APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WOUND VOLUME MEASUREMENT
A method and apparatus for measuring a volume of a wound are described, the method comprising the steps of: applying a dressing over a wound, the volume of which is to be measured, the dressing including at least a sealing drape over the wound so as to create a sealed wound cavity; creating a vacuum in said wound cavity by vacuum pump means so as to produce a predetermined vacuum in the wound cavity; measuring a volume of air extracted from said wound cavity in producing said predetermined vacuum; and, calculating a volume of said wound.
1 .- 16 . (canceled)
17 . A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
a source of negative pressure configured to provide negative pressure, via a fluid flow path, to a wound dressing placed over a wound; and
a controller programmed to operate the source of negative pressure, the controller further programmed to:
determine a rate of fluid flow in the fluid flow path;
determine a leak rate in the fluid flow path; and
based on the rate of fluid flow and the leak rate, provide an indication of at least one operating condition.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the controller is programmed to, in response to determining that the rate of fluid flow satisfies a threshold, provide an indication of a blockage in the fluid flow path.
19 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a flow sensor configured to measure the rate of fluid flow in the fluid flow path.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the flow sensor comprises a flowmeter.
21 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the flow sensor is configured to be positioned in the fluid flow path downstream from the source of negative pressure.
22 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a waste canister and one or more conduits located in the fluid flow path.
23 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a display, wherein the controller is further programmed to provide the indication of said at least one operating condition to be displayed on the display.
24 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the controller is further programmed to activate an alarm to provide the indication of said at least one operating condition.
25 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the fluid flow path.
26 . A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:
providing negative pressure to a wound from a source of negative pressure configured to be fluidically connected, via a fluid flow path, to a wound dressing placed over the wound;
by a controller:
determining a leak rate in the fluid flow path;
determining a rate of fluid flow in the fluid flow path; and
based on the rate of fluid flow and the leak rate, providing an indication of at least one operating condition.
27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising, providing an indication of a blockage condition in the fluid flow path in response to determining that the rate of flow does not satisfy a flow threshold.
28 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising measuring the rate of fluid with a flowmeter of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus.
29 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising provide the indication of said at least one operating condition on a display of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus.
30 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising activating an alarm to provide the indication of said at least one operating condition.
31 . The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the fluid flow path.