Computational methods and systems for reporting information regarding appurtenances to wound dressings

• US 9,451,340 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Duesterhoft, Paul, Dykstra, Nicholas, Hawkins, Daniel, Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Schubert, Elizabeth L., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US14/719,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20150264452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00051 Accessories for dressings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/917 specially adapted for covering whole body parts
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Computational systems and methods for reporting information regarding appurtenances to wound dressings are described. A system can include an appurtenance to a wound dressing, including a substrate, a transmission unit, a selectively activated switch, and a projection of a size and shape to extend into an interior region of a wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound; a local unit, including a receiver configured to receive signals from the transmission unit, a transmitter configured to send signals to the transmission unit, a processor, non-volatile memory, and a power source; and a central assembly, including a processor, a receiver configured to receive signals from the local unit, and at least one user interface.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an appurtenance on a wound dressing, comprising:

transmitting a first signal configured to be received by the appurtenance on the wound dressing, the appurtenance including a region extending into an interior region of the wound dressing at a selected depth which samples a fluid associated with a wound;

receiving a first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance, the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance modulated by the fluid contacting an antenna of the appurtenance when a moisture level of the wound dressing is at a level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, wherein the first appurtenance signal includes information related to the wound or wound dressing;

associating a first time point with the receipt of the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance;

transmitting a second signal configured to be received by the appurtenance;

receiving a second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance, the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance modulated by the fluid contacting the antenna of the appurtenance when the moisture level of the wound dressing is at the level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, wherein the second appurtenance signal includes information related to the wound or wound dressing;

associating a second time point with the receipt of the second appurtenance signal;

comparing the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance with the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance to form a signal comparison;

comparing the signal comparison with a preset table; and

activating an indicator in accord with the preset table.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first signal comprises:

transmitting a radio frequency signal in an ultra high frequency (UHF) range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first signal comprises:

transmitting a radio frequency signal in a near field communication (NFC) range.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first signal comprises:

accepting input regarding parameters for monitoring the wound dressing at a local unit; and

transmitting the first signal from the local unit in response to the parameters for monitoring the wound dressing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first signal comprises:

transmitting the first signal from a local unit in accordance with a preset program of signal transmission.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

receiving a reflectively transmitted signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating the first time point with the receipt of the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

associating a clock time point.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating the first time point with the receipt of the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

associating a start time point.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the second signal comprises:

transmitting the second signal from a local unit in accordance with a preset program of signal transmission.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

receiving a radio frequency signal in an ultra high frequency (UHF) range.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

receiving a radio frequency signal in a near field communication (NFC) range.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance comprises:

receiving a reflectively transmitted signal.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving information regarding an individual associated with the appurtenance;

associating the information regarding the individual with a set of wound criteria;

comparing the second appurtenance signal with the set of wound criteria; and

activating the indicator in response to the comparison.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving information regarding an individual associated with the appurtenance;

associating the information regarding the individual with a set of time point criteria;

comparing the second time point with the set of time point criteria; and

activating the indicator in response to the comparison.

15. The method of claim 1, comprising:

accepting input including an individual identifier associated with the appurtenance.

16. The method of claim 1, comprising:

transmitting a third signal configured to be received by the appurtenance on the wound dressing;

receiving a third appurtenance signal from the appurtenance, the third appurtenance signal from the appurtenance modulated by the fluid contacting the antenna of the appurtenance when the moisture level of the wound dressing is at the level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna;

associating a third time point with receipt of the third appurtenance signal; and

activating the indicator.

