REDUCED PRESSURE TREATMENT SYSTEM HAVING BLOCKAGE CLEARING AND DUAL-ZONE PRESSURE PROTECTION CAPABILITIES

• US 20100268179A1
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Edgar, Reuben W. JR., Jaeb, Jonathan Paul, Ingram, Shannon C., Lawhorn, Thomas Paul, Kelch, Randall P., Zheng, Xiaolu
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/319
• 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 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/966 having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• 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 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0468 Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 : for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 : by friction
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 : by measurement of pressure

Abstract

A method of treating a tissue site is provided. The method includes applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site with a reduced pressure source. A source pressure is monitored at the reduced pressure source, and a differential pressure is determined between the source pressure and the desired tissue site pressure. If a blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a first maximum differential pressure. If no blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, the differential pressure is limited to a second maximum differential pressure.

Claims

1. A method of treating a tissue site comprising:

applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site with a reduced pressure source;

monitoring a source pressure at the reduced pressure source;

determining a differential pressure between the source pressure and the desired tissue site pressure;

if a blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, limiting the differential pressure to a first maximum differential pressure; and

if no blockage is present between the reduced pressure source and the tissue site, limiting the differential pressure to a second maximum differential pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second maximum differential pressure is greater than the first maximum differential pressure.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first maximum differential pressure is about 50 mm Hg.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second maximum differential pressure is about 100 mm Hg.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the differential pressure further comprises monitoring the differential pressure.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

when a blockage is present, increasing the source pressure, within the limits of the first maximum differential pressure, to attempt to clear the blockage.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

when a blockage is present, increasing the source pressure, within the limits of the first maximum differential pressure, to attempt to clear the blockage; and

if the blockage does not clear, generating an alarm to indicate that a blockage is present.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

changing the source pressure, within the limits of one of the first and second maximum differential pressures, to cause a pressure at the tissue site to reach a desired tissue site pressure.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

determining if a blockage is present by changing the source pressure and monitoring for a directionally corresponding change in a pressure at the tissue site; and

determining that a blockage is present when no directionally corresponding change occurs in the pressure at the tissue site.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein changing the source pressure further comprises increasing the source pressure.