Joint capsule fluid delivery

Abstract

An external medical device includes a fluid inlet, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the fluid inlet to control fluid flow through the fluid inlet in response to fluid inlet control signals, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump configured to deliver a therapeutic fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid outlet in response to fluid outlet control signals, a fluid sensor configured to monitor the therapeutic fluid between the fluid pump and the fluid outlet and further configured to output sensor data corresponding to a monitored condition of the therapeutic fluid, and a control module configured to receive the sensor data and output, based on the sensor data, the fluid inlet control signals to the inlet valve and the fluid outlet control signals to the fluid pump.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a joint capsule of a patient, the method comprising:
 pumping the therapeutic fluid with a fluid pump of an external medical device via a fluid outlet of the external medical device into the joint capsule of the patient via a first tubing segment;   controlling flow from the joint capsule of the patient via a second tubing segment with an inlet valve of the external medical device via a fluid inlet of the external medical device;   monitoring a condition of the therapeutic fluid between the fluid pump and the fluid outlet with a fluid sensor of the external medical device;   transmitting sensor data based on the monitored condition of the therapeutic fluid from the fluid sensor to a control module of the external medical device; and   based on the sensor data, sending fluid inlet control signals to the inlet valve and the fluid outlet control signals to the fluid pump with the control module to circulate the therapeutic fluid through the joint capsule of the patient according to preprogrammed flow rates while maintaining a positive fluid pressure within the joint capsule of the patient.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 ,
 wherein pumping the therapeutic fluid with the fluid pump includes pumping the therapeutic fluid from a fluid reservoir, and   wherein the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir such that the flow through the fluid inlet replenishes the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising filtering the therapeutic fluid within a flow path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet with a fluid filter of the external medical device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 ,
 wherein pumping the therapeutic fluid with the fluid pump includes pumping the therapeutic fluid from a fluid reservoir,   the method further comprising illuminating the therapeutic fluid within the fluid reservoir with a light of the external medical device, the light being configured to activate and/or sanitize the therapeutic fluid.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 pumping a therapeutic fluid with a fluid pump of an external medical device via a fluid outlet of the external medical device into a joint capsule of a patient via a first tubing segment;   controlling flow from the joint capsule of the patient via a second tubing segment with an inlet valve of the external medical device via a fluid inlet of the external medical device;   monitoring a condition of the therapeutic fluid between the fluid pump and the fluid outlet with a fluid sensor of the external medical device;   transmitting sensor data based on the monitored condition of the therapeutic fluid from the fluid sensor to a control module of the external medical device; and   based on the sensor data, sending fluid inlet control signals to the inlet valve and the fluid outlet control signals to the fluid pump with the control module to control flow of the therapeutic fluid through the joint capsule.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid outlet control signals and the fluid inlet control signals are configured to maintain a positive fluid pressure within the joint capsule of the patient while circulating the therapeutic fluid within through the joint capsule. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the fluid outlet control signals and the fluid inlet control signals are configured to adjust a flow rate of the therapeutic fluid through the joint capsule over time according to programed therapy parameters. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid outlet control signals and the fluid inlet control signals are configured to:
 deliver the therapeutic fluid to the joint capsule to maintain a desired pressure and/or volume of the therapeutic fluid within the joint capsule;   cease pumping for a period of time; and   drain excess fluid from the joint capsule after the period of time.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein pumping the therapeutic fluid with the fluid pump includes pumping the therapeutic fluid from a fluid reservoir, and   wherein the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir such that the flow through the fluid inlet replenishes the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising filtering the therapeutic fluid within a flow path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet with a fluid filter of the external medical device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein pumping the therapeutic fluid with the fluid pump includes pumping the therapeutic fluid from a fluid reservoir,   the method further comprising illuminating the therapeutic fluid within the fluid reservoir with a light of the external medical device, the light being configured to activate and/or sanitize the therapeutic fluid.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the light includes a wavelength of a group consisting of:
 near infra-red; and   blue.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 fluidly connecting the fluid outlet to the joint capsule with the first tubing segment; and   fluidly connecting the fluid inlet to the joint capsule with the second tubing segment.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising securing the external medical device to a limb of the patient that includes the joint capsule. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the control module restricts the flow through the inlet valve to maintain a positive fluid pressure within a range of 20-80 mm of mercury (mmHg) within the joint capsule. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the external medical device includes a drainage vessel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor data includes one or more of a group consisting of:
 fluid pressure data; and   fluid flow rate data.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutic fluid includes one or more of a group consisting of:
 platelet-rich plasma (PRP);   mesenchymal stem cells;   microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT);   Wharton's jelly;   saline;   hypertonic saline;   hyperosmolar sugar solution;   hydrogen peroxide;   povidone-iodine; and   antibiotics.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the external medical device includes a coating configured to inhibit protein and cell adhesion within a fluid flow path including the fluid pump and the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising supplying electrical power to the fluid pump, the inlet valve, and the control with a battery of the external medical device.