# US 2018/0021178 A1 · Reduced-Pressure Systems, Dressings, Pump Assemblies And Methods

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- Number: US 2018/0021178 A1
- Document ID: US20180021178A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/666,183
- Filed: 2017-08-01
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-28
- Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher Brian LOCKE; Richard Daniel John COULTHARD; Justin Alexander LONG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021178A1

## CPC

- A61F 13/0206: with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings
- A61F 13/022: {having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics}
- 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 1/913: {having a bridging element for transferring the reduced pressure from the connector to the dressing}
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- A61F 2013/00174: {possibility of applying pressure}
- A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated
- A61M 2205/8243: by induction
- 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)
- 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)}

## Abstract

According to an illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a dressing and a pump assembly. Another illustrative embodiment includes a reduced-wound pressure treatment system including a dressing with a rigid outlet coupled to a manifold, and a pump assembly including a pump and a rigid inlet, the inlet of the pump assembly being removeably connectable to the outlet of the dressing by rigid interlocking formations. A further illustrative embodiment of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a dressing with an outlet, and a pump assembly with an inlet, where the dressing is removeably coupled to the pump assembly solely by the inlet being attached to the outlet, and the dressing cover and pump cover contact each other while the inlet and the outlet are attached together. According to a further illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure wound treatment system employs an inductive charger operably electrically charging a pump battery.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, the system comprising:
a dressing comprising:
an absorbent layer;
a manifold adjacent to the absorbent layer;
a dressing cover enclosing the absorbent layer and the manifold; and
a fluid outlet;
a pump assembly comprising:
a pump; and
a fluid inlet coupled to the pump;
wherein the fluid inlet is configured to be removeably and directly connectable to the fluid outlet by interlocking formations.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the pump assembly further comprises:
an inner cover and an outer cover joined together at a periphery to enclose the pump;
a cushion between the inner cover and the outer cover and adjacent to the pump; and
an aperture in the inner cover, the fluid inlet being accessible through the aperture.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein:
the pump assembly further comprises an electrical circuit connected to the pump and a battery connected to the electrical circuit;
the inner cover is located between the electrical circuit and the dressing cover;
a periphery of the inner cover is secured to a periphery of the outer cover; and
the cushion is located between: the outer cover and an area defined by the electrical circuit and the battery.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a battery powering the pump; and
an inductive charging assembly adapted to electrically charge the battery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the inductive charging assembly comprises:
a charging stand electrically configured to be connected to a wall outlet;
a receiver electrically connected to the battery; and
magnets removeably coupling the charging stand to the receiver and also configured to inductively transfer a battery charge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the interlocking formations comprise at least two wings outwardly extending from at least one of the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the interlocking formations comprise ledges between which are receptacles configured to receive the wings if at least one of the interlocking formations is moved to secure together the dressing and the pump assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the pump assembly comprises:
a printed circuit board connected to the pump;
a battery flexibly connected to the printed circuit board and having at least one surface substantially coplanar with the printed circuit board; and
a pump cover substantially enclosing the pump, the battery, and the printed circuit board.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a breathable cushion surrounding at least a majority of a periphery of the pump.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are engageable and disengageable by rotating at least one of the interlocking formations.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the dressing and the pump assembly are secured together by only the interlocking formations of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are tapered.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet is directly connected to the fluid outlet that extends through an aperture in the dressing cover above the manifold, and the pump assembly further comprises a pump cover adjacent to the dressing cover when the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are connected together.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprises an elongated bridge coupling the fluid inlet of the pump assembly to the dressing, wherein the fluid outlet is disposed adjacent to an end of the bridge furthest away from the manifold, and the bridge further comprises outer manifold layers coupled together with absorbent and wicking layers within a hollow interior between the outer manifold layers.

