Systems, Devices, And Methods For Identifying Portions Of A Wound Filler Left At A Tissue Site

Abstract

Methods for treating a wound include positioning a wound filler having a coating agent containing a fluorescent material proximate the wound. The wound filler is removed after a time period. The wound is then scanned using a fluorescence scanner to determine whether a portion of the wound filler remains at the wound. In response to the portion of the wound filler remaining at the wound, the portion of the wound filler is removed. Other methods and systems are presented.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for treating a wound, the method comprising:
 positioning a wound filler having a coating agent containing fluorescent markers proximate the wound;   removing the wound filler after a time period;   scanning the wound using a first mode of a fluorescence scanner to determine whether a portion of the wound filler remains at the wound; and   responsive to an indication from the fluorescence scanner that the portion of the wound filler remains at the wound, scanning the wound using a second mode of the fluorescence scanner; and   removing the portion of the wound filler.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the fluorescence scanner emits a light;   the first mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the light at a first illumination level;   the second mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the light at a second illumination level; and   the first illumination level is greater than the second illumination level.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the light at greater than 600 lx and the second mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the light at less than 200 lx. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the indication from the fluorescence scanner that the portion of the wound filler remains at the wound is a visual or audio indication. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the first mode is a pulsing mode that causes the fluorescence scanner to emit a pulsing light; and   the second mode is a continuous mode that causes the fluorescence scanner to emit a continuous light.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pulsing light has a greater energy level than the continuous light. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light between 0.5 to 2 Hz. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at 1 Hz. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at 1 kHz. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at greater than 600 lx and the second mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the continuous light at less than 200 lx. 
     
     
         34 . A dressing for providing an indication when a portion of a dressing body has been left at a tissue site, the dressing comprising:
 the dressing body comprising a reticulated foam for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site; and   fluorescent markers attached to the dressing body, the fluorescent markers for providing the indication that the portion of the dressing body has been left at the tissue site when a fluorescence scanner is applied to the fluorescent markers.   
     
     
         35 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the fluorescence scanner emits a light causing the fluorescent markers to fluoresce, and wherein the indication is the fluorescent markers fluorescing. 
     
     
         36 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the fluorescent markers are integrated throughout the dressing body. 
     
     
         37 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the fluorescent markers are attached to a surface of the dressing body. 
     
     
         38 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the fluorescent markers are formed from an ultraviolet dye. 
     
     
         39 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the fluorescent markers are formed from an infrared dye. 
     
     
         40 . The dressing of  claim 39 , wherein the fluorescence scanner emits infrared light with wavelengths in a range of about 700 nm to 900 nm. 
     
     
         41 . The dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the dressing body comprises a polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         42 . A fluorescence scanner for identifying a portion of a wound filler left at a tissue site, the fluorescence scanner comprising:
 a pulsing mode causing the fluorescence scanner to emit a pulsing light;   a continuous mode causing the fluorescence scanner to emit a continuous light; and   wherein the pulsing light is brighter than the continuous light.   
     
     
         43 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at greater than 600 lx and the second mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the continuous light at less than 200 lx. 
     
     
         44 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light between 0.5 to 2 Hz. 
     
     
         45 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at 1 Hz. 
     
     
         46 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , wherein the pulsing mode causes the fluorescence scanner to emit the pulsing light at 1 kHz. 
     
     
         47 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , further comprising a wound filler indicator for indicating whether a portion of the wound filler remains at the tissue site. 
     
     
         48 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 47 , wherein the indicator is an audio or visual indicator. 
     
     
         49 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , further comprising a receiver unit for detecting a light from a fluorescent marker. 
     
     
         50 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 49 , further comprising a photodetector and an analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
         51 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , further comprising a controller. 
     
     
         52 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42  further comprising:
 a receiver unit for detecting a light from a fluorescent marker, the receiver unit having a photodetector and an analog-to-digital converter; 
 a controller connected to the receiver unit to synchronize the fluorescence scanner and the receiver unit; and 
 a wound filler indicator connected to the controller, the wound filler indicator operable to provide an audio or visual indication when the receiver unit detects the light from the fluorescent marker. 
 
     
     
         53 . The fluorescence scanner of  claim 42 , wherein the controller synchronizes the receiver unit with the fluorescence scanner. 
     
     
         54 . A system for identifying a portion of a wound filler left at a tissue site, the system comprising:
 a scanner; and   the wound filler treated with a coating agent, wherein the coating agent is operable to provide a visual indication when subjected to the scanner;   wherein the visual indication shows a location of the portion of the wound filler in the tissue site.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the wound filler is a manifold adapted to distribute a reduced pressure to the tissue site. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the coating agent is an ultraviolet dye and the scanner is an ultraviolet scanner. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the coating agent is an infrared dye and the scanner is an infrared scanner. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the coating agent is applied to a surface of the wound filler. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the coating agent is at least partially embedded within the wound filler. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the scanner further comprises:
 a receiver unit for detecting the visual indication from the coating agent; and   a controller for synchronizing the receiver unit with the scanner.   
     
     
         61 .- 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissues site with reduced pressure, the system comprising:
 a fluorescence scanner;   a wound filler treated with a coating agent, wherein the coating agent is operable to provide a visual indication when subjected to the fluorescence scanner;   a sealing member for forming a fluid seal over the wound filler; and   a reduced-pressure source for at least temporarily fluidly coupling to the wound filler.   
     
     
         71 . (canceled)