Patents by Inventor Christopher Brian Locke

Christopher Brian Locke 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).

  • Wound connection pad with pneumatic connection confirmation ability
    Patent number: 10773000
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure includes a connector having a connector body. The connector body includes a cavity and a cavity aperture. The connector also includes a conduit port fluidly coupling a conduit to the cavity. The connector further includes a base adjacent the cavity aperture that is configured to be positioned adjacent a drape. The cavity is configured to be fluidly coupled to a manifold through an aperture of the drape. The connector also includes a sensing probe having a proximal end configured to be fluidly coupled to the conduit and a distal end extending to the cavity aperture. The distal end is configured to be positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with a manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Benjamin Andrew Pratt
  • System and method for determining a fill status of a canister of fluid in a reduced pressure treatment system
    Patent number: 10765592
    Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson, David Robson Blandford
  • Dressings and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient
    Patent number: 10765783
    Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient involve allowing liquids from the tissue site or a priming fluid to evaporate and exit the dressing through a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane. The dressing is able to process more liquids than would otherwise be possible without evaporation and potentially to create reduced pressure. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson, Aidan Marcus Tout
  • System and method for multiple direction flexible inline canister
    Patent number: 10765786
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure and collecting fluids from the tissue site is disclosed. The system may include a reduced-pressure source, a pouch in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source, and a dressing in fluid communication with the pouch. The pouch may include a first wall, a second wall having a periphery coupled to the first wall to form an interior, and a third wall extending through the interior to form a first chamber in fluid communication with the dressing and a second chamber in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source. A plurality of filters are positioned in the third wall. The filters permit fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Pratt, Colin John Hall, Christopher Brian Locke, Elliott James Rider, Gareth Stephenson
  • Disruptive dressing for use with negative pressure and fluid instillation
    Patent number: 10743900
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disrupting material at a tissue site is described. A contact layer may be selected for use on the tissue site and positioned adjacent to the tissue site. The contact layer may include walls defining a plurality of through-holes. A sealing member may be positioned over the contact layer and sealed to tissue surrounding the tissue site to form a sealed space enclosing the contact layer. A negative-pressure source may be fluidly coupled to the sealed space. The negative-pressure source may supply negative pressure to the sealed space and the contact layer to draw tissue into the through-holes to form nodules. The negative pressure may be vented from the sealed space to release the nodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon C. Ingram, Christopher Brian Locke, Peter Arnold, Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher A. Carroll, Michael E. Manwaring
  • Dressing with contracting layer for linear tissue sites
    Patent number: 10736788
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for closing an opening through a surface of a tissue site are described. The system includes a sealing member adapted to cover the opening to form a sealed space and a negative-pressure source adapted to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space to provide negative pressure to the sealed space. The system also includes a contracting layer adapted to be positioned adjacent the opening and formed from a material having a firmness factor and a plurality of holes extending through the contracting layer to form a void space. The holes have a perforation shape factor and a strut angle causing the plurality of holes to collapse in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening. The contracting layer generates a closing force substantially parallel to the surface of the tissue site to close the opening in response to application of the negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson, Robert Tuck, Gareth Stephenson
  • Tissue treatment systems and methods having a porous substrate with a compressed region and an expanded region
    Patent number: 10716711
    Abstract: A system for treating a tissue site of a patient includes a dressing filler adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. The dressing filler includes a porous substrate having at least one compressed region and at least one expanded region. The compressed region of the porous substrate is held in a compressed state by a first coating capable of dissolving in the presence of a fluid, and the expanded region of the porous substrate is held in an expanded state by a second coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Incisional absorbent dressing
    Patent number: 10702419
    Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed, in some embodiments, that involve treating a tissue site with reduced pressure. In one embodiment, a reduced-pressure dressing may include a dressing bolster, a retention pouch, and a sealing member. The dressing bolster may be adapted to apply a compressive force to the tissue site capable of closing a wound or incision therein. The retention pouch may be adapted to retain and manage fluid extracted from the tissue site to keep the tissue site substantially free of fluid and to prevent clogging of the reduced-pressure dressing. The sealing member may provide a seal over the retention pouch, the dressing bolster, and a portion of the epidermis of the patient. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Colin John Hall
  • Combination fluid instillation and negative pressure dressing
    Patent number: 10702649
    Abstract: Some illustrative embodiments of an instillation assembly for treating a tissue site may include a fluid distribution lumen and a fluid hub that may define a fluid instillation pathway. The fluid distribution lumen may be defined by a first film layer and a second film layer, and the fluid hub may be positioned in fluid communication with the fluid distribution lumen. The instillation assembly may be used in combination with a reduced-pressure assembly that may define a reduced-pressure pathway separate from the fluid instillation pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Richard Mercer, Christopher Brian Locke, Benjamin Andrew Pratt
  • Methods for manufacturing and assembling dual material tissue interface for negative-pressure therapy
    Patent number: 10695227
    Abstract: A dressing for treating tissue with negative pressure may be a composite of dressing layers, including a release film, perforated gel layer, a perforated polymer film, a manifold, and an adhesive cover. A method of manufacturing the dressing may comprise providing a first layer, such as the gel layer, on a substrate, perforating the first layer on the substrate to create a plurality of apertures in the first layer, and creating an index of the plurality of apertures in the first layer. A laser can be calibrated based on the index. A second layer, such as the polymer film, may be coupled to the first layer, and a plurality of slots can be cut in the second layer with the laser. Each of the slots can be cut through one of the apertures in the first layer based on the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, John Elwood
