US 8,061,360 B2 · System and method for locating fluid leaks at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system

Abstract

A system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient. A fluid parameter associated with applying a reduced pressureto the tissue site may be sensed. An audible fluid leak location sound may be generated in response to sensing the fluid parameter. The audible fluid leak location sound may be altered in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. By altering the audible fluid leak location sound in response to sensing a change of the fluid parameter, a clinician may detect location of a fluid leak at the drape by applying force to the drape. The force applied to the drape may be a clinician pressing a finger onto an edge of the drape.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method for performing tissue therapy, comprising:

applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient;
sensing a fluid parameter associated with applying the reduced pressure to the tissue site;
determining that a fluid leak exists in response to sensing the fluid parameter;
generating an audible fluid leak location sound in response to determining that a fluid leak exists, the audible fluid leak location sound having an ON state and an OFF state, and being variable in the ON state;
and
altering the audible fluid leak location sound while in the ON state in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes.

3 more elements

A method for determining a fluid leak of a reduced pressure delivery system at an interface between a tissue of a patient and a drape of the reduced pressure delivery system, said method comprising:

determining that a fluid leak at the interface between a tissue site of the patient and the drape, an audible sound having an ON state and an OFF state, and being variable in the ON state;
listening to the audible sound generated in response to sensing a fluid parameter indicating the fluid leak at the interface;
applying force to a first region of the drape;
listening for a change in the audible sound generated while in the ON state in response to the fluid parameter changing in response to applying the force to the first region of the drape, the generated audible sound indicating when the fluid leak increases or decreases;
if the generated audible sound changes while in the ON state in response to applying the force to the first region of the drape, correcting the first region of the drape to reduce the fluid leak;
otherwise, applying a force to a second region of the drape;
listening for a change in the generated audible sound while in the ON state in response to the fluid parameter changing in response to applying the force to the second region of the drape;
and
if the generated audible sound changes while in the ON state in response to applying the force to the second region of the drape, then correcting the second region of the drape to reduce the fluid leak.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for locating fluid leaks at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system

Life of this patent

System and method for locating fluid leaks at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37