System for treating a wound with suction and method of detecting loss of suction

• US 8,246,607 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG (SCHWENK Zement GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Technologies LP (Boehringer Laboratories, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karpowicz, John, Radl, Christopher L., Klocek, Kevin P., Boehringer, John R., Norton, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Hand, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAIG, PAULA L
• Application Number:
  US12/207,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20090005744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 604/313, 604315-316, 604/541, 604/543
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/60 Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/86 Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece
• 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 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

A system for applying suction to a wound uses a reference airflow for monitoring system operation. A reference airflow (or “controlled leak”) to the suction source is provided when the system is in operation, such that deviation from the reference airflow can be monitored as an indication of a change in operation, such as a leak in the seal of the wound cover, a blockage of airflow from crimping of the suction conduit or overfill of the waste collector, or an inadvertent turn off or disconnect from the suction source.

Claims

1. A method of detecting leaks in a suction therapy wound dressing system that includes a wound cover sealed to skin surrounding a wound and a conduit operably connecting the dressing to a source of suction, the method comprising the steps of

providing a vent in one of the conduit and the wound cover to create a calibrated reference airflow through the system when the wound cover is properly sealed to the skin;

monitoring the airflow through the system; and

associating an increase in airflow above the reference airflow as an indication of probable air leakage in the system.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of associating a decrease of airflow below the reference airflow as an indicator of possible blockage in the system.

3. A method of detecting leaks and blockages in a suction therapy wound dressing that includes a wound cover sealed to skin surrounding a wound and a conduit operably connecting the dressing to a source of suction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vent in one of the conduit and the wound cover to create a calibrated reference airflow through the conduit when the wound cover is properly sealed to the skin;

monitoring airflow through the conduit;

associating an increase in airflow above the reference airflow as an indication of probable air leakage in the wound dressing; and

associating a decrease in airflow below the reference airflow as an indication of probable blockage in the conduit or loss of suction.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of creating a reference airflow includes providing a vent in the conduit outside of the wound cover.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein the reference airflow is below 1000 cubic centimeters per minute.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the reference airflow is in the range of about 50-300 cubic centimeters per minute.

7. A method as in claim 3, including the further step of providing a visual indication of normal and abnormal operation of the suction therapy wound dressing and the conduit connecting the dressing to the source of suction as detected from monitoring airflow through the conduit.

8. A method as in claim 3, including the further step of providing an aural indication of abnormal operation of the suction therapy wound dressing and the conduit connecting the dressing to the source of suction as detected from monitoring airflow through the conduit.

9. A method of detecting leaks in a suction therapy wound dressing system that includes a wound cover sealed to skin surrounding a wound and a conduit operably connecting the dressing to a source of suction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vent in one of the conduit and the wound cover to create a calibrated reference airflow through the system when the wound cover is properly sealed to the skin;

monitoring the airflow through the system; and

associating an decrease in airflow below the reference airflow as an indication of probable blockage in the system.

10. A method of detecting whether an unacceptable level of suction is applied in a suction therapy wound dressing that includes a wound cover sealed to skin surrounding a wound and a conduit operably connecting the dressing to a source of suction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vent in the conduit to create a calibrated reference airflow through the conduit when the wound cover is properly sealed to the skin, said reference airflow being in a predefined range;

monitoring the airflow through the conduit with a flow monitor; and

associating a flow rate less than the predefined range with an unacceptable level of suction applied to the wound due to an occlusion in the system.

11. The method of detecting of claim 10 including the step of associating a flow rate greater than the predefined range with an unacceptable level of suction applied to the wound due to a leakage in the system.

12. A method of detecting whether an unacceptable level of suction is applied in a suction therapy wound dressing that includes a wound cover sealed to skin surrounding a wound and a conduit operably connecting the dressing to a source of suction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vent in the conduit to create a calibrated reference airflow through the conduit when the wound cover is properly sealed to the skin, said reference airflow being in a predefined range;

monitoring the airflow through the conduit with a flow monitor; and

associating a flow rate greater than the predefined range with an unacceptable level of suction applied to the wound due to a leakage in the system.