# US 8,785,059 B2 · Power generation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,785,059 B2 - Document ID: US8785059B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/119,164 - Filed: 2009-09-14 - Published: 2011-07-14 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-17 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Applicants: Edward Yerbury Hartwell - Inventors: Edward Yerbury Hartwell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8785059B2 ## CPC - H01M 8/16: Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts - A61M 1/984: {portable on the body} - Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - 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)} - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biological fluid comprises wound exudate and/or oxygen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a plurality of baffle plates each comprising a respective portion of the anode element and/or cathode element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising at least one through passageway provided in each baffle plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a pathogen filter at a flow exit orifice of the fuel cell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a filter at a flow entry orifice of the fuel cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises first and second electrical connectors, each connected to at least a respective one of the anode element or cathode element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a fluid inlet orifice for receiving a glucose solution prior to application of a negative pressure at the wound site. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell further comprises a fluid outlet valve for emptying the fuel cell subsequent to a concentration of said components in the biological fluid dropping below a predetermined level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is battery-less. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is portable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is disposable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an anode enzyme and/or an anode redox polymer disposed on the anode and/or a cathode enzyme and/or a cathode redox polymer disposed on the cathode. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: electro-oxidizing an anode reductant component of the biological fluid on the anode element in the presence of an anode enzyme and/or electro-reducing a cathode oxidant component of the biological fluid on the cathode in the presence of a cathode enzyme. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: collecting the biological fluid comprising wound exudate in the waste canister. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: preventing undesired flow of fluid collected in the fuel cell via a plurality of baffle plates each comprising respective portions of the anode element and/or cathode element, located within a chamber region of the fuel cell. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: replenishing biological fluid in the fuel cell by pumping wound exudate from the wound site to the fuel cell via a pump powered by electrical power generated by the fuel cell. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: prior to collecting biological fluid from the wound site, providing a quantity of glucose solution to the fuel cell; and generating electrical power by electro-oxidizing and/or electro-reducing a component of the glucose solution. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising powering at least one electrical device. ### Claim 21 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: electro-oxidizing an anode reductant component of the biological fluid on the anode element in the presence of an anode enzyme and/or electro-reducing a cathode oxidant component of the biological fluid on the cathode in the presence of a cathode enzyme. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: collecting the biological fluid comprising wound exudate in the waste canister. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: preventing undesired flow of fluid collected in the fuel cell via a plurality of baffle plates each comprising respective portions of the anode element and/or cathode element, located within a chamber region of the fuel cell. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: prior to collecting biological fluid from the wound site, providing a quantity of glucose solution to the fuel cell and generating electrical power by electro-oxidizing and/or electro-reducing a component of the glucose solution.