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

• US 8,771,259 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• 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:
  US13/556,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 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 is provided, including a suction source for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow, and a waste collector canister between the wound and the suction source for collecting liquids aspirated from the wound, wherein the canister includes one or more disks containing gelling agent.

Claims

1. A system for applying suction to a wound, comprising:

a portable positive displacement pump for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, the pump being capable of operation at variable speed;

a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow;

a flow rate monitor to monitor airflow through the conduit and to indicate reference airflow and deviation above and below the reference airflow; and

a pressure transducer for detecting pressure at the pump, wherein the pump speed is controlled to maintain the pressure sensed by the transducer based on a pressure setting;

wherein the airflow is determined by counting pump revolutions over a period of time.