### Claim 15

A system for providing reduced-pressure therapy, the system comprising:
an elongated dressing comprising:
an absorbent layer;
a manifold;
a dressing cover enclosing the absorbent layer and the manifold;
a first aperture in the dressing cover; and
an outlet coupled to the manifold and being accessible through the first aperture;
an elongated pump pouch comprising:
a pump;
an elongated and flexible cushion;
a pump cover enclosing the pump and the cushion;
a second aperture in the pump cover;
an inlet coupled to the pump and being accessible through the second aperture; and
the dressing being removeably coupled to the pump pouch solely by the inlet being attached to the outlet, and the dressing cover and the pump cover contact each other while the inlet and the outlet are attached together.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, further comprising interlocking formations coupling together the inlet and the outlet through a rotational motion.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the interlocking formations comprise:
wings outwardly extending from one of the outlet and the inlet; and
receptacles configured to receiving and engaging the wings.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, further comprising:
a battery powering the pump; and
an inductive charger configured to electrically charging the battery.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, wherein the inductive charger comprises:
a charging stand configured to be electrically connected to a wall outlet;
a receiver electrically connected to the battery; and
magnets removeably coupling the stand to the receiver and configured to transmit an inductive charge.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, further comprising:
a printed circuit board located within the pump cover and being connected to the pump; and
a battery located within the pump cover and being connected to the printed circuit board.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein:
elongation directions of the dressing and the pump pouch are substantially parallel when coupled together;
the pump pouch includes an elongation dimension at least twice a width dimension;
the width dimension is at least five times greater than a thickness dimension; and
the inlet is adjacent to an end of the pump cover.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the dressing further comprises a hydrophobic filter, and the pump is a piezoelectric pump.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the inlet and outlet directly couple the manifold to the pump without any elongated conduits therebetween.

### Claim 24

A reduced-pressure treatment system comprising:
a pump;
an electrical circuit connected to the pump;
a battery connected to the electrical circuit;
a flexible cushion;
a flexible pump cover substantially surrounding the pump, the electrical circuit, the battery, and the cushion;
the cushion being located between the electrical circuit and a portion of the pump cover; and
a dressing connection fluidly coupled to the pump.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, further comprising:
a dressing including a rigid outlet; and
interlocking formations removeably coupling together the dressing connection and the outlet through a rotational movement.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the interlocking formations comprise:
wings outwardly extending from one of the connection and the outlet; and
receptacles located between ledges for operably receiving and engaging the wings.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, further comprising an inductive charger configured to electrically charge the battery.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, wherein the inductive charger comprises:
a charging stand configured to be electrically connected to a wall outlet;
a receiver electrically connected to the battery; and
magnets removeably coupling the stand to the receiver and configured to transmit an inductive charge.

### Claim 29 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein:
the battery is substantially coplanar with the electrical circuit, which is on a circuit board; and
the battery is flexibly connected to the circuit board.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The system of claim 29, wherein the cushion is breathable foam.

### Claim 31 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein the cushion surrounds a periphery of the pump and is elongated parallel to a centerline through the pump, circuit and battery.

### Claim 32 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein the pump is a piezoelectric pump, and further comprising a dressing including an absorbent layer, a manifold and a flexible cover.

### Claim 33 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, further comprising an elongated bridge coupling an outlet of a dressing to the dressing connection, the bridge comprising a polymeric cover and absorbent layers.

### Claim 34

A system for treating a tissue site, the system comprising:
a pump configured to provide reduced pressure;
a flexible cushion substantially surrounding at least a majority of a periphery of the pump;
a flexible cover substantially surrounding the pump and the cushion; and
a dressing connection fluidically coupled to the pump.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The system of claim 34, further comprising:
a dressing including a rigid outlet; and
interlocking formations removeably coupling together the dressing connection and the outlet through a rotational movement.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The system of claim 35, wherein the interlocking formations comprise:
wings outwardly extending from one of the dressing connection and the outlet; and
receptacles for operably receiving and engaging the wings.

### Claim 37 (depends on 34)

The system of claim 34, further comprising:
a battery located within the cover for operably powering the pump; and
an inductive charger for electrically charging the battery.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The system of claim 37, wherein the inductive charger comprises:
a charging stand configured to be electrically connected to a wall outlet;
a receiver electrically connected to the battery; and
magnets removeably coupling the stand to the receiver and configured to transmit an inductive charge.

### Claim 39 (depends on 34)

The system of claim 34, wherein the pump is a piezoelectric pump, and further comprising a dressing including an absorbent layer, a manifold and a flexible cover.

### Claim 40 (depends on 34)

The system of claim 34, further comprising an electrical circuit and an offset battery located within the cover, wherein the cushion is breathable foam and is elongated to cover the circuit and the battery.

