Chemical pump housing for negative pressure systems

Abstract

A chemical pump assembly useful for negative pressure therapy includes a chemical pump housing having an internal chamber, a reactor disposed within the internal chamber, an opening in the chemical pump housing, a first pull tab extending from the internal chamber through the opening to the periphery, and a removable layer connected to the first pull tab. The reactor is configured to react with a selected gas in the air and consumes the selected gas when exposed to air in the internal chamber. The removable layer isolates the reactor from the air within the internal chamber until the removable layer is removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Negative pressure therapy is a treatment method that uses negative pressure to treat and repair the skin. Negative pressure is a term used to represent a pressure lower than normal atmospheric pressure. Negative pressure therapy is applied to some parts of the skin such as wounds and incisions. Furthermore, negative pressure therapy is useful for the management of wounds with complex healing. Additionally, negative pressure therapy can also be used for cosmetic purposes such as removing wrinkles.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, negative pressure therapy is achieved by maintaining a reduced pressure state under the treatment article on the treatment site. By a vacuum generating source such as a pump, the inside of the treatment article on the treatment site is depressurized.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] A chemical pump assembly useful for negative pressure therapy includes a chemical pump housing having an internal chamber, a reactor disposed within the internal chamber, an opening provided in the chemical pump housing, a first pull tab extending peripherally from the internal chamber through the opening, and a removable layer connected to the first pull tab. The reactor is configured to react with a selected gas in the air and consumes the selected gas when exposed to air in the internal chamber. The removable layer blocks the reactor from the air in the internal chamber until the removable layer is removed.

[0004] A method for operating a pump assembly of a negative pressure system includes providing a fluid connection between the chemical pump housing and a treatment member placed over a tissue site. This method further includes pulling a first pull tab that extends circumferentially from an internal chamber of the chemical pump housing through an opening in the chemical pump housing. Pulling the first pull tab removes a removable layer, exposing the reactor located within the internal chamber to air. This method further includes covering the opening to prevent air from entering the internal chamber through the opening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the chemical pump assembly. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the chemical pump assembly. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the chemical pump assembly. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is another exploded perspective view of the chemical pump assembly. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the chemical pump assembly after the first and second pull tabs have been removed. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a chemical pump assembly including a valve. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Figure 1 shows a chemical pump assembly 12 useful for negative pressure therapy. Negative pressure as described herein is a pressure below atmospheric pressure. The chemical pump assembly 12 is connected to a treatment member 14 attached to the skin S and is configured to be in fluid communication with an enclosed volume beneath the treatment member 14. Examples of treatment members 14 usable with the chemical pump assembly 12 are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 114813.

[0007] The chemical pump assembly 12 as a whole includes a chemical pump housing 16, which includes an upper housing 18 and a lower housing 20, and the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are connected to define an internal chamber 22 (Figure 3) provided between them. In one embodiment, the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 may be configured as separate elements. When the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are separate elements, the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are connected integrally, and a seam 24 is formed between the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20. When the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are connected, an airtight seal is formed between the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20. As a result, no gas can enter or leave the internal chamber 22 of the chemical pump housing 16 through the seam 24. In another embodiment, the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, the upper housing 18 may include an upper inner wall surface 26 that is only slightly curved and substantially planar, as shown in Figure 4. The lower housing 20 may include a lower inner wall 28 located offset from the side wall of the lower housing 20.

[0008] The lower housing 20 may further include a channel 32 provided around the inner circumference of the lower housing 20, as shown in Figure 3. The channel 32 may surround the entire inner surface of the lower housing 20, or only a portion of the inner surface of the lower housing 20. Furthermore, the channel 32 may consist of a single channel or multiple channels. The channel 32 may also be located between the side wall and the lower inner wall 28 of the lower housing 20. In the upper housing 18, a ridge 34 may surround the inner circumference of the upper housing 18, as shown in Figure 4. The ridge 34 may surround the entire inner surface of the upper housing 18, or only a portion of the inner surface of the upper housing 18. The ridge 34 may consist of a single ridge or multiple ridges. Alternatively, the ridge 34 may be provided in the lower housing 20 and the channel 32 may be provided in the upper housing 18.

[0009] The ridge 34 is configured to be inserted into the channel 32 when the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are connected. When the ridge 34 is inserted into the channel 32, the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are in close contact, forming an airtight seal that prevents gas from passing through the seam 24. The upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 may be connected by other known means that form an airtight seal at the seam 24.

