Reliable Electronics for Negative Pressure Wound Care

Introduction

This innovative technology provides robust protection for electronic components used in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems, ensuring their functionality and safety during treatment. NPWT is a critical wound care method, particularly for chronic or complex wounds, but the exposure of delicate electronics to fluids and contaminants poses a significant risk to the device’s longevity and effectiveness. For companies in the medical device industry, this technology offers a solution that increases the durability of NPWT systems, enhancing performance and ensuring consistent therapeutic outcomes for patients.

The Challenge: Protecting Electronics in Challenging Environments

Negative pressure wound therapy systems rely on sophisticated electronic components to regulate the pressure applied to wounds, which in turn promotes faster healing and tissue regeneration. However, the environment in which these devices operate—often involving exposure to bodily fluids, moisture, and contaminants—can compromise the integrity of the electronics. This may lead to device failure, inconsistent pressure regulation, and increased risks for patients. The challenge lies in protecting these sensitive electronics without affecting the overall functionality or effectiveness of the NPWT system.

Advanced Protection for Optimal Wound Care

This technology offers a comprehensive solution to protect the electronic components in NPWT systems from fluid exposure and contaminants. By creating a barrier that shields the electronics while maintaining system functionality, this technology ensures that NPWT devices operate reliably and safely, even in the harsh environments of wound care. The enhanced protection increases the longevity of the devices, reduces the risk of failure during treatment, and improves patient outcomes by providing consistent and controlled therapy. This innovation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of NPWT systems and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care.

Key Benefits for Medical Device Manufacturers and Healthcare Providers

For medical device manufacturers, this technology provides a competitive advantage by ensuring that NPWT systems deliver reliable, long-term performance in challenging environments. Healthcare providers, including hospitals and wound care clinics, will benefit from using systems that are more durable and less prone to malfunction, leading to better patient outcomes and fewer device replacements or repairs. The added protection also reduces the overall costs associated with maintaining and replacing NPWT devices, making it an attractive option for both manufacturers and healthcare facilities.

Invest in Advanced Wound Care Solutions

Licensing this electronics protection technology for NPWT systems positions your company as a leader in the development of reliable, high-performance wound care devices. By ensuring the longevity and safety of electronic components in NPWT systems, your business can meet the growing demand for innovative, durable solutions in wound care. This technology represents a valuable investment for companies dedicated to improving patient outcomes and delivering advanced healthcare solutions.

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Abstract
Claims

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing, negative pressure source, circuit board, and one or more controllers. The circuit board can be supported by the housing and include a conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the circuit board. The conductive pathway can be electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the circuit board. The one or more controllers can be mounted on the circuit board and activate and deactivate the negative pressure source.

What is claimed:

1. An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound covered by a wound dressing;

a printed circuit board supported by the housing and comprising a first conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the printed circuit board, the first conductive pathway being electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the printed circuit board; and

one or more components mounted on the printed circuit board, the one or more components being configured to activate and deactivate the negative pressure source,

wherein the first conductive pathway comprises a track and is configured to protect at least some of the one or more components against an electrostatic discharge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a second conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a second side of the printed circuit board opposite the first side.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of vias electrically connecting the first conductive pathway and the second conductive pathway through the printed circuit board.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first conductive pathway extends around at least half of the perimeter of the first side, and the second conductive pathway extends around at least half of the perimeter of the second side.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first conductive pathway extends around at least 75% of the perimeter of the first side, and the second conductive pathway extends around at least 75% of the perimeter of the second side.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least four layers.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a second conductive pathway extending around at least part of an element on the first side of the printed circuit board, the second conductive pathway being electrically coupled to the electrical ground.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the element is a contact of a user interface component.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second conductive pathway extends around at least part of a hole through the printed circuit board.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second conductive pathway is electrically coupled to a third conductive pathway that extends between the printed circuit board and an outer surface of the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more components is configured to continue to activate and deactivate the negative pressure source subsequent to the wound dressing being exposed to a defibrillation shock while the negative pressure source is maintaining negative pressure below a negative pressure threshold.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more components is further configured to output an alarm indicating presence of a leak in the fluid flow path or that pressure in the fluid flow path failed to satisfy a desired pressure threshold, the one or more components being further configured to not erroneously output the alarm as a result of the wound dressing being exposed to a defibrillation shock while the negative pressure source is maintaining negative pressure below a negative pressure threshold.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more components is further configured to transmit first data to an electronic device or receive second data from the electronic device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure source is configured to perform negative pressure therapy when a magnitude of negative pressure under the wound dressing is maintained below a negative pressure threshold.

15. A method for operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:

using one or more components of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, activating and deactivating supply of negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing, the one or more components mounted on a printed circuit board supported by a housing of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the printed circuit board comprising a first conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the printed circuit board, the first conductive pathway comprising a track and being electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the printed circuit board; and

conducting an electrostatic discharge from a source external to the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus to the electrical ground via the first conductive pathway to protect at least some of the one or more components from the electrostatic discharge.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first conductive pathway extends around at least half of the perimeter of the first side.

17. The method of claim 15,

wherein the printed circuit board comprises a second conductive pathway extending around at least part of an element on the first side of the printed circuit board, the second conductive pathway being electrically coupled to the electrical ground; and

further comprising conducting another electrostatic discharge from the source external to the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus to the electrical ground via the second conductive pathway to protect at least some of the one or more components from the another electrostatic discharge.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the element is a contact of a user interface component.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting first data to an electronic device or receiving second data from the electronic device using the one or more components.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least four layers.

Title

Protection of electronics in negative pressure wound therapy systems

Inventor(s)

Ben Alan Askem, Fernando Bettani, Alberto Fasan, Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt, Felix Clarence Quintanar

Assignee(s)

Smith and Nephew PLC

Patent #

11511021

Patent Date

November 29, 2022