# US 10,478,536 B2 · Therapy apparatus with integrated fluid conductors and noise attenuation

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- Number: US 10,478,536 B2
- Document ID: US10478536B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/849,321
- Filed: 2015-09-09
- Published: 2016-03-10
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-09-10
- Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Pratt; James Killingworth Seddon; Christopher Brian Locke; David Mercer; Loren Francis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478536B2

## CPC

- A61M 1/72: {Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit}
- A61M 1/15: {with a cassette forming partially or totally the flow circuit for the treating fluid, e.g. the dialysate fluid circuit or the treating gas circuit}
- A61M 1/71: {Suction drainage systems (containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90)}
- A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)}
- A61M 1/77: {Suction-irrigation systems (aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463)}
- A61M 1/80: {Suction pumps (A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence)}
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- A61M 1/60: {Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)}
- A61M 1/64: {Containers with integrated suction means (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)}
- A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise
- A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
- B29L 2031/753: {Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008)}
- 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)}
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:
a first housing;
a second housing configured to be coupled to the first housing;
a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface facing the first housing, the panel coupled to the second housing;
a first fluid channel integrated into the outer surface of the panel;
a second fluid channel integrated into the outer surface of the panel;
a first channel port integrated into the panel and fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel;
a second channel port integrated into the panel and fluidly coupled to the second fluid channel;
a pump disposed between the first housing and the second housing, the pump comprising a negative-pressure port fluidly coupled to the first channel port and a positive-pressure port fluidly coupled to the second channel port;
a canister port coupled to the panel and fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel upstream of the negative-pressure port;
an expansion chamber coupled to the panel and fluidly coupled to the second fluid channel downstream of the positive-pressure port; and
an adhesive label coupled to the panel over the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel, the first fluid channel, the first channel port, the second fluid channel, the second channel port, the canister port, and the expansion chamber consist of surfaces having a positive parting angle in at least one orientation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fluid container fluidly coupled to the canister port.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a fluid container fluidly coupled to the canister port; and
a dressing fluidly coupled to the fluid container.