[0010] The chemical pump assembly 12 further includes a chemical pump 35. The chemical pump 36 is located within the internal chamber 22 of the chemical pump housing 16 before the upper housing 18 and the lower housing 20 are connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the chemical pump 36 of the chemical pump assembly 12 is a reactor configured to react with a selected gas, such as oxygen in the air. Examples of reactors that can be used in the chemical pump assembly 12 are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2014 / 0109890A1 and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 059364.

[0011] In the illustrated embodiment, an elongated slit-shaped opening 40 is provided on the upper housing 18. Preferably, the opening 40 is positioned toward the distal side of the upper housing 18. However, the opening 40 may be positioned toward the proximal side of the upper housing 18, or elsewhere on the chemical pump housing 16. When the opening 40 is not covered, the opening 40 exposes the internal chamber 22 to the ambient atmosphere. Adjacent to the opening 40, the upper housing 18 may include an inclined wall 42 that slopes upward toward the distal side of the upper housing 18 toward the outer surface of the internal chamber 22.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, at least one pull tab extends circumferentially from the internal chain bar 22 through the opening 40. In one embodiment, the at least one pull tab includes a first pull tab 44 and a second pull tab 46. In one embodiment, the first pull tab 44 and the second pull tab 46 are separate elements, while in another embodiment, the first pull tab 44 and the second pull tab 46 may be connected or integral.

[0013] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the packet 48, including the removable layer 50, covers the chemical pump 36, preventing the chemical pump 36 from being exposed to the ambient atmosphere or the air in the internal chamber 22 until the removable layer 50 is removed from the packet 48. The packet 48 may be a foil packet that seals around the chemical pump 36. A first pull tab 44 extends through the opening 40 and is connected to the removable layer 50. The first pull tab 44 may be pulled to remove it from the opening 40. When the first pull tab 44 is pulled through the opening 40, the removable layer 50 is removed from the packet 48 and, if desired, from the internal chamber 22 through the opening 40, exposing the chemical pump 36 to the ambient atmosphere. After the removable layer 50 is removed, the chemical pump 36 begins to react with a selected gas, such as oxygen, in the internal chamber 22. Because the inclined wall 42 is inclined, the first pull tab 44 and the removable layer 50 can be easily removed from the opening 40. Preferably, the first pull tab 44 is removed after the chemical pump assembly 12 is connected to the repair member 14. However, the first pull tab 44 may be removed before the chemical pump assembly 12 is attached to the repair member 14.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the packet 48 is attached to the upper inner wall surface 26 of the upper housing 18 using adhesive. The packet 48 may be attached to another surface if desired. The removable layer 50 is covered with adhesive on its upper side (as shown in the orientation in Figure 3), except for a small section 52 at the end of the removable layer 50 opposite the opening 40. The upper side of the removable layer 50 is the side facing the packet 48. The first pull tab 44 is connected to this small section 52 which is not covered with adhesive, and the connection between the first pull tab 44 and the removable layer 50 is limited to the small section 52, and the first pull tab 44 is free to move relative to the rest of the removable layer 50 which is attached to the packet 48 with adhesive on its upper side. Thus, when the first pull tab 44 is pulled away from the chemical pump housing 16 through the opening 40, the removable layer 50 rolls on itself as it is detached from the packet 48.

[0015] The chemical pump assembly 12 further includes a cover (an example being a thin film 62, described later) for sealing the opening 40 to prevent air from entering the internal chamber 22 through the opening 40 after the removable layer 50 has been removed. Other types of covers, such as a film not connected to the chemical pump housing 16, can also be used.

