System for combined transcutaneous blood gas monitoring and vacuum assisted wound closure

• US 20020120185A1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Royce
• Granted Patent: US 6,856,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/364
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1468 using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means A61B5/1486 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6834 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood gases generally comprises a blood gas data acquisition device, a vacuum source and a blood gas transducer unit. The blood gas transducer unit is adapted for application to a patient'"'"'s skin and administration of a local vacuum at the area of patient application. It further comprises an electrochemical blood gas transducer, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which is disposed entirely within the local vacuum at the area of patient application. The vacuum source is placed in fluid communication with the blood gas transducer unit, through a hydrophobic membrane filter for safety purposes, in order to induce a condition of hyperperfusion in the locality of the electrochemical blood gas transducer. Under the control of a microcontroller, or equivalent means, the blood gas acquisition device is then utilized to capture a measure of skin surface oxygen or carbon dioxide pressure. The microcontroller can then utilize this measure to arrive at an estimate of arterial partial pressure of oxygen or carbon dioxide, accordingly. Because vacuum induced perfusion produces the requisite condition of hyperperfusion without local heating and, therefore, without acceleration of the local metabolic function, the present invention results in more accurate than previously available estimates of partial pressure blood gas pressures and does so while eliminating a significant risk for injury to the patient.

Claims

1. A transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device particularly suited for application to a site on a patient'"'"'s skin under a local vacuum, comprising:

a non-invasive blood gas data acquisition device;

a vacuum source; and

an electrochemical blood gas transducer unit in fluid communication with said vacuum source.

2. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is in fluid communication with a wound site in proximity to said site on patient'"'"'s skin for applying a negative pressure to said wound site.

3. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 2 further comprising:

a screen means formed to fit within said wound site, such that said screen means is in fluid communication with said vacuum source;

a sealing means for maintaining a negative pressure within said wound site during application of said negative pressure.

4. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 2 wherein said data acquisition device monitors healing of said wound site.

5. The transcutaneous blood gas monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising a controller for governing actions of said device.