# US 10,765,592 B2 · System and method for determining a fill status of a canister of fluid in a reduced pressure treatment system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,592 B2 - Document ID: US10765592B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/812,337 - Filed: 2017-11-14 - Published: 2018-03-08 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2006-09-19 - Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke; Timothy Mark Robinson; David Robson Blandford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765592B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)} - A61H 9/0057: {Suction (suction kneading A61H7/008)} - 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 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values} - A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction} - A61M 1/982: {with means for detecting level of collected exudate} - A61M 5/1415: {Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories} - A61N 1/0468: {Specially adapted for promoting wound healing} - A61N 5/0616: {Skin treatment other than tanning} - F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement} - F16M 11/048: {adapted to forward-backward translation movement} - F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle - G01F 23/14: by measurement of pressure - A61H 2201/5056: pneumatically controlled - A61M 1/732: {Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure} - A61M 1/743: {by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves (A61M1/7413 takes precedence)} - A61M 2205/15: Detection of leaks - A61M 2205/33: Controlling, regulating or measuring - A61M 2205/3327: Measuring - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/3337: Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump - A61M 2205/3379: Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates - A61M 2205/3382: Upper level detectors - A61M 2205/3389: Continuous level detection (A61M2205/3393 takes precedence) - A61M 2205/43: making noise when used correctly - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61N 2005/0661: {ultraviolet} - F16M 2200/027: by friction - 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)} - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for determining a fill level of a container in a tissue treatment system, the apparatus comprising: a processing unit configured to: sense a reduced pressure in a source conduit; vent the reduced pressure in the source conduit for a select amount of time; and determine a fill level of the container based on a decay of reduced pressure in the source conduit over the selected amount of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first valve in communication with the processing unit and fluidly connected to the source conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing unit is configured to vent the reduced pressure in the source conduit for the selected amount of time by configuring the first valve to vent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a second valve in communication with the processing unit and fluidly connected to a target conduit between the container and a tissue site. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processing unit is configured to isolate the container when the first valve is venting by configuring the second valve to isolate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensing device in communication with the processing unit and fluidly coupled to the source conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive sensing data from the sensing device and based on the received sensing data calculate the decay over the selected amount of time. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the decay based on the decay of reduced pressure over a fixed period of time. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the decay based on measuring the amount of time it takes for the reduced pressure to reach a selected pressure threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the decay based on a reduction in a measured flow rate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive geometry data for the container and based on the received geometry data determine the fill level of the container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive geometry data for the container and based on the received geometry data determine a fluid flow rate for a tissue site. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for determining a fill level of a container in a tissue treatment system, the apparatus comprising: a first valve configured to vent a reduced pressure in a source conduit; and a processing unit configured to: measure a decay of reduced pressure in the source conduit if the first valve is configured by the processing unit to vent the reduced pressure; and determine the fill level of the container from the decay of reduced pressure in the source conduit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a sensing device in communication with the processing unit and fluidly connected to the source conduit, the processing unit configured to receive sensing data from the sensing device and based on the received sensing data calculate the decay over a selected amount of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive geometry data for the container and based on the received geometry data determine the fill level of the container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive geometry data for the container and based on the received geometry data determine a fluid flow rate for a tissue site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a second valve in communication with the processing unit and fluidly connected to a target conduit between the container and a tissue site. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing unit is configured to isolate the container when the first valve is venting by configuring the second valve to isolate.