DE102010037663A1 - Feedback control method of low pressure wound therapy system, involves generating negative pressure environment in opening of wound dressing unit and positive pressure environment in sampling bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves generating negative pressure environment in opening (511) of wound dressing unit (50) and positive pressure environment in sampling bag. The pressure detection process is performed in positive pressure environment and a low pressure detection process is performed in vacuum environment. The detected results are sent to determine whether micro pump is stopped. An independent claim is included for low pressure wound therapy system.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound therapy system and a feedback control method therefor, and more particularly to a therapy system that creates a negative pressure around the wound to promote wound healing.

2. Description of the Related Art

A negative pressure wound therapy system uses wound wraps, soft pads, or biocompatible pore materials to apply to the wounds and connect them to a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump creates a vacuum on the wound to extract the pus and infectious items and to soak up the healthy tissue fluid to maintain a moist therapeutic environment. Therefore, the circulation around the wound is improved to accelerate wound healing.

One of the conventional negative pressure wound therapy systems has a rigid collector connected to a front end of the vacuum pump to extract the pus and infectious articles into the rigid collector. A vacuum sensor detects the vacuum in the collector to see if the traditional system is working normally. However, when the vacuum pump is connected to the rear end of the rigid collector, the pump is further away from the wound so that the pump requires more power to create a vacuum in the wound and to supply the pus and infectious articles from the wound extract.

Another conventional negative pressure wound therapy system solves the above problem. The collector is connected to the rear end of the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is directly connected to the wound wipe attached to the wound so that the vacuum pump needs less power. However, the collector does not have the same negative pressure environment as the wound. Therefore, the negative pressure sensor is not suitable for detection.

To overcome the deficiencies, the present invention provides a negative pressure wound therapy system and a feedback control method therefor to alleviate or avoid the above problems.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a negative pressure wound therapy system and a feedback control method therefor. The system creates a vacuum environment and an overpressure environment in the collection bag in the opening of the wound dressing unit. Then, an overpressure detection method in the overpressure environment and a negative pressure detection method in the underpressure environment proceed. The results obtained are sent to determine if the micropump is stopped.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

drawings

1 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a negative pressure wound therapy system according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationships of the negative pressure wound therapy system in FIG 1 shows;

3 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a wound dressing unit of a negative pressure wound therapy system;

4 is an exploded perspective view of the vacuum wound therapy system 1 ;

5 is an exploded perspective view of a sensor assembly and an actuator of the vacuum wound therapy system 1 ;

6 is a partial perspective view of the actuator of the vacuum wound therapy system 1 ;

7 FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a test mode of a feedback control method of the present invention for a vacuum wound therapy system in FIG 1 shows; and

8th FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation mode of a negative pressure wound therapy feedback control method. FIG 1 shows.

With reference to 1 For example, a negative pressure wound therapy system according to the present invention includes a control unit 10 , a sensor assembly 20 , an actuator 30 , a collector 40 and a wound dressing unit 50 ,

With reference to 1 and 2 includes the control unit 10 a microprocessor 11 , a power supply unit 12 and a control panel 13 , The power supply unit 12 is electric with the microprocessor 11 connected, provides electricity and may be a battery device or a power converter connected to an external power source. The control panel 13 is on the outside of the control unit 10 attached and electrically connected to the microprocessor 11 and the power supply unit 12 connected.

The sensor assembly 20 includes a vacuum sensor 21 , an overpressure sensor 22 and a relief valve 23 , The relief valve 23 adjusts the pressure of the system and can apply an interval mode.

The actuator 30 includes a micropump 31 ,

The collector 40 includes a collection bag 41 and a liquid absorber 42 , The liquid absorber 42 is in the collection bag 41 assembled.

With reference to 3 includes the wound dressing unit 50 a wound sheet 51 and a wiring 52 , The wound towel 51 has an opening 511 , The cable routing 52 is safe on the wound wipe 51 attached and with the opening 511 connected and has a filter band 521 , The filter band 521 is made of biocompatible materials to prevent solid particles, such as tissue fragments, from entering the conduit 52 to flow. In a preferred embodiment, the wiring is 52 by ultrasonic welding safely on the wound wipe 51 appropriate.

With reference to the 2 and 4 For example, a negative pressure wound therapy system of the present invention includes an electrical connection and a fluid connection to connect the above-mentioned elements.

The control unit 10 is electrical with the sensor assembly 20 connected and the sensor assembly 20 is electric with the actuator 30 connected. A removable electrical wiring harness forms the electrical connection. For example, an electrical line protrudes 61 with a plug 62 from the sensor assembly 20 out. The control unit 10 has a corresponding socket 63 , The plug 62 will be removable in the socket 63 plugged to form the electrical connection.

