APPARATUS FOR IRRIGATION WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE
A system is described herein that can irrigate a tissue site using negative-pressure. The system may include a tissue interface configured to be placed adjacent to the tissue site, and a sealing member configured to be placed over the tissue interface to form a sealed space. The system may also include a negative-pressure source configured to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space and a fluid source. The system may further include an irrigation valve. The irrigation valve can have a fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid source. The irrigation valve can also have a fluid outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space. The irrigation valve may also include a clamp configured to be actuated by the negative-pressure source to regulate fluid flow from the fluid source through the fluid outlet.
1 . A system for irrigating a tissue site, comprising:
a tissue interface configured to be placed adjacent to the tissue site;
a sealing member configured to be placed over the tissue interface to form a sealed space;
a negative-pressure source configured to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space;
a fluid source; and
an irrigation valve comprising:
a fluid inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid source,
a fluid outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space, and
a clamp actuated by the negative-pressure source to regulate fluid flow from the fluid source through the fluid outlet;
wherein the clamp comprises:
a fluid enclosure, and
a liquid spacer disposed in the fluid enclosure,
wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are coupled to the fluid enclosure.
2 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid outlet comprises an orifice configured to provide a maximum flow of about 10 cubic centimeters per minute.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the clamp comprises a pressure enclosure configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source;
the fluid enclosure is disposed in the pressure enclosure and the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet provide fluid communication through the pressure enclosure to the fluid enclosure; and
the negative-pressure source is configured to draw fluid from the pressure enclosure, compressing the pressure enclosure and the fluid enclosure.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid enclosure is sized to provide a flow of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per minute when compressed by the pressure enclosure.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid enclosure comprises:
a first sheet; and
a second sheet coupled to the first sheet along a perimeter of the first sheet and the second sheet, the liquid spacer disposed therein.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid spacer comprises a foam block.
17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the pressure enclosure comprises:
a first sheet;
a second sheet coupled to the first sheet along a perimeter of the first sheet and the second sheet, the fluid enclosure disposed therein; and
a pressure outlet coupled to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet, the pressure outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the negative-pressure source provides negative pressure to the sealed space and the irrigation valve.
19 - 32 . (canceled)
33 . An irrigation valve comprising:
a fluid bag configured to be fluidly coupled between a fluid source and a sealed space;
a foam block encased in the fluid bag;
a fluid orifice configured to couple the fluid bag to the sealed space; and
a negative-pressure bag encasing the fluid bag and configured to be fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source.
34 . The irrigation valve of claim 33 , wherein the fluid bag is sized to provide a flow of about 10 cubic centimeters per minute at about −75 mm Hg or less.
35 . The irrigation valve of claim 33 , wherein the fluid bag is sized to provide a flow of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per minute at about −125 mm Hg or less.
36 . The irrigation valve of claim 33 , wherein the fluid orifice is configured to provide a maximum flow of about 10 cubic centimeters per minute.
37 . The irrigation valve of claim 33 , wherein the fluid bag comprises:
a first sheet; and
a second sheet coupled to the first sheet along a perimeter of the first sheet and the second sheet, the foam block disposed therein.
38 . The irrigation valve of claim 33 , wherein the negative-pressure bag comprises:
a first sheet;
a second sheet coupled to the first sheet along a perimeter of the first sheet and the second sheet, the fluid bag disposed therein; and
a pressure outlet coupled to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet, the pressure outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source.
39 . A method for irrigating a tissue site, the method comprising:
placing a tissue interface adjacent to the tissue site;
covering the tissue interface and the tissue site to form a sealed space;
fluidly coupling an irrigation valve to the sealed space;
fluidly coupling a fluid source to the irrigation valve;
fluidly coupling a negative-pressure source to the sealed space and the irrigation valve;
operating the negative-pressure source to supply negative-pressure to the sealed space and the irrigation valve; and
restricting a fluid path through the irrigation valve in response to a supply of negative pressure;
wherein restricting the fluid path comprises compressing a foam block to restrict fluid paths through the foam block.
40 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising:
supplying negative pressure at about 75 mm Hg; and
drawing fluid through the fluid path at about 10 cubic centimeters per minute.
41 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising:
supplying negative pressure at about 125 mm Hg; and
drawing fluid through the fluid path at about 0.5 cubic centimeters per minute.
42 - 44 . (canceled)