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Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation

  • US 8,128,672 B2
  • Filed: 10/17/2007
  • Issued: 03/06/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A therapeutic treatment system comprising:

  • a processing unit;

    an oxygen source;

    a heat-transfer fluid reservoir that comprises a heat-transfer fluid;

    a thermoelectric element in fluid communication with the heat-transfer fluid reservoir, and is capable of raising or lowering a temperature of the heat transfer fluid;

    a vacuum pump;

    a collection chamber fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump;

    a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs);

    a first pad comprising;

    a plurality of fiber-optic strands coupled to the plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), the plurality of fiber-optic strands comprising a plurality of fiber-optic strand ends arranged in an array on an underside of the first pad; and

    a plurality of removal ports in fluid communication with the collection chamber and the vacuum pump via at least one first tube;

    a second pad comprising;

    a bladder in fluid communication with the heat-transfer fluid reservoir and the thermoelectric element via a plurality of second tubes, the bladder and the plurality of second tubes thereby defining a circuitous first flow path for the heat-transfer fluid;

    a plurality of tubular connections in fluid communication with the oxygen source thereby defining a second flow path that provides oxygen to the wound area; and

    a plurality of adhesive attachment edges depending from a periphery of the second pad, the plurality of adhesive attachment edges defining a treatment chamber between the second pad and the wound area;

    wherein the processing unit provides power to the oxygen source, the thermoelectric element;

    the vacuum pump, and the plurality of LEDs; and

    wherein the processing unit is configured to;

    directing the plurality of LEDs to apply ultraviolet light to the wound area to eliminate micro-organisms from the wound area;

    directing the vacuum pump to apply negative pressure to the wound area;

    directing the thermoelectric element to raise a temperature of the heat-transfer fluid above a body temperature of a patient;

    direct the oxygen source to saturate the wound area with oxygen after directing the thermoelectric element to raise the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid above the body temperature of the patient; and

    simultaneous to said directing the oxygen source, directing the thermoelectric element to lower the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid below the body temperature of the patient.

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