Patents by Inventor BEN ALAN ASKEM

BEN ALAN ASKEM has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240207102
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Derek Nicolini
  • Patent number: 12005182
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system can include a source of negative pressure negative pressure configured to aspirate fluid from a wound covered by a wound dressing and electronic circuitry with a power source, boost converter circuitry configured to receive power at a first level from the power source and supply power at a second level to the source of negative pressure, the second level being higher than the first level, and a controller configured to, in response to a determination that a capacity of the power source is being depleted, cause the boost converter circuitry to supply power to the source of negative pressure at a third level lower than the second level. The controller can further lower a target negative pressure level associated with negative pressure provided by the source of negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, John Philip Gowans, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Roberto Damiao Da Costa Rodrigues, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Publication number: 20240165318
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device can include one or more fluid detection systems. A canister fluid level detection system can incorporate various fluid detection devices to communicate data relating to the fluid level of the canister. In some cases, a negative pressure wound therapy device can include a device housing, a negative pressure source, and a canister configured to be in fluid communication with the negative pressure source. The canister can include a canister housing configured to store fluid aspirated from a wound, a cap connected to the canister housing, and a fluid level sensor supported by the cap. The fluid level sensor can be configured to detect a completed electrical circuit when the fluid aspirated from the wound comes into contact with the sensor. An electronic circuitry can be configured to detect a state of the sensor and provide an indication of a status of the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, David Michael Elder, Robert Gregory, David Garcia Guardiola, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Andrea Maggiore, Christopher James Milner, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Kirsty Margaret Strachan
  • Publication number: 20240122763
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    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: 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
  • Publication number: 20240080969
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Fernando Bettani, Alberto Fasan, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Publication number: 20240074910
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure system and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to a system that utilizes a wound dressing with at least three layers. These embodiments are directed toward improved distribution of negative pressure to a wound and periwound site surrounding the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Victoria Beadle, Maximilien Henri Czech, David Michael Elder, Adam John Fisher, Camilo Patrick Madriz, Luke Michael Parry, Marcus Damian Phillips, Hannah Bailey Weedon, Fraser George Weedon
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230355861
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a pump system for use in negative pressure wound therapy are described herein. In some embodiments, a method for controlling a pump system includes causing provision of negative pressure, via a flow path, to a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound, the flow path configured to fluidically connect the pump system to the wound dressing, measuring a first pressure value in the flow path at a first time, measuring a second pressure value in the flow path at a second time, calculating a first rate of pressure change using the first and second pressure values, and in response to determining that the calculated first rate of pressure change satisfies a threshold rate of change, providing an indication that the wound dressing is full, wherein the method is performed under control of a controller of the pump system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Iacopo Claudio Ferrari, Matteo Foini, Paolo Forzani, Christopher John Fryer, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Christian Riva
  • Publication number: 20230355857
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device can include a negative pressure source and a controller configured to activate the negative pressure source for a first duration of time to attempt to reduce pressure under the wound dressing to approximately ae negative pressure set point, subsequent to expiration of the first duration of time, deactivate the negative pressure source after pressure under the wound dressing is reduced to approximately the negative pressure set point, activate the negative pressure source for a second duration of time to attempt to reduce pressure in the fluid flow path, the second duration of time subsequent to the first duration of time, determine a pressure change in a fluid flow path over the second duration of time, and, in response to determining that the pressure change in the fluid flow path over the second duration of time indicates reduction in pressure, provide indication of a blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Patent number: 11800638
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Fernando Bettani, Alberto Fasan, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Publication number: 20230320905
    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. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be separated and/or partitioned from an absorbent area of the dressing. A switch may be integrated with the wound dressing to control operation of the wound dressing apparatus. A connector may be direct air from an outlet of the negative pressure source to the environment. A non-return valve may inhibit back flow of air into the wound dressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Victoria Beadle, John Philip Gowans, Mark Hesketh, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Joseph William Robinson
  • Publication number: 20230310221
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed towards wound dressings comprising a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Steven Carl Mehta, Derek Nicolini
  • Patent number: 11771820
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more wound dressings configured to be used to treat surgical wounds including post-breast surgery wounds. In some embodiments, a single negative pressure source can be used with one or more wound dressing to treat one or more wounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, John Philip Gowans, Stephanie Jane Noble
  • Publication number: 20230293805
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy device includes a negative pressure source and a controller configured to, in response to determining that the negative pressure source is directly fluidically connected to a wound dressing without a canister between the two, operate the negative pressure source in a first mode; otherwise, operate the negative pressure source in a second, different mode. The controller can be further configured to, in response to determining that a level of activity of the negative pressure source over a first time duration satisfies at least one of a leak or blockage condition, provide an indication of at least one of a leak or blockage and, in response to determining that the level of activity does not satisfy the at least one of the leak or blockage condition over a second time duration subsequent to the first time duration, discontinue providing the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Edward Adams, Ben Alan Askem, Kevin Bendele, Aaron Michael Husz, David Edward Lee, Nisha Mistry, Lee Michael Rush, David Ronald Upton, Gareth Walker, William Jacob Ward, Hannah Bailey Sidebottom
  • Patent number: 11744932
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device can include a negative pressure source and a controller configured to activate the negative pressure source for a first duration of time to attempt to reduce pressure under the wound dressing to approximately a negative pressure set point, subsequent to expiration of the first duration of time, deactivate the negative pressure source after pressure under the wound dressing is reduced to approximately the negative pressure set point, activate the negative pressure source for a second duration of time to attempt to reduce pressure in the fluid flow path, the second duration of time subsequent to the first duration of time, determine a pressure change in a fluid flow path over the second duration of time, and, in response to determining that the pressure change in the fluid flow path over the second duration of time indicates reduction in pressure, provide indication of a blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Patent number: 11730877
    Abstract: Negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and dressings, and systems and methods for operating such apparatuses for use with dressings are disclosed. In some embodiments, controlling the delivery of therapy can be based on monitoring and detecting various operating conditions. An apparatus can have a controller configured to monitor a duty cycle of a source of negative pressure. Based on the monitored duty cycle, the controller can determine whether a leak is present and provide an indication to a user. The controller can determine a duty cycle threshold in order to achieve an optimal or near optimal balance between an uninterrupted delivery of therapy, avoidance inconveniencing a user, conserving power, achieving optimal or near optimal efficiency, and/or limiting vibrational noise. In some embodiments, the duty cycle threshold is determined based at least in part on a capacity of a power source and an operational time of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Patent number: 11723809
    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. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be separated and/or partitioned from an absorbent area of the dressing. A switch may be integrated with the wound dressing to control operation of the wound dressing apparatus. A connector may be direct air from an outlet of the negative pressure source to the environment. A non-return valve may inhibit back flow of air into the wound dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    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