Patent Description:
Document <CIT> is part of the prior art.

Many different types of wound dressings are known for aiding in the healing process of a human or animal. These different types of wound dressings include many different types of materials and layers, for example, pads such as gauze pads or foam pads. Topical negative pressure ("TNP") therapy, sometimes referred to as vacuum assisted closure, negative pressure wound therapy, or reduced pressure wound therapy, is widely recognized as a beneficial mechanism for improving the healing rate of a wound. Such therapy is applicable to a broad range of wounds such as incisional wounds, open wounds and abdominal wounds.

TNP therapy assists in the closure and healing of wounds by reducing tissue edema; encouraging blood flow; stimulating the formation of granulation tissue; removing excess exudates, and may reduce bacterial load and thus reduce the potential for infection of the wound. Furthermore, TNP therapy permits less outside disturbance of the wound and promotes more rapid healing.

Disclosed embodiments relate to negative pressure wound closure devices, methods, and systems that facilitate closure of a wound. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the wounds described herein this specification may encompass any wound, and are not limited to a particular location or type of wound. The devices, methods, and systems may operate to reduce the need for repetitive replacement of wound dressing material currently employed and can advance the rate of healing. The devices, methods, and systems may be simultaneously used with negative pressure to remove wound fluids.

In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a wound with negative pressure wound therapy is provided, the apparatus comprises a pump housing and a panel removably attachable to the pump housing. The pump housing may have a pump, a controller, and at least one light source. The panel may cover at least one of the light sources. The panel can have one or more icons. The at least one light source may illuminate the one or more icons of the panel when the panel is attached to the pump housing.

The apparatus of the preceding paragraph can further include one or more of the following features. The at least one light source can illuminate the one or more icons in response to the controller detecting at least one of a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions can include at least one of a power on, low battery, leak, or canister full. The one or more icons can provide an indication to a user regarding the condition detected by the controller. The pump housing may permit a plurality of removable panels to be attached to the housing. The plurality of removable panels may each have a different arrangement of icons. The controller can determine which of the plurality of removable panels is attached to the pump unit and change one or more pump settings based on the determination. The plurality of icons may be printed on an inner surface of the removable panel.

In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a wound with negative pressure wound therapy is provided, the apparatus comprises a pump housing and one or more panels configured to be removably attachable to the pump housing. The pump housing can have a pump and a controller. The pump may provide, via a fluid flow path, negative pressure to a wound configured to be covered by a wound dressing. The one or more panels may indicate an operating mode. A first operating mode of the pump can be associated with a first panel. The controller can operate the pump in the first operating mode in response to detecting that the first panel is attached to the pump housing. The controller may adjust one or more operational parameters of the pump based on the first operating mode.

The apparatus of the preceding paragraph can further include one or more of the following features. The one or more operating modes may include a canister mode or a canisterless mode. The pump housing can further include a recess to receive the one or more panels. The pump housing can further include a switch. The one or more panels may each engage the switch to indicate whether a canister is positioned in the fluid flow path between the pump and the wound. The switch can include at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, or a photodetector. The one or more panels can each have a plurality of icons. The one or more panels can each have a different arrangement of icons. The pump housing can include a plurality of light sources to illuminate one or more of the plurality of icons. The plurality of light sources can illuminate the icons in response to the operating mode. The operating mode can be indicated by the first panel. The controller can operate the pump in a second operating mode in response to detecting that a second panel is attached to the pump housing. The second operating mode can be associated with the second panel and different from the first operating mode. The controller can adjust the one or more operational parameters of the pump based on the second operating mode. The pump housing can further include a detector in communication with the controller. At least some of the one or more panels may engage the detector configured to indicate to the controller whether a canister is positioned in the fluid flow path between the pump and the wound based on the output of the detector. The first panel of the one or more panels can be configured to indicate that the canister is positioned in the fluid flow path and is further configured to engage the detector when attached to the housing. A second panel of the one or more panels can be configured to indicate that the canister is not positioned in the fluid flow path and is further configured not to engage the detector when attached to the housing. The detector can include at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a photodetector, or a mechanical switch.

