SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A FILL STATUS OF A CANISTER OF FLUID IN A REDUCED PRESSURE TREATMENT SYSTEM

• US 20130123755A1
• Filed: 01/03/2013
• Published: 05/16/2013
• 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, Robinson, Timothy Mark, Blandford, David Robson
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• 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 1/73 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 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• 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 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• 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 reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a fill status of a canister of fluid in a tissue treatment system, the method comprising:

creating a reduced pressure in a fluid communication path of the tissue treatment system;

applying the reduced pressure to a tissue site;

collecting fluid from the tissue site in the canister;

releasing the reduced pressure;

measuring a decay of the reduced pressure as the reduced pressure is released; and

determining from the measured decay a fill status of the canister.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced pressure is released in at least a portion of the fluid communication path.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fill status indicates that the canister is full or is not full.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the decay comprises:

setting a pressure threshold below the reduced pressure;

upon release of the reduced pressure, measuring the time for the canister to attain the pressure threshold; and

determining the fill status of the canister based on the measured time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the reduced pressure and measuring the decay comprises:

releasing the reduced pressure for a selected amount of time;

measuring a pressure attained within the at least a portion of the fluid communication path following the selected amount of time; and

determining the fill status of the canister based on the pressure attained.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein releasing the reduced pressure and measuring the decay comprises:

releasing the reduced pressure for a selected amount of time;

measuring a flow rate from the fluid communication path during the reduced pressure release; and

determining a fill status of the canister based on the flow rate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a fill status includes determining a fill level.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

if the fill level of the canister indicates a full canister, alerting a user that the canister is full.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid communication path includes the canister, a source conduit fluidly connecting the canister to a reduced pressure source, and a target conduit fluidly connecting the canister to the tissue site.

10. A method for providing reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the method comprising:

delivering a reduced pressure to the tissue site through a fluid communication path;

detecting a blockage within the fluid communication path;

releasing the reduced pressure in the fluid communication path through a valve for a selected amount of time;

determining a decay of the reduced pressure over the selected amount of time; and

determining a fill status of a canister in the fluid communication path based on the decay of reduced pressure.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the fill status comprises differentiating between a full canister and a blocked conduit in the fluid communication path.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein releasing the reduced pressure comprises releasing the reduced pressure to atmosphere.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected amount of time is less than or equal to one second.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising signaling a blockage alarm.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising signaling a first alarm if the fill status of the canister is full and a second alarm if the fill status of the canister is not full.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the fill status comprises differentiating between a full canister and a blocked conduit in the fluid communication path;

signaling a first alarm for the full canister; and

signaling a second alarm for the blocked conduit.