Relating to apparatus negative pressure wound therapy
Inventors
Cotton, Stephen • TASKER, Matthew
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12415027-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus (1) for negative pressure wound therapy comprises a source of reduced pressure (10) and first (22a) and second (26a) chambers, the first chamber being in fluid communication with the source of reduced pressure such that a negative pressure may be generated in the first chamber, the negative pressure being prevented from exceeding a predetermined value by way of a pressure release means (30), and the second chamber comprising means (28) for establishing a fluid connection with a wound. A valve (24) between the first and second chambers permits the negative pressure in the second chamber to increase in response to an increase in the negative pressure in the first chamber and prevents the negative pressure in the second chamber from dropping in response to a drop in the negative pressure in the first chamber.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a disposable apparatus for negative pressure wound therapy that uses a source of reduced pressure in the form of a vacuum pump to generate negative pressure in a first chamber. A second chamber establishes fluid communication with a wound. A one-way valve is located between the first chamber and the second chamber to permit gas passage from the second chamber into the first chamber and to prevent gas passage from the first chamber into the second chamber.
A pressure release means is provided to prevent the negative pressure in the first chamber from exceeding a predetermined negative pressure value. The apparatus includes means for detecting the negative pressure applied to the wound. The means for detecting the negative pressure is operably coupled to the source of reduced pressure via a programmable computer processor that permits the desired level of negative pressure applied to the wound to be varied.
The vacuum pump is deactivated in response to the negative pressure applied to the wound reaching a desired level and is activated in response to the negative pressure applied to the wound dropping below a desired level. The source of reduced pressure occupies a volume of less than 10 cm3, and the first and second chambers are defined by housings with openings that form substantially air-tight connections to other apparatus components, the housings being formed of a single moulded component.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. The independent claim includes inventive features spanning a disposable NPWT apparatus architecture, pressure management, compact vacuum-pump constraint, air-tight single-moulded housings, and pressure detection with programmable control to vary and maintain a desired wound negative-pressure range.
Disposable NPWT apparatus with first and second chambers and vacuum source
A disposable apparatus for negative pressure wound therapy comprising a source of reduced pressure operable to generate negative pressure in a first chamber, and a second chamber comprising means for establishing fluid communication with a wound.
One-way valve between chambers permitting gas passage toward the pump side
A one-way valve located between the first chamber and the second chamber, permitting passage of gas from the second chamber into the first chamber and preventing passage of gas from the first chamber into the second chamber.
Pressure release means limiting negative pressure in the first chamber
A pressure release means that prevents the negative pressure in the first chamber from exceeding a predetermined negative pressure value.
Programmable negative-pressure detection and vacuum pump activation/deactivation
Means for detecting the negative pressure applied to the wound coupled via a programmable computer processor to the source of reduced pressure to vary the desired level, wherein the source of reduced pressure is deactivated in response to reaching a desired level and activated in response to dropping below a desired level.
Compact vacuum pump and single-moulded air-tight chamber housings
The source of reduced pressure is a vacuum pump occupying a volume of less than 10 cm3, and the first and second chambers are defined by housings including openings forming substantially air-tight connections with other components, each housing being formed of a single moulded component.
The independent claim combines the disposable two-chamber NPWT apparatus with a one-way valve, pressure release means, programmable pressure detection and pump control, and compact single-moulded housings forming substantially air-tight connections.
Stated Advantages
Prevents the negative pressure in the first chamber from exceeding a predetermined negative pressure value.
Permits the desired level of negative pressure applied to the wound to be varied.
Deactivates the vacuum pump when the negative pressure applied to the wound reaches a desired level and activates the vacuum pump when the negative pressure applied to the wound drops below a desired level.
Documented Applications
A negative pressure wound therapy system including the disposable apparatus and a wound dressing in fluid communication with the apparatus’s second chamber.
Interested in licensing this patent?