Systems and methods for controlling dual mode negative pressure wound therapy apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023293805-A1
Application number	US-202318099844-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 20, 2023
Priority date	Apr 30, 2018
Publication date	Sep 21, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy device includes a negative pressure source and a controller configured to, in response to determining that the negative pressure source is directly fluidically connected to a wound dressing without a canister between the two, operate the negative pressure source in a first mode; otherwise, operate the negative pressure source in a second, different mode. The controller can be further configured to, in response to determining that a level of activity of the negative pressure source over a first time duration satisfies at least one of a leak or blockage condition, provide an indication of at least one of a leak or blockage and, in response to determining that the level of activity does not satisfy the at least one of the leak or blockage condition over a second time duration subsequent to the first time duration, discontinue providing the indication.

First claim

1 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound covered by a wound dressing; and a controller configured to operate the negative pressure source to provide negative pressure to the wound, the controller further configured to:
detect an occurrence of a leak condition in the fluid flow path or a blockage condition in the fluid flow path during a time period of a plurality of time periods during which the negative pressure provides negative pressure to the wound;
increment a counter responsive to detecting the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path during the time period;
decrement the counter responsive to not detecting the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path during the time period;
responsive to the counter satisfying a first threshold, provide a first indication of the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path; and
responsive to the counter no longer satisfying the first threshold, stop providing the first indication of the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller is further configured to, subsequent to the counter satisfying the first threshold:
responsive to the counter satisfying a second threshold, provide a second indication of the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path, the second indication being different from the first indication.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the first indication comprises an alert and the second indication comprises stopping provision of negative pressure to the wound by the negative pressure source.

22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the second threshold exceeds the first threshold.

23 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the alert comprises a visual alert.

24 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to detect the occurrence of the leak condition in the fluid flow path or the blockage condition in the fluid flow path during the time period based on comparing a level of activity of the negative pressure source over the time period to a leak activity threshold or a blockage activity threshold.

25 . The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the level of activity of the negative pressure source comprises a duty cycle of the negative pressure source.

26 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
responsive to a determination that the negative pressure source is directly fluidically connected to the wound dressing, operate the negative pressure source in a first mode to provide negative pressure to the wound; and responsive to a determination that the negative pressure source is fluidically connected to the wound dressing via a canister positioned in the fluid flow path, operate the negative pressure source in a second mode to provide negative pressure to the wound, the second mode being different from the first mode.

27 . The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the controller is further configured to set the first threshold based on operating the negative pressure source in the first mode or operating the negative pressure source in the second mode.

28 . A kit comprising the apparatus of claim 19 and the wound dressing.

29 . A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:
detecting an occurrence of a leak condition in a fluid flow path connecting the apparatus to a wound or a blockage condition in the fluid flow path during a time period of a plurality of time periods during which negative pressure is being provided to the wound; incrementing a counter responsive to detecting the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition during the time period; decrementing the counter responsive to not detecting the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition during the time period; responsive to the counter satisfying a first threshold, providing a first indication of the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition; and responsive to the counter no longer satisfying the first threshold, stopping provision of the first indication of the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition, wherein the method is performed under control of a controller of the apparatus.

30 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising, subsequent to the counter satisfying the first threshold:
responsive to the counter satisfying a second threshold, providing a second indication of the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition, the second indication being different from the first indication.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the first indication comprises an alert and the second indication comprises stopping provision of negative pressure to the wound.

32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the second threshold exceeds the first threshold.

33 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the alert comprises a visual alert.

34 . The method of claim 29 , wherein detecting the occurrence of the leak condition or the blockage condition during the time period comprises comparing a level of activity of a negative pressure source of the apparatus over the time period to a leak activity threshold or a blockage activity threshold.

35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the level of activity of the negative pressure source comprises a duty cycle of the negative pressure source.

36 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising:
responsive to determining that a negative pressure source of the apparatus is directly fluidically connected to a wound dressing covering the wound, operating in a first mode to provide negative pressure to the wound; and responsive to determining that the negative pressure source is fluidically connected to the wound dressing via a canister positioned in the fluid flow path, operating in a second mode to provide negative pressure to the wound, the second mode being different from the first mode.

37 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising setting the first threshold based on operating in the first mode or operating in the second mode.

Assignees

• Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Adams Eric Edward
• Askem Ben Alan
• Bendele Kevin
• Husz Aaron Michael
• Lee David Edward
• Mistry Nisha
• Rush Lee Michael
• Upton David Ronald
• Walker Gareth
• Ward William Jacob
• Sidebottom Hannah Bailey

Classifications

• A61M1/915 Primary

  Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold · CPC title

• A61M2205/14

  Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus · CPC title

• A61M1/73

  comprising sensors or indicators for physical values · CPC title

• A61M1/74

  Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61) · CPC title

• A61M1/90

  Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing · CPC title