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).

  • Patent number: 11623039
    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 the duty cycle of a source of negative pressure and, based on the monitored duty cycle, determine whether a leak is present. The controller can be configured to provide an indication that a leak is present. For example, the controller can be configured to suspend and/or pause the delivery of therapy, and to restart the delivery of therapy due to a timeout, request from a user, etc. In addition, the controller can be configured to pause and/or restart the delivery of therapy upon a request from the user, such as in response to the user operating a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Richard Thomas Hughey, Derek Nicolini
  • Patent number: 11590029
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Steven Carl Mehta, Derek Nicolini
  • Publication number: 20230037943
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device can include a negative pressure source configured to be connected, via a fluid flow path, to a wound, a valve positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to, in an open state, permit supply of negative pressure from the negative pressure source upstream of the valve and, in a closed state, block supply of negative pressure from the negative pressure source upstream of the valve, a flow restrictor positioned in the fluid flow path, and a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure differential across the flow restrictor. The device can include control circuitry configured to, in a normal operational mode, cause the valve to be in the open state and, in a test mode, perform at least one of a leak test, a flow test, or an excessive pressure test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, David Michael Elder, Danielle Susan Johnson, Camilo Patrick Madriz, Andrea Maggiore, Christopher John Webb
  • Patent number: 11564846
    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: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Patent number: 11559619
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Eric Edward Adams, Ben Alan Askem, Kevin Bendele, Aaron Michael Husz, David Edward Lee, Nisha Mistry, Lee Michael Rush, Hannah Bailey Sidebottom, David Ronald Upton, Gareth Walker, William Jacob Ward
  • Publication number: 20220379002
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Anthony Jonathan Bedford, Kevin Bendele, Ali Khishdoost Borazjani, Nicola Brandolini, Ian Charles Culverhouse, Otteh Edubio, James Maxwell Eelbeck, Matt Ekman, Matthew Keith Fordham, Philip Gowans, Michael James Hayers, Mark Richard Hesketh, James Daniel Homes, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Mark Edward Jones, William Kelbie, Reece Knight, David Mcleod, Nisha Mistry, Samuel John Mortimer, Fatoona Mosa, Matthew Murphy, Michael Paton, Neil Harry Patrick, Louis della-Porta, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Lee Michael Rush, Carl Dean Saxby, Daniel Lee Steward, Catherine Thaddeus, Simon Tyson, David Ronald Upton, William Jacob Ward, Nicholas Warrington, Hannah Bailey Weedon
  • Patent number: 11511021
    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: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Fernando Bettani, Alberto Fasan, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Publication number: 20220369932
    Abstract: A wound dressing can include a substantially flexible substrate with a first, wound-facing side supporting a plurality of electronic components and a second side opposite the first side. The plurality of electronic components can include a light source, a resistor-capacitor (RC) network, and at least one switch electrically connected to the light source and to the RC network. The at least one switch can be configured to, in a first state, permit power to be supplied to the light source and, in a second state, prevent power being supplied to the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, William Kelbie
  • Publication number: 20220288298
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system can include a reduced pressure wound therapy device and a wound therapy monitoring device configured to emit an indication when it detects that at least one parameter associated with the provision of negative pressure wound therapy is outside an operational range. The wound therapy monitoring device can operate in a low power mode in which the at least one parameter is periodically monitored. The reduced pressure wound therapy device can be configured to detect the indication and selectively generate an alarm. In some cases, the wound therapy monitoring device can be disposed in a wound or in a fluidic connector connecting the reduced pressure wound therapy device to the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Iain Michael Blackburn, David Michael Elder, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar
  • Patent number: 11395870
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Anthony Jonathan Bedford, Kevin Bendele, Ali Khishdoost Borazjani, Nicola Brandolini, Ian Charles Culverhouse, Otteh Edubio, James Maxwell Eelbeck, Matt Ekman, Matthew Keith Fordham, Philip Gowans, Michael James Hayers, Mark Richard Hesketh, James Daniel Homes, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Mark Edward Jones, William Kelbie, Reece Knight, David Mcleod, Nisha Mistry, Samuel John Mortimer, Fatoona Mosa, Matthew Murphy, Michael Paton, Neil Harry Patrick, Louis della-Porta, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Lee Michael Rush, Carl Dean Saxby, Hannah Bailey Sidebottom, Daniel Lee Steward, Catherine Thaddeus, Simon Tyson, David Ronald Upton, William Jacob Ward, Nicholas Warrington
  • Patent number: 11389582
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound closure devices, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a negative pressure apparatus includes a pump housing comprising a pump, a controller, and at least one light source and a panel removably attachable to the pump housing and configured to cover the at least one light source, the removable panel comprising one or more icons. The at least one light source can be configured to illuminate the one or more icons when the removable panel is attached to the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: T.J. Smith and Nephew, Limited
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Ali Khishdoost Borazjani, Nicola Brandolini, Matt Ekman, Fatoona Mosa, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Hannah Bailey Sidebottom
  • Publication number: 20220218528
    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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    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: 20220211933
    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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, John Philip Gowans, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Roberto Damiao Da Costa Rodrigues, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Publication number: 20220133978
    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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    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: 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220080105
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20220072212
    Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, switch, interface element, and control circuitry. The negative pressure source, switch, and interface element can be disposed on or within the wound dressing. The control circuitry can be in a first or second mode. In the first mode, the control circuitry can cause supply of negative pressure in response to a first user input via the switch when the negative pressure source is not supplying negative pressure and prevent supply of negative pressure in response to the first user input while the negative pressure source is supplying negative pressure, and the control circuitry can change from the first mode to a second mode in response to a second user input via the interface element. In the second mode, the control circuitry can disable supply of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Yeswanth Gadde, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Patent number: D977624
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Walsh, Tom Moy, Fabio Foleghi, Christian Riva
  • Patent number: D985755
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Walsh, Tom Moy, Fabio Foleghi, Christian Riva