Patent ID: 6887228

Claim:
A method for automatically treating a body joint wound subsequent to surgical intervention comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for treating a wound at a body joint subsequent to surgical intervention, said apparatus comprising: a first tube insertable into said wound for transporting an infused solution to said body joint, said first tube being connectable to a source of said solution; a second tube insertable into said wound for transport of fluid removed from said body joint; and a vacuum device coupled to said second tube, said vacuum device comprising: a valve located in proximity to an end of said second tube at which said vacuum device is coupled at an inlet port; a reservoir for receiving fluid transported from said body joint through said second tube and said valve; a pump for creating a pressure in said reservoir that is negative with respect to pressure within said second tube; and a controller for periodically activating said pump at preset time intervals while said solution is being infused to said body joint; wherein a relatively constant positive physiological pressure is maintained in the joint during and throughout a solution infusion period; continuously infusing a solution into the joint at a relatively constant rate; and maintaining a relatively constant positive physiological pressure in the joint during and throughout said infusing step with said apparatus.