Patent ID: 11969541
Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW PLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
a negative pressure source configured to be fluidically connected to a wound covered by a wound dressing and to aspirate fluid from the wound;
a fluid flow path configured to transfer fluid from the wound toward the negative pressure source, the fluid flow path comprising:
a first conduit configured to restrict a flow of fluid passing through the first conduit;
at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure differential in at least a portion of the first conduit; and
a second conduit connected in parallel with the first conduit and configured to enable a higher flow of fluid through the second conduit than through the first conduit, the second conduit comprising a valve configured to:
in an open state, direct the flow of fluid caused by operation of the negative pressure source through the second conduit and not through the first conduit, and
in a closed state, block the flow of fluid through the second conduit and direct the flow of fluid caused by operation of the negative pressure source through the first conduit; and

a controller programmed to provide indication of a blockage in the fluid flow path in response to the pressure differential measured by the at least one pressure sensor satisfying a first pressure threshold.