Systems and methods for delivering fluid to a wound therapy dressing

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure sensor measures the pressure at the wound therapy dressing and restricts fluid flow to the wound therapy dressing when a predetermined pressure is achieve.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a wound dressing, comprising:
 a controller operatively coupled to a fluid-flow device;   wherein the controller is configured to:
 activate the fluid-flow device to provide fluid to the wound dressing until a predetermined pressure in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg at the wound dressing is reached. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a valve. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the valve is a solenoid-actuated pinch valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a pump, the pump configured to be activated by the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pressure is indicative of a pressure at the wound dressing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises:
 a gravity-fed reservoir configured to be fluidly coupled to the wound dressing; and   a valve configured to be positioned between the gravity-fed reservoir and the wound dressing;   wherein the controller is configured to actuate the valve to restrict fluid flow when the predetermined pressure is reached.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises:
 a reservoir configured to be fluidly coupled to the wound dressing; and   a pump configured to be fluidly coupled between the reservoir and the wound dressing;   wherein the controller is configured to activate the pump to deliver fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing until the predetermined pressure is reached.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate an audible signal when the predetermined pressure is reached. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a visual signal when the predetermined pressure is reached. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for performing steps in a method for delivering fluid to a wound dressing, wherein the executable instructions configure a controller to:
 send a first signal to a fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing;   determine a pressure at the wound dressing based on a signal received from a pressure sensor; and   upon the pressure reaching a predetermined pressure, send a second signal to the fluid-flow device to restrict fluid flow to the wound dressing;   wherein the predetermined pressure is in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the executable instructions further configure the controller to:
 activate a negative-pressure source to create a negative pressure at the wound dressing; and   deactivate the negative-pressure source prior to sending the first signal to the fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein the executable instructions further configure the controller to:
 vent a reservoir to atmosphere after deactivating the negative-pressure source and prior to sending the first signal to the fluid-flow device to permit fluid flow to the wound dressing.   
     
     
         13 . A system for providing wound therapy, comprising:
 a wound dressing in fluid communication with a negative-pressure source and a reservoir;   a fluid-flow device fluidly coupled between the reservoir and the wound dressing; and   a controller operatively coupled to the negative-pressure source and the fluid-flow device;   wherein the controller is configured to activate the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing until a predetermined pressure in a range of −10 mmHg to 0 mmHg at the wound dressing is reached.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to be disposed at the wound dressing, the pressure sensor further configured to be operatively coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a vent in fluid communication with an interior of the reservoir and atmosphere, the vent operatively coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to open the vent to permit fluid communication between the interior of the reservoir and atmosphere prior to activating the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the negative-pressure source prior to activating the fluid-flow device to provide fluid from the reservoir to the wound dressing. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a pump. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid-flow device comprises a valve. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the valve comprises a solenoid-actuated pinch valve.