  • Flexible means for determining the extent of debridement required to remove non-viable tissue
    Patent number: 10695228
    Abstract: A flexible dressing for applying to a tissue site for determining the extent of debridement required to remove non-viable tissue is disclosed. Some embodiments of the dressing may be in the form of a multi-layer drape having an integrated tissue viability indicator system. Some embodiments may also include a system of shapes or a grid pattern printed or embossed on a surface of the drape for providing guidance during an ensuing debridement or amputation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Alexander Long, Sandra Garcia-Osborne, Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke, Daniel W. Dekruif
  • Apparatuses and methods for inline collection of a fluid specimen
    Patent number: 10667735
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for sampling a fluid from a tissue site is described. The system includes a collection fitting, a reduced-pressure source, and a specimen container. The collection fitting includes a tee-fitting having a first arm having a first union, a second arm having a second union, and a third arm. At least one lumen extends through the tee-fitting from the first arm to the third arm, and at least one lumen extends through the tee-fitting from the second arm to the third arm. A container union is coupled to the third arm. The reduced-pressure source is configured to be fluidly coupled to the first union, and the specimen container is configured to be coupled to the container union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Brian Locke
  • Systems and methods for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure involving a reduced-pressure interface having a multi-lumen conduit for contacting a manifold
    Patent number: 10660993
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a reduced-pressure interface for connecting a multi-lumen conduit to a distribution manifold. The interface includes a housing having a flange portion and a cavity wall portion. The cavity wall portion forms a cavity having a tissue-facing cavity opening. The interface further includes an attachment device, a conduit port, and a multi-lumen conduit. The attachment device is coupled to a tissue-facing side of the flange portion for coupling the housing to a sealing member. The conduit includes a distal end and a proximal whereby the distal end extends through a conduit aperture and past the cavity wall portion into the cavity. The conduit further includes a primary lumen and a plurality of sensing lumens. The primary lumen and the plurality of sensing lumens extend from the proximal end of the conduit to the distal end. The conduit is adapted to contact the distribution manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Aidan Marcus Tout, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Micro-porous conduit
    Patent number: 10653562
    Abstract: A porous conduit may be suitable for use in treating a tissue site, and may include a central lumen and a porous wall positioned substantially concentric about the central lumen. The porous wall may have an open porous structure that may define a plurality of interconnected pores in fluid communication with one another. As part of a system, the porous conduit may be used with a manifold adapted to be positioned at a tissue site, a sealing drape adapted to cover the manifold to provide a sealed space relative to the tissue site, and a therapy device including a reduced-pressure source. The porous conduit may be disposed in the sealed space and in fluid communication between the sealed space and the reduced-pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Sealing systems and methods employing a hybrid switchable drape
    Patent number: 10639205
    Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Hybrid drape having a gel-coated perforated mesh
    Patent number: 10632020
    Abstract: A system for treating a tissue site with negative-pressure is described. The system includes a manifold configured to be positioned adjacent to the tissue site and a drape configured to be positioned over the tissue site and the manifold to form a sealed space. The system also includes a negative-pressure source configured to provide negative-pressure to the sealed space. The drape includes a film layer, a layer of a bonding adhesive coupled to the film layer, and a mesh coupled to the layer of the bonding adhesive. The mesh includes a coating of a sealing adhesive and one or more bonding apertures. Methods of manufacturing the drape are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Intelligent therapy system with evaporation management
    Patent number: 10625002
    Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed that, in some embodiments, relate to treating a tissue site. In one embodiment, a dressing may include a manifold, a retention pouch, a sealing member, and a conduit interface. The manifold may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and the retention pouch may be adapted to retain and manage fluid extracted from the tissue site. The sealing member may cover the retention pouch and the manifold to provide a sealed space with the tissue site. The conduit interface may be in fluid communication with the sealed space and an exterior surface of the sealing member. The dressing may be utilized with a therapy device operable to control reduced pressure in the dressing and fluid flow over the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Richard Daniel John Coulthard, Benjamin Andrew Pratt, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Systems and methods for increasing absorbent capacity of a dressing
    Patent number: 10610623
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing fluid absorption from a tissue site are described. A dressing having an absorbent is positioned proximate the tissue site to receive fluid from the tissue site. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the dressing and supplies reduced pressure to the dressing. The reduced pressure is periodically decreased to distribute fluid in the absorbent and managed fluid absorption. The system includes a reduced-pressure source and a container having an upstream layer, a downstream layer, and an absorbent between the upstream layer and the downstream layer. The system also includes a sealing member for forming a therapeutic environment having the container and a controller configured to operate the reduced pressure source to intermittently supply reduced pressure to the therapeutic environment and periodically decrease the reduced pressure in the therapeutic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • FLUID INGRESS PROTECTION FOR NPWT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200086015
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) system including a NWPT therapy unit and a wound dressing configured to overlay a wound bed. The NPWT system includes a first length of tubing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the first length of tubing coupled to the NWPT therapy unit and the second end of the first length of tubing having a first coupling half, as well as a second length of tubing having a first end and second end, the first end of the second length of tubing coupled to the wound dressing and the second end of the second length of tubing having a second coupling half. The NPWT system includes an inline filter comprising a sintered polymer and a superabsorbent material, and an inline coupling, wherein the inline coupling is configured to operably couple and de-couple the NPWT therapy unit and wound dressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke, Colin John Hall
  • Display screen with graphical user interface for negative pressure unit
    Patent number: D881202
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Dekruif, James Killingworth Seddon, Christopher Brian Locke, Benjamin Andrew Pratt, James A. Luckemeyer, Kenneth R. Smith