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

• US 9,084,530 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• 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, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/445,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20130271278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 system for monitoring a wound dressing, comprising:

an appurtenance to the wound dressing distinct from the wound dressing, wherein the appurtenance includes an appurtenance surface positioned and configured to abut and adhesively attach to an outer surface of the wound dressing, the appurtenance includes one or more projections that project from the appurtenance surface and are configured to pierce into the wound dressing, the one or more projections further configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound, a processor, and at least one transmitter operably attached to the processor;

one or more sensors configured to sense at least one characteristic of the wound dressing;

a selectively actuated switch configured to allow the at least one transmitter to transmit a signal in response to the one or more sensors sensing the at least one characteristic; and

a local unit including a receiver for the at least one transmitter, at least one processor operably attached to the receiver, and at least one communication unit operably attached to the processor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the one or more sensors are operably attached to the processor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more projections of the appurtenance comprise:

one or more fluid conduits between an interior of the wound dressing and the appurtenance.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter included in the appurtenance comprises:

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter included in the appurtenance comprises:

a near field communication (NFC) device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the appurtenance comprises:

at least one antenna.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the appurtenance comprises:

a receiver.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the appurtenance comprises:

at least one indicator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the local unit comprises:

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) receiver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the local unit comprises:

a near field communication (NFC) device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the local unit comprises:

at least one user interface.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the local unit is configured to communicate with a remote system.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the local unit is of a size, a shape and a configuration for portable handheld use.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one communication unit comprises at least one of:

a visual display, a sound generator, a vibrating unit, and one or more light displays.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one communication unit comprises:

at least one transmitter.

16. A system for monitoring a wound dressing, comprising:

an appurtenance to the wound dressing distinct from the wound dressing that includes an appurtenance surface positioned and configured to abut and adhesively attach to an outer surface of the wound dressing, a substrate, a transmission unit, a selectively activated switch, and a projection projecting from the appurtenance surface wherein the projection has a size and shape configured to pierce the outer surface of the wound dressing, extend into an interior region of the wound dressing, and sample a fluid associated with a wound;

a local unit, including a receiver configured to receive signals from the transmission unit including information related to the wound or wound dressing, a transmitter configured to send signals to the transmission unit, a processor, nonvolatile memory, and a power source; and

a central assembly, including a processor, a receiver configured to receive signals from the local unit including the information related to the wound or wound dressing, and at least one user interface, the processor configured to determine a suggested response to be taken by a caregiver based at least partially based on the information.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

a near field communication (NFC) device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

at least two antennas.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the selectively activated switch is a binary switch.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the selectively activated switch comprises:

a conduit configured to permit a flow of the fluid from the interior region of the wound dressing through the projection and into a location adjacent to the transmission unit.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the projection comprises:

a substantially hollow structure.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the local unit comprises:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the local unit comprises:

a user interface.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the local unit comprises:

an auditory signal generator.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the local unit comprises:

a communication device configured to send the signals to the central assembly.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the local unit is configured to send and receive signals from a plurality of appurtenances.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the central assembly comprises:

a transmitter configured to send signals to the local unit.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the central assembly comprises:

a transmitter configured to send signals to one or more mobile devices.

30. The system of claim 16, wherein the receiver of the central assembly is configured to receive signals from a plurality of local units.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the central assembly comprises:

a transmitter configured to send signals to a plurality of local units.

32. A system for monitoring a wound dressing, comprising:

an appurtenance to the wound dressing distinct from the wound dressing that includes an appurtenance surface positioned and configured to abut and adhesively attach to an outer surface of the wound dressing, a substrate, a transmission unit, a selectively activated switch, and a projection projecting from the appurtenance surface wherein the projection has a size and shape configured to pierce the outer surface of the wound dressing, extend into an interior region of the wound dressing a selected depth, and sample a fluid associated with a wound;

a local unit, including a receiver unit configured to receive signals from the transmission unit including information related to the wound or wound dressing, a transmitter configured to send signals to the transmission unit, a processor, nonvolatile memory, and a power source;

a central assembly, including a processor, a receiver configured to receive signals from the local unit including the information related to the wound or wound dressing, a transmitter, and at least one user interface, the processor configured to determine a suggested response to be taken by a caregiver based at least partially based on the information, wherein the suggested response is for the caregiver to physically check the wound dressing; and

one or more user indicator devices including a receiver configured to receive signals from the central assembly, a processor, nonvolatile memory, and an indicator configured to indicate the suggested response responsive to receiving the signals from the central assembly.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

a near field communication (NFC) device.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the transmission unit of the appurtenance comprises:

at least two antennas.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the selectively activated switch is a binary switch.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the selectively activated switch comprises:

a conduit configured to permit a flow of the fluid from the interior region of the wound dressing through the projection and into a region of the appurtenance adjacent to the transmission unit.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein the projection comprises:

a substantially hollow structure.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the appurtenance comprises:

at least one sensor configured to respond to a substance within the wound dressing and communicate a response to the selectively activated switch.

40. The system of claim 32, wherein the local unit comprises:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

41. The system of claim 32, wherein the local unit comprises:

a near field communication (NFC) device.

42. The system of claim 32, wherein the local unit comprises:

an auditory signal generator.

43. The system of claim 32, wherein the local unit comprises:

a communication device configured to send the signals to the central assembly and receive signals from the central assembly.

44. The system of claim 32, wherein the local unit is configured to send and receive signals from a plurality of appurtenances.

45. The system of claim 32, wherein the central assembly comprises:

a transmitter configured to send signals to one or more mobile devices.

46. The system of claim 32, wherein the receiver of the central assembly is configured to receive signals from a plurality of local units.

47. The system of claim 32, wherein the central assembly comprises:

a receiver configured to interact with a computer system.