In certain embodiments, a method (not part of the claimed invention) for operating a wound with negative pressure wound therapy is provided, the method comprises: in response to a panel being removably connected to a housing comprising a negative pressure source, determining an operating parameter associated with the panel, based on the operating parameter, determining whether a canister or a wound dressing without a separate canister is fluidicially connected to the negative pressure source, and adjusting provision of negative pressure from the negative pressure source based on the determination. The method is performed under control of a controller.

The method of the preceding paragraph can further include one or more of the following features. The method can further include determining which panel of a plurality of panels is removably connected to the housing. Each panel of the plurality of panels can be associated with a different operating parameter. The method can further include operating the negative pressure source in one or more modes in response to determining which panel is attached to the housing. The step of operating in the one or more modes can include adjusting one or more operational parameters of the negative pressure source based on the mode. The method can further include adjusting a user interface configured to provide at least one operational parameter of the apparatus based on the determination.

Other embodiments of wound closure devices, stabilizing structures and associated apparatuses are described below.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:.

Embodiments disclosed in this section or elsewhere in this specification relate to apparatuses and methods (not part of the claimed invention) of treating a wound with reduced pressure, including pump and wound dressing components and apparatuses. The apparatuses and components comprising the wound overlay and packing materials, if any, are sometimes collectively referred to in this section or elsewhere in this specification as dressings.

It will be appreciated that throughout this specification reference is made to a wound. It is to be understood that the term wound is to be broadly construed and encompasses open and closed wounds in which skin is torn, cut or punctured or where trauma causes a contusion, or any other superficial or other conditions or imperfections on the skin of a patient or otherwise that benefit from reduced pressure treatment. A wound is thus broadly defined as any damaged region of tissue where fluid may or may not be produced. Examples of such wounds include, but are not limited to, abdominal wounds or other large or incisional wounds, either as a result of surgery, trauma, sterniotomies, fasciotomies, or other conditions, dehisced wounds, acute wounds, chronic wounds, subacute and dehisced wounds, traumatic wounds, flaps and skin grafts, lacerations, abrasions, contusions, burns, electrical burns, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, stoma, surgical wounds, trauma and venous ulcers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally applicable to use in topical negative pressure (TNP) or reduced pressure therapy systems. Briefly, negative pressure wound therapy assists in the closure and healing of many forms of "hard to heal" wounds by reducing tissue edema, encouraging blood flow and granular tissue formation, or removing excess exudate and can reduce bacterial load (and thus infection risk). In addition, the therapy allows for less disturbance of a wound leading to more rapid healing. TNP therapy systems can also assist in the healing of surgically closed wounds by removing fluid. In some embodiments, TNP therapy helps to stabilize the tissue in the apposed position of closure. A further beneficial use of TNP therapy can be found in grafts and flaps where removal of excess fluid is important and close proximity of the graft to tissue is required in order to ensure tissue viability.

