Pressure-Operated Switch

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for regulating the delivery of negative-pressure therapy are described. The system includes a negative-pressure source, an energy source, and a switch. The switch can include a first conductor electrically coupled to the negative-pressure source, a second conductor electrically coupled to the energy source, and a diaphragm having a first position electrically coupling the first conductor to the second conductor and a second position separated from the first conductor and the second conductor. The diaphragm is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to a differential between a control pressure and a therapy pressure.

1 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A regulator for controlling negative-pressure therapy, the regulator comprising:
 a supply chamber adapted to be fluidly coupled to a dressing;   a charging chamber configured to be fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source and to the supply chamber through a port;   a first terminal configured to be electrically coupled to the negative-pressure source;   a second terminal configured to be electrically coupled to an energy source; and   a membrane coupled to the charging chamber and operable to conduct electricity disposed proximate to the first terminal and the second terminal, the membrane having a first position electrically coupling the first terminal to the second terminal and a second position separated from the first terminal and the second terminal, the membrane operable to reciprocate between the first position and the second position to control operation of the negative-pressure source and fluid communication through the port based on a differential between an ambient pressure and a therapy pressure.   
     
     
         41 . The regulator of  claim 40 , further comprising a third terminal disposed on the membrane and proximate to the first terminal and the second terminal. 
     
     
         42 . The regulator of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a housing forming a chamber and having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and an ambient pressure opening;   a spring disposed in the chamber and having a first end coupled to the membrane and a second end coupled to the housing; and   the membrane disposed in the chamber and coupled to the housing proximate to the ambient pressure opening to fluidly isolate the chamber from an ambient environment.   
     
     
         43 . The regulator of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 a calibration spring having a first end operatively coupled to the membrane; and   a calibrator coupled to a second end of the calibration spring, the calibrator operable to calibrate a differential force required to move the membrane from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         44 . The regulator of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board;   a controller coupled to the printed circuit board;   at least one light emitting diode coupled to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the controller; and   wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically coupled to the controller and the controller is configured to operate the at least one light emitting diode in response to the membrane being in at least one of the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         45 . The regulator of  claim 40 , wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are coupled to a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         46 . The regulator of  claim 45 , wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are sprung terminals. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A system for providing negative pressure therapy, the system comprising:
 a negative-pressure source;   an electronic assembly, the electronic assembly comprising:
 a printed circuit board, 
 a controller coupled to the printed circuit board, 
 at least one light emitting diode coupled to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the controller; 
   a container defining a fluid chamber; and   a switch, the switch comprising:
 a housing forming a chamber and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber and the fluid outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source, 
 a first terminal electrically coupled to the negative-pressure source, 
 a second terminal electrically coupled to an energy source, and 
 a diaphragm having a first position electrically coupling the first terminal to the second terminal and a second position separated from the first terminal and the second terminal, the diaphragm configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to a differential between a control pressure and a therapy pressure 
   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the switch further comprises a biasing member disposed in the chamber and having a first end coupled to the diaphragm and a second end coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the diaphragm to the first position. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are sprung terminals. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the switch is disposed in the container and the negative-pressure source and the electronic assembly are disposed in a control unit, the container configured to receive the control unit. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the container comprises a cavity configured to receive the control unit. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the negative-pressure source, the electronic assembly, and the switch are disposed in a control unit, the container configured to receive the control unit. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the fluid chamber is configured to be fluidly coupled to a dressing.