Wound care and infusion method and system utilizing a therapeutic agent

Abstract

A wound-care system includes a first pump fluidly coupled to an oxygen source. An oxygen concentrator is fluidly coupled to the first pump. A humidification system is fluidly coupled to the oxygen concentrator. A wound dressing is fluidly coupled to the humidification system and to an exudate chamber. A negative-pressure tube fluidly is coupled to the exudate chamber. A first valve is disposed between the first pump and the oxygen concentrator. A second valve is disposed between the oxygen concentrator and the wound dressing. A third valve is disposed in the negative-pressure tube. Selective activation of the first pump, the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve facilitates delivery of at least one of individual, sequential, or simultaneous negative-pressure treatment and oxygen-rich fluid treatment to the wound via the wound dressing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a wound, the method comprising:
 applying a wound dressing to the wound;   coupling the wound dressing to an oxygen source and a first pump;   administering to a wound at least one of a first treatment modality and a second treatment modality;   wherein the first treatment modality comprises:   supplying oxygen-rich fluid from the oxygen source to a humidifier;   delivering, via a pressure gradient, the humidified oxygen-rich fluid to the wound via the wound dressing; and   wherein the second treatment modality comprises applying, via the first pump, negative pressure to the wound via the wound dressing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pressure gradient is created by a second pump that is operated independently of the first pump; and   wherein the second treatment modality comprises applying, via the second pump, negative pressure to the wound via the wound dressing.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising alternating activation of the first pump and the second pump such that the wound is maintained at a pressure that is at least one of approximately equal to ambient pressure and above ambient pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising maintaining the wound at a pressure below ambient pressure via activation of at least one of the first pump and the second pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising varying the negative pressure applied to the wound via the wound dressing by varying at least one of a speed and an activation time of at least one of the first pump and the second pump. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising measuring a pressure at the wound via a pressure sensor that is exposed to a fluid tube. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising maintaining, via a check valve, pressure at the wound when the at least one of the first pump and the second pump is deactivated. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising operating at least one of the first pump and the second pump at a high-negative-pressure state for a first pre-determined period of time and operating at least one of the first pump and the second pump at a low-negative-pressure state for a second pre-determined period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 deactivating at least one of the first pump and the second pump; and   raising the pressure of the wound to near ambient pressure via controlled delivery of oxygen-rich fluid to the wound dressing.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 ceasing the controlled delivery of oxygen-rich fluid to the wound dressing;   flushing the wound dressing with ambient air; and   applying negative pressure to the wound dressing.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure of the wound is at least one of above ambient pressure, at ambient pressure, and below ambient pressure but less than venous backflow pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first treatment modality and the second treatment modality are administered at least one of sequentially, simultaneously, or individually.