Wound care and infusion method and system utilizing a thermally-treated therapeutic agent
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10016583-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A combination therapy pad that includes a first layer and a second layer operatively coupled to the first layer. A fiber-optic array is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A third layer is operatively coupled to the first layer. The third layer includes a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to a wound area.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a wound-care system and method for treating a wound area using oxygen and a therapeutic agent delivered to a patch. Oxygen is provided to a patch via an oxygen concentrator coupled to an infusion tube, and a therapeutic agent is introduced into the oxygen in the infusion tube from a reservoir so that the oxygen pushes the therapeutic agent to the patch for delivery to the patch in combination with the oxygen.
After delivery, the therapeutic agent is allowed to soak on the wound area for a pre-determined period of time. The therapeutic agent is then removed from the wound area via vacuum pressure supplied by a vacuum pump. The wound-care system includes a patch arrangement and components for providing oxygen, infusing the therapeutic agent, and applying vacuum evacuation for removal of the therapeutic agent.
The detailed description further integrates therapeutic-fluid temperature control using a thermoelectric cooler heater arrangement to warm or cool a therapeutic agent delivered through the infusion tube. It also describes integration of RF antenna and fiber-optic UV delivery, including UV LED therapy using the system. The arrangement coordinates oxygenation, therapeutic-agent delivery, and vacuum wound evacuation with thermal adjustment of the therapeutic agent relative to body temperature and the collected exudate.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim recites a wound-treatment method with oxygen delivery to a patch, introducing a therapeutic agent into the oxygen in an infusion tube to push the agent to the patch, a predetermined soaking period, and vacuum-pressure removal supplied by a vacuum pump. Overall, the claim set includes additional inventive features such as downstream exudate collection and specific constraints for therapeutic-agent temperature and timing, as well as solenoid-based control of infusion, oxygen venting, and vacuum evacuation.
Oxygen delivered to the patch via oxygen concentrator and infusion tube
Providing oxygen to a patch via an oxygen concentrator coupled to an infusion tube.
Therapeutic agent introduced into oxygen in an infusion tube from a reservoir
Providing a therapeutic agent in a reservoir disposed downstream of the oxygen concentrator; introducing the therapeutic agent into the oxygen in the infusion tube from the reservoir.
Oxygen pushes therapeutic agent to the patch for combination delivery
Utilizing the oxygen in the infusion tube to push the therapeutic agent to the patch such that the therapeutic agent is delivered to the patch in combination with the oxygen.
Therapeutic agent soak period on wound area
Allowing the therapeutic agent to soak on the wound area for a pre-determined period of time.
Vacuum pressure removal of therapeutic agent using vacuum pump
Removing therapeutic agent from the wound area via vacuum pressure supplied by a vacuum pump.
Downstream exudate collection in an exudate bottle
Collecting at least one of wound fluids and removed wound materials in an exudate bottle coupled to the patch.
Therapeutic agent temperature adjusted above patient body temperature
Adjusting the therapeutic agent’s temperature to a value above the patient’s body temperature.
Temperature adjustment performed for approximately 10 seconds
Performing the adjusting step for approximately 10 seconds.
Solenoid closure to permit soaking using specified solenoids
Performing the soak step by closing multiple solenoids, including pump, vacuum vent, oxygen vent, patch, and infusion solenoids.
Solenoid opening for removal using patch solenoid and vacuum vent solenoid
Performing the removal step by opening a patch solenoid and a vacuum vent solenoid.
The claim coverage centers on combining oxygen delivery through an infusion tube with a reservoir-fed therapeutic agent that is pushed to a patch in combination with oxygen, followed by a predetermined soaking period and vacuum-pressure removal from the wound using a vacuum pump. Dependent claims further specify downstream exudate collection, therapeutic-agent temperature adjustment relative to patient body temperature (including an approximately 10-second adjustment), and solenoid-based control for soaking and removal.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?