### Claim 41 (depends on 34)

The system of claim 34, further comprising an elongated bridge coupled to the dressing connection, the bridge comprising a polymeric cover and absorbent layers.

### Claim 42

A reduced-pressure wound treatment system comprising:
a pump;
an electrical circuit board connected to the pump;
a battery configured to power the pump, the battery flexibly coupled to and longitudinally offset from the electrical circuit board;
a flexible cover surrounding the pump, electrical circuit board, and the battery; and
a dressing connection fluidically coupled to the pump.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The system of claim 42, further comprising:
a dressing including a rigid outlet; and
interlocking formations removeably coupling together the dressing connection and the outlet through a rotational movement.

### Claim 44 (depends on 42)

The system of claim 42, further comprising an inductive charger electrically charging the battery.

### Claim 45 (depends on 42)

The system of claim 42, further comprising a breathable and flexible cushion located around a periphery of the pump and between the electrical circuit board and a portion of the cover.

### Claim 46 (depends on 42)

The system of claim 42, wherein the battery has a substantially polygonal periphery and flat outer and inner surfaces, the electrical circuit board is located between the battery and the pump in an offset configuration, and a surface of the battery and a surface of the electrical circuit board are substantially co-planar.

### Claim 47

A reduced-pressure wound treatment system comprising:
a dressing;
a pump assembly coupled to the dressing, the pump assembly comprising:
a pump;
a battery operably powering the pump;
a cover substantially surrounding the pump and battery; and
an inductive charger operable to electrically charge the battery while the battery remains within the cover.

### Claim 48 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the charger includes a support base with an inductive antenna, an electrical circuit connected to the antenna and a wall outlet plug connected to the circuit.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The system of claim 48, wherein the antenna is a magnet.

### Claim 50 (depends on 48)

The system of claim 48, further comprising a receiver attached to the pump assembly, and a magnet removeably coupling the base to the receiver.

### Claim 51 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the charger includes a ring magnet with an open center.

### Claim 52 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the charger includes a disc magnet with a sold metallic center.

### Claim 53 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the charger includes:
a charging stand configured to be electrically connected to a wall outlet;
a receiver electrically connected to the battery; and
magnets removeably coupling the stand to the receiver and operable to inductively charge the battery.

### Claim 54 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the charger comprises a receiver and a substantially semispherical base, the receiver being electrically attached to the battery and the base being removeable, and the base configured to inductively transmit power of 15 watts or less to the receiver to charge the battery.

### Claim 55 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, wherein the pump is a piezoelectric pump, and the dressing comprises an absorbent layer, a manifold and a flexible cover.

### Claim 56 (depends on 47)

The system of claim 47, further comprising a printed circuit board connecting and being located between the battery and the pump, at least a surface of the battery being substantially coplanar with the printed circuit board, and the battery being flexibly connected to the printed circuit board.

### Claim 57

A method for electrically charging a reduced-pressure treatment system, the method comprising:
placing a pump assembly, comprising a pump and a battery within a cover, adjacent to an electrical charger;
electrically charging the battery via inductance from the charger without removing the battery from the pump assembly; and
coupling the pump assembly to a wound dressing.

### Claim 58 (depends on 57)

The method of claim 57, further comprising transmitting a charge via a magnet antenna.

### Claim 59 (depends on 57)

The method of claim 57, further comprising:
removeably aligning a support base of the charger to a receiver, the receiver being electrically attached to the pump assembly;
connecting a plug of the base to an electrical wall outlet; and
the cover being flexible.

### Claim 60

A method of using a reduced-pressure treatment system, the method comprising:
aligning an inlet of a pump assembly to an outlet of a reduced-pressure dressing;
inserting projections from one of the inlet and the outlet into openings of the other of the inlet and the outlet; and
rotating the projections relative to the openings in order to interlock together the inlet and the outlet.

### Claim 61 (depends on 60)

The method of claim 60, wherein the pump assembly is solely retained to the reduced-pressure dressing by the interlocked inlet and outlet.

### Claim 62 (depends on 60)

The method of claim 60, wherein the reduced-pressure dressing includes an elongated and flexible bridge including a cover and absorbent layers therein, the outlet being located adjacent a distal end of the bridge, aligning the inlet of the pump assembly with the outlet of the bridge, and engaging the projections with ledges during the rotating.