<FIG> illustrates a negative or reduced pressure wound treatment (or TNP) system <NUM> according to some embodiments. The system <NUM> comprises a wound filler <NUM> placed inside a wound cavity <NUM>, the wound cavity <NUM> sealed by a wound cover <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more of the wound filler <NUM>, the wound cover <NUM>, or any other component, such as a contact layer (not shown), make up a wound dressing. The system <NUM> includes a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus or a pump assembly <NUM> configured to provide reduced pressure to the wound. For example, a conduit <NUM> having at least one lumen can provide a fluid flow path between the pump assembly <NUM> and the wound. The conduit <NUM> can have a pump end <NUM> that is fluidically connected to the pump assembly <NUM> and a wound end <NUM> that is inserted under or through the wound cover <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> can communicate a negative pressure at the pump end <NUM> to the wound end <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate that the reduced pressure wound therapy system can be configured to operate with and without a canister (for example, canister and canisterless modes) according to some embodiments. <FIG> shows an embodiment of the TNP system <NUM> that has a wound dressing <NUM> connected directly to the pump assembly <NUM> (for example, canisterless mode). <FIG> shows an embodiment of the TNP system <NUM> that has a canister <NUM> interposed between a wound dressing <NUM> and the pump assembly <NUM> (for example, canister mode). At the beginning of the application of negative pressure wound therapy to a wound when the wound is in the early stages of the healing process and exudes a significant volume of exudate, the reduced pressure wound therapy system may operate with a canister. In this mode of operation, the negative pressure wound therapy system may operate with a foam or gauze RENASYS™ dressing sold by Smith & Nephew or any other suitable dressing. Operation of the reduced pressure wound therapy system with a canister may sometimes be referred to herein as "RENASYS", "RENASYS-mode", or derivatives thereof. As the wound is progressing through the healing process and is starting to exude a smaller volume of exudate, the canister may be removed and the negative pressure wound therapy system may operate with an absorbent dressing, such as the PICO™ dressing sold by Smith & Nephew or any other suitable dressing that retains the wound exudate within the dressing. Operation of the reduced pressure wound therapy system without a canister may sometimes be referred to herein as "PICO", "PICO-mode", or derivatives thereof.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic of the pump assembly <NUM> according to some embodiments. The pump assembly <NUM> can include a housing <NUM> that encloses or supports at least some components of the pump assembly <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> can include one or more switches or buttons <NUM>, one or more indicators <NUM>, and a control board <NUM>. The one or more buttons <NUM> and the one or more indicators <NUM> (which collectively make up a user interface) can be in electrical communication with the control board <NUM>, which can include one or more controllers and memory. The one or more buttons <NUM> can be used for any suitable purpose for controlling an operation of the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, the one or more buttons <NUM> can be used to activate the pump system <NUM>, pause the pump assembly <NUM>, and clear system indicators such as one or more of the one or more indications <NUM>. The one or more buttons <NUM> can by any type of switch or button, such as a touchpad, touch screen, keyboard, and so on. In some embodiments, the one or more buttons <NUM> can be a press button. In various implementations, one or more buttons <NUM> can be included on a touchscreen interface.

The pump assembly <NUM> can include one or more interchangeable interfaces, for example a panel <NUM>, adapted to be removably attached to the housing <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may be configured to indicate a mode of operation to the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, the panel <NUM> may signal to the pump assembly to operate in one or more modes, such as canister mode and canisterless mode. In some instances, attaching a first panel 280A to the housing <NUM> may indicate to the pump assembly <NUM> to begin operating in canisterless mode (for example, as illustrated in <FIG>). The first panel 280A may be removed from the pump assembly <NUM> and replaced with a second panel 280B that is then attached to the pump assembly <NUM>. The second panel 280B may indicate to the pump assembly <NUM> to operate in canister mode (for example, as illustrated in <FIG>). By way of another example, a second panel 280B that is configured to indicate that the pump assembly <NUM> is connected to a RENASYS™ dressing can be removed from the housing <NUM> and replaced with a first panel 280A that is configured to indicate a connection to a PICO™ dressing, thereby allowing the pump assembly <NUM> switch from a canister mode of operation to a canisterless mode of operation. As described herein, the panel <NUM> can be adapted to allow the pump assembly <NUM> to determine whether a canister is attached to the connector port <NUM>. In some arrangements, the operation of the pump assembly <NUM> can be adjusted according to whether a panel <NUM> attached to the housing indicates that a canister is connected to the connector port <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the control board <NUM> (for example, a controller) adjusts one or more operational parameters of negative pressure wound therapy depending on the operating mode of the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, in canisterless mode, the level of negative pressure provided to the wound can be reduced compared to canister mode because the wound is exuding a smaller amount of fluid. As another example, detection of one or more operating conditions can be enabled, disabled, or adjusted. For instance, in canisterless mode, canister full detection (or blockage detection) and alarming can be disabled and, instead, dressing full detection and alarming can be enabled. As another example, user may be allowed to adjust the pressure set point in canister mode, but not in canisterless mode.

