Power saving control system for negative pressure wound therapy pumps

摘要

An operating system for a medical device pump has a microprocessor controlling the operation of the pump features in a manner to minimize power consumption and maximize the life of the batteries powering the pump. The microprocessor associated with the medical device pump includes a modulation circuit that operates the pump on an intermittent basis and only when a pressure sensor indicates that the pressure asserted by the pump is at a threshold level. The operation of other sensors are powered only in situations when information from the sensor is needed, while other more essential sensors are operated on an intermittent basis by the modulation circuit. A fill sensor is operated intermittently, while a tilt sensor is only activated when a signal is received from the fill sensor. An optical sensor is only activated when the canister is removed from the pump housing, during which the pump is de-powered.

主权项

1. A method of operating a battery-powered medical device having a pump providing a vacuum to an associated negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, said medical device having a microprocessor and operative components coupled to said microprocessor to minimize power consumption from the battery, comprising the steps of:
providing said microprocessor with a modulation circuit, said modulation circuit powering the operation of said pump only when a pressure sensor associated with the vacuum applied to said negative pressure wound therapy apparatus indicates that the negative pressure of the vacuum is at a threshold level; operating said pump and a selected first portion of said operative components intermittently through said modulation circuit as required by said microprocessor for operation of said medical device and operating a selected second portion of said operative components in response to the operation of said first portion of said operative components, one of said second portion of said operative components including a tilt sensor associated with said pump to provide a signal to said microprocessor when said pump is in a non-vertical position, one of said first portion of said operative components being a fill sensor providing a signal to said microprocessor when a canister associated with said pump is filled with fluid from the operation of said negative pressure wound therapy apparatus; intermittently operating said fill sensor through said modulation circuit to check fluid levels within said canister; and activating said tilt sensor only when the microprocessor receives a signal from said fill sensor indicating activation thereof by fluids within said canister.