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.

Abstract: Apparatuses for use in negative pressure wound therapy are described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a pump assembly having a pump housing, a magnet, an electrically conductive coil, and a diaphragm, wherein the electrically conductive coil is configured to move a portion of the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump apparatus, and a dampener positioned within the pump assembly configured to reduce sound generated by the pump assembly during operation of the pump assembly. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a first section and a second section, and an illumination source disposed within the housing adjacent the first section, wherein the illumination source is configured to illuminate the first section, wherein the first section is one of transparent and translucent, and wherein the first section is thinner than the second section as measured perpendicularly from inside to outside the housing.

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 applying a drive signal to a pump assembly of the pump system, the drive signal alternating between a positive amplitude and a negative amplitude and the drive signal having an offset, and sampling a pressure within a fluid flow path configured to connect the pump system to a wound dressing configured to be placed over a wound during one or more time intervals. Each of the one or more time intervals can occur when the drive signal is approximately at an amplitude equal to one or more sampling amplitudes.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.