Smith & Nephew PLC

In some cases, a method of coating a wound dressing includes coating a wound facing side of a substantially flexible substrate of the wound dressing with a coating, the wound facing side of the substrate supporting at least one optical sensor and reducing and/or controlling surface texture of the coating to improve detection by the at least one optical sensor. In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate supporting at least one optical sensor, the at least one optical sensor including a light source and a detector configured to sense reflected light, a void in the substrate, the void positioned between the light source and the detector, and coating applied to the substrate and covering the at least one optical sensor. The void can prevent transmission of light emitted by the light source to the detector through the coating.

Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for a skin perfusion pressure determination device. In some embodiments, a skin perfusion pressure determination device can include a sensor module including a first sensor for sensing a first parameter associated with a pressure exerted on a target area by the sensor module and a second sensor for sensing a second parameter associated with an amount of blood perfusion at the target area, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged such that, when the sensor module is pressed against the target area the first sensor produces an output corresponding to the sensed first parameter and the second sensor produces an output corresponding to the sensed second parameter, a proximal end assembly configured to contact the target area, a display to provide feedback of the pressure exerted on a target area and/or the amount of blood perfusion at the target area, and a communication device for providing data transfer from the skin perfusion pressure determination device to a control unit.

Disclosed herein are devices, wound dressings and methods for determining the pH of fluid or a wound exudate at a wound. Example devices include a device comprising a surface configured to contact the fluid or wound and a pH indicator covalently bound thereto or applied to the surface, wherein the pH indicator has a first colour prior to contact with the fluid or the wound exudate and changes colour as a function of the pH of the fluid or wound exudate. Example devices include a device which indicates wound exudate loading within a wound dressing and wound dressing comprising an absorbent layer and a moisture indicator which indicates would exudate loading within the dressing, wherein the visibility of the moisture indictor changes as a result of a physical transformation of a first material within the dressing. Systems, devices, and methods are provided for monitoring wound status and progression by measuring pH levels indicated by pH-sensitive wound dressings. In some implementations, a wound is monitored by capturing an image of the pH-sensitive wound dressing and processing the captured image to determine the color of a pH indicator included on the wound dressing. The color of the indicator is determined in terms of RGB values from the image, and a pH value for the wound dressing is calculated from the dressing RGB values. The calculated pH value is then relayed to a user to be used as an indicator of wound status or health.

In some cases, a method of coating a wound dressing includes coating a wound facing side of a substantially flexible substrate of the wound dressing with a coating, the wound facing side of the substrate supporting at least one optical sensor and reducing and/or controlling surface texture of the coating to improve detection by the at least one optical sensor. In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate supporting at least one optical sensor, the at least one optical sensor including a light source and a detector configured to sense reflected light, a void in the substrate, the void positioned between the light source and the detector, and coating applied to the substrate and covering the at least one optical sensor. The void can prevent transmission of light emitted by the light source to the detector through the coating.

A system can include excitation pads that can apply an excitation signal to tissue of a patient. The excitation pads can be connected to an electronic circuit that communicates the excitation signal to the excitation pads. The system can include a measurement sensor that can measure voltage of the tissue. The system can include a controller that can determine impedance of the tissue. The controller can be in communication with the excitation pads, the electronic circuit, and the measurement sensor. The controller can generate the excitation signal. The controller can obtain a current measurement of the excitation signal after it has been communicated through at least a portion of the electronic circuit. The current measurement can correspond to the excitation signal before it is applied to the tissue. The controller can determine impedance of the tissue based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement of the excitation signal.

In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate with a first, wound-facing side supporting a plurality of electronic components and a second side opposite the first side, a wicking layer in contact with the second side of the substrate, the wicking layer configured to facilitate passage of fluid, a substantially non-stretchable coating applied to at least some of the plurality of electronic components, a substantially stretchable coating applied to the first side of the substrate, the stretchable coating applied over the substantially non-stretchable coating, a wound contact layer in contact with the stretchable coating, the wound contact layer configured to adhere to a wound, and a protective layer applied to the wound contact layer, the protective layer configured to be removed to expose the wound contact layer. In some cases, a method of manufacturing the wound dressing.

Embodiments of tissue monitoring and therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a monitoring and therapy system comprises collecting video images of a tissue site, amplifying said video images via Eulerian Video Magnification, and determining a treatment parameter from the amplified video images detectable by Eulerian Video Magnification. If the treatment parameter differs from a threshold, an alert may be generated.

A system can include excitation pads that can apply an excitation signal to tissue of a patient. The excitation pads can be connected to an electronic circuit that communicates the excitation signal to the excitation pads. The system can include a measurement sensor that can measure voltage of the tissue. The system can include a controller that can determine impedance of the tissue. The controller can be in communication with the excitation pads, the electronic circuit, and the measurement sensor. The controller can generate the excitation signal. The controller can obtain a current measurement of the excitation signal after it has been communicated through at least a portion of the electronic circuit. The current measurement can correspond to the excitation signal before it is applied to the tissue. The controller can determine impedance of the tissue based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement of the excitation signal.

In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate with a first, wound-facing side supporting a plurality of electronic components and a second side opposite the first side, a wicking layer in contact with the second side of the substrate, the wicking layer configured to facilitate passage of fluid, a substantially non-stretchable coating applied to at least some of the plurality of electronic components, a substantially stretchable coating applied to the first side of the substrate, the stretchable coating applied over the substantially non-stretchable coating, a wound contact layer in contact with the stretchable coating, the wound contact layer configured to adhere to a wound, and a protective layer applied to the wound contact layer, the protective layer configured to be removed to expose the wound contact layer. In some cases, a method of manufacturing the wound dressing.

Embodiments of tissue monitoring and therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a monitoring and therapy system comprises collecting video images of a tissue site, amplifying said video images via Eulerian Video Magnification, and determining a treatment parameter from the amplified video images detectable by Eulerian Video Magnification. If the treatment parameter differs from a threshold, an alert may be generated.