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: 20220031933
    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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Publication number: 20210378871
    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: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    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: 20210361854
    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: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    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: 20210353472
    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: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Derek Nicolini
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11123471
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Yeswanth Gadde, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Patent number: 11096831
    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: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 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
  • Publication number: 20210244570
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, John Philip Gowans, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt
  • Publication number: 20210196870
    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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Publication number: 20210128799
    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: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Yeswanth Gadde, William Kelbie, Damyn Musgrave, Felix Clarence Quintanar, Daniel Lee Steward
  • Publication number: 20210106736
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Patent number: 10973965
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and/or calibrating a pump system for use in negative pressure wound therapy are described herein. In some embodiments, a method for controlling a pump system includes calculating an amplitude and an offset for a drive signal based at least in part on previously calculated parameters and a negative pressure setting, generating the drive signal, and applying the drive signal to a pump system. The pump system can be fludicially connected to a wound dressing positioned over a wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Iacopo Claudio Ferrari, Matteo Foini, Paolo Forzani, Christopher John Fryer, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Christian Riva
  • Publication number: 20210069389
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more indicators configured to illuminate in a pattern to communicate at least one of a status of a pump assembly and/or of a dressing. The pattern is configured to enable an electronic device comprising at least one camera to capture the illumination pattern of the one or more indicators and to determine the status corresponding to the pattern of illumination. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus is powered by an energy generator that has a first side configured to be in contact with a skin surface of a patient and a second side configured to be exposed to atmosphere, and the energy generator is configured to utilize a temperature differential between the skin surface and the atmosphere to generate electrical energy to power the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt
  • Publication number: 20210038776
    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: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 10898388
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, John Philip Gowans, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt
  • Patent number: 10881764
    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: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Ben Alan Askem
  • Publication number: 20200368407
    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: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ben Alan Askem, Iacopo Claudio Ferrari, Matteo Foini, Paolo Forzani, Christopher John Fryer, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Christian Riva
  • Patent number: D914887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Julie Allen, Ben Alan Askem, Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Derek Nicolini, Mark Russell