SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING FLUID LEAKS AT A DRAPE USING SENSING TECHNIQUES

• US 20110245682A1
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Robinson, Timothy Mark, Locke, Christopher Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,427,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3313 used specific wavelengths
• 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 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/44 making noise when used incorrectly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/002 by using thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/20 using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A system and method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on a tissue site of a patient may include applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site of the patient. The drape may be imaged to generate image data, and a determination of a location of a fluid leak of the drape may be made from the image data. As a result of the determination of the location of the fluid leak, the drape may be corrected. The imaging may be made in a non-visible spectrum. The non-visible spectrum may be in an IR spectrum or UV spectrum. In one embodiment, a fluid, such as compressed air, may be applied to the dressing via the interface between the drape and tissue of the patient to improve imaging in the non-visible spectrum.

Claims

1. A method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on tissue site of a patient, said method comprising:

applying reduced pressure to the tissue site at which the drape is positioned;

imaging the drape at the tissue site and generate image data; and

determining a location of the fluid leak of the drape from the imaging.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein imaging includes imaging in a non-visible spectrum.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein imaging includes imaging in an IR spectrum.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

applying a fluid to the dressing; and

wherein imaging includes imaging in a UV spectrum.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein applying the fluid to the dressing includes directing an aerosol fluid toward an interface between the drape and tissue of the patient.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein applying the fluid includes applying at least one of compressed air, CO₂, fluorocarbons, and butane.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing, in a computer memory, the image data in association with a patient record that includes treatment history.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising timestamping the image data.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising correcting the fluid leak.

10. A system for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on a tissue of a patient, said system comprising:

a processing unit configured to control operation of the reduced pressure delivery system;

an input/output (I/O) unit in communication with said processing unit; and

an imaging system configured to image the drape at the tissue site and to communicate image data to said processing unit via said I/O unit, said processing unit further configured to display the image data to determine a location at which the fluid leak exists at the drape.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processing unit is further configured to display the image data on an electronic display of the reduced pressure delivery system, the image data including different coloring associated with different temperatures.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said imaging system includes an IR image sensor.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said imaging system includes a UV image sensor.

14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising an aerosol spray can for use in applying fluid to the drape.

15. A method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on a tissue site of a patient, said method comprising:

applying a dressing to a tissue site of the patient;

applying the drape over the dressing and tissue site of the patient, at least one of the dressing and drape being coated with a coating that changes color in response to an environmental factor; and

locating a fluid leak of the drape in relation to a region of the coating changing color.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coating is a pressure sensitive coating that changes color in response to pressure changes.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coating is a temperature sensitive coating that changes color in response to temperature changes.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising directing a fluid toward an interface between the drape and tissue of the patient to identify a fluid leak.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the liquid is at least one of compressed air, CO₂, fluorocarbon, and butane.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising correcting the fluid leak of the drape.