Wound therapy system with housing and canister support

• US 8,048,046 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2008
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dorsey, Michael C., Hudspeth, Michael D., Harr, James M., Breitweiser, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): TREYGER, ILYA Y
• Application Number:
  US12/124,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20090292264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 604/311, 604/312, 604/313, 604/315, 604/316
• US Class Current: 604/313
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/984 portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with the healing of a surgical wound is disclosed. The system may be portable or semi-portable, thereby providing the subject with the ability to be partially or completely ambulatory through the course of the treatment. The system includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing, a vacuum source at least partially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a collection canister for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under subatmospheric pressure. An elevation member is mounted with respect to the housing. The elevation member is adapted to position the housing and canister at a predetermined orientation when positioned relative to a support surface to minimize a potential of at least one of spillage of the exudates from the canister, clogging of the filter or an inappropriate canister full indication.

Claims

1. A portable or semi-portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, which comprises:

a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject;

a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject, the subatmospheric pressure mechanism including a housing, a vacuum source at least partially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the wound bed, a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a collection canister for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under subatmospheric pressure, and

an elevation member mounted with respect to the housing, the elevation member adapted to position the housing and the canister at a predetermined orientation when positioned relative to a support surface to minimize a potential of at least one of spillage of the exudates from the canister or clogging of the filter, the elevation member being a stand member positionable on the support surface and adapted for movement to vary a dimensioning of the stand member, the stand member defining a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the housing and including at least one support member rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the stand member is dimensioned to define a cradle for at least partial reception of the housing or the canister.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the stand member includes at least two support members, the support members adapted for relative movement to provide enhanced supporting characteristics to the elevation member.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the support members are adapted for relative pivotal movement between an initial position and a pivoted position.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a pivot element extending at least partially though the support members to provide relative pivotable movement between the support members.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support member is rotatable from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second position transverse to the longitudinal axis.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one support member is positionable in any position intermediate the first and second positions.

8. A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound, which comprises:

a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject;

a subatmospheric pressure mechanism including a housing, a vacuum source at least partially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the wound bed, a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a collection canister; and

an elevation member mountable to the housing, the elevation member adapted to position the housing and the canister at a predetermined orientation when positioned relative to a support surface, the elevation member being positionable on the support surface and defining a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the housing and including at least one support member rotatable about the longitudinal axis.