Patent ID: 8540688

Claim:
A method for operating a portable device to generate a vacuum for medical vacuum treatment of wounds on a body of humans or animals, the device comprising: a first housing part, said first housing part accommodating a vacuum-producing suction pump; a vessel for receiving body liquids or wound exudates suctioned out of a wound, said vessel structured for releasable attachment to said first housing part, wherein vacuum is applied by said suction pump in an attached condition of said vessel, said vessel having a connection for a suction tube leading to the body for the establishment of vacuum communication between said suction pump, said vessel and the suction tube; a pressure sensor disposed between said vessel and said suction pump to measure a pressure in a tube section; and a programmable electronic control unit connected to said suction pump and to said pressure sensor for controlling operation of said suction pump in dependence on defined parameters and on pressure values measured by said pressure sensor, said electronic control unit being disposed, structured and dimensioned to deactivate said suction pump if, during continuing closed-loop vacuum control operation, a rate of change in pressure (Δp/Δt) detected body said pressure sensor exceeds a defined threshold value toward decreasing vacuum, the method comprising the steps of: using, by means of said electronic control unit, signals of said pressure sensor to determine a rate of pressure change (Δp/Δt) and, upon decreasing vacuum and increasing absolute pressure, the rate of pressure change (Δp/Δt) is compared with a threshold value stored in said control unit, and said suction pump is deactivated when said threshold value is exceeded.