The pump assembly <NUM> can be powered by a power source <NUM> such as a battery power cell or any other suitable power source. The pump assembly <NUM> can also include a source of negative pressure <NUM>, which can include a pump <NUM> powered by an actuator <NUM>, such as an electric motor, a voice coil motor, a piezoelectric actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> is integrated into the pump <NUM>. The negative pressure source <NUM> can be a rotary diaphragm pump or other diaphragm pump, a piezoelectric pump, a peristaltic pump, a piston pump, a rotary vane pump, a liquid ring pump, a scroll pump, a diaphragm pump operated by a piezoelectric transducer, a pump operated by a voice coil actuator, or any other suitable pump or micropump or any combinations of the foregoing, The pump assembly <NUM> can also include one or more pressure sensors <NUM> that measure pressure in the fluid flow path.

The pump assembly <NUM> can further include an inlet <NUM> to connect the pump assembly <NUM> to the wound dressing. For example, the inlet <NUM> can be connected to the connector port <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the wound dressing via a fluid flow path.

The pump assembly <NUM> can also include an outlet <NUM>. The outlet <NUM> can vent or exhaust gas to the atmosphere. In some embodiments, a filter (not shown) can be interposed between the outlet <NUM> and the atmosphere. The filter can provide filtration of the gas prior to venting the gas to the atmosphere. The filter can be a bacterial filter, odor filter, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a dampening component (not shown), such as a noise dampening component, can be interposed between the outlet <NUM> and the atmosphere. The dampening component can reduce the noise generated by the pump assembly <NUM> during operation. In some implementations, the pump assembly <NUM> can communicate information, such as information related to provision of negative pressure therapy, to one or more remote devices. Such communication can be performed using a wired or wireless interface.

<FIG> illustrates the pump assembly <NUM> of <FIG> with a canister <NUM> additionally positioned in a fluid flow path between the inlet <NUM> and the wound dressing. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister <NUM> fluidically connects to the connector port <NUM>. As discussed in further detail herein, a panel <NUM> removably attached to the housing <NUM> can be configured to signal to the pump assembly <NUM> whether the connector port <NUM> is connected to a wound dressing directly or whether a canister <NUM> is disposed between the connector port <NUM> and the wound dressing.

<FIG> depicts in a perspective view an embodiment of the TNP system according to some embodiments. In the illustrated system, a canister <NUM> is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>. The canister <NUM> can have an inlet <NUM> through which wound exudate can enter the canister <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pump assembly <NUM> may slide back to disengage the pump assembly <NUM> from the canister <NUM>. The connector port <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the pump assembly <NUM> can then be exposed when the canister <NUM> is disengaged from the pump assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> depict in perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, an embodiment of the TNP system according to some embodiments. In the illustrated system, a canister is not attached to a pump assembly, which can be the same as the pump assembly <NUM>, thereby exposing the connector port <NUM>, which can be the same as the connector port <NUM>. As discussed herein, the pump assembly <NUM> may include one or more panels <NUM> removably attached to the housing, such as the housing <NUM>. As described in further detail herein, the pump assembly <NUM> may include a switch configured to detect when and/or what type of panel, such as the panel <NUM>, is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the panel <NUM> can align with one or more indicators <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) when the panel <NUM> is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>, as described in further detail below.

<FIG> illustrate a panel, such as the panel <NUM>, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel <NUM> has a semi-spherical profile configured to engage with a corresponding shape of the housing <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM>. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the panel <NUM> and/or housing <NUM> may comprise any shape or size suitable for removable attachment of the panel <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> and/or panel <NUM> can include one or more attachment features that help secure the panel <NUM> to the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, the housing <NUM> can have a recessed portion <NUM> along at least a portion of the housing <NUM>. The recessed portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) may be configured to retain one or more panels <NUM>. Alternatively, the housing <NUM> may not include a recessed portion and the one or more panels <NUM> may be removably attached to an outer surface of the housing <NUM>.

In some instances, a panel <NUM> may include one or more securement mechanisms, such as protrusions or tabs <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The one or more securement tabs <NUM> can extend from one or more sidewalls of the panel <NUM>. The securement tabs <NUM> may be adapted to be received into corresponding slots <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) on pump assembly <NUM>. The slots <NUM> can be "L"-shaped to allow the tab <NUM> to be inserted into the slot <NUM> in a first direction and then slid in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction to align the tab <NUM> with an overhang.

