Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation

• US 8,940,034 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: Quisenberry, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIPITZ, JEFFREY BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US13/962,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20130331767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 606/9, 128/898, 607 88- 90
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01029 made of multiple layers
• 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 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0295 for heating or cooling or use at more than one temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0296 Intervals of heating alternated with intervals of cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0017 possibility of applying fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00195 electric warmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/802 by vacuum created above a liquid flowing from a closed container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/98 Containers specifically adapted for negative pressure wound therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/05 combined with other kinds of therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/051 with radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0649 using suction to fix the applicator to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 : ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 : Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 : Skin treatment other than tanning

Abstract

A combination therapy pad that includes a first layer and a second layer operatively coupled to the first layer. A fiber-optic array is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A third layer is operatively coupled to the first layer. The third layer includes a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to a wound area.

Claims

1. A method of treating a wound area, the method comprising:

covering the wound area with a therapy pad, the therapy pad comprising;

a first layer;

a second layer operatively coupled to the first layer;

a fiber-optic array disposed between the first layer and the second layer;

a third layer operatively coupled to the first layer, the third layer having a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source, wherein the third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to a wound area;

administering at least one of ultra-violet light therapy and vacuum therapy to the wound area via the therapy pad;

administering the therapeutic fluid therapy to the wound area via the therapy pad; and

applying therapeutic treatment to the wound area by administering a pulsed radio frequency signal to the wound area via a radio frequency antenna disposed within the third layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering at least one of oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy comprises delivering oxygen from an oxygen source to the wound area via the therapy pad.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising administering thermal therapy by at least one of warming or cooling the oxygen via a thermoelectric element thermally exposed to the therapeutic fluid source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency antenna is disposed substantially around a perimeter of the wound area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum therapy and the oxygenation therapy are administered via a common port in the therapy pad.