Power generation
AssigneeSmith & Nephew, Inc.
InventorEdward Yerbury Hartwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a fuel cell, comprising an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from a wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element.
Claims25
Apparatus for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy, comprising:
- a dressing configured to seal a wound site;
- a fuel cell, comprising:
- an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from the wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element;
- at least one conduit configured to connect the wound site to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell;
- a negative pressure source configured to be connected to the fuel cell and configured to generate negative pressure at the wound site;
- and
- a waste canister, wherein the waste canister comprises the fuel cell.
A method of generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy, comprising:
- applying a negative pressure from a negative pressure source to a dressing sealing a wound site;
- collecting biological fluid from the wound site in a waste canister, the waste canister comprising a fuel cell comprising an anode element and a cathode element;
- and
- electro-oxidizing a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reducing a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element,
- wherein the negative pressure source is connected to the fuel cell, and
- wherein the wound site is connected via at least one conduit to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell.
A method for providing negative pressure at a wound site, comprising:
- pumping fluid from the cavity a wound site sealed by a dressing via a pump member in fluid communication with the dressing;
- collecting biological fluid pumped from the wound site in a waste canister, the waste canister comprising a fuel cell comprising an anode element and a cathode element;
- and
- generating electrical power for the pump member by electro-oxidizing a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reducing a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element,
- wherein the pump member is connected to the fuel cell, and
- wherein the wound site is connected via at least one conduit to a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.