The attachment feature contemplated herein may comprise any additional structure configured to sufficiently permit the panel <NUM> to be removably attached to the housing <NUM>. For example, the attachment feature can include a peg, a barb, a screw, or other protruding structure, configured to engage the housing <NUM> by a screw fit, snap fit, interference fit, or otherwise. In some embodiments, the attachment feature may include a protrusion extending radially outward from a sidewall of the panel <NUM>. In some instances, the attachment feature may include an opening configured to receive a portion of the housing <NUM>. The opening can include a circumferential groove that extends around the panel <NUM> to receive a corresponding protrusion of the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a pump assembly, such as the pump assembly <NUM> can be configured so that multiple panels <NUM> cannot be attached to the pump assembly <NUM> at the same time. For example, the housing <NUM> may engage with only a single panel <NUM>. The attachment of a first panel 280A can block the attachment of any subsequent panel <NUM>. Alternatively, the recessed portion <NUM> and/or a panel <NUM> may be adapted to permit the attachment of more than one panel <NUM> to the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, the housing <NUM> may be sized and configured to receive two or more panels <NUM> within one or more recessed portions <NUM>. In some instances, attachment of multiple panels <NUM> to the pump assembly <NUM> may cause the pump assembly <NUM> (for example control board <NUM>) to adjust one or more operational parameters of the pump assembly <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more indicators <NUM> of the user interface can signal one or more operating or failure conditions of a pump assembly, such as the pump assembly <NUM>, according to some embodiments. Each of the one or more indicators <NUM> may provide an indication regarding a different operating or failure condition. In some implementations, an active (for example, lit) indicator of the one or more indicators <NUM> can represent a certain operation condition for the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, a dressing indicator of the one or more indicators <NUM> can provide an indication as to presence of leaks in the TNP system (such as, in the fluid flow path, which includes the dressing, pump assembly, and one or more lumens connecting the pump assembly to the dressing), and an active dressing indicator can represent a leak. As another example, a dressing capacity indicator of the one or more indicators <NUM> can provide an indication as to the remaining fluid capacity of the wound dressing or canister, and an active dressing capacity indicator can represent that the wound dressing or canister is at or nearing capacity. In some instances, a battery indicator of the one or more indicators <NUM> can provide an indication as to remaining capacity or life of a power source, such as batteries, and an active battery indicator can represent a low capacity. In some embodiments, the one or more indicators <NUM> can represent a combination of one or more of the above operating or failure conditions of the pump assembly <NUM> or other operating or failure conditions for the pump assembly <NUM>.

As described herein, the pump assembly may include a user interface. The user interface can include a button that activates and deactivates therapy (such as a play/pause button) and one or more indicators. For example, the interface can include a low battery indicator, a full canister indicator, a leak indicator, and a blockage indicator. In some embodiments, the one or more panels <NUM> may be configured to form part of the user interface, such as one or more displays, indicators, lights, buttons, switches, speakers, vibrating elements, etc., as described herein. The user interface can be adjusted in response to the attachment of the one or more panels <NUM>.

In some instances, the one or more panels <NUM> can be configured to interact with the indicators <NUM>. For example, on a panel <NUM> signaling a canister mode, the user interface can include an indicator (for example an icon, audible alert, tactile response, etc.) alerting a user when canister becomes full. In canisterless mode, this indicator can be replaced with an indicator alerting the user when the dressing becomes full. In some embodiments, the panel <NUM> can comprise one or more icons configured to be activated by the one or more indicators <NUM>. The one or more panels <NUM> may be removably attached to the housing <NUM> to cover the indicators <NUM>, thereby permitting the indicators <NUM> to activate the one or more icons located on the panel <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the one or more indicators 204A-204E may comprise an illumination source, such as LEDs (not shown), configured to illuminate one or more icons 283A-283E of the panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the icons 283A-283E may form at least a portion of a user interface <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. The one or more icons 283A-283E and/or indicators 204A-204E can, for instance, be of a different color, two different colors (for example, two indicators can share the same color), or same color. The indicators 204A-204E may be located within one or more apertures of a housing, such as the housing <NUM>. The apertures may function to align the one or more icons 283A-283E of the panel with a respective indicator <NUM>, thereby permitting the indicator <NUM> to selectively activate one or more icons 283A-283E of the panel <NUM>.

