Power generation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy, comprising:
- a dressing configured to seal a wound site;
a fuel cell, comprising;
an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from the wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element;
at least one conduit configured to connect the wound site to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell;
a negative pressure source configured to be connected to the fuel cell and configured to generate negative pressure at the wound site; and
a waste canister, wherein the waste canister comprises the fuel cell.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a fuel cell, comprising an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from a wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy, comprising:
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a dressing configured to seal a wound site; a fuel cell, comprising; an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from the wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element; at least one conduit configured to connect the wound site to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell; a negative pressure source configured to be connected to the fuel cell and configured to generate negative pressure at the wound site; and a waste canister, wherein the waste canister comprises the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy, comprising:
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applying a negative pressure from a negative pressure source to a dressing sealing a wound site; collecting biological fluid from the wound site in a waste canister, the waste canister comprising a fuel cell comprising an anode element and a cathode element; and electro-oxidizing a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reducing a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element, wherein the negative pressure source is connected to the fuel cell, and wherein the wound site is connected via at least one conduit to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing negative pressure at a wound site, comprising:
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pumping fluid from the cavity a wound site sealed by a dressing via a pump member in fluid communication with the dressing; collecting biological fluid pumped from the wound site in a waste canister, the waste canister comprising a fuel cell comprising an anode element and a cathode element; and generating electrical power for the pump member by electro-oxidizing a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reducing a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element, wherein the pump member is connected to the fuel cell, and wherein the wound site is connected via at least one conduit to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification