Apparatus and method for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site

• US 8,915,896 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2011
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sanders, T. Blane, Heaton, Keith Patrick, Hardman, Ian James, Locke, Christopher Brian, Robinson, Timothy Mark, Beard, Mark Stephen James, Jaeb, Jonathan Paul, Kieswetter, Kristine, Johnson, Royce W., Ingram, Shannon C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US13/290,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 604/289, 604/290, 604/313, 604/319
• US Class Current: 604/313
• 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 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• 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 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0036 with more than four lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7527 liquophilic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a system and method for administering reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure source generates a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a tube having a plurality of lumens. The plurality of lumens includes at least one collection lumen. The reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site. The at least one collection lumen stores the fluid received from the tissue site.

Claims

1. An apparatus for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:

a reduced pressure source, the reduced pressure source generating a reduced pressure;

an indicator that is movable into a plurality of positions, the indicator moving into a retracted position in the plurality of positions in a presence of reduced pressure from the reduced pressure source; and

a coiled spring coupled to the indicator, the coiled spring exerting a biasing force on the indicator toward an extended position in the plurality of positions and wherein the coiled spring has a particular spring constant such that the coiled spring biases the indicator into the extended position when an absolute pressure exceeds approximately 125 millimeters of mercury.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator moves into the retracted position when the reduced pressure exceeds a first threshold reduced pressure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator moves into the retracted position when the absolute pressure generated by the reduced pressure source is equal to or less than approximately 125 millimeters of mercury.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coiled spring biases the indicator to the extended position when the reduced pressure is less than a second threshold reduced pressure.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a delivery tube, wherein the reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site via the delivery tube, wherein the indicator moves into one of the plurality of positions based on reduced pressure in the delivery tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the delivery tube has a plurality of lumens.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an absorbent material disposed within at least one collection lumen in the plurality of lumens.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an indicator housing, wherein the indicator is slidable along an opening in the indicator housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the indicator has a cylindrical shape, and wherein the opening is a tubular opening along which the indicator may slide.

10. A method for administering reduced pressure to a tissue site, the method comprising:

applying reduced pressure to the tissue site using a reduced pressure source, the reduced pressure being applied via a plurality of lumens in a delivery tube; and

moving an indicator from an extended position in a plurality of positions to a retracted position in the plurality of positions in a presence of a threshold reduced pressure from the reduced pressure source;

wherein a coiled spring having a particular spring constant is coupled to the indicator, and exerts a biasing force on the indicator toward an extended position in the plurality of positions when an absolute pressure exceeds approximately 125 millimeters of mercury.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing fluid from the tissue site in at least one collection lumen in the plurality of lumens.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of storing fluid includes storing the fluid in an absorbent material disposed in the at least one collection lumen.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising positioning a manifold adjacent the tissue site prior to applying the reduced pressure.