Safe operation of integrated negative pressure wound treatment apparatuses

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for safe operation of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated on or within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, the electronic components include a power source, an isolation circuit, a controller, a capacitor, and a negative pressure source. The isolation circuit provides multiple activation states with at least one state preventing application of power to the other electronic components capable of storing electrical energy, thereby providing a safe operation of the apparatus. For example, sterilization of the apparatus can be performed safely.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A negative pressure wound therapy system comprising:
 a wound dressing configured to be placed over a wound of a patient;   a source of negative pressure configured to provide negative pressure to the wound; and   an electronic circuit comprising:   a controller configured to operate the source of negative pressure;   a power source configured to supply power to the controller; and   an isolation circuit in electrical communication with the power source and the controller, the isolation circuit configured to operate in a first state in which the isolation circuit prevents application of power to the source of negative pressure and in a second state in which the isolation circuit permits application of power to the source of negative pressure, the isolation circuit comprising an activation switch configured to, when activated, cause the isolation circuit to operate in the second state, the isolation circuit further comprising a latching circuit configured to cause the isolation circuit to remain in the second state in response to activation of the activation switch and subsequent deactivation of the activation switch.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the activation switch, when not activated, is configured to cause the latching circuit to not conduct an electrical current, and wherein the activation switch, when activated, is configured to cause the latching circuit to conduct the electrical current. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the activation switch is configured to provide a conductive path for the electrical current to ground. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a boost converter configured to increase power supplied by the power source and to provide increased power to the source of negative pressure. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises an operation switch configured to activate and pause provision of negative pressure by the source of negative pressure. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the electronic circuit is configured to not activate provision of negative pressure by the source of negative pressure when the isolation circuit is in the first state and the operation switch is activated. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the power source is nonremovable. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising an indicator configured to provide at least one of an indication that the activation switch has not been activated or an indication that the activation switch has been activated. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configured to be powered by the power source when the isolation circuit is in the first or second state. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 36 , further comprising at least one energy storing component configured to store energy supplied by the boost converter and to power the source of negative pressure with the stored energy.