Patent ID: 8021348
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use with a bandage which covers a wound, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a controller, a fluid source, a negative pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a canister, all of which are carried by the housing; the fluid source being configured to be coupled to the bandage; the negative pressure source being configured to be coupled to the bandage through the canister; and the controller being programmed to to provide a first signal resulting in automated fluid delivery to the bandage from the fluid source, and the controller being programmed to to provide a second signal resulting in the negative pressure source applying negative pressure to the bandage through the canister, where the canister includes a chamber, an inlet port configured to permit waste material to enter the chamber from the bandage, an outlet port configured to permit communication between the chamber and the vacuum source, and a pressure port configured to permit communication between the chamber and the pressure sensor such that the pressure sensor can sense pressure within the chamber, and where the apparatus is configured such that the pressure port is not in fluid communication with the outlet port outside the chamber; and where the controller is configured to detect if waste material in the chamber at least partially occludes the outlet port by detecting a change in pressure within the chamber.