Patents Assigned to Smith & Nephew plc
  • Patent number: 12029549
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a volume of a wound are described, the method comprising the steps of: applying a dressing over a wound, the volume of which is to be measured, the dressing including at least a sealing drape over the wound so as to create a sealed wound cavity; creating a vacuum in said wound cavity by vacuum pump means so as to produce a predetermined vacuum in the wound cavity; measuring a volume of air extracted from said wound cavity in producing said predetermined vacuum; and, calculating a volume of said wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Patent number: 12016994
    Abstract: A sensor sheet of a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus can include one or more electrical connections. The electrical connections can include multiple conductive inks having different impedances. A track of first conductive ink having a first impedance can be coupled to an electrical connector of an electronic component. A track of second conductive ink having a second impedance can be coupled to the track of first conductive ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Patent number: 12011942
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus and/or wound dressing include positioning electronic components and connections in regions of a substrate that are not configured to be perforated. The methods can also include following a set of rules for positioning the components as well as positioning and shaping the connections based on the constraints stemming from, among other things, the positioning of the perforations on the substrate and with the goal of maintaining acceptable levels of signal integrity. The methods further include manufacturing a multi-layered substrate. Wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus manufactured using such methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Lee Ian Partington, Marcus Damian Phillips, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Patent number: 12005180
    Abstract: Embodiments of a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Certain disclosed embodiments facilitate closure of a wound by preferentially exerting a negative pressure on tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a collapsible sheet with a plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt
  • Patent number: 12005181
    Abstract: According to certain aspects, a negative pressure wound therapy system can include a negative pressure therapy apparatus configured to apply negative pressure to a wound of a patient. The negative pressure therapy device can include a wound dressing configured to be placed over the wound, a negative pressure source supported by the wound dressing, and a controller. The controller can include a processor configured to determine operating data of the negative pressure therapy apparatus and transmit the operating data. The negative pressure wound therapy system can further include a wireless communication device having a controller with one or more processors. The controller of the wireless communication device can be configured to be communicatively coupled to the negative pressure therapy apparatus and further configured to receive the operating data transmitted by the controller of the negative pressure therapy apparatus. The controller can be further configured to output the operating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Damian Smith
  • Patent number: 12004925
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wound packing material, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a body of a porous material, the body comprising frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. The wound packing material can be shaped to partially or fully surround a secondary wound packing member, such as a stabilizing structure. Some embodiments further relate to methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and to methods of its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Patent number: 11992392
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer, an absorbent layer over the wound contact layer, the absorbent layer comprising one or more apertures, a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the absorbent layer, and an electronics assembly comprising a negative pressure source. A portion of the cover layer overlying the one or more apertures in the absorbent layer can be configured to be compressed within the aperture in the absorbent layer when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus. The compressed cover layer can indicate a level of negative pressure below the cover layer. In some embodiments, the wound dressing apparatus can comprise an indicator material layer and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the indicator material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Michael Earl, Frederick Jethro Harrison, William Kelbie, Reece Knight, David Peter Lloyd, Joseph William Robinson, Daniel Lee Steward, Grant West
  • Patent number: 11974902
    Abstract: Apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a wound site is described, the apparatus comprising: a wound contacting element for retaining wound exudate fluid therein; a wound covering element that provides a substantially airtight seal over the wound contacting element and wound site; a vacuum connection tube connecting a wound cavity to a vacuum source; and a vacuum source connected to a distal end of the vacuum connection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Bryan Greener
  • Patent number: 11969541
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting full waste canister and/or fluid flow path blockage conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for controlling a pump. In some embodiments, flow of fluid can be restricted in a portion of the fluid flow path. A controller can be configured to compare a difference in pressure values upstream and downstream of a fluid flow restrictor to a pressure difference threshold, and determine based on the comparison whether to activate an alarm indicating the full waste canister condition or the fluid flow path blockage condition. The controller can be additionally or alternatively configured to determine a fluid flow using a flow meter, open a selectable valve in response to a comparison of the fluid flow with a fluid flow threshold, determine fluid flow after opening the valve, and determine based on the fluid flow after opening the valve whether to activate the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Gordon, Jake Turner, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Stephen Jacob, Nathan Wrench, Edward Vernon-Harcourt, David Harris
  • Patent number: 11964093
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing negative pressure at a wound site. The apparatus includes a negative pressure reservoir and a reservoir valve for selectively connecting the reservoir to a wound chamber at a wound site. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus including a source of negative pressure which acts as a negative pressure reservoir to continually or repeatedly “top up” an applied negative pressure so that negative pressure applied at a wound site can be maintained within desired limits for a relatively long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Bryan Greener
  • Patent number: 11957545
