System And Method For Locating Fluid Leaks At A Drape Using Sensing Techniques

Abstract

A system and method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on a tissue site of a patient may include applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site of the patient. The drape may be imaged to generate image data, and a determination of a location of a fluid leak of the drape may be made from the image data. As a result of the determination of the location of the fluid leak, the drape may be corrected. The imaging may be made in a non-visible spectrum. The non-visible spectrum may be in an IR spectrum or UV spectrum. In one embodiment, a fluid, such as compressed air, may be applied to the dressing via the interface between the drape and tissue of the patient to improve imaging in the non-visible spectrum.

1 . A method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on tissue site of a patient, said method comprising:
 applying reduced pressure to the tissue site at which the drape is positioned;   imaging the drape at the tissue site and generating image data; and   determining a location of the fluid leak of the drape from the image data.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein imaging includes imaging in a non-visible spectrum. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein imaging includes imaging in an IR spectrum. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 applying a fluid to the drape; and   wherein imaging includes imaging in a UV spectrum.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein applying the fluid to the drape includes directing an aerosol fluid toward an interface between the drape and tissue of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein applying the fluid includes applying at least one of compressed air, CO 2 , fluorocarbons, and butane. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising storing, in a computer memory, the image data in association with a patient record that includes treatment history. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising timestamping the image data. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising correcting the fluid leak. 
     
     
         10 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for determining location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system being used on a tissue site of a patient, said method comprising:
 applying a dressing to a tissue site of the patient;   applying the drape over the dressing and tissue site of the patient, at least one of the dressing and drape being coated with a coating that changes color in response to an environmental factor; and   locating a fluid leak of the drape in relation to a region of the coating changing color.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the coating is a pressure sensitive coating that changes color in response to pressure changes. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the coating is a temperature sensitive coating that changes color in response to temperature changes. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising directing a fluid toward an interface between the drape and tissue of the patient to identify a fluid leak. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the fluid is at least one of compressed air, CO 2 , fluorocarbon, and butane. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising correcting the fluid leak of the drape. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for assisting in locating a fluid leak at an interface between a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system and a tissue site of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a dressing configured to be positioned at the tissue site; and   a drape configured to cover the dressing and the tissue site;   wherein at least one of the dressing and the drape is coated with a coating that changes color in response to an environmental factor.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the coating is a pressure sensitive coating that changes color in response to pressure changes. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the coating is a temperature sensitive coating that changes color in response to temperature changes. 
     
     
         24 . A system for determining a location of a fluid leak at a drape of a reduced pressure delivery system applied to a tissue site, comprising:
 an image sensor configured to capture image data associated with the drape, wherein the image data comprises data related to nonvisible frequencies; and   a processing unit configured to identify one or more temperature regions of the drape based on the image data, and further configured to output for display a graphical representation of the one or more temperature regions.   
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the one or more temperature regions is associated with a fluid leak. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the image sensor is an IR image sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the image sensor is a UV image sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the reduced pressure delivery system further comprises:
 a dressing adapted to be applied to the tissue site; and   wherein the drape is adapted to be applied over the dressing and the tissue site.   
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 24 , further comprising a coating applied to the drape that changes color in response to an environmental factor. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 24 , further comprising an aerosol spray can for use in applying fluid to the drape.