A fluid connection is made between the pump inlet 311 the micropump 31 and the wiring 52 educated. A fluid connection is made between the pump outlet 312 the micropump 31 and the entry end of the collection bag 41 educated. A check valve is in the entry end 411 of the collection bag 41 attached to keep the fluid in the collection bag from flowing back and infection of the wound. A removable fluid hose set forms the fluid connections. For example, a first hose protrudes 64 with a fluid connection 65 from the micropump 31 and a second hose 64 with a fluid connection 65 from the cable routing 52 out. The fluid connections 65 are detachably connected together to form the fluid connection.

A fluid connection is between the overpressure sensor 22 and the end of the recognition 412 of the collection bag 41 educated. A fluid connection is between the vacuum sensor 21 , the relief valve 23 and the wiring 52 formed, in particular through the pump inlet 311 the micropump 31 , Removable hose sets form the fluid connections. For example, a first hose protrudes 64 with a first fluid connection 65 from the overpressure sensor 22 out. A second fluid connection 65 is at the end of recognition 412 of the collection bag 41 appropriate. The fluid connections 65 are detachably connected together to form the fluid connection.

With reference to 5 and 6 has in a preferred embodiment, the sensor assembly 20 a first connection interface 201 and the actuator 30 has a second connection interface 301 , The first connection interface 201 has a first electrical connection 202 and a first fluid port 203 , The second connection interface 301 has a second electrical connection 302 and a second fluid port 303 , The micropump 31 is electrically connected to the second electrical connection 302 connected. The connection interfaces 201 . 301 are detachably connected to each other. The first electrical connection 202 is with the second electrical connection 302 connected. The first fluid connection 203 is with the second fluid port 303 connected. A fluid division 66 may be a manifold and includes a first passage 661 and a second passage 662 , The first passage 661 connects the pump inlet 311 the micropump 31 and the wiring 52 , The second passage 662 connects the second fluid port 303 and the wiring 52 ,

Furthermore, filters 70 in the end of recognition 412 of the collection bag 41 and the second fluid port 303 of the actuator 30 appropriate to prevent infections from entering the sensor assembly 20 reach.

With the above removable electrical connections and removable fluid connections, the components can be detached from each other to be independently repaired.

When operating the described system, the wound sheet covers 51 the wound of the Patients with the wound facing the wound 511 , The user operates the micropump 31 via the control panel 13 , The micropump 31 creates a negative pressure environment in the wound through the fluid connections and extracts the pus and infectious items from the wound. The pus and the infectious objects pass through the actuator 30 and are in the collection bag 41 added.

• 1. Weil alle Bauteile miteinander durch abnehmbare elektrische Leitungen oder Schlauchsätze verbunden sind, kann jedes Bauteil ausgebaut und unabhängig von einander repariert werden.
• 2. Die Bauteile haben eine unterschiedliche Lebensdauer. Beispielsweise berühren der Kollektor 40 und die Wundverbandeinheit 50 direkt die Infektionen, so dass der Kollektor 40 und die Wundverbandeinheit 50 häufig ausgetauscht werden müssen, während die Steuereinheit 10, der Aktuator 30 und die Sensorbaugruppe 20 für eine lange Zeit verwendet werden können. Daher sind die lösbaren Anschlüsse angenehm für die Anwender, um jedes Bauteil auszubauen oder zu ersetzen.
• 3. Wenn der Anwender sich zwischen verschieden Orten, wie Krankenhaus und zu Hause, bewegt, ermöglichen die abnehmbaren Anschlüsse dem Anwender, dass er nur einige der Bauteile mitnehmen muss. Beispielsweise trägt der Anwender nur die Steuereinheit 10, die Sensorbaugruppe 20 und den Aktuator 30 und lässt die Kollektoren 40 und die Wundverbandeinheiten 50 an verschiedenen Orten zurück und umgekehrt. Daher braucht der Anwender nur Teile des Systems zu tragen.
• 4. In den Fluidanschlüssen liegt der Aktuator 30 vor dem Auffangbeutel 41. Die Mikropumpe 31 ist direkt mit dem Wundtuch, das auf der Wunde angebracht ist, verbunden, so dass die Mikropumpe weniger Leistung benötigt.

The system described has the following advantages.

• 1. Because all components are connected together by removable electrical leads or hose sets, each component can be removed and repaired independently.
• 2. The components have a different life. For example, the collector touch 40 and the wound dressing unit 50 directly the infections, leaving the collector 40 and the wound dressing unit 50 frequently need to be replaced while the control unit 10 , the actuator 30 and the sensor assembly 20 can be used for a long time. Therefore, the detachable connections are convenient for users to remove or replace any component.
• 3. When the user moves between different locations, such as hospital and home, the detachable connections allow the user to take only a few of the components. For example, the user carries only the control unit 10 , the sensor assembly 20 and the actuator 30 and leaves the collectors 40 and the wound dressing units 50 back in different places and vice versa. Therefore, the user only needs to carry parts of the system.
• 4. The actuator is located in the fluid connections 30 in front of the collection bag 41 , The micropump 31 is directly connected to the wound wipe attached to the wound so that the micropump requires less power.

