In some embodiments, a wound dressing that incorporates a number of sensors or sensors separate from the wound dressing can be utilized in order to monitor characteristics of a wound as it heals or to identify one or more risk factors or conditions that may precipitate a wound. In some implementations, a wound dressing configured to be positioned in contact with a wound includes a substantially flexible substrate supporting one or more sensors. The one or more sensors can include temperature sensors, conductivity sensors, multispectral optical measurements sensors, sensors, pressure sensors, colorimetric sensors, optical sensors, ultraviolet (UV) sensors, or infrared (IR) sensors.

A wound therapy system includes a dressing sealable over a wound, a conduit comprising a first inner diameter, coupled to the dressing, and fluidly communicable with the wound space, and a canister fluidly communicable with the conduit. A therapy unit is coupled to the canister and includes a pump, a sensor configured to measure a pressure, a valve controllable between an open position and a closed position, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the pneumatic pump to remove air to establish a negative pressure, control the valve to repeatedly alternate between the open closed positions to allow a controlled rate of airflow through the valve, receive measurements of the pressure from the sensor, and determine a volume of the wound space based on the pressure measurements. A portion of the conduit comprises a second inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter.

In various aspects, the wound therapy apparatus disclosed herein includes a wound interface that defines an enclosed space over a wound bed that is fluid tight when secured to a skin surface around the wound bed. The wound therapy apparatus includes a control group that cooperates with the wound interface to regulate input of input fluid comprising a gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air into the enclosed space and to regulate the withdrawal of output fluid from the enclosed space in order to vary an actual pressure p.sub.a within the enclosed space generally between a minimum pressure p.sub.min and a maximum pressure p.sub.max, the minimum pressure p.sub.min being less than ambient pressure p.sub.amb, in various aspects. The input of the gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air is sequential with withdrawal of the gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air, in various aspects. Related methods of use of the wound therapy apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the methods of use and related apparatus disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

An apparatus for treating a tissue site includes a dressing, an oxygen source, a valve, and a negative-pressure source. The dressing is configured to be sealed around the tissue site. The oxygen source is fluidly coupled to the dressing and configured to provide a low flow of oxygen. A first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the dressing and the valve moves between a closed position preventing flow through the valve and an open position permitting flow through the valve. The negative-pressure source is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve and provides negative pressure to the second port of the valve at a non-therapeutic level. The valve separates the negative-pressure source from the dressing and selectively opens when a positive pressure is applied on an upstream side of the valve.

A wound therapy system includes a wound dressing fluidly connected to a fluid canister. The fluid canister is attached to a canister receiving attachment of a housing structure. A pump is fluidly coupled to the canister and is configured to draw a negative pressure within an interior of the canister. A controller of the wound therapy system is configured to operate the pump to apply a vacuum to the interior of the canister and to obtain one or more measurements representative of at least one or a flow rate of air that is exhausted from the canister interior, a pressure within the canister interior and pump ripple. The controller is configured to estimate the volume of the canister based on the comparison of the measured parameters against model data stored by the controller that is representative of the operation of the therapy system with canisters of varying volumes.

A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may include a core having a first surface, a second surface, and an absorbent between the first surface and the second surface, a cover disposed over the first surface of the core, a pressure indicator configured to change shape under negative pressure, and a fluid conductor coupling the pressure indicator to the second surface of the core.

In various aspects, the wound therapy apparatus disclosed herein includes a wound interface that defines an enclosed space over a wound bed that is fluid tight when secured to a skin surface around the wound bed. The wound therapy apparatus includes a control group that cooperates with the wound interface to regulate input of input fluid comprising a gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air into the enclosed space and to regulate the withdrawal of output fluid from the enclosed space in order to vary an actual pressure p.sub.a within the enclosed space generally between a minimum pressure p.sub.min and a maximum pressure p.sub.max. Related methods of use of the wound therapy apparatus are disclosed herein.

A wound dressing includes a cover layer, a tube, and a one-way valve. The cover layer is sealable to skin surrounding a wound site and includes a port extending through the cover layer. The tube includes a first end coupled to the cover layer via the port and a second end including an in-line connector configured to releasably attach the tube to a negative pressure source and detach the tube from the negative pressure source. The one-way valve is located along the tube between the first end and the second end and configured to allow fluid flow through the tube in a first direction from the first end to the second end and prevent fluid flow through the tube in a second direction from the second end to the first end.

A system, apparatus, and method for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure includes a connector having a connector body. The connector body includes a cavity and a cavity aperture. The connector also includes a conduit port fluidly coupling a conduit to the cavity. The connector further includes a base adjacent the cavity aperture that is configured to be positioned adjacent a drape. The cavity is configured to be fluidly coupled to a manifold through an aperture of the drape. The connector also includes a sensing probe having a proximal end configured to be fluidly coupled to the conduit and a distal end extending to the cavity aperture. The distal end is configured to be positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with a manifold.

A wound dressing comprises a wound pad and a backing layer on a non-wound facing side of the backing layer. At least a portion of a sealing ring is provided within 5 mm of and continuously along the contour of the wound pad. A negative pressure wound treatment system comprising such a wound dressing is also disclosed.