System for suction-assisted wound healing

Abstract

A system for treating a wound with suction is provided. The system comprises a wound cover, a pump having an input port and an output port, the input port providing suction to the wound via the wound cover, and a reservoir coupled to the output port of the pump. The reservoir is adapted to receive effluent from the wound and the pump is capable of maintaining a controlled level of suction at the wound.

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A system for treating a wound of a patient with suction to carry effluent from the wound comprising:
 a cover for adhesive securement to the patient adjacent the wound to enclose the wound;   a pump for applying suction to the wound via a first conduit, said first conduit being coupled to said cover for carrying effluent from the wound to a collector,   a pressure sensor for monitoring the level of suction applied to the wound via a second conduit, said second conduit being coupled to said wound cover; and   a passageway coupled to said second conduit for providing a rinsing flow of gas into said second conduit during operation of said pump to keep said second conduit free of effluent during the application of suction to the wound.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said system is arranged for controlling the operation of said pump in response to a signal from said pressure sensor; 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said pump is arranged for applying suction up to a desired level to the wound and wherein said passageway is adapted for providing the flow of gas into said second conduit when the level of suction at the wound is at the desired level or some level below the desired level. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said system is arranged to provide an alarm when the effluent provided to the collector has reached a predetermined level in the collector. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said second conduit is smaller in diameter than said first conduit. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said pump is a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 63  additionally comprising a suction delivery patch arranged to be coupled to said cover. 
     
     
         70 . A system for treating a wound of a patient with suction from a suction source to carry effluent from the wound and for determining if an inadequate level of suction is being applied to the wound, said system comprising:
 a wound cover for enclosing the wound;   a receptacle for collecting liquids from the wound and comprising an inlet and an outlet;   a first conduit coupled between said source of suction and said outlet of said waste receptacle for producing a level of suction at said receptacle;   a second conduit coupled between said receptacle and the wound for applying a level of suction to the wound;   a third conduit connected in parallel to said second conduit and communicating with the wound;   a pressure sensor for determining if there is difference in pressure between said first conduit and said third conduit; and   a flow sensor coupled between the source of suction and said receptacle for sensing the flow of fluid to the source of suction.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70  wherein said pressure sensor is arranged for determining the difference in pressure between said first conduit and said third conduit and providing a signal representative thereof. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71  wherein said system is adapted to utilize the signal representative of the difference in pressure between said first conduit and said third conduit to control the level of suction provided by the source of suction. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72  additionally comprising a passageway coupled to said third conduit for providing a flow of gas into said third conduit, said flow of gas being operative to rinse effluent from said third conduit during the application of suction to the wound. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 70  additionally comprising a filter in fluid communication with said third conduit. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74  additionally comprising a filter shut off. 
     
     
         76 . A system for treating a wound by applying suction to the wound from a suction source and for determining if an adequate level of suction is being applied to the wound, said system comprising:
 a cover for sealing the wound and thereby establishing a sealing state of the wound;   a conduit in fluid communication with the source of suction and said wound cover for applying suction to the wound;   a flow sensor for detecting the rate of flow of fluid in said conduit to determine the sealing state of the wound;   a passageway in fluid communication with said conduit, said flow sensor and the ambient air outside of said system for providing a flow of air into said system; and   wherein the detection of said flow of air by said flow sensor indicates a non-obstructed condition of said system.   
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the level of suction applied to the wound is controllable by said system based upon a user selectable setting. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said flow sensor detects the rate of leakage of fluid into said system and wherein said system is arranged for determining if adequate suction is applied to the wound based upon the rate of leakage as detected by the sensor and said user selectable setting. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 76  additionally comprising a collector having a portion arranged for receipt of effluent from the wound. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 76  wherein said passageway includes a flow restrictor.