Systems And Methods For Electrically Detecting The Presence Of Exudate In Dressings
AssigneeKCI Licensing, Inc.
InventorsRichard Daniel John COULTHARD, Malcolm G. THOMSON, Rico JAEGER
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims25
1-16. (canceled)
A method for treating a tissue site, the method comprising:
- providing a dressing, wherein the dressing comprises:
- an absorbent layer for placing in fluid communication with the tissue site, the absorbent layer for receiving and retaining ionic fluids, the absorbent layer having a first side and a second, patient-facing side,
- a sealing member for covering the first side of the absorbent layer, and
- a first galvanic cell associated with the absorbent layer and configured to produce a voltage indicative of a full state when a portion of the absorbent layer proximate to the first galvanic cell is substantially saturated with the ionic fluid;
- deploying the dressing proximate to the tissue site;
- and
- electrically coupling the first galvanic cell to a monitoring unit, wherein the monitoring unit is configured to produce a dressing-full signal when receiving the voltage indicative of a full state from the first galvanic cell.
A dressing for treating a tissue site on a patient, the dressing comprising:
- an absorbent layer for placing in fluid communication with the tissue site, the absorbent layer for receiving and retaining ionic fluids, the absorbent layer having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
- a sealing member for covering the absorbent layer;
- and
- a conductive loop fluidly coupled to the absorbent layer and having a first terminal, a second terminal, and at least one conductive gap, wherein the conductive gap is sized and configured to be electrically bridged when covered with the ionic fluid.
A dressing for treating a tissue site on a patient, the dressing comprising:
- an absorbent layer for placing in fluid communication with the tissue site, the absorbent layer for receiving and retaining fluids, the absorbent layer having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
- a dye associated with the absorbent layer, wherein the dye is operable to change optical properties when becoming wet;
- a sealing member for covering the first side of the absorbent layer;
- and
- an electrical optical sensor associated with the absorbent layer and configured to detect a change in optical properties of the dye and to produce an electrical signal when the change has been sensed.
A dressing for receiving an ionic fluid, the dressing comprising:
- a treatment manifold for placing in fluid communication with a tissue site and for receiving ionic fluids, the treatment manifold having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
- a sealing member for covering the first side of the treatment manifold;
- a first galvanic cell associated with the treatment manifold and configured to produce a voltage when a portion of the treatment manifold proximate to the first galvanic cell is substantially saturated with the ionic fluid.
A reduced-pressure treatment system comprising:
- a treatment manifold for placing in fluid communication with a tissue site and for receiving ionic fluids, the treatment manifold having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
- a sealing member for covering the first side of the treatment manifold;
- an absorbent layer disposed between the sealing member and the treatment manifold;
- an electronic detection device associated with the absorbent layer for producing an electrical signal indicative of at least a fully saturated state;
- and
- a wireless-communication-and-power subsystem comprising:
- an antenna, communication, and processing unit associated with the electronic detection device, and
- a remote wireless communication and power unit configured to transmit power to the antenna, communication, and processing unit and to receive a signal therefrom.
A dressing for treating a tissue site, comprising
- a tissue dressing member for location adjacent to the tissue being treated;
- and
- at least one liquid sensor for detecting the presence of liquid at a location on or in the tissue dressing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.