Negative pressure wound therapy apparatus and methods for operating the apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more indicators configured to illuminate in a pattern to communicate at least one of a status of a pump assembly and/or of a dressing. The pattern is configured to enable an electronic device comprising at least one camera to capture the illumination pattern of the one or more indicators and to determine the status corresponding to the pattern of illumination. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus is powered by an energy generator that has a first side configured to be in contact with a skin surface of a patient and a second side configured to be exposed to atmosphere, and the energy generator is configured to utilize a temperature differential between the skin surface and the atmosphere to generate electrical energy to power the apparatus. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus is powered by an energy harvester that utilizes radio frequency spectrum to power one or more components of negative pressure wound therapy apparatus. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more RF energy harvesters to power a pump assembly.

1 . An apparatus for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising:
 a dressing configured to be placed over a wound;   a pump assembly, comprising:   a source of negative pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the dressing; and   one or more indicators; and   a power source comprising an energy generator in electrical communication with the pump assembly, wherein the energy generator has a first side configured to be in contact with a skin surface of a patient and a second side configured to be exposed to atmosphere and the energy harvester is configured to utilize a temperature differential between the skin surface and the atmosphere to generate electrical energy.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power source provides power to operate the pump assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power source provides power to operate components of the dressing, the components comprising at least one of sensors, Bluetooth, and/or Wi-Fi-communication. 
     
     
         4 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
 a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the dressing configured to be placed over a wound; and   a power source comprising an energy harvester in electrical communication with the pump assembly, wherein the energy harvester is configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals and to generate power from at least some of the received RF signals.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the power source provides power to operate the pump assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the pump assembly and the power source are at least partially embedded into the dressing. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the power source provides power to operate one or more components of the dressing, the one or more components of the dressing comprising at least one of sensors or communication devices. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the energy harvester is embedded within, incorporated into, or positioned on the dressing. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the RF signals comprise intentionally broadcasted RF signals. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the RF signals comprise environmental RF signals. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the power source and the source of negative pressure are positioned within the dressing. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the dressing, pump assembly, and power source are configured to be worn by the patient. 
     
     
         29 . A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
 providing negative pressure wound therapy from a pump assembly fludicially connected to a dressing positioned over a wound; and   operating the pump assembly with a power source comprising an energy harvester in electrical communication with the pump assembly, wherein the energy harvester is configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals and to generate power using at least some of the received RF signals.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the power source provides power to operate the pump assembly. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising operating components of the dressing with the power source, the components of the dressing comprising at least one of sensors or communication devices. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the energy harvester is embedded within, incorporated into, or positioned on the dressing. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the RF signals comprise intentionally broadcasted RF signals. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the RF signals comprises environmental RF signals. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the power source and the source of negative pressure are positioned within the dressing. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the dressing assembly, pump assembly, and power source are configured to be worn by the patient.