System for treating a wound with suction and method of detecting loss of suction

Abstract

A system for applying suction to a wound uses a reference airflow for monitoring system operation. A reference airflow (or “controlled leak”) to the suction source is provided when the system is in operation, such that deviation from the reference airflow can be monitored as an indication of a change in operation, such as a leak in the seal of the wound cover, a blockage of airflow from crimping of the suction conduit or overfill of the waste collector, or an inadvertent turn off or disconnect from the suction source.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
   
   
       44 . A system for applying suction to a wound, comprising:
 (a) a suction pump;   (b) a wound cover for enclosing and sealing the wound;   (c) a conduit from the suction pump to the wound cover for applying suction to the wound;   (d) a vent providing a reference airflow into the conduit;   (e) a flow rate monitor for monitoring airflow in the conduit;   (f) a controller for controlling a level of suction applied by the suction pump; and   (g) an indicator for indicating that a normal level of suction is applied to the wound when the airflow is in a first range around the reference airflow.   
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the indicator further indicates that an unacceptable level of suction is applied to the wound when the air flow is in a range less than the first range due to occlusion in the system. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the indicator further indicates an unacceptable level of suction is applied to the wound when the airflow is in a range greater than the first range due to leakage in the system. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the reference airflow flows from the wound cover to the source of suction. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the reference airflow flows from the wound cover to the source of suction. 
   
   
       49 . A system for applying suction to a wound comprising:
 (a) a wound cover for enclosing and sealing the wound;   (b) a source of suction;   (c) a conduit from the source of suction to the cover for applying suction to the wound;   (d) a vent providing a reference airflow into the conduit, said reference airflow flowing from the wound cover to the suction pump;   (e) a flow rate monitor for determining airflow in the conduit;   (f) a controller for controlling a level of suction applied by the source of suction; and   (g) an indicator for indicating that an normal level of suction is applied to the wound when the airflow is in a first range around the reference airflow and that an unacceptable level of suction is applied to the wound when the airflow is outside said first range, based upon the flow rate determined by the flow monitor.   
   
   
       50 . A system for treating a wound with suction, comprising:
 (a) a wound cover for enclosing and sealing the wound;   (b) a suction pump for generating suction;   (c) a conduit to the wound cover through which suction from the suction pump is applied to the wound;   (d) said conduit comprising a reservoir for accumulating liquids from the wound;   (e) said conduit having a portion between said wound cover and said reservoir; and   (f) a vent for providing a reference air flow of air into said portion of said conduit when suction is applied to the wound.   
   
   
       51 . The system for treating a wound with suction of  claim 50 , including a flow rate monitor for monitoring airflow in the conduit. 
   
   
       52 . The system for treating a wound with suction of  claim 50 , including a controller for controlling a level of suction applied by the suction pump. 
   
   
       53 . The system for treating a wound with suction of  claim 50 , including an indicator for indicating that a normal level of suction is applied to the wound when the airflow is in a first range around the reference airflow. 
   
   
       54 . A system for applying suction to a wound, comprising:
 (a) a wound cover sealable to the skin surrounding the wound;   (b) a source of suction;   (c) a conduit in fluid communication with the wound cover and the source of suction, suction being communicated from said source of suction to said wound cover through said conduit;   (d) a waste collector disposed in the conduit between the source of suction and the wound cover;   (e) a flow rate monitor to detect airflow in the conduit;   (f) a vent in the conduit providing a controlled flow of air into the conduit;   (g) an indicator, indicating occlusion in the system when the flow rate monitor detects no flow of the controlled flow of air from the vent when said controlled flow of air should otherwise be present in the conduit; and   (h) the location of the vent enabling the system to detect an occlusion in the conduit between the wound cover and the waste receptacle.