Dressing reduced-pressure indicators, systems, and methods
View Patent ↗Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed in some embodiments that involve treating a tissue site with reduced pressure wherein the dressing includes a dressing reduced-pressure indicator that allows one to ascertain that the reduced pressure applied at the dressing is greater than a threshold reduced pressure. The dressing reduced-pressure indicator may include a moving member that is adapted to move under reduced pressure and a visual indicator associated with the moving member. Another embodiment uses an electro-mechanical indicator to provide a powered visual alert or audible alert or another output signal. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
1. A system for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure, the system comprising:
a dressing comprising:
a dressing bolster for providing a reduced-pressure treatment space over the tissue site,
a sealing member for covering the dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis,
a reduced-pressure interface coupled to the sealing member for providing reduced pressure to the dressing bolster, and
a dressing reduced-pressure indicator fluidly coupled to the dressing bolster proximate the dressing bolster, wherein the dressing reduced-pressure indicator comprises:
a moving member that is adapted to move when reduced pressure exceeds a threshold value, and
a visual indicator associated with the moving member;
a reduced-pressure source;
a reduced-pressure delivery conduit for fluidly coupling the reduced-pressure source to the reduced-pressure interface.
2. The system for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the moving member comprises a collapsible wall and the visual indicator comprises an indicator member coupled to the collapsible wall, the visual indicator having an extended position and a retracted position.
3. The system for treating a tissue site of claim 1 ,
wherein the moving member comprises a collapsible wall, having a first end and a second end;
wherein the visual indicator comprises an indicator member coupled to the first end of the collapsible wall and wherein the indicator member has an extended position and a retracted position; and
further comprising a base coupled to the second end of the collapsible wall and wherein base is coupled to the sealing member.
4. The system for treating a tissue site of claim 1 ,
wherein the moving member comprises a collapsible wall, having a first end and a second end;
wherein the visual indicator comprises an indicator member coupled to the first end of the collapsible wall and wherein the indicator member has an extended position and a retracted position;
further comprising a base coupled to the second end of the collapsible wall and wherein base is coupled to the sealing member;
wherein the reduced-pressure interface is coupled to the base; and
a reduced-pressure channel fluidly coupling the reduced-pressure interface and the dressing reduced-pressure indicator.
5. The system for treating a tissue site of claim 1 ,
wherein the moving member comprises a collapsible wall, having a first end and a second end and formed with a convex interior surface;
wherein the visual indicator comprises a disk-shaped member coupled to the first end of the collapsible wall and wherein the indicator member has an extended position and a retracted position;
further comprising a base coupled to the second end of the collapsible wall and wherein base is coupled to the sealing member;
wherein the reduced-pressure interface is coupled to the base;
a reduced-pressure channel fluidly coupling the reduced-pressure interface and the dressing reduced-pressure indicator; and
wherein the dressing reduced-pressure indicator and reduced-pressure interface are formed as an integral member from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
6. The system for treating a tissue site of claim 1 ,
wherein the moving member comprises an indicator sealing member over a convex member; and
wherein the visual indicator comprises the indicator sealing member changing appearance as the indicator sealing member approximates the convex member.