The icons 283A-283E illustrated on a panel <NUM> may be varied. For example, a second panel 280B configured to indicate the presence of a canister may contain one or more icons 283A-283E not present and/or different than a first panel 280A configured to indicate the absence of a canister. In some instances, the attachment of a particular panel <NUM> to the pump assembly <NUM> may disable one or more of the indicators 204A-204E. For example, a full canister icon can be disabled and a full dressing indicator can be enabled due to the attachment of a canisterless panel 280A to the pump assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, an indicator for canister full and dressing full can share the same indicator (for example, light) and the indication changes depending on the panel <NUM> attached to the pump assembly <NUM> and a corresponding mode of operation (for example, light color changes to indicate canister full or dressing full).

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, icon 283A can indicate if the pump assembly is turned on or off, icon 283B can indicate if the power source is becoming depleted or not, icon 283C can indicate if a leak is present or not, and icon 283D can indicate if the canister is full or not.

In some embodiments, one or more of the indicators <NUM> and/or the panel <NUM> can include visual, audible, tactile, and other types of indicators or alarms configured to signal to the user various operating conditions. Such conditions include system on/off, standby, pause, normal operation, dressing problem, leak, error. The pump assembly, such as the pump assembly <NUM>, and/or the panel <NUM> can include speakers, displays, light sources, etc., or combinations thereof. In various implementations, a panel <NUM> may include one or more buttons on a touchscreen interface.

In some embodiments, a housing, such as the housing <NUM>, can include one or more detectors or switches that are in electrical communication with a controller, such as the control board <NUM>. The one or more switches can be configured to engage one or more panels, such as the panels <NUM>. As described herein, the one or more panels <NUM> can signal the presence of a canister, or lack thereof, to indicate an operating mode of a pump assembly, such as the pump assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more switches can advantageously permit the pump assembly <NUM> (for example, the control board <NUM> shown in <FIG>) to differentiate between a canister connection and a dressing connection depending on the panel <NUM> attached to the housing <NUM>. The switches contemplated herein can be mechanical, electrical, optical, and/or magnetic, proximity (such as, RFID), or any other suitable switch, and can include sensors. sensors and the like. For example, the switches may comprise one or more of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photodetector. The switches can be configured to close or open an electrical circuit, thereby permitting the control board <NUM> to detect whether and/or which type of panel <NUM> is engaged or disengaged. For example, as described in more detail below, the housing <NUM> can include a switch that is actuated by a portion of the panel <NUM> that couples to the housing <NUM>. The switch can be further configured so that the switch is not actuated by a different panel <NUM> indicating a different mode of operation, thereby allowing the control board <NUM> to detect whether a canister or a dressing is attached to a pump assembly. In some arrangements, the pump assembly <NUM> can be configured so that the switch is activated by a panel <NUM> indicating that a dressing is coupled to the pump assembly and is not activated by a panel <NUM> indicating that a canister is coupled to the pump assembly <NUM>.

The panel <NUM> can include one or more a securement tabs <NUM> that extends from the panel <NUM>, as discussed herein with reference to <FIG>. The tab <NUM> can be arranged so that when the panel <NUM> is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>, the tab <NUM> is received into the one or more slots <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) disposed on the housing. The slot <NUM> can include a switch that is actuated when the tab <NUM> is received into the slot <NUM>. In this way, the switch can be actuated by the tab <NUM> when the pump assembly <NUM> is connected to a panel <NUM>. In some instances, the location of the tabs <NUM> on the panel <NUM> may vary between a first panel 280A and a second panel 280B. The variation in the tab <NUM> location may cause the first panel 280A to activate one or more switches when attached to the housing that are not activated when the second panel 280B is attached to the housing. For example, the second panel 280B may signal the pump assembly <NUM> to operate in a canister mode based on the switches activated by the tabs <NUM> of the first panel 280A.

