Smith + Nephew

Nektar Therapeutics

Sky Medical Technology Limited

Benjamin Gordon

Edward William Vernon-Harcourt

Jake Turner

David Stuart Harris

Nathan Wrench

Edward Yerbury Hartwell

Stephen Jacob

Steven David Gardner

Matthew James Hayes

Duncan Shirreffs Bain

Jonathan Paul Fenton

Martin Gordon

Thomas Edward Parker

Duncan Bain

Jonathan Fenton

A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining status of a canister of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of monitoring pressure provided by a pump element of the TNP system, determining at least one characteristic associated with the monitored pressure and determining status of at least one parameter associated with a canister of the TNP system responsive to the determined characteristics.

Canister status determination

Methods and apparatuses for detecting full waste canister and/or fluid flow path blockage conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for controlling a pump. In some embodiments, flow of fluid can be restricted in a portion of the fluid flow path. A controller can be configured to compare a difference in pressure values upstream and downstream of a fluid flow restrictor to a pressure difference threshold, and determine based on the comparison whether to activate an alarm indicating the full waste canister condition or the fluid flow path blockage condition. The controller can be additionally or alternatively configured to determine a fluid flow using a flow meter, open a selectable valve in response to a comparison of the fluid flow with a fluid flow threshold, determine fluid flow after opening the valve, and determine based on the fluid flow after opening the valve whether to activate the alarm.

Systems and methods for controlling operation of negative pressure wound therapy apparatus

The present invention relates to a device for providing neuromuscular stimulation. The device comprises a positive electrode, a plurality of negative electrodes, a non-conductive substrate and a control unit for activating the electrodes. The control unit of the device activates the negative electrodes in a predetermined sequence, so as to deliver electrical stimulus to a user, wherein the predetermined sequence is repeated with an increasing level of stimulus until a predetermined outcome is achieved. Additionally each negative electrode of the devices comprises at least one conductive track mounted on the non-conductive substrate wherein at least one pair of negative electrodes overlap such that the conductive track or tracks of a first negative electrode of the pair overlap with the electrode footprint, but not the conductive tracks, of a second negative electrode of the pair.

Multiple negative electrodes

In various arrangements, a nebulizer element of a nebulizer may be energized with a drive signal. A phase offset of the drive signal may be measured. A phase delta may be determined. The phase delta may indicate a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset. The target phase offset may indicate a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal. A frequency of the drive signal may be changed to decrease the phase delta.

Systems and methods for driving nebulizers

Various arrangements for determining whether a liquid is in contact with a nebulizer element are disclosed. A nebulizer element may be energized with an electrical signal at a measurement frequency. An impedance of the nebulizer element may be measured, thereby obtaining a measured impedance value. The impedance value may be compared to a stored impedance value. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the liquid contacts the nebulizer element.

Identifying dry nebulizer elements

Various methods, devices, and systems are described for aerosolizing a liquid. Embodiments may include sealing the liquid within a reservoir. An output waveform signal may be generated. A nebulizer element may be vibrated to aerosolize the liquid. A negative pressure may be produced within the reservoir as the liquid is aerosolized. The output waveform signal may cause the nebulizer element to vibrate. Embodiments may involve determining a phase shift between a current of the output waveform signal and a voltage of the output waveform signal. Also, embodiments may involve adjusting a frequency of the output waveform signal at least partially based on the phase shift. Further, embodiments may involve adjusting the voltage of the output waveform signal at least partially based on the frequency of the output waveform signal.

Systems and methods for driving sealed nebulizers

A method and apparatus for alerting a user of topical negative pressure therapy apparatus to a full waste canister condition are described, the apparatus comprising a device having vacuum pump means and a waste canister connected to the device and the waste canister operably connected to a wound dressing by aspiration conduit means for aspirating fluid from the wound, the aspiration conduit means, the waste canister and the device providing a fluid flow path therethrough and the vacuum pump means providing fluid flow through the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising fluid flow restriction means in the fluid flow path of said vacuum pump and fluid pressure sensing means upstream and downstream of said fluid flow restriction means.

Apparatus and method for applying topical negative pressure

A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a negative pressure generated by a suction pump of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of disconnecting a drive voltage from a pump of the TNP system, determining an EMF generated by a free-wheeling element of the pump, selecting a new drive voltage for the pump and reconnecting the new drive voltage to the pump.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Benjamin Gordon