System for treating a wound with suction and method of detecting a loss of suction
A system for applying suction to a wound is provided, including a suction source for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow, and a waste collector canister between the wound and the suction source for collecting liquids aspirated from the wound, wherein the canister includes one or more disks containing gelling agent.
1. A system for applying suction to a wound, comprising:
a portable positive displacement pump for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, the pump being capable of operation at variable speed;
a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow;
a flow rate monitor to monitor airflow through the conduit and to indicate reference airflow and deviation above and below the reference airflow; and
a pressure transducer for detecting pressure at the pump, wherein the pump speed is controlled to maintain the pressure sensed by the transducer based on a pressure setting;
wherein the airflow is determined by counting pump revolutions over a period of time.