Patent ID: 8308714
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting high air flow in a negative pressure wound therapy system, comprising: a wound dressing; a fluid collection container; a vacuum pump; a plurality of lumens configured to at least channel a flow of fluid between said wound dressing, said fluid collection container, and said pump; a flow restrictor configured to restrict flow of fluid in a lumen of the plurality of lumens; a first pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure along a lumen on a first side of said flow restrictor and to generate a first output signal; a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure along a lumen on a second side of said flow restrictor apart from said first side and to generate a second output signal; a difference circuit configured to provide a difference signal reflecting a difference between the first and second output signals; a comparison circuit configured to compare the difference signal with a threshold corresponding to a high flow rate and to provide a comparison; and an alarm circuit configured to produce an alarm responsive to the comparison, the alarm reflecting a high flow condition.