Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a wound area of a patient, comprising:
- providing a first pad comprising;
a plurality of fiber-optic strands coupled to a plurality of light-emitting diodes, 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 a collection chamber, a vacuum pump, and at least one first tube;
providing a second pad comprising;
a bladder in fluid communication with at least one of a heat-transfer fluid reservoir and a thermoelectric element via a fluid pump and a plurality of second tubes, the bladder and the plurality of second tubes defining a circuitous first flow path for a heat-transfer fluid; and
a plurality of tubular connections in fluid communication with an oxygen source thereby defining a second flow path that provides oxygen to the wound area;
wherein the first pad and the second pad are coupled to a processing unit, the processing unit capable of controlling the light-emitting diodes, the vacuum pump, the thermoelectric element, and the fluid pump as follows;
exposing the wound area to ultraviolet light via the plurality of fiber-optic strand ends thereby cleaning the wound area;
exposing the wound area to negative pressure via the plurality of removal ports thereby cleaning the wound area;
circulating the heat-transfer fluid through the circuitous first flow path after said exposing the wound area to ultraviolet light and said exposing the wound area to negative pressure;
increasing a temperature of the wound area above a body temperature of the patient via the heat transfer fluid;
oxygenating the wound area via the plurality of tubular connections within the second pad after said increasing the temperature of the wound area; and
simultaneous to said oxygenating, decreasing the temperature of the wound area below the body temperature of the patient via the heat transfer fluid.
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Abstract
A system for treatment of a wound area of a patient including a first treatment pad comprising a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for cleaning and exposing a wound area to ultraviolet light, a second treatment pad comprising removal ports for exposing the wound area to a negative pressure, and a control unit interoperably connected to the first and second treatment pads for providing a negative pressure and the ultraviolet light to the wound area.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of treating a wound area of a patient, comprising:
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providing a first pad comprising; a plurality of fiber-optic strands coupled to a plurality of light-emitting diodes, 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 a collection chamber, a vacuum pump, and at least one first tube; providing a second pad comprising; a bladder in fluid communication with at least one of a heat-transfer fluid reservoir and a thermoelectric element via a fluid pump and a plurality of second tubes, the bladder and the plurality of second tubes defining a circuitous first flow path for a heat-transfer fluid; and a plurality of tubular connections in fluid communication with an oxygen source thereby defining a second flow path that provides oxygen to the wound area; wherein the first pad and the second pad are coupled to a processing unit, the processing unit capable of controlling the light-emitting diodes, the vacuum pump, the thermoelectric element, and the fluid pump as follows; exposing the wound area to ultraviolet light via the plurality of fiber-optic strand ends thereby cleaning the wound area; exposing the wound area to negative pressure via the plurality of removal ports thereby cleaning the wound area; circulating the heat-transfer fluid through the circuitous first flow path after said exposing the wound area to ultraviolet light and said exposing the wound area to negative pressure; increasing a temperature of the wound area above a body temperature of the patient via the heat transfer fluid; oxygenating the wound area via the plurality of tubular connections within the second pad after said increasing the temperature of the wound area; and simultaneous to said oxygenating, decreasing the temperature of the wound area below the body temperature of the patient via the heat transfer fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating a wound area of a patient, comprising:
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providing a first pad comprising a plurality of fiber-optic strands and a plurality of removal ports; coupling the first pad to a processing unit capable of controlling a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the plurality of removal ports, a plurality of light-emitting diodes coupled to the plurality of fiber-optic strands, a thermoelectric element, and a compression pump; exposing the wound area to ultraviolet light via the plurality of fiber-optic strands thereby cleaning the wound area; exposing the wound area to negative pressure via the plurality of removal ports thereby cleaning the wound area; coupling a second pad to the processing unit capable of controlling the vacuum pump, the plurality of light-emitting diodes, the thermoelectric element, and the compression pump; providing at least one of thermal therapy and oxygenation to a wound area via the second pad; increasing a temperature of the wound area above a body temperature of the patient via the second pad; oxygenating the wound area via the second pad, wherein said oxygenating occurring after said increasing; decreasing the temperature of the wound area below the body temperature of the patient via the second pad; and wherein said oxygenating overlaps in time, at least in part, with said decreasing.
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Specification