Wound irrigation device pressure monitoring and control system

• US 8,142,405 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Therapies Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Therapies Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vogel, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele M
• Application Number:
  US12/253,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20090069761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 604/317, 604/540, 604/543
• US Class Current: 604/317
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0226 characterised by the support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/05 specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/782 using valves with freely moving parts, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• 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 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

An apparatus includes a pressure housing configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and a diaphragm sealingly coupled to the pressure housing. The diaphragm is configured to move in response to the vacuum source. A magnet is coupled to the diaphragm. A magnetic switch is disposed opposite the magnet and is configured to be actuated by the magnet when the magnet is a predetermined distance from the magnetic switch. The magnetic switch is configured to selectively actuate the vacuum source.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a vacuum pump motor;

a housing configured to be coupled to the vacuum pump motor having an adjustable bracket connected thereto;

a diaphragm sealingly coupled to the housing, the diaphragm configured to move when the vacuum pump motor is actuated in a manner to apply a negative pressure to the housing;

a magnet coupled to the diaphragm; and

a magnetic reed switch connected to said bracket at a critical set-point and operatively coupled to the magnet, the magnetic switch configured to be actuated by the magnet when the magnet is a threshold distance from the magnetic switch such that said magnetic switch selectively actuates the vacuum pump motor and whereby said diaphragm increases in concavity as pressure in said housing increases and said magnet moves farther away from said magnetic reed switch and at said critical set-point, said magnetic reed switch switch opens causing the vacuum pump motor to turn off and pressure leaks from said housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a wound dressing operatively coupled to the vacuum pump motor, the vacuum pump motor configured to apply negative pressure to the wound dressing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the negative pressure in the housing is associated with a negative pressure in a wound dressing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet is a rare-earth magnet.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the magnetic switch is configured to actuate the vacuum pump motor when a pressure in the housing reaches a pressure threshold, the pressure threshold corresponding to a predetermined negative pressure in a wound dressing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a concavity of the diaphragm has a substantially linear relationship with the pressure in the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes vacuum sensors such that said vacuum motor pump can provide a first draw-down mode for generating an initial draw down vacuum pressure and a second maintenance mode for maintaining a desired vacuum and for compensating for leaks and pressure fluctuations.