Patents Assigned to Smith & Nephew plc
  • Apparatus and method for imaging blood in a target region of tissue
    Patent number: 11324424
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for imaging blood within a target region of tissue includes an imaging device configured to output image data associated with light received by the imaging device having a first and second spectral ranges, wherein the absorptivity by blood of light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of light having the second spectral range, and a controlling element configured to capture the image data associated with light received by the imaging device and to process the captured image data associated with light having the first spectral range and the captured image data associated with light having the second spectral range to generate compound image data associated with an amount of blood within the target region of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Scott Grubb, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Peter Laitenberger
  • Collapsible structure and method of use
    Patent number: 11324876
    Abstract: A collapsible, clamping and/or steerable apparatus in conjunction with negative pressure system and methods for using such an apparatus are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention have lengths and bent and/or increase their curvatures along their lengths, by preferentially contracting and transforming upon negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Systems and methods for driving negative pressure sources in negative pressure therapy systems
    Patent number: 11305047
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a source of negative pressure, a coupling circuit, a driving circuit, and a controller. The driving circuit supplies a driving signal to the source of negative pressure via the coupling circuit to cause the source of negative pressure to provide negative pressure to a wound dressing. The coupling circuit includes an inductive reactance that limits a rate of change over time of the driving signal. The controller controls the driving signal supplied by the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    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
  • Apparatus and method for wound cleansing with actives
    Patent number: 11298453
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. It may also contain a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Clare Green, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Julian Lee-Webb, Robin Paul Martin, Derek Nicolini, Tina Michelle Walker
  • Wound dressings and methods of use with integrated negative pressure source having a fluid ingress inhibition component
    Patent number: 11285047
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into a wound dressing apparatus so that the wound dressing and the negative pressure source are part of an integral or integrated wound dressing structure that applies the wound dressing and the negative pressure source simultaneously to a patient's wound. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be positioned between a wound contact layer and a cover layer of the wound dressing. A component may be used to prevent wound exudate from contacting the inlet of the negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    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
  • Reduced pressure therapy apparatuses and methods of using same
    Patent number: 11253639
    Abstract: Some embodiments comprise a pump assembly for reduced pressure wound therapy, comprising a housing, a flow pathway through the pump, one or more valves in communication with the flow pathway, a pump supported within or by the housing, and a one-way flow valve in fluid communication with the pump. 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 one-way flow valve can be configured to substantially prevent a flow of gas through the one-way flow valve in a direction of flow away from the pump. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Derek Nicolini
  • Wound filling apparatuses and methods
    Patent number: 11253399
    Abstract: Many embodiments of wound filling devices and methods of their use in systems for the application of negative pressure therapy are described herein. In one embodiment, a wound filling device comprises: an inflatable bag member having at least one fluid carrying conduit operably connected thereto to inflate/deflate said bag member; a separate textured covering sock member at least partially covering the inflatable bag member. Another embodiment comprises a three-dimensional wound packing member, and may optionally comprise a plurality of such members linked together. Certain embodiments of wound packing members may comprise a porous bag member adapted to be non-adherent to the wound. Yet other embodiments may comprise a non-porous bag member provided with means to connect a fluid supply to the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Kristian David Hall, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Derek Nicolini
  • Tissue healing
    Patent number: 11246757
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound and for minimizing scarring. The apparatus promotes scar-minimizing healing of a wound where negative pressure wound therapy is applied, and comprises a wound contact layer containing silicone, polysiloxanes, or other related compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Samantha Dawn Hartwell, Donald Anthony Hudson
  • Wound dressing
    Patent number: 11179276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Optimizing power transfer to negative pressure sources in negative pressure therapy systems
    Patent number: 11173240
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a driving circuit that supplies a driving signal to a negative pressure source to cause the negative pressure source to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing. The apparatus furthers include a controller that adjusts a frequency of the driving signal supplied by the driving circuit according to a comparison of a previous magnitude and a subsequent magnitude of the driving signal while the negative pressure source provides negative pressure. The transfer of power to the negative pressure source can thereby be tuned to maximize an amount of power transferred to the negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    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
  • Systems and methods for controlling operation of a reduced pressure therapy system to detect leaks
    Patent number: 11167075
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a negative pressure apparatus includes a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing placed to create a seal over a wound, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller can be configured to operate the negative pressure source in a first mode and determine a change in pressure in the fluid flow path over a period of time based on a plurality of measurements by the pressure sensor. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is decreasing, the controller can operate the negative pressure source in a second mode in which greater amount of negative pressure is provided than in the first mode. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is not decreasing, the controller can provide an indication of a first leak in the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Redundant controls for negative pressure wound therapy systems
    Patent number: 11160915
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, switch, and control circuitry. The switch can include an actuator that toggles states of first and second pairs of contacts in response to a user input. The control circuitry can supply negative pressure with the negative pressure source when the state of the first pair of contacts is a first state and the state of the second pair of contacts is a second state, and the control circuitry can disable supply of negative pressure with the negative pressure source when the state of the first pair of contacts is not the first state or the state of the second pair of contacts is not the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Fluidic connector for negative pressure wound therapy
    Patent number: 11154649
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus employing a fluidic connector for negative pressure wound therapy and methods of using the same. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors for connecting to a wound site, for example a fluidic connector including a reinforcement, and methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Sarah Jenny Collinson, John Gowans, Philip Gowans
  • Wound dressing
    Patent number: 11147715
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Wound treatment apparatus and method
    Patent number: 11147714
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound. The apparatus also comprises means to apply high frequency vibrational energy, e.g. ultrasound, to the wound bed. The former removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing over the wound bed. The latter promotes healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Clare Green, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Robin Paul Martin, Derek Nicolini, Julian Lee-Webb
  • Fluid collection
    Patent number: 11141520
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body portion comprising a fluid inlet and an outlet, an expandable container secured to the body portion, at least one wicking element extending from within the body portion into the container, and at least one super absorber element arranged inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Jonathan Chappel, Neill Philip Bannister
  • Systems and methods for applying reduced pressure therapy
    Patent number: 11135351
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to the treatment of wounds using negative pressure. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide for a hydrophilic drainage layer, which may be suitable for use in abdominal wound sites, and which may be sized in a dimensionally-independent manner. Additional embodiments provide for an organ protection layer, as well as a system for the treatment of abdominal wounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Marcus Damian Phillips
  • Wound dressing
    Patent number: 11129751
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Reduced pressure apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 11129931
    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: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    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
  • Apparatuses and methods for wound therapy
    Patent number: 11123474
    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: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell