Fluid management apparatus and method
AssigneeKCI Licensing, Inc.
InventorsMichael Bernard Beasley, James Killingworth Seddon, Christopher Brian Locke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one example embodiment, a vibration apparatus can augment and enhance negative-pressure therapy systems. The apparatus can be attached to an external surface of a dressing, fluid conductor, or other components. The apparatus can generate low-amplitude vibrations, which can be transmitted through the components. Kinetic energy of the oscillations can agitate fluid in the components, which can lower the viscosity of the fluid and reduce the frequency of blockages in fluid conductors. Vibrations may also agitate a tissue site, which can encourage blood flow and granulation.
Claims14
An apparatus for negative-pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:
- a negative-pressure source;
- a distribution component configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source;
- and
- an agitator configured to be coupled to the distribution component, the agitator comprising:
- an electrical energy source;
- a vibration motor configured to be coupled to the distribution component;
- and
- a pressure switch having an input aperture configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source, and configured to electrically couple the vibration motor to the electrical energy source based on a pressure in the input aperture;
- wherein the agitator is operable to generate vibrations in the distribution component.
A method of managing fluid in a negative-pressure therapy apparatus, the method comprising:
- delivering negative pressure to a distribution component;
- and
- agitating the distribution component with an agitator, the agitator comprising:
- an electrical energy source;
- a vibration motor configured to be coupled to the distribution component;
- and
- a pressure switch having an input aperture configured to be fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source, and configured to electrically couple the vibration motor to the electrical energy source based on a pressure in the input aperture.
A method of treating a tissue site with negative pressure, the method comprising:
- applying a dressing to the tissue site;
- fluidly coupling the dressing to a negative-pressure source through a fluid conductor;
- coupling an agitator to the dressing or to the fluid conductor, the agitator comprising:
- an electrical energy source;
- a vibration motor;
- and
- a pressure switch having an input aperture configured to be fluidly coupled to the negative-pressure source, and configured to electrically couple the vibration motor to the electrical energy source based on a pressure in the input aperture;
- delivering negative pressure from the negative-pressure source to the dressing through the fluid conductor;
- and
- activating the agitator to generate vibrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.