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Publication Number
US-10226553-B2
Publication Date
2019-03-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a wound dressing (15) connected to a fluid container (11) via a pump (3), wherein the wound dressing is in communication with a mechanical pressure control valve (13), the fluid container is provided with an inlet (2) and an outlet (4). Also provided are (i) flexible fluid containers comprising of at least two layers of film with an integrated vent, (ii) wound dressings and (iii) a multi-compartment wound fluid container (20, 35, 63) comprising at least two internal compartments and provided with an outlet (31, 37, 51) and an inlet (19, 49), in which the container comprises a microporous fluid separator (29, 41, 55) which divides the at least two internal compartments, wherein the microporous fluid separator permits gas flow between the compartments and prevents fluid flow to the outlet of the container. Other apparatus provided comprises a means for detecting the level of fluid within a multi-compartment wound fluid container as described. The invention also provides a system for applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound dressing on a patient using devices and apparatus of the invention and methods of treatment of wounds using such apparatus, devices and systems of the invention.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a portable negative pressure wound therapy apparatus that applies direct-contact wound compression using a wound dressing with a porous layer covered by a flexible film layer. The dressing is interconnected to a removably disposable flexible fluid container through tubing that forms a fluid flow path between the dressing and the flexible fluid container. The flexible container includes an inlet and an outlet to support controlled pressure at the wound site.
A filter is disposed on the fluid flow path downstream of the inlet and has at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to prevent or inhibit liquid passing while allowing gas to pass. The filter is encapsulated by the flexible fluid container to prevent undue expansion. The apparatus includes a peristaltic pump that accommodates the tubing so as to be isolated from the fluid flow path and that is separate and upstream of the flexible fluid container.
The apparatus further includes a mechanically automatic pressure control valve on the fluid flow path interposed between the wound dressing and the peristaltic pump to encourage flow away from the wound site. The mechanically automatic pressure control valve is upstream of the filter to prevent or limit pressure drop across the filter, and it includes a port to atmosphere that is set to open at a predetermined pressure to maintain constant pressure by permitting airflow into the tubing.
Claims Coverage
1. An apparatus claim is identified as independent, with dependent claims refining pressure control and container outlet features. The independent claim includes inventive features addressing direct-contact wound compression, disposable flexible fluid container coupling, a hydrophobic/oleophobic gas-passing liquid-inhibiting filter encapsulated in the flexible container, and mechanical automatic pressure control using a port-to-atmosphere valve set to a predetermined pressure while being upstream of the filter.
Direct-contact wound compression dressing
A wound dressing having a porous layer covered by a flexible film layer enabling direct-contact wound compression.
Disposable flexible fluid container fluid flow path
A removably disposable flexible fluid container having an inlet and an outlet, with tubing which flexibly interconnects the wound dressing and the flexible fluid container and which forms a fluid flow path therebetween.
Hydrophobic/oleophobic encapsulated gas-permeable filter downstream of inlet
A filter on the fluid flow path downstream of the inlet having at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to prevent or inhibit liquid passing but allowing gas to pass, the filter being encapsulated by the flexible fluid container to prevent undue expansion.
Peristaltic pump isolated from the fluid flow path and upstream
A peristaltic pump which accommodates said tubing so as to be isolated from the fluid flow path, and which is separate and upstream of the flexible fluid container.
Mechanically automatic pressure control valve upstream of the filter
A mechanically automatic pressure control valve on the fluid flow path interposed between the wound dressing and the peristaltic pump to encourage flow away from the wound site, wherein the mechanically automatic pressure control valve is upstream of the filter to prevent or limit pressure drop across the filter.
Port-to-atmosphere predetermined-pressure valve for constant pressure
The mechanically automatic pressure control valve has a port to atmosphere set to open at a predetermined pressure to maintain a constant pressure by permitting airflow into the tubing, with a seal downstream of the port and a spring downstream of the seal, and the port, seal and spring spaced away from the fluid flow path to prevent blockage.
Across the identified independent claim, the main inventive features combine a direct-contact porous dressing with a disposable flexible fluid container and tubing-defined fluid flow path, a hydrophobic/oleophobic filter that allows gas but inhibits liquid while being encapsulated, a peristaltic pump isolated from the fluid path, and a mechanically automatic pressure control valve upstream of the filter using a port to atmosphere that opens at a predetermined pressure to maintain constant pressure.
Stated Advantages
Maintain a constant pressure by permitting airflow into the tubing through a mechanically automatic pressure control valve set to open at a predetermined pressure.
Prevent or inhibit liquid passing through the filter while allowing gas to pass.
Prevent or limit pressure drop across the filter by positioning the mechanically automatic pressure control valve upstream of the filter.
Prevent undue expansion of the filter by encapsulating the filter by the flexible fluid container.
Prevent blockage by spacing the port, seal and spring away from the fluid flow path.
Encourage flow away from the wound site using the mechanically automatic pressure control valve interposed between the wound dressing and the peristaltic pump.
Documented Applications
Applying sub-atmospheric pressure to a wound dressing on a patient using the apparatus together with an electric circuit that operates a pump.
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