[0016] The second pull tab 46 is positioned on a portion of the upper surface of the upper housing 18 and cooperates with the bonded thin film 62. The thin film 62 includes a flap 64, as shown in Figure 2, with an opening 40 provided beneath the flap 64. The second pull tab 46 is connected to a release layer 66 provided on the bottom surface of the thin film 62. The release layer 66 covers the adhesive on the bottom surface of the thin film 62 (not visible in Figure 2). Referring to Figure 4, a slit 68 is provided in the release layer 66 so that before the thin film 62 is bonded to the upper surface of the upper housing 18, a portion of the release layer 66 can be removed to expose the adhesive, while the portion of the release layer 66 beneath the flap 64 can be left in place. When the second pull tab 46 is pulled, it detaches the release layer 66 from the flap 64, exposing the adhesive on the bottom surface of the flap 64. The flap 64 then moves toward the upper housing 18, covering the remaining portion of the upper surface of the upper housing 18 and also covering the opening 40. As a result, the internal chamber 22 is no longer exposed to the ambient atmosphere through the opening 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the thin film 62 is metallized and can prevent air from entering the internal chamber 22 when the internal chamber 22 is under negative pressure. When the opening 40 is covered by the thin film 62, the chemical pump 36 reacts with the selected gas in the enclosed volume below the treatment member 14 and forms a closed system if it is already connected to the treatment member 14 via a hose 82 (schematically shown in Figure 1 and dashed in Figure 6). Thus, the enclosed volume is depressurized. When the internal chamber 22 is under negative pressure, the thin film 62 is drawn towards the internal chamber 22 through the opening 40. In this way, the thin film 62 cooperating with the opening 40 may indicate to the user that the internal chamber 22 is under negative pressure. Marks 70, such as a straight line or a cross, may be provided on the thin film 62 near the opening 40 to further indicate that there is negative pressure.

[0017] The chemical pump housing 16 further includes a hose fitting 76, which in the illustrated embodiment is a barbed fitting that ensures the hose 82 is secured to the hose fitting 76. The hose fitting 76 is tubular and includes a passage 78 that communicates with an internal chamber 22. In one embodiment, the hose fitting 76 is located on the side of the chemical pump housing 16 opposite the opening 40. The hose fitting 76 may be located in a recess 80 of the chemical pump housing 16, but it may be located on any surface of the chemical pump housing 16. The recess 80 may alternatively be located on any surface of the chemical pump housing 16. The hose 82 (schematically shown) is attached to the hose fitting 76 to connect the chemical pump assembly 12 to the support member 14.

[0018] Referring back to Figure 1, the chemical pump assembly 12 may further include an attachment pad 92 located below the lower housing 20 and connected to the lower housing 20. The attachment pad 92 includes a lower section 94 and an upper section 96. A fastener such as a hook-and-loop fastener 98 may be provided on the upper section 96 of the attachment pad 92 for connection to a hook-and-loop fastener 100 received in a recess 102 provided on the bottom surface of the lower housing 20, thereby allowing the attachment pad 92 to be attached to the chemical pump housing 16. The attachment pad 92 may be larger than the chemical pump housing 16. The lower section 94 of the attachment pad 92 is configured to attach to a surface, such as a gown or clothing worn by a patient, or to the patient. The attachment pad 92 may include an adhesive layer provided on the lower section 94. A removable attachment pad release liner 104 may be provided on the adhesive layer. The removable attachment pad release liner is removed to expose the adhesive layer.

[0019] The operation method of the chemical pump assembly 12 is described below. At least one treatment member 14 is placed on the tissue site. The chemical pump assembly 12 is then connected to the at least one treatment member 14 via the hose 82. When the chemical pump assembly 12 is connected to the at least one treatment member 14, the internal chamber 22 of the chemical pump assembly 12 is in fluid communication with the enclosed volume defined by the treatment member 14. Pull either the pull tab 44 or 46. When the first pull tab 44 is pulled through the opening 40, the removable layer 50 is removed from the packet 48. As a result, the chemical pump 36 in the chemical pump housing 16 is exposed to the ambient atmosphere as well as the air in the internal chamber 22 and begins to react with the selected gas. Pull the second pull tab 46 to remove the release layer 66 provided on the bottom surface of the flap 64, exposing the adhesive on the bottom surface. Subsequently, the flap 64 is pulled towards the upper housing 18, and the opening 40 is covered with the thin film 62. As a result, the internal chamber 22 is no longer exposed to the surrounding atmosphere. The reactor then reacts with the selected gas in the enclosed volume beneath the internal chamber 22 and the treatment member 14, and the tissue area is depressurized.