17. A method of monitoring an appurtenance on a wound dressing, comprising:

transmitting a first signal from a local unit, the first signal configured to be received by the appurtenance on the wound dressing of a wound;

receiving a first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit, the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance modulated by fluid contacting an antenna of the appurtenance when a moisture level of the wound dressing is at a level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, wherein the first appurtenance signal includes information related to the wound or wound dressing;

transmitting information regarding the first appurtenance signal from the local unit to a central assembly;

associating a first time point with a receipt of the first appurtenance signal;

transmitting a second signal from the local unit, the second signal configured to be received by the appurtenance;

receiving a second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit, the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance modulated by the fluid contacting the antenna of the appurtenance when the moisture level of the wound dressing is at the level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, wherein the second appurtenance signal includes information related to the wound or wound dressing;

transmitting information regarding the second appurtenance signal from the local unit to the central assembly;

associating a second time point with a receipt of the second appurtenance signal;

comparing the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance with the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance to form a signal comparison;

comparing the signal comparison with a preset table; and

activating an indicator in accord with the preset table.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting a radio frequency signal in an ultra high frequency (UHF) range.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting a radio frequency signal in a near field communication (NFC) range.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting the first signal from the local unit in response to an input at the local unit.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting the first signal from the local unit in accordance with a preset program of signal transmission.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

accepting input regarding one or more parameters for monitoring the wound dressing at the local unit; and

transmitting the first signal from the local unit in response to the one or more parameters for monitoring the wound dressing.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the first signal from the local unit comprises:

accepting input regarding one or more parameters for monitoring the wound dressing at the central assembly;

transmitting information regarding the accepted input to the local unit; and

transmitting the first signal from the local unit in response to the information regarding the accepted input.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit comprises:

receiving a radio frequency signal in an ultra high frequency (UHF) range.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit comprises:

receiving a radio frequency signal in a near field communication (NFC) range.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving the first appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit comprises:

receiving a reflectively transmitted signal.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the second signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting the second signal from the local unit in response to an input at the local unit.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the second signal from the local unit comprises:

transmitting the second signal from the local unit in accordance with a preset program of signal transmission.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving the second appurtenance signal from the appurtenance at the local unit comprises:

receiving a reflectively transmitted signal.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the information regarding the first appurtenance signal from the local unit to the central assembly comprises:

transmitting the information through a wired connection.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting the information regarding the first appurtenance signal from the local unit to the central assembly comprises:

transmitting the information through a wireless connection.

32. A method of monitoring an appurtenance on a wound dressing, comprising:

receiving a first transmission from a local unit responsive to a first signal modulated by fluid contacting an antenna of the appurtenance when a moisture level of the wound dressing is at a level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, the first transmission including first information regarding the appurtenance on the wound dressing of a wound;

associating a first time point with the receipt of the first transmission;

associating wound dressing parameters with the received first information regarding the appurtenance;

determining, based on the associated wound dressing parameters and the received first information, a first status of the appurtenance;

determining, based on the determined first status of the appurtenance, a first response;

saving into memory as a record of the appurtenance the first time point, the received first information and the associated wound dressing parameters;

receiving a second transmission from the local unit responsive to a second signal modulated by the fluid contacting the antenna of the appurtenance when the moisture level of the wound dressing is at the level sufficient to cause the fluid to contact the antenna, the second transmission including second information regarding the appurtenance on the wound dressing;

associating a second time point with the receipt of the second transmission;

associating the record of the appurtenance with the received second information regarding the appurtenance;

determining, based on the associated record and the received second information, a second status of the appurtenance;

determining, based on the determined second status of the appurtenance, a second response; and

saving into the memory as a second record of the appurtenance the second time point and the received second information.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating the first time point with the receipt of the first transmission comprises:

associating a clock time point.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating the first time point with the receipt of the first transmission comprises:

associating a relative time point.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating the wound dressing parameters with the received first information regarding the appurtenance comprises:

utilizing a table to determine the wound dressing parameters.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating the second time point with the receipt of the second transmission comprises:

associating a clock time point.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating the second time point with the receipt of the second transmission comprises:

associating a relative time point.

38. The method of claim 32, comprising:

accepting input regarding one or more parameters for monitoring the wound dressing.

39. The method of claim 32, comprising:

initiating a display of the first response.

40. The method of claim 32, comprising:

initiating a display of the second response.

41. The method of claim 32, comprising:

transmitting information to the local unit.

42. The method of claim 32, comprising:

accepting input regarding a query of the determined second status of the appurtenance; and

initiating a display of the determined second status.