In some embodiments, a switch can have a first position corresponding to a first state of the switch (for example, unactuated) and a second position corresponding to a second state of the switch (for example, actuated). The pump assembly, such as the pump assembly <NUM>, can detect the configuration of the switch and adjust one or more operational parameters of the pump assembly <NUM> based on the detected configuration of the switch. Such detection can be performed by, for example, the control board <NUM>. In some arrangements, a second panel 280B indicating the canister mode deactivates the switch when the second panel 280B is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>. In some arrangements, the second panel 280B activates the switch when the second panel 280B is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>. In certain arrangements, the switch does not have an unactuated state but rather toggles from a canister position to a canisterless position based on whether the switch is contacted by at least a portion of the first panel 280A that is attached to the pump assembly <NUM>.

In some implementations, the switch can be adapted to close an electrical circuit when the switch is actuated. The switch can be adapted so that the electrical circuit is open when the switch is not actuated. The switch can be adapted so that the switch is closed when a first panel 280A is attached to the housing and is open when a second panel 280B is attached to the housing. The control board <NUM> can be adapted to detect whether the electrical circuit is in the open or closed configuration. The control board <NUM> can be adapted to detect whether a first panel 280A indicating a canisterless mode or a second panel 280B indicating a canister made is attached to the housing.

The panel <NUM> may include one or more connectors that are configured to complete an electrical circuit of the pump assembly when the panel <NUM> is attached to the housing. For example, the connector can have a conductive material disposed on an inner surface of the panel <NUM>. When the panel <NUM> is attached to the housing, and the corresponding one or more switches, the conductive ring of material disposed on the inner surface of the panel <NUM> can establish an electrical connection of the electrical circuit. The control board <NUM> of the pump assembly can be configured to detect when an electrical connection is made, thereby signaling to the pump assembly that the pump assembly should operate in a canister mode or a canisterless mode.

In some implementations, the switch can include a magnetic proximity sensor (for example, Hall effect sensor, RFID) to detect when and/or which type of panel <NUM> is attached to the pump assembly. A panel <NUM> can have a magnet embedded into the panel <NUM>. When the panel <NUM> is attached to the housing, the magnet embedded in the panel <NUM> will be brought close to the magnetic proximity sensor of the pump assembly. The magnetic proximity sensor can detect the presence of the magnetic field of the panel magnet. Accordingly, the magnetic proximity sensor can activate a detector circuit on the pump assembly to indicate that the pump assembly operates in either a canister mode or a canisterless mode.

As described above, these various implementations advantageously allow the pump assembly to differentiate between different types of panels <NUM>, such as, for example, between canister-signaling panel 280B and canisterless-signaling panel 280A. The pump assembly can, for example, thereby automatically determine whether to function in one or more different modes of operation, such as a canister-connected mode or canisterless mode. The one or more different modes of operation can differ, for instance, at least in the associated pump operating pressure settings like pressure thresholds, rates of change, or timings of pressure changes.

In some embodiments, one or more switches configured to interact with a panel <NUM> can be disposed within the recessed portion <NUM> of the housing. For example, a recessed portion <NUM> can have a pair of switches disposed across from one another on the recessed portion <NUM> of the housing. However, the housing need not have two switches. For example, the housing can have one, three, or more than three switches. In embodiments that have multiple switches, the switches can be spaced apart circumferentially from an adjacent switch by more or less than <NUM> degrees. In some embodiments the one or more switches can be disposed on a side of the housing.

In some instances, the pump assembly can include one or more switches in addition to or in lieu of the switch configured to engage the one or more panels <NUM>. The one or more additional switches can be adapted to be actuated when a canister connector is connected to the pump assembly. In some arrangements, the pump assembly can include one or more additional switches that are actuated when a canisterless connector is connected to the pump assembly. In certain arrangements, the pump assembly can include at least one additional switch that is actuated when the connector port is connected to one but not to the other of a canister connector and a cansisterless connector. In some arrangements, the at least one additional switch can be disposed at the connector port.

