Chemical pump housing for negative pressure system
Inventors
Buan, John • Middaugh, Richard L. • Wojciechowski, Timothy • Lash, Thomas E. • Saunders, Reed Oliver • Tedham, Thomas Arthur
Assignees
Aatru Medical LLC • Amphenol Cable and Interconnect Technologies Inc
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Publication Number
US-11083833-B1
Publication Date
2021-08-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A chemical pump assembly useful for negative pressure therapy includes a chemical pump housing having an inner chamber, a reactor located within the inner chamber, an opening provided in the chemical pump housing, a first pull tab which extends from the inner chamber to ambient through the opening, and a removable layer connected to the first pull tab. The reactor is configured to react with a selected gas found in air so as to consume the selected gas when exposed to air in the inner chamber. The removable layer shields the reactor from air in the inner chamber atmosphere until the removable layer is removed.
Core Innovation
A chemical pump assembly useful for negative pressure therapy is disclosed. The assembly includes a chemical pump housing having an inner chamber, and a reactor located within the inner chamber. The reactor is configured to react with a selected gas found in air so as to consume the selected gas when exposed to air in the inner chamber.
The chemical pump housing provides an opening. A first pull tab extends from the inner chamber to ambient atmosphere through the opening, and a removable layer connected to the first pull tab shields the reactor from air in the inner chamber until the removable layer is removed. This structure provides controlled exposure of the reactor to air in the inner chamber.
After the removable layer is removed, a cover seals the opening to prevent ingress of air through the opening into the inner chamber. In some implementations, the cover is a thin film with a flap and a second pull tab connected to a release layer covering adhesive provided on the thin film.
The thin film moves into the opening toward the inner chamber to indicate that the inner chamber is under negative pressure when the thin film is covering the opening and the inner chamber is under negative pressure.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim and dependent refinements define a chemical pump housing for negative pressure therapy with a reactor consuming a selected gas from air, an opening to ambient atmosphere with a first pull tab, and a removable layer that shields the reactor until activation. Additional inventive features cover sealing after activation, thin-film cover mechanics with pull tabs and adhesive, negative-pressure indication via thin-film movement, fluid communication with a dressing-enclosed volume, and valve-based pressure-threshold control.
Negative pressure chemical pump housing with gas-reacting reactor
A chemical pump housing having an inner chamber, and a reactor located within the inner chamber configured to react with a selected gas found in air so as to consume the selected gas when exposed to air in the inner chamber.
Activation via ambient atmosphere access and removable shielding layer
An opening provided in the chemical pump housing, a first pull tab extending from the inner chamber to ambient atmosphere through the opening, and a removable layer connected to the first pull tab which shields the reactor from air in the inner chamber until the removable layer is removed.
Post-activation sealing cover for opening
A cover for sealing the opening to prevent ingress of air through the opening into the inner chamber after the removable layer has been removed.
Thin-film sealing cover with flap, second pull tab, release layer, and adhesive
The cover being a thin film and further comprising a second pull tab connected to a release layer covering adhesive provided on the thin film.
Negative pressure indication via thin-film movement
The thin film moves into the opening toward the inner chamber to provide an indication that the inner chamber is under negative pressure when the thin film is covering the opening and the inner chamber is under negative pressure.
Dressing-enclosed volume fluid communication
The chemical pump assembly being connectable to a dressing defining an enclosed volume so that the inner chamber is in fluid communication with the enclosed volume.
Pressure-threshold valve-based air exchange control
At least one valve configured to open to draw air from the inner chamber when external air pressure is below a gas pressure of the inner chamber, to open to allow air entry when ambient air pressure exceeds the gas pressure of the inner chamber by a predetermined differential, and to remain closed otherwise.
Across the independent claim and dependent refinements, the core coverage is a sealed chemical pump housing with a gas-consuming reactor activated by removing a removable layer via a pull tab, with an opening to ambient atmosphere and subsequent sealing of that opening. Dependent features further specify thin-film cover mechanics, negative-pressure indication tied to thin-film movement, integration with a dressing-enclosed volume, and valve logic using a predetermined pressure differential.
Stated Advantages
Provides an indication that the inner chamber is under negative pressure via thin film movement.
Prevents ingress of air through the opening into the inner chamber after the removable layer has been removed.
Supports negative pressure therapy by consuming a selected gas found in air when exposed in the inner chamber.
Enables controlled air exchange behavior using pressure thresholds of a predetermined differential.
Documented Applications
Negative pressure therapy using a chemical pump assembly including a reactor that consumes a selected gas found in air in an inner chamber and is connected to a dressing defining an enclosed volume.
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