the reduced-pressure source; and

wherein the microprocessor and memory device are operable to determine if the absolute value of a pressure value (represented by signal P) is greater than a selected pressure value, and if not, to activate the reduced-pressure source, and is further operable to stop the reduced-pressure source with the control signal and send a reservoir-full/blockage signal when the reduced-pressure source is not able to increase the absolute value of the pressure value represented by signal P for more than a set time interval.

20. The method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure system of claim 19, wherein the step of coupling a pressure sensor conduit comprises the step of coupling the pressure sensor conduit to the reservoir proximate a top portion for an orientation parallel to gravity.

21. The method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure system of claim 19, wherein the step of coupling a pressure sensor to the pressure sensor conduit comprises the step of coupling the pressure sensor conduit to the reservoir proximate a top portion for an orientation parallel to gravity and wherein the step of coupling a source conduit to the interior space comprises coupling the source conduit to the reservoir proximate the top portion of the reservoir.