In order to ensure that the system described is operated safely, a feedback control method according to the present invention for the described system comprises a test mode and an operating mode.

With reference to 7 the system activates the test mode when the system is started as described. The micropump 31 fills the fluid connections in the system. Then put the overpressure sensor 22 determine if the overpressure at the end of detection 412 of the collection bag 41 is normal. If the fluid connections are not properly connected, the overpressure is abnormal. If the gauge pressure is abnormal, the system will sound an alarm. Then the test mode is ended. When the fluid connections are properly connected, the overpressure is normal. If the overpressure is normal, the system will start operating mode.

With reference to 8th creates the micropump 31 when the system starts the operating mode, through the opening 511 the wound cloth 51 a negative pressure environment in the wound and extracts the pus and the infectious items from the wound. Then the collection bag 41 accordingly designed as an overpressure environment. Then, the positive pressure detection method and the negative pressure detection method are started.

The overpressure detection method sets the overpressure in the collection bag 41 firmly. The overpressure sensor 22 Determines if the overpressure in the collection bag 41 is normal. When the fluid connections between the collection bag 41 and other components are separated or an external overload of the collection bag 41 or the collection bag 41 filled with liquid, is the overpressure of the detection end 412 of the collection bag 41 abnormal. If the gauge pressure is abnormal, the gauge sensor will send 22 a signal to the microprocessor 11 to the micropump 31 stop and send an alarm signal to notify the user. Therefore, the pus and the infectious articles are prevented from leaking out of the fluid ports or the collection bag 41 is prevented from breaking up due to overload or because it is filled. Then the operation mode is ended. If the overpressure is normal, the pressure sensor moves 22 continue to handle the overpressure detection process.

The vacuum detection method detects the negative pressure in the wound. The vacuum sensor 21 Determines if the negative pressure in the opening of the wound cloth 51 is normal. If the fluid ports are blocked or disconnected, the vacuum is abnormal. If the vacuum is abnormal, the vacuum sensor sends 21 a signal to the microprocessor 11 to the micropump 31 stop and send an alarm signal to notify the user. If the vacuum is normal, the vacuum sensor will run 21 continue to handle the vacuum detection process.

With the modes mentioned above, the described system works safely.

Although numerous features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, the disclosure, together with the details of the structure and features of the invention, are only illustrative. Changes may be made in detail, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of components, fully within the principles of the invention, as indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are to be expressed ,

Claims (13)

A feedback control method for a negative pressure wound therapy system, the system comprising a wound dressing unit (10). 50 ) and a collecting bag ( 41 ) associated with the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and wherein the method comprises an operating mode comprising the operations of: (a) creating a vacuum environment in an opening ( 511 ) of the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and an overpressure environment in the collecting bag ( 41 ); (b) drainage of an overpressure detection process in the overpressure environment and expiration of a vacuum detection process in the underpressure environment; and (c) transmitting the recognition results to determine if the operation mode is completed. A feedback control method according to claim 1, wherein said step (a) further comprises the use of a micropump ( 31 ) between the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and the collection bag ( 41 ) to create the negative pressure environment and the liquid in the opening ( 511 ) to extract. A feedback control method according to claim 2, wherein the overpressure detection method comprises further operations: detecting the overpressure in a detection end ( 412 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ) by means of an overpressure sensor ( 22 ); and determining if the overpressure is normal; if the overpressure is abnormal, the micropump ( 31 ) is stopped and the operating mode is ended; if the overpressure is normal the micropump ( 31 ) in operation and returns to the process of overpressure detection. A feedback control method according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the negative pressure detection method comprises further operations: detecting the negative pressure in the opening (Fig. 511 ) of the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) by a vacuum sensor ( 21 ); and determining if the negative pressure is normal; if the negative pressure is abnormal, the micropump ( 31 ) is stopped and the operating mode is ended; if the negative pressure is normal, the micropump ( 31 ) in operation and returns to the vacuum detection process. The feedback control method of any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a test mode prior to the expiration of the operating mode, the test mode comprising operations: filling the fluid connections in the system by the micropump ( 31 ); Recognition of the overpressure in a recognition end ( 412 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ) by means of an overpressure sensor ( 22 ); and determining if the overpressure is normal; if the overpressure is abnormal, an alarm signal is output and the test mode is terminated; if the overpressure is normal, the test mode is ended and the operating mode is started. A negative pressure wound therapy system comprising: a control unit ( 10 ); a sensor assembly ( 20 ) electrically connected to the control unit ( 10 ) and a vacuum sensor ( 21 ) and a pressure sensor ( 22 ) to detect pressure, and which is a relief valve ( 23 ); an actuator ( 30 ) with a micropump ( 31 ) electrically connected to the sensor assembly ( 20 ) connected is; a collector ( 40 ) with a collecting bag ( 41 ); a wound dressing unit ( 50 ) with an opening ( 511 ); a first fluid connection between the sensor assembly ( 20 ) and the collection bag ( 41 ); a second fluid connection between the sensor assembly ( 20 ) and the wound dressing unit ( 50 ); a third fluid connection between the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) the actuator ( 30 ) and the collection bag ( 41 ), wherein the actuator ( 30 ) between the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and the collection bag ( 41 ) is in the third fluid connection; the micropump ( 31 ) in the opening ( 511 ) creates a negative pressure environment by the third fluid connection and the liquid from the opening ( 511 ) of the wound dressing unit ( 50 ), and wherein the liquid is the actuator ( 30 ) to enter the collection bag ( 41 ) and wherein the collection bag ( 41 ) is defined as an overprint environment. The vacuum wound therapy system of claim 6, further comprising: a first detachable electrical lead set interposed between said sensor assembly (10); 20 ) and the control unit ( 10 ) connects; a second detachable electrical wiring set between the sensor assembly ( 20 ) and the micropump ( 31 ) connects; a first detachable tubing set between the pump inlet ( 311 ) of the micropump ( 31 ) and the sensor assembly ( 20 ) connects; a second detachable tubing set between the end of detection ( 412 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ) and the sensor assembly ( 20 ) connects; a third detachable tubing set between the entry end ( 411 ) of the collection bag ( 41 ) and the pump outlet ( 312 ) of the micropump ( 31 ) connects; a fourth detachable tubing set between the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and the sensor assembly ( 20 ) connects; and a fifth removable tubing set between the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) and the pump inlet ( 311 ) of the micropump ( 31 ), wherein the first fluid connection is formed by the second detachable hose set; the second fluid connection is formed by the fourth detachable hose set; the third fluid connection is formed by the first, third and fifth removable hose sets. A negative pressure wound therapy system according to claim 7, wherein the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) comprises: a wound wipe ( 51 ), where the opening ( 511 ) of the wound dressing unit ( 50 ) is formed therethrough; and a wiring ( 52 ) safely on the wound wipe ( 51 ), with the opening ( 511 ) and a filter belt ( 521 ) made of biocompatible materials; the fourth removable hose set between the wiring ( 52 ), the vacuum sensor ( 21 ) and the relief valve ( 23 ) connects; and wherein the fifth removable hose set between the wiring ( 52 ) and the pump inlet ( 311 ) of the micropump ( 31 ) connects. A negative pressure wound therapy system according to claim 8, further comprising a fluid distribution ( 66 ), wherein the sensor assembly ( 20 ) a first connection interface ( 201 ) with a first electrical connection ( 202 ) and a first fluid port ( 203 ) Has; and the actuator ( 30 ) a second connection interface ( 301 ) releasably connected to the first connection interface ( 201 ) and wherein a second electrical connection ( 302 ) electrically connected to the micropump ( 31 ) connected to the first electrical connection ( 202 ) connected is; and a second fluid port ( 303 ) connected to the first fluid port ( 203 ), wherein the fluid distribution ( 66 ) comprises a first passage ( 661 ), the pump inlet ( 311 ) of the micropump ( 31 ) and the wiring ( 52 ) connects; and a second passage ( 662 ) connecting the second fluid port ( 303 ) and the wiring ( 52 ) connects. A negative pressure wound therapy system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the fifth detachable tube set comprises a first tube ( 64 ) with a fluid connection ( 65 ) coming out of the micropump ( 31 ) and a second tube ( 64 ) with a fluid connection ( 65 ), which from the wiring ( 52 protrudes) and wherein fluid connections ( 65 ) are detachably connected together. The vacuum wound therapy system of claim 10, wherein the second removable tubing set includes a first tubing (10). 64 ) with a fluid connection ( 65 ) coming from the overpressure sensor ( 22 protrudes), and a second fluid connection ( 65 ) at the end of recognition ( 412 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ), and wherein the fluid connections ( 65 ) are detachably connected together. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 11, further comprising two filters ( 70 ), each at the end of the recognition ( 412 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ) and the second fluid port ( 303 ) of the actuator ( 30 ) to prevent infections from entering the sensor assembly ( 20 ) reach. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 12, further comprising a check valve disposed in an entry end (FIG. 411 ) of the collecting bag ( 41 ) is attached to the liquid in the collection bag ( 41 ) to prevent it from flowing back.

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