Apparatus and method for locating fluid leaks in a reduced pressure dressing utilizing a remote device

Abstract

A system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient. A fluid parameter associated with applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site may be sensed. An audible fluid leak location sound may be generated in response to sensing the fluid parameter. The audible fluid leak location sound may be altered in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. By altering the audible fluid leak location sound in response to sensing a change of the fluid parameter, a clinician may detect location of a fluid leak at the drape by applying force to the drape. The force applied to the drape may be a clinician pressing a finger onto an edge of the drape.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for performing reduced pressure tissue therapy, comprising:
 applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient covered by a drape;   sensing a sound pressure wave propagating from the drape at a first location proximate the drape;   generating a first audio signal representing the sound pressure wave and having amplitude and frequency components indicative of a fluid leak at the first location when a fluid leak is present in or proximate the drape; and   generating an output signal when the amplitude and frequency components indicate the presence of a fluid leak at the first location.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 computing an amplitude average of the amplitude components of the first audio signal over time;   comparing the amplitude average of the first audio signal to an amplitude threshold indicative of a fluid leak at the first location; and   generating the output signal indicating the presence of a fluid leak at the first location if the amplitude average is greater than the amplitude threshold.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 sensing a sound pressure wave at a second location proximate the drape to sense a sound pressure wave propagating from the drape at the second location;   generating a second audio signal having amplitude and frequency components indicative of a fluid leak at the second location when a fluid leak is present in or proximate the drape.   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 computing a first amplitude average of the amplitude components of the first audio signals over time and a second amplitude average of the amplitude components of the second audio signal over time;   computing an amplitude difference between the second amplitude average and the first amplitude average; and   generating the output signal indicating the presence of a fluid leak if the amplitude difference is greater than an amplitude differential threshold indicative of a fluid leak at the second location.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 filtering the frequency components of the first audio signal to pass filtered frequencies corresponding to the sound pressure waves at locations proximate the drape;   comparing a frequency average of the filtered frequencies of the first audio signal to a frequency threshold indicative of a fluid leak at the first location; and   generating the output signal indicating the presence of a fluid leak at the first location if the frequency average is greater than the frequency threshold.   
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 sensing a sound pressure wave at a second location proximate the drape to sense a sound pressure wave propagating from the drape at the second location;   generating a second audio signal having amplitude and frequency components indicative of a fluid leak at the second location when a fluid leak is present in or proximate the drape.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 filtering the frequency components of the first audio signal and the second audio signal to pass filtered frequencies corresponding to the sound pressure waves at locations proximate the drape;   computing a first frequency average of the filtered frequencies of the first audio signals and a second frequency average of the filtered frequencies of the second audio signal;   computing a frequency differential between the second frequency average and the first frequency average; and   generating the output signal indicating the presence of a fluid leak if the frequency differential is greater than a frequency differential threshold indicative of a fluid leak at the second location.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising generating a graphical indicator indicative of the amplitude and frequency components of the first audio signal at the first location while in a leak location mode. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising generating a graphical indicator indicative of the magnitude of the first audio signal indicative of the severity of the fluid leak while in a leak location mode. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising enhancing propagation of the sound pressure wave at the first location by resonating the sound pressure wave and generating the first audio signal representing the resonated sound pressure wave. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the resonance is a Helmholtz resonance. 
     
     
         39 . A method for performing reduced pressure tissue therapy, comprising:
 applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient covered by a drape;   sensing a fluid parameter associated with applying the reduced pressure to the tissue site;   determining that a fluid leak exists in response to sensing a change in the fluid parameter;   generating a fluid leak signal in response to determining that a fluid leak exists;   sensing a sound pressure wave propagating from the drape at a first location proximate the drape;   generating a first audio signal representing the sound pressure wave and having amplitude and frequency components indicative of a fluid leak at the first location when a fluid leak is present in or proximate the drape; and   generating an alarm signal when the amplitude and frequency components indicate the presence of a fluid leak at the first location.   
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method for performing reduced pressure tissue therapy, comprising:
 applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient covered by a drape;   sensing a sound pressure wave propagating from the drape at a first location proximate the drape;   generating a first audio signal representing the sound pressure wave;   filtering the frequencies of the first audio signal to pass filtered frequencies corresponding to the sound pressure waves at locations proximate the drape;   computing a frequency average of the filtered frequencies of the first audio signal;   comparing the frequency average of the first audio signal to a frequency threshold indicative of a fluid leak at the first location; and   generating an output signal indicating the presence of a fluid leak at the first location if the frequency average is greater than the frequency threshold.   
     
     
         42 .- 57 . (canceled)