SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING FLUID TO A WOUND THERAPY DRESSING
Systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure sensor measures the pressure at the wound therapy dressing and restricts fluid flow to the wound therapy dressing when a predetermined pressure is achieve.
1 . An apparatus for use with a wound dressing, comprising:
a controller operatively coupled to a fluid-flow device;
wherein the controller is configured to:
activate the fluid-flow device to provide fluid to the wound dressing until a predetermined pressure in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg at the wound dressing is reached.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a valve.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the valve is a solenoid-actuated pinch valve.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a pump, the pump configured to be activated by the controller.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pressure is indicative of a pressure at the wound dressing.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises:
a gravity-fed reservoir configured to be fluidly coupled to the wound dressing; and
a valve configured to be positioned between the gravity-fed reservoir and the wound dressing;
wherein the controller is configured to actuate the valve to restrict fluid flow when the predetermined pressure is reached.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises:
a reservoir configured to be fluidly coupled to the wound dressing; and
a pump configured to be fluidly coupled between the reservoir and the wound dressing;
wherein the controller is configured to activate the pump to deliver fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing until the predetermined pressure is reached.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate an audible signal when the predetermined pressure is reached.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a visual signal when the predetermined pressure is reached.
10 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for performing steps in a method for delivering fluid to a wound dressing, wherein the executable instructions configure a controller to:
send a first signal to a fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing;
determine a pressure at the wound dressing based on a signal received from a pressure sensor; and
upon the pressure reaching a predetermined pressure, send a second signal to the fluid-flow device to restrict fluid flow to the wound dressing;
wherein the predetermined pressure is in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg.
11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the executable instructions further configure the controller to:
activate a negative-pressure source to create a negative pressure at the wound dressing; and
deactivate the negative-pressure source prior to sending the first signal to the fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing.
12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the executable instructions further configure the controller to:
vent a reservoir to atmosphere after deactivating the negative-pressure source and prior to sending the first signal to the fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing.
13 . A system for providing wound therapy, comprising:
a wound dressing in fluid communication with a negative-pressure source and a reservoir;
a fluid-flow device fluidly coupled between the reservoir and the wound dressing; and
a controller operatively coupled to the negative-pressure source and the fluid-flow device;
wherein the controller is configured to activate the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing until a predetermined pressure in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg at the wound dressing is reached.
14 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to be disposed at the wound dressing, the pressure sensor further configured to be operatively coupled to the controller.
15 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a vent in fluid communication with an interior of the reservoir and atmosphere, the vent operatively coupled to the controller.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to open the vent to permit fluid communication between the interior of the reservoir and atmosphere prior to activating the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the negative-pressure source prior to activating the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a pump.
19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a valve.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the valve comprises a solenoid-actuated pinch valve.