Systems and methods for detection of wound fluid blood and application of phototherapy in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment system
First Claim
1. A blood detection system operable with a reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) system including a conduit for conducting reduced pressure to a wound dressing and withdrawing wound fluid from a wound, comprising:
- an electromagnetic (EM) wave source oriented to at least partially illuminate an interior portion of the conduit, wherein wound fluid is present within the conduit during operation of the RPWT system;
wherein said EM wave source comprises at least one light wave guide integrated into the conduit walls, the light wave guide having a first end oriented to at least partially illuminate the interior portion of the conduit and a second end for receiving EM waves originating adjacent at least one LED remote from the conduit; and
an electromagnetic (EM) wave detector positioned to be receptive of attenuated EM waves originating from said source and attenuated after passing through the interior portion of the conduit, said attenuation resulting from a partial and wavelength-specific absorption measurable and indicative of a level of blood within said wound fluid;
wherein said EM wave detector comprises a light wave guide integrated into the conduit walls, the light wave guide having a first end positioned generally opposite of said EM wave source for receiving attenuated EM waves, and a second end for transmitting the attenuated EM waves and terminating adjacent a solid state photo detector remote from the conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Wound fluid blood detection systems and methods are described that are operable in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) systems, as well as ancillary therapy and monitoring systems applied concurrently with RPWT systems. The blood detection monitor operates by optically characterizing the content of wound fluids to the extent of identifying percentage blood content. This identification relies upon the transmission of select wavelengths of light across a volume of wound fluid to a photo detector (connected to signal processing instrumentation) capable of quantifying the absorption characteristics of the fluid. The detection components may be implemented in conjunction with either a fluid flow conduit (i.e. the reduced pressure tubing directing fluid away from the wound dressing) or more directly in association with the materials that comprise the wound dressing positioned within the wound bed itself. In addition, the present invention is configured to operate in conjunction with blood gas monitoring, systems operating with the RPWT. Finally, the components of the systems that serve to illuminate the wound bed, lend themselves to use in conjunction with illumination in discreet electromagnetic wave wavelengths suitable for the application of phototherapy.
125 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A blood detection system operable with a reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) system including a conduit for conducting reduced pressure to a wound dressing and withdrawing wound fluid from a wound, comprising:
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an electromagnetic (EM) wave source oriented to at least partially illuminate an interior portion of the conduit, wherein wound fluid is present within the conduit during operation of the RPWT system; wherein said EM wave source comprises at least one light wave guide integrated into the conduit walls, the light wave guide having a first end oriented to at least partially illuminate the interior portion of the conduit and a second end for receiving EM waves originating adjacent at least one LED remote from the conduit; and an electromagnetic (EM) wave detector positioned to be receptive of attenuated EM waves originating from said source and attenuated after passing through the interior portion of the conduit, said attenuation resulting from a partial and wavelength-specific absorption measurable and indicative of a level of blood within said wound fluid; wherein said EM wave detector comprises a light wave guide integrated into the conduit walls, the light wave guide having a first end positioned generally opposite of said EM wave source for receiving attenuated EM waves, and a second end for transmitting the attenuated EM waves and terminating adjacent a solid state photo detector remote from the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification