Sub-atmospheric wound-care system
Methods and systems are provided for a sub-atmospheric wound-care (SAWS) system for treating an open wound. The SAWS system includes a regulated vacuum source for developing a negative pressure, a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound, a primary pressure regulating sensor located proximate the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound, a backup pressure regulating sensor located vacuum tube, a porous dressing suitable to be sealed airtight which is positioned within a wound interface chamber, a collection canister configured to collect said liquid removed from the wound, and an adapter configured to use wall suction a primary regulated vacuum source.
1. A sub-atmospheric wound-care system for treating an open wound comprising:
a connector configured to be connected to wall suction as a regulated vacuum source for developing a negative pressure;
a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound;
a pressure regulating sensor to be placed at a surface of the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound;
a collection canister with volume level markings configured to collect said liquid removed from the wound; and
a porous dressing positioned over the wound and over the pressure regulating sensor placed at the surface of the wound.
2. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the wall suction is a first regulated vacuum source, the system further comprising:
a vacuum motor configured for use as a second regulated vacuum source; and
a valve configured to be switched between the first regulated vacuum source and the second regulated vacuum source.
3. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum motor is a brushless vacuum motor.
4. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wound interface chamber connected via a vacuum path to the regulated vacuum source; and
a tube connected to the wound interface chamber;
wherein the porous dressing is disposed between the wound interface chamber and the wound.
5. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4 , further comprising:
an electronic-programmable vacuum regulator configured to access the vacuum path.
6. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor is a first pressure regulating sensor, the system further comprising:
a second pressure regulating sensor disposed in said tube for taking indirect measurements of the negative pressure at the wound.
7. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the porous dressing is configured to be sealed airtight over the wound.
8. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the porosity of the porous dressing is greater than 60%.
9. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor is located between the porous dressing and the wound.
10. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 4 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor is located between the wound interface chamber and the wound.
11. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 2 , wherein the vacuum motor is battery operated.
12. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first alarm configured to indicate that a predefined flow rate has been reached as detected by said flow rate meter;
fluid level detection means for detecting a fluid level in the collection canister; and
a second alarm configured to indicate that a predefined fluid level has been reached in the collection canister fluid level detection means.
13. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor fits within a depression in the porous dressing arranged to expose the pressure regulating sensor to the surface of the wound.
14. The sub-atmospheric wound-care system of claim 1 , wherein the flow rate meter is further configured to detect accelerated fluid outflow from the wound.
15. A system configured to apply negative pressure to a wound, the system comprising:
a wound interface chamber configured to hold a porous dressing over the wound;
a flow rate meter configured to measure a flow rate of liquid removed from the wound interface chamber;
a pressure regulating sensor positioned between the porous dressing and a surface of the wound for directly measuring the negative pressure at the wound; and
a tube connecting the wound interface chamber and a collection canister for said liquid removed from the wound.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor fits within a depression in the porous dressing arranged to expose the pressure regulating sensor to the surface of the wound.
17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a connector configured to be connected to wall suction as a regulated vacuum source for developing the negative pressure.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the pressure regulating sensor is a first pressure regulating sensor, the system further comprising:
a tube disposed between the wound interface chamber and a vacuum source;
a second pressure regulating sensor disposed in said tube for taking indirect measurements of the negative pressure at the wound.
19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a first alarm configured to indicate a predefined flow rate has been reached as detected by said flow rate meter;
fluid level detection means for detecting a fluid level in the collection canister; and
a second alarm configured to indicate that a predefined fluid level has been reached in the collection canister fluid level detection means.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the flow rate meter is further configured to detect accelerated fluid outflow from the wound.