SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING FLUID LEAKS AT A DRAPE OF A REDUCED PRESSURE DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20120035561A1
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Published: 02/09/2012
• 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: Locke, Christopher Brian, Blandford, David Robson, Robinson, Timothy Mark, Beard, Mark Stephen James
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5056 pneumatically controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0057 Suction suction kneading A61H7/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/604 Bag or liner in a rigid container, with suction applied to both
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• 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 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• 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 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual 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 system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient. A fluid parameter associated with applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site may be sensed. An audible fluid leak location sound may be generated in response to sensing the fluid parameter. The audible fluid leak location sound may be altered in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. By altering the audible fluid leak location sound in response to sensing a change of the fluid parameter, a clinician may detect location of a fluid leak at the drape by applying force to the drape. The force applied to the drape may be a clinician pressing a finger onto an edge of the drape.

Claims

1. A system for performing tissue therapy, comprising:

a processing unit;

a reduced pressure source;

a conduit fluidly connected between said reduced pressure source and a tissue site of a patient, said conduit configured to apply a reduced pressure produced by said reduced pressure source to the tissue site;

a drape configured for positioning over the tissue site to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site;

a fluid sensor in fluid communication with said conduit and electrical communication with said processing unit, said fluid sensor configured to sense a fluid parameter within said conduit and generate a fluid sensor signal in response to sensing the fluid parameter, said fluid sensor altering the fluid sensor signal in response to sensing that the fluid parameter within said conduit changes; and

a speaker in communication with said processing unit, said processing unit configured to communicate a fluid leak location signal to said speaker to generate an audible fluid leak location sound based on said fluid sensor sensing the fluid parameter in said conduit, the audible fluid leak location sound having an ON state and an OFF state, and being variable while in the ON state, said processing unit further configured to alter the fluid leak location signal to change the audible fluid leak location sound while in the ON state in response to the fluid sensor signal being altered.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to alter audible frequency of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to alter duration of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is configured to alter amplitude of the fluid leak location signal in response to receiving an altered fluid sensor signal.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the fluid sensor signal crosses a threshold value;

generate an alarm signal in response to determining that the fluid sensor signal crossed the threshold value; and

communicate the alarm signal to said speaker to generate an audible alarm signal.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic display in communication with said processing unit, said processing unit configured to display a graphical user interface that includes a selectable element to cause said processing unit to enter into a fluid leak location detection mode.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said processing unit is further configured to generate a graphical indicator indicative of the fluid parameter and changes of the fluid parameter while in the fluid leak location detection mode.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a drape configured to form a seal with tissue of the patient to cause said vacuum pump to form a reduced pressure in said conduit when in fluid communication with the tissue site, said processing unit being selectably configured by an operator to initiate the fluid leak location signal.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit is selectably configured to toggle the fluid leak location signal on and off.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid sensor is an airflow sensor.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid sensor is a pressure sensor.

12. A system for performing tissue therapy, comprising:

a processing unit;

a reduced pressure source;

a conduit fluidly connected between said reduced pressure source and a tissue site of a patient, said conduit configured to apply a reduced pressure produced by said reduced pressure source to the tissue site;

a drape configured for positioning over the tissue site to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site;

a fluid sensor in fluid communication with said conduit and electrical communication with said processing unit, said fluid sensor configured to sense a fluid parameter within said conduit and generate a fluid sensor signal in response to sensing the fluid parameter, said fluid sensor altering the fluid sensor signal in response to sensing that the fluid parameter within said conduit changes; and

a speaker in communication with said processing unit, said processing unit configured to communicate a fluid leak location signal to said speaker to generate an audible fluid leak location sound based on said fluid sensor sensing the fluid parameter in said conduit, said processing unit further configured to alter the fluid leak location signal to change the frequency, volume, tone, or duration of repeating tones of the audible fluid leak location sound in response to the fluid parameter being sensed changing.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said processing unit is further configured to:

determine that the fluid sensor signal crosses a threshold value;

generate an alarm signal in response to determining that the fluid sensor signal crossed the threshold value; and

communicate the alarm signal to said speaker to generate an audible alarm signal.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising an electronic display in communication with said processing unit, said processing unit configured to display a graphical user interface that includes a selectable element to cause said processing unit to enter into a fluid leak location detection mode.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said processing unit is further configured to generate a graphical indicator indicative of the fluid parameter and changes of the fluid parameter while in the fluid leak location detection mode.

16. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a drape configured to form a seal with tissue of the patient to cause said vacuum pump to form a reduced pressure in said conduit when in fluid communication with the tissue site, said processing unit being selectably configured by an operator to initiate the fluid leak location signal.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein said processing unit may be selectably configured to toggle the fluid leak location signal on and off.

18. The system according to claim 12, wherein said fluid sensor is an airflow sensor.

19. The system according to claim 12, wherein said fluid sensor is a pressure sensor.