Negative pressure wound therapy device control in presence of fault condition

Abstract

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, switch, interface element, and control circuitry. The negative pressure source, switch, and interface element can be disposed on or within the wound dressing. The control circuitry can be in a first or second mode. In the first mode, the control circuitry can cause supply of negative pressure in response to a first user input via the switch when the negative pressure source is not supplying negative pressure and prevent supply of negative pressure in response to the first user input while the negative pressure source is supplying negative pressure, and the control circuitry can change from the first mode to a second mode in response to a second user input via the interface element. In the second mode, the control circuitry can disable supply of negative pressure.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound, the apparatus comprising:
 a wound dressing configured to be placed over a wound of a patient;   a negative pressure source disposed on or within the wound dressing and configured to supply negative pressure to the wound via a fluid flow path;   a switch;   a control circuitry configured to control activation and deactivation of the negative pressure source responsive to user inputs to the switch;   a first electrical connector configured to selectively, responsive to a connection state of the first electrical connector, prevent or permit activation of the negative pressure source; and   a second electrical connector different from the first electrical connector and configured to selectively, responsive to a connection state of the second electrical connector, disrupt or not disrupt a power supply which facilitates delivery of negative pressure by the negative pressure source.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first electrical connector is configured to prevent activation of the negative pressure source when the first electrical connector is in a first disconnected state and is configured to permit activation of the negative pressure source when the first electrical connector is in a first connected state, and the second electrical connector is configured to disrupt the power supply when the second electrical connector is in a second disconnected state and is configured to not disrupt the power supply when the second electrical connector is in a second connected state. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the second electrical connector comprises a tab. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first electrical connector comprises an electrical contact. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein while the negative pressure source is supplying negative pressure, the control circuitry is configured to control activation and deactivation of the negative pressure source responsive to no user inputs other than the user inputs to the switch. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to control activation or deactivation of the negative pressure source responsive to a depression of the switch for a period of time. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the period of time is between 0.5 seconds and 5 seconds. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the switch is supported by the wound dressing, and the switch is positioned on an exterior surface of the wound dressing. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the switch and the control circuitry are supported by the wound dressing, and the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are supported by the wound dressing when the first electrical connector is in a first connected state and the second electrical connector is in a second connected state. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a battery supported by the wound dressing and configured to provide the power supply. 
     
     
         31 . A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising a wound dressing, a negative pressure source disposed on or within the wound dressing, a switch, a control circuitry, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector, the method comprising:
 activating, by the control circuitry, supply of negative pressure with the negative pressure source to a wound responsive to receiving a first user input to the switch;   deactivating, by the control circuitry, supply of negative pressure from the negative pressure source responsive to receiving a second user input to the switch;   preventing activation of supply of negative pressure with the negative pressure source responsive to the first electrical connector being in a first connection state;   permitting activation of supply of negative pressure with the negative pressure source responsive to the first electrical connector not being in the first connection state;   disrupting a power supply which facilitates delivery of negative pressure by the negative pressure source responsive to the second electrical connector being in a second connection state; and   leaving undisrupted the power supply which facilitates delivery of negative pressure by the negative pressure source responsive to the second electrical connector not being in the second connection state.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first electrical connector is detached in the first connection state and attached when not in the first connection state, and the second electrical connector is detached in the second connected state and attached when not in the second connection state. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the second electrical connector comprises a tab. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first electrical connector comprises an electrical contact. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising while the negative pressure source is supplying negative pressure, controlling, by the control circuitry, activation and deactivation of the negative pressure source responsive to no user inputs other than any user inputs to the switch. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first user input is received responsive to depression of the switch for a period of time by a user. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the period of time is between 0.5 seconds and 5 seconds. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the switch is supported by the wound dressing, and the switch is positioned on an exterior surface of the wound dressing. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the switch and the control circuitry are supported by the wound dressing, and the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are supported by the wound dressing when the first electrical connector is not in the first connection state and the second electrical connector is not in the second connection state. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising providing the power supply using a battery supported by the wound dressing.