Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing, negative pressure source, circuit board, and one or more controllers. The circuit board can be supported by the housing and include a conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the circuit board. The conductive pathway can be electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the circuit board. The one or more controllers can be mounted on the circuit board and activate and deactivate the negative pressure source.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus includes a wound dressing configured to be positioned in contact with a wound, the wound dressing comprising one or more sensors configured to obtain measurement data of at least one of the wound or periwound. The apparatus can also include a controller configured to maintain a device clock indicative of a non-real time clock, receive measurement data obtained by the one or more sensors, and transmit measurement data to a remote computing device according to a security protocol, the security protocol comprising including the device clock associated with the measurement data in the transmission.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for determining an emplacement of sensors in a wound dressing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure wound or patient characteristics. One or more processors are configured to receive wound or patient characteristics data as well as emplacement data. The received data can be used to determine an emplacement of the plurality of sensors, the wound dressing, or a wound. The sensors can include a set of nanosensors. The wound dressing can include pH sensitive ink which can be utilized for determining a placement of the wound dressing and determining a pH associated with the wound. The wound dressing can be used in a negative pressure wound therapy system.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, methods for monitoring wound pH are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes one or more optical sensors configured to measure a change in color of a pH-sensitive adhesive that changes color in response to changes in wound exudate pH. In some embodiments, the wound dressing may further comprise hydrophilic channels that direct wound exudate to a pH-sensitive material over the optical sensors. Such dressings may also be used in combination with a negative pressure wound therapy system.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for a skin perfusion pressure determination device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Certain disclosed embodiments facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to exert force on the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a collapsible structure with a plurality of cells.

Abstract: The approaches described herein can provide mitigation against the risk of one or more malfunctions of electronics of a negative pressure wound therapy device. The one or more malfunctions can include flow reverse current, flow of excessive current, liquid ingress, or inadvertent activation. The approaches described herein can provide protection against a single fault (or higher protection against more than one fault). Advantageously, mitigation against the risk of burning or otherwise causing discomfort to the patient or the risk of fire can be provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems, apparatuses, and methods for operating the systems and apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a negative pressure source, a connector port, at least one switch, and a controller. The negative pressure source is connected through the connector port to either (i) a wound dressing having a canister configured to store fluid aspirated from the wound or (ii) a wound dressing without a canister between the connector port and the wound dressing. The controller determines, based on a signal received from the at least one switch, whether the canister is positioned in the fluid flow path and adjusts one or more operational parameters of negative pressure wound therapy based on the determination. The switch is activated by the connection of either the canister or canisterless wound dressing to the apparatus.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more electronic components configured to be incorporated into layers of the wound dressing or integrated on top of the wound dressing. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into the wound dressing. The negative pressure source can be sealed between two moisture vapor permeable cover layers or enclosed in a moisture vapor permeable pouch, and may be received in a recess of an absorbent layer or spacer layer of a wound dressing apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of tissue monitoring in combination with negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a monitoring and therapy system comprises collecting video images of a tissue site and amplifying said video images via Eulerian Video Magnification. Depending upon the changes detected via Eulerian Video magnification, negative pressure wound therapy may be delivered to the tissue site, stopped, or altered in some manner.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for determining a positioning of sensors in a wound dressing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound monitoring and/or therapy system can include a wound dressing and a plurality of sensors configured to measure one or more wound characteristics. The wound monitor system can also include at least one positioning device configured to indicate position and/or orientation in the wound of a sensor of the plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, a detector can be configured to determine, based on the positioning data, the position and/or orientation in the wound of the sensor of the plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors can be positioned on a strip or string of material in communication with the positioning device.