Wound Therapy System With Proportional Valve Mechanism

• US 20100204663A1
• Filed: 02/10/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Health Group LP
• Inventors: Wudyka, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,167,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/313
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/742 by changing the size of a vent A61M1/7411 takes precedence
• 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 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• 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 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound includes a wound dressing adapted for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to apply a subatmospheric pressure to the wound and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism may be portable and adapted to be carried or worn by the subject.

Claims

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

a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to apply a subatmospheric pressure to the wound;

a subatmospheric pressure mechanism including;

a housing;

a vacuum source disposed in the housing and having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum source via the inlet port and with the wound dressing for collecting exudate removed from the wound bed under influence of the vacuum source; and

a valve mechanism disposed relative to the vacuum source between the inlet and outlet ports, the valve mechanism adapted to move between an open position where the vacuum source is capable of drawing a vacuum in the collection canister through the inlet port, a proportional position where the outlet port is placed in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a closed position where fluid communication between the inlet port and the wound dressing is interrupted.

2. The portable system according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port in fluid communication with the wound dressing via the valve mechanism and with the outlet port of the vacuum source, the exhaust port adapted to vent an air flow from at least one of the vacuum source and the wound dressing.

3. The portable system according to claim 2, wherein when the valve mechanism is in the open position, an air flow from the outlet port is vented through the exhaust port.

4. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein when the valve mechanism is in the proportional position, an air flow from the outlet port circulates through the inlet port and an air flow from the wound dressing is vented through the exhaust port.

5. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein when the valve mechanism is in the open position, an air flow from the outlet port circulates through the inlet port and the influence of the vacuum source on the wound bed is interrupted.

6. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism is adapted to move to the open position in response to one of a clog, an air leak at the wound dressing, a tilting of the collection canister beyond a predetermined angle of orientation, and an inversion of the collection canister.

7. The portable system according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined angle of orientation is relative to an upright position of the collection canister.

8. The portable system according to claim 1, the subatmospheric pressure mechanism further comprising a control unit in communication with a pressure transducer adapted to detect a vacuum level at the collection canister, the control unit adapted to move the valve mechanism between the open, proportional, and closed positions in response to the vacuum level detected by the pressure transducer.

9. The portable system according to claim 8, wherein the pressure transducer is adapted to generate an electrical signal which varies as a function of vacuum level at the collection canister.

10. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is adapted to run continuously.