# US 10,117,979 B2 · Systems and methods for electrically detecting the presence of exudate in dressings

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- Number: US 10,117,979 B2
- Document ID: US10117979B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/318,204
- Filed: 2014-06-27
- Published: 2014-11-13
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-07-19
- Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Inventors: Richard Daniel John Coulthard; Malcolm Thomson; Rico Jaeger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117979B2

## CPC

- A61M 1/982: {with means for detecting level of collected exudate}
- A61F 13/00055: {Saturation indicators}
- A61F 13/02: Adhesive bandages or dressings
- A61F 13/0206: with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings
- A61F 13/05: specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
- A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)}
- A61M 1/912: {Connectors between dressing and drainage tube}
- A61M 1/964: {having venting means on or near the dressing}
- A61M 1/966: {having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing}
- A61M 27/00: Drainage appliance for wounds or the like {, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains} ({negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90;} implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 {; middle ear drainage A61F11/202})
- G08B 21/20: responsive to moisture
- A61F 2013/00174: {possibility of applying pressure}
- A61F 2013/00421: {with double adhesive layer}
- A61F 2013/00536: {for draining or irrigating wounds}
- A61F 2013/0054: {for deep wounds}
- A61F 2013/00961: {electrical conductivity}
- A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values}
- A61M 1/784: {by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves}
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- A61M 1/985: {the dressing itself forming the collection container}
- A61M 2205/18: with alarm
- A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means
- A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
- A61M 2205/3341: stabilising pressure or flow to avoid excessive variation
- A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
- A61M 2205/3569: sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
- A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
- A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback
- A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback
- A61M 2205/6081: Colour codes
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for sensing fluid in a dressing on a patient and producing an electrical signal. In one instance, a galvanic cell is used as an electronic detection device. The galvanic cell is placed in the dressing and produces voltage when the dressing is substantially saturated. In one instance, the dressing is a reduced-pressure, absorbent dressing. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dressing for receiving an ionic fluid, the dressing comprising:
a treatment manifold adapted to be disposed adjacent a tissue site;
an absorbent layer for disposing over the treatment manifold, placing in fluid communication with a tissue site, and receiving and at least temporarily retaining ionic fluids from the tissue site, the absorbent layer having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
a sealing member for covering the absorbent layer and the treatment manifold;
a reduced-pressure interface having an elbow port, the reduced-pressure interface adapted to be coupled to the sealing member, and the elbow port adapted to extend through the absorbent layer to be fluidly coupled to the treatment manifold;
a plurality of galvanic cells associated with the absorbent layer and configured to provide power proportional to the saturation of the absorbent layer of the dressing; and
a first galvanic cell of the plurality of galvanic cells located at a position on the absorbent layer and configured to produce a voltage above a threshold voltage to indicate when the absorbent layer proximate to the first galvanic cell is substantially saturated with the ionic fluid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The dressing of claim 1, wherein each galvanic cell of the plurality of galvanic cells comprises:
a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode in fluid communication with a portion of the absorbent layer, and the first electrode and the second electrode spaced from one another;
a first electrical lead coupled to the first electrode;
a second electrical lead coupled to the second electrode; and
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to produce measurable electrical power when the ionic fluid covers the first electrode and the second electrode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The dressing of claim 2, wherein the first electrode comprises copper and the second electrode comprises tin.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The dressing of claim 2, wherein the first electrode comprises copper and the second electrode comprises tin, and wherein the ionic fluid comprises exudate from a patient.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The dressing of claim 2, wherein the first electrode comprises copper and the second electrode comprises zinc.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The dressing of claim 1, further comprising a wireless-communication-and-power subsystem.