[0020] Figure 6 shows a chemical pump housing 16 that includes a valve, which may be a bidirectional valve 106. It should be noted that to accommodate the bidirectional valve 106, it may be necessary to reduce the size of the chemical pump 36 and packet 48, or to increase the size of the chemical pump housing 16. The bidirectional valve 106 may have a similar structure to the valve described in U.S. Patent No. 5,439,143. The bidirectional valve 106 may be configured such that (1) when the external air pressure of the bidirectional valve 106 is less than or equal to the air pressure (i.e., gas pressure) of the internal chamber 22, the bidirectional valve 106 opens and air is drawn out of the internal chamber 22 through the bidirectional valve 106; (2) when the ambient air pressure is greater than the air pressure (i.e., gas pressure) of the internal chamber 22 by a predetermined difference (e.g., 200 mmHg) or more, the bidirectional valve 106 opens and air enters the internal chamber 22 through the bidirectional valve 106; and (3) in other cases, the bidirectional valve 106 remains closed, preventing air from entering or leaving the internal chamber 22 through the bidirectional valve 106. In this third state, the enclosed volume beneath the internal chamber 22 and thus the treatment member 14 is within the therapeutic range, for example, being -50 mmHg to -200 mmHg from the ambient atmosphere (e.g., absolute pressure of 560 mmHg to 710 mmHg at sea level). Optionally, a mechanical pump assembly 108, described in detail in PCT / US2019 / 12298, may be inserted into the bidirectional valve 106 to open the valve and operate to create negative pressure in the enclosed volume beneath the treatment member 14 when the chemical pump assembly 12 is connected to the treatment member 14 via the hose 82. Alternatively, a conventional wall suction pump, sometimes called a "wall suction," may also be connected to the bidirectional valve 106 to open the valve and create negative pressure in the enclosed volume beneath the treatment member 14 when the chemical pump assembly 12 is connected to the treatment member 14 via the hose 82.

[0021] As an alternative to the bidirectional valve 106, two one-way valves may be employed. One one-way valve may be configured to open when the external air pressure is less than or equal to the air pressure (i.e., gas pressure) of the internal chamber 22, allowing gas to be drawn out of the internal chamber 22 through the one-way valve. The other one-way valve may be configured to open when the ambient air pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined difference (e.g., 200 mmHg) than the air pressure (i.e., gas pressure) of the internal chamber 22, allowing air to enter the internal chamber 22 through the one-way valve. Both one-way valves remain closed when the internal chamber 22 is within a therapeutic range, for example, when it is deviating by -50 mmHg to -200 mmHg from the ambient atmosphere (e.g., absolute pressure at sea level of 560 mmHg to 710 mmHg). A mechanical pump assembly 108, wall suction, or similar mechanical suction device may work in cooperation with a one-way valve that allows air to enter the internal chamber 22.

[0022] It will be understood that the various embodiments, other features and functions described above, or their substitutes or variations, may preferably be combined with many other different systems or applications. Furthermore, various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements not currently anticipated or expected may be made later by those skilled in the art, but these too are intended to be covered within the following claims.

Claims

1. A chemical pump assembly useful for negative pressure therapy, A chemical pump housing having an internal chamber, A reactor disposed within the internal chamber and configured to react with a selected gas in the air and consume the selected gas when exposed to the air within the internal chamber, An opening provided in the chemical pump housing, A first pull tab extends from the internal chamber through the opening toward the surrounding atmosphere, The reactor comprises a removable layer connected to the first pull tab, the removable layer insulating the reactor from the air inside the internal chamber until the removable layer is removed. Chemical pump assembly.

2. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for sealing the opening to prevent air from entering the internal chamber through the opening after the removable layer has been removed.

3. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cover is a thin film and further comprises a second pull tab connected to a release layer covering an adhesive provided on the thin film.

4. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 3, wherein the thin film moves into the opening toward the internal chamber so that the thin film covers the opening and indicates that the internal chamber is under negative pressure when the internal chamber is under negative pressure.

5. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chemical pump assembly is connectable to a treatment member that defines an enclosed volume, and the internal chamber is in fluid communication with the enclosed volume.

6. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising on the chemical pump housing at least one valve that is in fluid communication with the internal chamber and the surrounding atmosphere, wherein the at least one valve (1) opens when the air pressure outside the at least one valve is less than or equal to the gas pressure of the internal chamber, and air is drawn out of the internal chamber through the at least one valve; (2) opens when the ambient air pressure is greater than the gas pressure of the internal chamber by a predetermined difference or more, and air is allowed to enter the internal chamber through the at least one valve; and (3) otherwise, the at least one valve remains closed, preventing air from entering or leaving the internal chamber through the at least one valve.

7. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a mechanical pump assembly connectable to the chemical pump assembly by at least one valve.

8. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a packet in which the reactor is arranged, wherein adhesive is provided on the removable layer on the side facing the packet, except for a small section at the end of the removable layer opposite to the opening.

9. The chemical pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined wall adjacent to the opening, which slopes upward toward the outer surface of the chemical pump housing.

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