Wound care system

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for the treatment of a wound on a patient. The apparatus is capable of administering localized negative pressure therapy to the wound using a negative pressure source and a drain line for removing exudate from the wound. The apparatus is also capable of administering localized hyperbaric fluid therapy to the wound using a fluid source and a supply line for supplying fluid to the wound.

1 . A wound treatment apparatus comprising:
 a drain line configured for attachment to a negative pressure source and for removing exudate from the wound;   a supply line configured for attachment to a fluid source and for supplying fluid to the wound;   a controller configured to:
 cause negative pressure therapy to be administered to the wound via the drain line, and 
 cause hyperbaric fluid therapy to be administered to the wound via the supply line for approximately 10 seconds to approximately 60 seconds. 
   
   
   
       2 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to selectively cause the administration of only negative pressure therapy or only hyperbaric fluid therapy. 
   
   
       3 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drain line is configured for attachment to a hospital room suction line. 
   
   
       4 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supply line is configured for attachment to a hospital room oxygen line. 
   
   
       5 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a humidification device operatively connected to the supply line. 
   
   
       6 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a negative pressure source and the fluid source. 
   
   
       7 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid source is an oxygen canister. 
   
   
       8 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the negative pressure source and fluid source share a power supply. 
   
   
       9 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid source is configured to supply a constant flow of fluid and the controller is configured to cause the negative pressure source to operate intermittently such that negative pressure therapy is administered to the wound when the negative pressure source is on and hyperbaric fluid therapy is administered to the wound when the negative pressure source is off. 
   
   
       10 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor to measure pressure at the wound. 
   
   
       11 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure sensor is operatively connected to the controller and the controller is further configured to adjust at least one of the negative pressure therapy or the hyperbaric fluid therapy in response to information received from the pressure sensor. 
   
   
       12 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to selectively cause the cessation of one of the negative pressure therapy or the hyperbaric fluid therapy without causing the cessation of the other of the negative pressure therapy or the hyperbaric fluid therapy. 
   
   
       13 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a collection device operatively connected to the drain line to collect exudate from the wound. 
   
   
       14 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the collection device comprises a sensor for indicating the amount of exudate in the collection device. 
   
   
       15 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the collection device sensor is operatively connected to the controller and the controller is further configured to stop the administration of negative pressure therapy upon receiving information from the collection device sensor indicating that the collection device is full. 
   
   
       16 . The wound treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical pressure regulator connected to the supply line. 
   
   
       17 . A portable wound treatment apparatus comprising:
 a negative pressure source configured for operative engagement with a wound dressing via a drain line;   a fluid source configured for operative engagement with a wound dressing via a supply line;   a controller configured to:
 cause negative pressure therapy to be administered to the wound, and 
 cause hyperbaric fluid therapy to be administered to the wound for approximately 10 seconds to approximately 60 seconds; and 
   a housing configured to house the negative pressure source, the fluid source and the controller.   
   
   
       18 . The portable wound treatment apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a power source for supplying power to at least one of the negative pressure source and the fluid source, wherein the housing is further configured to house the power source. 
   
   
       19 . The portable wound treatment apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid source is an oxygen concentrator, the negative pressure source is suction device and the power source is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       20 . A method for treating a wound comprising:
 applying to the wound a dressing that engages a supply line and a drain line;   connecting the supply line to a fluid source;   connecting the drain line to a negative pressure source;   administering negative pressure therapy to the wound via the drain line; and   administering hyperbaric fluid therapy to the wound for approximately 10 to approximately 60 seconds.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the negative pressure therapy and the hyperbaric fluid therapy are administered intermittently. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein negative pressure therapy is administered immediately following the administration of hyperbaric fluid therapy and hyperbaric fluid therapy is administered immediately following the administration of negative pressure therapy. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein administering hyperbaric fluid therapy comprises supplying fluid to the wound wherein the fluid comprises at least one of: oxygen or humidified oxygen. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the oxygen or humidified oxygen is administered at approximately 0.1 liters per minute to approximately 3 liters per minute. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein administering hyperbaric fluid therapy comprises supplying fluid to the wound, wherein the fluid comprises at least one non-oxygen drug.