Systems for recognizing temperature as a sign of surgical infection and methods of using the same

US11583449B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David L. Ribble · Indianapolis, US
• Craig M. Meyerson · Syracuse, US
• Henry J. Smith, III · Auburn, US
• Kirsten M. Emmons · Batesville, US
• Yongji Fu · Cadiz, US
• David E. Quinn · Auburn, US
• Frank E. Sauser · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2023
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2013/00953
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for detecting potential for infection includes a wound dressing and an electronics component. The wound dressing includes a temperature sensing layer and a cover layer comprising a substrate and a backing layer. The electronics component includes a power source, an electronic control unit (ECU), and a communications interface positioned within a housing and removably coupled to the temperature sensing layer of the wound dressing. The electronics component is configured to receive a plurality of temperature readings from the temperature sensing layer, and provide an indication of potential infection of the wound based the plurality of temperature readings. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of temperature readings corresponds to a temperature of an area around a wound. Methods for preventing infections using the system are also described.