Appurtenances for reporting information regarding wound dressings

• US 10,158,928 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• 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, Jr., Lowell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABOUELELA, MAY A
• Application Number:
  US13/445,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20130274629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,441 Days
• Field of Search: 600573, 600583, 602 42, 604319
• 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 1/90 Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• 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 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/82 where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data
• 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

Appurtenances to wound dressings are described, which include: a substrate configured to mechanically or chemically attach to a wound dressing; a transmission unit attached to a surface of the substrate, the transmission unit including circuitry and at least one antenna, the transmission unit configured to transmit a signal; and a projection operably attached to the transmission unit, the projection of a size and shape to extend into an interior region of the wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound.

Claims

1. An appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing, comprising:

a substrate configured to mechanically or chemically attach to the unpenetrated wound dressing;

a transmission unit attached to a surface of the substrate, the transmission unit including circuitry and at least one antenna, the transmission unit configured to transmit a signal;

a hollow tubular projection operably attached to the transmission unit, the hollow tubular projection having an exterior wall defining a channel, the exterior wall being of a size and shape to penetrate the unpenetrated wound dressing and extend into an interior region of the unpenetrated wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound, wherein a portion of the exterior wall of the hollow tubular projection configured to penetrate the unpenetrated wound dressing is oriented at an obtuse or acute angle relative to the substrate; and

one or more sensors disposed in a portion of the hollow tubular projection that is configured to penetrate the unpenetrated wound dressing, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more characteristics of the unpenetrated wound dressing or an individual using the unpenetrated wound dressing.

2. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises:

a flexible material.

3. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit the signal in response to an interrogation signal.

4. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the transmission unit comprises:

a transmitter unit; and

a receiver.

5. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the transmission unit comprises:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

6. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the transmission unit comprises:

at least two antennas.

7. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the transmission unit comprises:

a Near Field Communication (NFC) device.

8. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular projection comprises:

a physical conduit configured for fluid flow from the interior region of the unpenetrated wound dressing to a location in contact with the transmission unit.

9. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular projection comprises:

one or more additional sensors; and

at least one substantially hollow enclosure substantially encircling the one or more additional sensors, the at least one substantially hollow enclosure including one or more openings within the enclosure distal to an attachment to the substrate.

10. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are partially internal to the hollow tubular projection.

11. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to actuate a switch in the transmission unit in response to a stimulus.

12. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, comprising:

a connector between the transmission unit and the one or more sensors.

13. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, comprising:

an indicator operably attached to the transmission unit.

14. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular projection has a curvilinear shape.

15. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 14, wherein the tubular projection has a hook shape.

16. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, further comprising another hollow tubular projection that is non-parallel relative to the hollow tubular projection.

17. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover configured to be attached to the substrate and to the unpenetrated wound dressing, wherein the outer cover is configured to be attached to a portion of the substrate at or near the hollow tubular projection.

18. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 17, wherein the outer cover is configured to seal a juncture between the appurtenance and the wound dressing.

19. An appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing, comprising:

a substrate configured to mechanically or chemically attach to the wound dressing;

a transmission unit attached to a surface of the substrate, the transmission unit including circuitry and at least one antenna, the transmission unit configured to transmit a signal;

a projection configured to be attached to the transmission unit and having a barb-shaped feature extending outward from the projection an acute angle, and configured to secure the appurtenance to the wound dressing, the projection of a size and shape to extend into an interior region of the unpenetrated wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound, wherein a portion of the projection that is configured to extend into an interior region of the unpenetrated wound dressing is oriented at an obtuse or acute angle relative to the substrate; and

an outer cover configured to be attached to the substrate and to the unpenetrated wound dressing, wherein the outer cover is configured to be attached to a portion of the substrate at or near the projection.

20. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 19, wherein the barb-shaped feature is configured to bend during insertion into the wound dressing.

21. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 19, wherein the projection is tubular.

22. The appurtenance to an unpenetrated wound dressing of claim 19, further comprising one or more sensors disposed in a portion of the hollow tubular projection that is configured to penetrate the unpenetrated wound dressing, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more characteristics of the unpenetrated wound dressing or an individual using the unpenetrated wound dressing.