As described herein, the pump assembly is configured to operate in one or more operating modes. The TNP system can activate the negative pressure source to provide or achieve a particular set point or target level of negative pressure at the wound (for example, under the wound dressing). As the TNP system can be configured to operate with a canister or without the canister, provision of negative pressure wound therapy can be performed according to canister and canisterless modes, in which one or more operating parameters may be different. In some embodiments, the target level of negative pressure provided by the negative pressure source to the wound can be adjustable or selectable when the TNP system operates in canister mode. In canisterless mode, the target level of negative pressure may be set to a particular value and may not be adjustable.

In some implementations, a controller can operate the negative pressure source differently depending on canister or canisterless mode of operation. For example, in canister mode of operation, the negative pressure source can be operated continuously based on feedback from a pressure sensor that measures pressure in the fluid flow path (which can directly or indirectly indicate pressure at the wound). The controller may alter the negative pressure source in response to detection that a panel, such as the panel <NUM>, is attached to a housing.

In certain implementations, canisterless mode of operation can involve controlling the negative pressure source to be activated while the target level of negative pressure is being established at the wound and, subsequently, be deactivated. When, due to one or more leaks, negative pressure at the wound falls below the target level of negative pressure (for example, below an threshold level in relation to the target level of negative pressure), the negative pressure source can be re-activated to re-establish the target level of negative pressure at the wound. In canisterless mode, the negative pressure source may not be operated continuously.

In some embodiments, the TNP system can provide one or more indications associated with changing the operating mode of the pump assembly. As disclosed herein, the one or more indications can be visual, audible, tactile. In some cases, indication can alternatively or additionally involve deactivating the source of negative pressure. For example, the negative pressure source can be deactivated when at least one of a blockage or leakage has been detected.

<FIG> illustrates a process <NUM> of operation of a TNP system according to some embodiments. The process <NUM> can be implemented by a controller, such as the control board <NUM>. The process <NUM> starts in state <NUM> in which the process <NUM> detects whether a panel is attached to a housing. Detection can be performed using any of the approaches and switches described herein. State <NUM> can be executed when therapy is started or after when the target level of negative pressure at the wound is being maintained.

In state <NUM>, if presence of a panel is detected, the process transitions to state <NUM>. If one or more panels <NUM> are not detected, the process may proceed to state <NUM>. In state <NUM>, the process <NUM> may alert a user to attach a panel <NUM> to the housing. The alert within state <NUM> may be performed via one or more user interface modalities described herein.

At state <NUM>, the process <NUM> detects whether the attached panel indicates the presence of a canister in the fluid flow path. In some embodiments, the TNP system can be switched from canister to canisterless mode or vice versa while negative pressure therapy is being provided (for example, while the negative pressure source is active) without interrupting therapy. For instance, while negative pressure therapy is being provided, a first panel can be removed and/or a second panel can be attached, and the TNP system can be configured to detect this change without deactivating the negative pressure source. In certain implementations, negative pressure wound therapy can be interrupted when the TNP system is switched from canister to canisterless mode or vice versa.

In state <NUM>, if the process <NUM> determines that the attached panel indicates the presence of a canister, the process transitions to state <NUM> in which the TNP system operates in the canister mode as described herein. If the attached panel does not indicate the presence of a canister, the process <NUM> transitions to state <NUM> in which the TNP system operates in the canisterless mode as described herein.

Although this disclosure describes certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of the methods and devices shown and described in the present disclosure may be differently combined and/or modified to form still further embodiments or acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, a wide variety of designs and approaches are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. No feature, structure, or step disclosed herein is essential or indispensable. Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (for example, of aspects across various embodiments), substitutions, adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection, which is delimited by the appended set of claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms "generally parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degree, <NUM> degree, or otherwise.

Claim 1:
A negative pressure apparatus comprising:
a pump housing comprising a pump configured to provide, via a fluid flow path, negative pressure to a wound configured to be covered by a wound dressing, the pump housing further comprising a controller; and
one or more panels configured to be removably attachable to the pump housing and configured to indicate an operating mode, wherein the controller is configured to operate the pump in a first operating mode in response to a detection that a first panel is attached to the pump housing, the first operating mode associated with the first panel, and
wherein the controller is further configured to adjust one or more operational parameters of the pump based on the first operating mode.