Sub-atmospheric wound-care system

• US 7,967,810 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J & M Shuler Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mary Beth Kelley
• Inventors: Pauly, Robert L., Freedman, Brett A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treyger; Ilya Y
• Application Number:
  US11/875,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 604540-544
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/966 having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• 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 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/902 Suction wands

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for a sub-atmospheric wound-care (SAWS) system for treating an open wound. The SAWS system includes a regulated vacuum source for developing a negative pressure, a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound, a primary pressure regulating sensor located proximate the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound, a backup pressure regulating sensor located vacuum tube, a porous dressing suitable to be sealed airtight which is positioned within a wound interface chamber, a collection canister configured to collect said liquid removed from the wound, and an adapter configured to use wall suction a primary regulated vacuum source.

Claims

1. A sub-atmospheric wound-care system for treating an open wound comprising:

a connector configured to be connected to wall suction as a regulated vacuum source for developing a negative pressure;

a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound;

a pressure regulating sensor to be placed at a surface of the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound;

a collection canister with volume level markings configured to collect said liquid removed from the wound; and

a porous dressing positioned over the wound and over the pressure regulating sensor placed at the surface of the wound.

2. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the wall suction is a first regulated vacuum source, the system further comprising:

a vacuum motor configured for use as a second regulated vacuum source; and

a valve configured to be switched between the first regulated vacuum source and the second regulated vacuum source.

3. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum motor is a brushless vacuum motor.

4. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wound interface chamber connected via a vacuum path to the regulated vacuum source; and

a tube connected to the wound interface chamber;

wherein the porous dressing is disposed between the wound interface chamber and the wound.

5. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4, further comprising:

an electronic-programmable vacuum regulator configured to access the vacuum path.

6. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4, wherein the pressure regulating sensor is a first pressure regulating sensor, the system further comprising:

a second pressure regulating sensor disposed in said tube for taking indirect measurements of the negative pressure at the wound.

7. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the porous dressing is configured to be sealed airtight over the wound.

8. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the porosity of the porous dressing is greater than 60%.

9. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating sensor is located between the porous dressing and the wound.

10. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4, wherein the pressure regulating sensor is located between the wound interface chamber and the wound.

11. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 2, wherein the vacuum motor is battery operated.

12. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first alarm configured to indicate that a predefined flow rate has been reached as detected by said flow rate meter;

fluid level detection means for detecting a fluid level in the collection canister; and

a second alarm configured to indicate that a predefined fluid level has been reached in the collection canister fluid level detection means.

13. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating sensor fits within a depression in the porous dressing arranged to expose the pressure regulating sensor to the surface of the wound.

14. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate meter is further configured to detect accelerated fluid outflow from the wound.

15. A system configured to apply negative pressure to a wound, the system comprising:

a wound interface chamber configured to hold a porous dressing over the wound;

a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound interface chamber;

a pressure regulating sensor positioned between the porous dressing and a surface of the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound; and

a tube connecting the wound interface chamber and a collection canister for said liquid removed from the wound.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the pressure regulating sensor fits within a depression in the porous dressing arranged to expose the pressure regulating sensor to the surface of the wound.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a connector configured to be connected to wall suction as a regulated vacuum source for developing the negative pressure.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the pressure regulating sensor is a first pressure regulating sensor, the system further comprising:

a tube disposed between the wound interface chamber and a vacuum source;

a second pressure regulating sensor disposed in said tube for taking indirect measurements of the negative pressure at the wound.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a first alarm configured to indicate a predefined flow rate has been reached as detected by said flow rate meter;

fluid level detection means for detecting a fluid level in the collection canister; and

a second alarm configured to indicate that a predefined fluid level has been reached in the collection canister fluid level detection means.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the flow rate meter is further configured to detect accelerated fluid outflow from the wound.