Sensor with electrical contact protection for use in fluid collection canister and negative pressure wound therapy systems including same

• US 9,415,145 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Braga, Richard M., Swisher, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): TREYGER, ILYA Y
• Application Number:
  US14/473,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20140371697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/70 with testing or calibration facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/02 by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/241 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/268 mounting arrangements of probes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6055 With head and stem collections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/789 Central mount

Abstract

A sensor for use in a canister for fluid collection, the canister having a canister top and defining a fluid collection chamber. The sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first electrode is supported by the canister top, and the second portion of the first electrode is configured to extend into the fluid collection chamber. The second electrode includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second electrode is supported by the canister top, and the second portion of the second electrode is configured to extend into the fluid collection chamber. The sensor also includes an electric circuit configured to detect an electrical property associated with the first and second electrodes.

Claims

1. A negative pressure wound therapy system, comprising:

a collection canister comprising a chamber configured to collect wound fluids;

a sensor configured to detect a condition associated with the collection canister, the sensor comprising;

a first electrode including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first electrode is supported by a surface of the collection canister, and the second portion of the first electrode extends into the chamber to an end located inside the chamber;

a second electrode including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second electrode is supported by a surface of the collection canister, and the second portion of the second electrode extends into the chamber to an end located inside the chamber;

wherein a change in resistance, capacitance, or voltage in the first and second electrodes indicates the condition associated with the collection canister; and

an inner wall disposed within the chamber, wherein the ends of the second portions of the first and second electrodes are disposed within an area between a top portion of the collection canister and the inner wall.

2. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, wherein the inner wall is configured to:

deflect the wound fluid from contacting the first and second electrodes when the collection canister is tilted, and

allow the wound fluid to contact the first and second electrodes when the chamber is substantially full.

3. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, wherein the area between the top portion of the collection canister and the inner wall is configured to be filled with the wound fluid when the collection canister is substantially full with the wound fluid.

4. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit.

5. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 4, further comprising a pressure sensor in communication with the control unit.

6. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor and control a negative pressure within the collection canister.

7. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum source and a suction port configured to communicate with the chamber and the vacuum source.

8. The portable negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, wherein the collection canister comprises an inlet conduit.

9. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a circuit configured to detect an electrical property associated with the first and second electrodes.

10. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, wherein the condition in the collection canister comprises a replace-collection-canister condition or a full-collection-canister condition.

11. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1, wherein the condition in the collection canister is indicated when the first and second electrodes are simultaneously in contact with fluid in the collection canister.

12. A negative pressure wound therapy system, comprising:

a collection canister comprising a chamber configured to collect wound fluids;

a sensor configured to detect a condition associated with the collection canister, the sensor comprising;

a first electrode including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first electrode is supported by a surface of the collection canister, and the second portion of the first electrode extends into the chamber to an end located inside the chamber;

a second electrode including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second electrode is supported by a surface of the collection canister, and the second portion of the second electrode extends into the chamber to an end located inside the chamber; and

wherein a change in resistance, capacitance, or voltage in the first and second electrodes indicates the condition associated with the collection canister; and

a baffle disposed within the chamber, the baffle configured to allow the wound fluid to contact the first and second electrodes when the chamber is substantially full.

13. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, wherein the second portions of the first and second electrodes are disposed within an area between a top portion of the collection canister and the baffle.

14. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 13, wherein the baffle is further configured to:

deflect the wound fluid from contacting the first and second electrodes when the collection canister is tilted.

15. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 13, wherein the area between the top portion of the collection canister and the baffle is configured to be filled with the wound fluid when the collection canister is substantially full with the wound fluid.

16. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, further comprising a control unit.

17. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 16, further comprising a pressure sensor in communication with the control unit.

18. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor and control a negative pressure within the collection canister.

19. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, further comprising a vacuum source and a suction port configured to communicate with the chamber and the vacuum source.

20. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, wherein the collection canister comprises an inlet conduit.

21. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, further comprising a circuit configured to detect an electrical property associated with the first and second electrodes.

22. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, wherein the condition in the collection canister comprises a replace-collection-canister condition or a full-collection-canister condition.

23. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the first and second electrodes comprise a first diameter and a rounded end and the second portion of the first and second electrodes comprise a second diameter and a cylindrical shape, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.