Method of and system for thermally augmented wound care oxygenation
Inventors
Quisenberry, Tony • Balachandran, Niran
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8100956-B2
Publication Date
2012-01-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An oxygenation and temperature thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad with a plurality of air chambers is disclosed for treatment of skin wound tissues. The air chambers are filled and released by a valve assembly that may be separate from or integrated within the blanket. The thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient in conjunction with oxygenation. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression. Oxygenation is provided subsequent to initial heating in order to promote oxygen absorption by the wound tissues prior to the cooling thereof which facilitates pulling oxygen into the wound tissues. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Core Innovation
The document describes a method for wound care that combines contrast thermal therapy with oxygenation therapy. Thermal fluid circulates between a reservoir and a treatment blanket through a fluid flow junction, and a low-pressure site at the third branch pulls returning thermal fluid into that branch. The thermal fluid cycles between heating and cooling while oxygenation is provided concurrently to enhance oxygen absorption by the wound.
A further claimed method uses thermal fluid to heat a wound area, directs oxygen from an oxygen supply into an oxygenation chamber beneath the treatment blanket, and subsequently cools the wound area using the thermal fluid. The procedure facilitates wound care and clinical treatment across a patient's wound area by combining controlled thermal conditioning with localized oxygenation delivery.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify two independent claims and two inventive features.
Low-pressure fluid circulation with concurrent thermal and oxygenation therapy
Claim 1 covers housing thermal fluid at a reservoir, connecting the reservoir and treatment blanket through a fluid flow junction with at least three flow branches, and creating a low-pressure site at the third branch to pull returning thermal fluid into it. The method cycles the thermal fluid between heating and cooling and provides oxygenation therapy concurrently.
Sequential heating, oxygenation, and cooling of a wound area
Claim 15 covers dispersing thermal fluid throughout a treatment blanket to heat the wound area, directing oxygen into an oxygenation chamber beneath the blanket subsequent to applying heat, and cooling the wound area via the thermal fluid subsequent to directing oxygen.
The independent claims cover two methods for combining thermal treatment and oxygenation of a wound, specifically providing either low-pressure fluid circulation with concurrent oxygenation and heating-cooling cycles or a sequence of heating, oxygenation, and subsequent cooling.
Stated Advantages
The concurrent oxygenation therapy is stated to enhance oxygen absorption by the wound.
Documented Applications
Wound care and the use of thermal and oxygenation therapies on a patient's wound area.
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