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus can include a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The wound dressing can support one or more sensors. The one or more sensors can include an optical sensor array cluster, which can include an optical sensor and single light source. In some embodiments, the wound dressing can include a substantially stretchable wound contact layer that includes a wound facing side and a non-wound facing side opposite the wound facing side, the wound facing side configured to be positioned in contact with a wound. The non-wound facing side of the wound contact layer can support a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the plurality of the electronic components. The electronic components can include one or more sensors configured to obtain measurements of the wound or the periwound, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Marcus Damian Phillips
  • Patent number: 11944418
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for a skin perfusion pressure determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Peter Georg Laitenberger, Lee Ian Partington, Marcus Damian Phillips, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Patent number: 11938231
    Abstract: A curable composition apportioned between at least one Part A and at least one Part B, the Parts sealed within barrier means in manner to prevent contamination thereof, the composition comprising: (i) one or more alkenyl-containing prepolymers having at least one alkenyl moiety per molecule, (ii) one or more SiH-containing prepolymers having at least one SiH unit per molecule, and additionally: (iii) a catalyst for curing by addition of alkenyl-containing prepolymer (i) to SiH-containing prepolymer (ii), wherein the at least one Part A and at least one Part B are provided within or upon at least two respective receptacles or supports and are adapted to be dispensed or released therefrom in cooperative manner facilitating intimate contact and curing thereof, wherein the receptacle(s) or support(s) for at least one of Part A and Part B is thermally stable at elevated temperature of 123 C for a period in excess of 18 hours, methods for preparing the composition, methods for sterilisation thereof, medical and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Marcus Damian Phillips
  • Patent number: 11931165
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in monitoring or treating a wound is disclosed. The apparatus can include a wound dressing, a circuit board, and a sensor. The wound dressing can be positioned over a wound of a patient and absorb wound exudate from the wound. The circuit board can be incorporated in or coupled to the wound dressing and include a first conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the circuit board. The first conductive pathway can be electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the circuit board. The sensor can be mounted on the circuit board and output a signal usable to determine a value indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient. The first conductive pathway can protect the sensor against an electrostatic discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Fernando Bettani, Alberto Fasan, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Patent number: 11931226
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to sealing compositions for negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, devices containing the same, apparatuses, uses and methods for creating a main wound dressing portion for use in wound care, more particularly for sealing a trimmable dressing, having a main dressing portion or cell in fluid (e.g., gas) communication with additional dressing portions or cells, for use in woundcare, more particularly that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to compositions for improving the versatility of wound dressings for wounds of different shapes or sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Sarah Jenny Collinson, Nicholas Charlton Fry, Philip Gowans, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Marcus Damian Phillips
  • Patent number: 11903798
    Abstract: Some embodiments have a pump assembly mounted to or supported by a dressing for reduced pressure wound therapy. The dressing can have visual pressure, saturation, and/or temperature sensors to provide a visual indication of the level of pressure, saturation, and/or temperature within the dressing. Additionally, the pump assembly can have a pressure sensor in communication with the flow pathway through the pump, and at least one switch or button supported by the housing, the at least one switch or button being accessible to a user and being in communication with the controller. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump. The pump can be configured to be sterilized following the assembly of the pump such that all of the components of the pump have been sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, John Cowan-Hughes, Christopher John Fryer, Tom Moy, Paul Mullen, Derek Nicolini, Neil Pryor, Philip Walsh, Ian Binder
  • Patent number: 11896465
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, user interface, sensor, and control circuitry. The user interface can receive an activation input. The sensor can detect whether the wound dressing is positioned over a wound. The control circuitry can cause supply of negative pressure in response to receipt of the activation input and a determination that the sensor detects that the wound dressing is positioned over the wound. In addition, the control circuitry can prevent supply of negative pressure in response to a determination that the sensor does not detect that the wound dressing is positioned over the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Victoria Beadle, John Philip Gowans, Mark Hesketh, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Joseph William Robinson
  • Patent number: 11883262
    Abstract: Systems and methods for component stress relief are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes a substantially stretchable wound contact layer including a wound facing side and a non-wound facing side. The wound facing side or the non-wound facing side of the wound contact layer can support a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the plurality of the electronic components. The wound facing side or the non-wound facing side of the wound contact layer can include a region of substantially non-stretchable material that supports at least one electronic component from the plurality of electronic components. The at least one electronic component can be attached to the wound contact layer with adhesive material. Such arrangement can securely position the at least one electronic component and limit the mechanical strain on the at least one electronic component supported by the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Emma Rhian Cole, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Patent number: 11872110
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to exert force on the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a clamping structure with removable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Patent number: 11864981
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressings comprising an obscuring layer that may hide fluid contained therein. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more viewing windows disposed therethrough so as to enable monitoring or examination of fluids contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Derek Nicolini