Treatment of wound or joint for relief of pain and promotion of healing

• US 6,325,788 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1998
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas William Mckay
• Original Assignee: Douglas William Mckay
• Inventors: McKay, Douglas William
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/154,520
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 604/48, 604/4, 604/43, 604/500, 604/505, 604/131, 604/173, 604/284, 604/541, 604/543, 604/506, 604/4.01, 604/5.01, 604/30, 604/6.1, 604/7, 604/319, 604/119, 604/120
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/63 with means for emptying the suction container, e.g. by interrupting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• 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 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0241 the liquid being supplied by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0245 Containers therefor, e.g. with heating means or with storage means for cannula

Abstract

Apparatus and method for treating a body joint wound subsequent to surgical intervention. An infusion tube is insertable into the wound for transporting a prepared solution to the joint. A second tube is insertable into the wound for transport of fluid removed from the joint. A vacuum device is coupled to the second tube. Suction is automatically turned on to evacuate the wound for a prescribed period of time and then stopped for another prescribed period of time. The on and off cycle may be repetitive. During the entire period, the prepared solution is constantly infused. The infusion tube and evacuation tube are isolated from each other so that no contaminants can be infused. A plurality of preadjusted suction duty cycles are available, from which one may be selected as appropriate for the type of wound to be treated.

Claims

1. A method for automatically treating a body joint wound subsequent to surgical intervention comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus for treating a wound at a body joint subsequent to surgical intervention, said apparatus comprising;

a first tube insertable into said wound for transporting an infused solution to said body joint, said first tube being connectable to a source of said solution;

a second tube insertable into said wound for transport of fluid removed from said body joint;

a vacuum device coupled to said second tube, said vacuum device comprising;

a valve located in proximity to an end of said second tube at which said vacuum device is coupled at an inlet port;

a reservoir for receiving fluid transported from said body joint through said second tube and said valve;

a pump for creating a pressure in said reservoir that is negative with respect to pressure within said second tube; and

a controller for periodically activating said pump at preset time intervals while said solution is being infused to said body joint;

wherein a relatively constant positive physiological pressure is maintained in the joint during and throughout a solution infusion period;

wherein said second tube contains a Y section comprising an input portion receiving the transported fluid from the body joint and two output portions, a first of said output portions being coupled to said inlet port; and

a second of said output portions coupled to a second inlet port at said reservoir;

continuously infusing a solution into the joint at a relatively constant rate; and

maintaining a relatively constant positive physiological pressure in the joint during and throughout said infusing step.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said pressure is of a level to enable permeation of fluid from the joint to the skin surface of the wound and seepage therethrough, whereby swelling of the wound area is minimized and early healing is promoted.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said maintaining step comprises the step of:

periodically suctioning fluid from the joint for preset time intervals while said solution is being infused in said infusing step.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said infusing step comprises inserting said first tube in said wound for transporting the infused solution to the joint, and said maintaining step further comprises inserting said second tube in said wound for transport of said fluid from the joint in said suctioning step.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said solution comprises one or more elements of the group consisting of an analgesic agent, an anti-coagulant agent and an antibacterial agent, and wherein said pressure is of a level to permit permeation of said solution from the joint to the skin surface of the wound and seepage therethrough, thereby minimizing swelling of the wound area, diminishing pain, and promoting early healing.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said suctioning step comprises the steps of:

adjusting the length of said preset time intervals in accordance with physiological factors among which are included the size of the wound; and

applying a relatively constant negative pressure to said second tube during each said preset time interval.

7. Apparatus for treating a wound at a body joint subsequent to surgical intervention, said apparatus comprising:

a first tube insertable into said wound for transporting an infused solution to said body joint, said first tube being connectable to a source of said solution;

a second tube insertable into said wound for transport of fluid removed from said body joint;

a vacuum device coupled to said second tube, said vacuum device comprising;

a valve located in proximity to an end of said second tube at which said vacuum device is coupled at an inlet port;

a reservoir for receiving fluid transported from said body joint through said second tube and said valve;

a pump for creating a pressure in said reservoir that is negative with respect to pressure within said second tube; and

a controller for periodically activating said pump at preset time intervals while said solution is being infused to said body joint;

wherein a relatively constant positive physiological pressure is maintained in the joint during and throughout a solution infusion period;

wherein said second tube contains a Y section comprising an input portion receiving the transported fluid front the body joint and two output portions, a first of said output portions being coupled to said inlet port; and

a second of said output portions coupled to a second inlet port at said reservoir.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said controller comprises a plurality of switch settings that correspond to respective unique timing cycles, each timing cycle comprising a specified activation time period length and inactivation time period length;

and

a timer circuit operative in response to a selected one of said switch settings to establish pump operation in accordance with the timing cycle corresponding to the selected setting.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said timer circuit comprises a microprocessor.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said reservoir comprises an enclosure having a top portion containing both of said inlet ports and a bottom portion containing an outlet port, said bottom portion being sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid in said enclosure through said outlet port.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said top portion further comprises a vacuum indicator.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said reservoir comprises blood collecting means for collecting blood from the joint wound without damaging blood cells for reinfusion into the body.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said blood is received at said second inlet port, and said blood collecting means comprises:

an inverted cone-shaped structure extending from the bottom portion of the reservoir to a location in close proximity to said second inlet port for receiving blood from said second inlet port; and

a filter surrounding said cone-shaped structure for filtering the blood received from said second inlet port;

and the second output portion of said Y section comprises a clamp for regulating flow therethrough.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the top portion of the reservoir comprises a third inlet port for connection to an auxiliary vacuum source.

15. Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said reservoir further comprises vacuum release means for permitting filtered air entry to said enclosure.

16. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said second tube comprises perforations distributed along a portion insertable into the joint.

17. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said valve is a solenoid valve.