Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10507140-B2
Publication Date
2019-12-17
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
A wound-care system is described that uses a multi-layer therapy pad to treat a wound area. The therapy pad includes a fiber-optic array disposed between a first layer and a second layer, and a third layer operatively coupled to the first layer that provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to the wound area. The pad is used to administer ultra-violet light therapy and vacuum therapy through the therapy pad, and to administer oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy through the therapy pad.
The described therapy pad combines vacuum wound evacuation with ultra-violet light delivered via fiber-optic array strands. Vacuum therapy is provided via a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and therapeutic fluid treatment is provided via a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The system includes a treatment chamber and a control unit conceptually associated with delivering the therapies through the pad.
In addition to vacuum and ultra-violet light therapy, the therapy pad provides oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy by delivering oxygen through the pad’s fluid path and controlling warming and cooling using thermo-electric cooler (TEC) and thermal therapy concepts. The described sequence concept includes administering cleaning then alternating warm/oxygenate and cool/oxygenate via the pad. The pad structure is described as including vacuum and therapeutic-fluid tubes and an RF antenna for optional pulsed RF therapy.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim covers a wound treatment method with multiple coordinated inventive features: a multi-layer therapy pad with a fiber-optic array for ultra-violet light, a third layer providing vacuum therapy and/or therapeutic fluid treatment, and the concurrent delivery of vacuum and ultra-violet therapy plus oxygenation and thermal therapy through the pad. The dependent claims refine oxygen delivery and thermal control, add optional pulsed radio frequency delivery via an internal antenna, and specify a common port for vacuum and oxygenation.
Multi-layer therapy pad with fiber-optic array between first and second layers
a fiber-optic array disposed between the first layer and the second layer
Third layer providing vacuum therapy and/or therapeutic fluid treatment
a third layer operatively coupled to the first layer, the third layer having a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source, wherein the third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to the wound area
Administering ultra-violet light therapy and vacuum therapy through the therapy pad
administering ultra-violet light therapy and vacuum therapy to the wound area through the therapy pad
Administering oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy through the therapy pad
administering oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy to the wound area through the therapy pad
Oxygenation and thermal therapy delivered from the therapeutic fluid source
administering oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy comprises delivering oxygen from said therapeutic fluid source to the wound area through the therapy pad
Warming or cooling oxygen using a thermoelectric element
administering at least one of oxygenation therapy and thermal therapy comprises at least one of warming or cooling the oxygen via a thermoelectric element
Pulsed radio frequency signal delivery via an internal radio frequency antenna
administering a pulsed radio frequency signal to the wound area via a radio frequency antenna disposed within the therapy pad
Radio frequency antenna disposed around the wound perimeter
The radio frequency antenna is disposed substantially around a perimeter of the wound area
Common port for vacuum therapy and oxygenation therapy
Vacuum therapy and oxygenation therapy are administered via a common port in the therapy pad
The claims support a coordinated wound treatment method using a multi-layer therapy pad with a fiber-optic array for ultra-violet light therapy and a third layer providing vacuum and/or therapeutic fluid treatment, combined with delivering both vacuum/ultra-violet therapy and oxygenation/thermal therapy through the same pad. Dependent claims further constrain oxygen delivery from the therapeutic fluid source and temperature control using a thermoelectric element, and add optional pulsed RF therapy via an internal antenna and a common port that administers vacuum and oxygenation therapy.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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