Researchers Submit Patent Application, “Method For Selecting A Wound Product For A Patient”, for Approval (USPTO 20210391065): Mölnlycke Health Care AB

2021 DEC 30 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- From Washington, D.C., NewsRx journalists report that a patent application by the inventors BOBERG, Jan (Lerum, SE); CHANDARANA, Anand (Luton Bedfordshire, GB), filed on December 17, 2019, was made available online on December 16, 2021.

The patent’s assignee is Molnlycke Health Care AB (Goteborg, Sweden).

News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “The traditional approach when treating a wound of a patient is for a caregiver, such as a physician, to use personal experience, guidelines and best practices to select the most suitable wound products. Such wound products may for example include a wound dressing and/or a topical applicant, to be used at or in relation to the wound. Although physicians maintain a high knowledge base, they are human and sometimes may not be aware of recent development within the area, may not recognize how the healing is progressing or be aware of relevant medical information for the patient. This may in some situations result in a subjective judgement that in turn may lead to an unnecessary extension for treatment and/or a reduced healing rate for the wound.

“Recently, digital solutions have been introduced for assisting the physician, greatly reducing subjectiveness in regards to the physician’s decision making. However, such digital solutions are prone to provide generalized recommendation, not allowing for an adequate level of adaptation, which for example may be necessary depending on the clinic and the availability of different type of wound products.

“US2009216553 present an example of such a digital solution. However, US2009216553 provides further limitations to the physician’s decision making, only providing recommendations where a wound product is reimbursable and provided by an insurance provider.

“With the above in mind, there appears to be room for further improvements, focusing on balancing the outcome from a digital decision-making solution with the need to allow the physician to take into account parameters not readily available for such a digital decision-making solution.”

As a supplement to the background information on this patent application, NewsRx correspondents also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent application: “In view of above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide improvements in relation to efficient and safe determination of what type of wound products to be used in relation to a wound of the patient, taking into account the current availability of wound products and at the same time matching present and previous indicative features of the patient’s wound.

“According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is therefore provided a computer implemented method performed by a control unit arranged in communication with a database for selecting at least one wound product for a patient, wherein the method comprises the steps of receiving, at the control unit, a present first collection of data indicative of a wound of the patient, determining, using the control unit, a present first parameter for the wound based on the present first collection of data for the wound, acquiring, from the database using the control unit, a previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient being based on an earlier received collection of data indicative of the wound of the patient, determining, using the control unit, a difference between the present first parameter for the wound and the previously determined first parameter for the wound, acquiring, from the database using the control unit and based on the determined difference and the present first parameter for the wound, a second parameter for the wound, the second parameter being indicative of a treatment intervention for the wound, determining, using the control unit, a desired functional wound product property based on a combination of the present first and the second parameter for the wound, selecting, using the control unit, the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products to match the desired functional wound product property, and providing, from the control unit, information indicative of the selected at least one wound product.

“The present disclosure is based upon the realization that it in some situations may be inefficient for the patient’s healing process to only rely on the latest wound treatment recommendations for a specific type of wound for achieving an efficient wound treatment. Rather, the inventors have concluded that such treatment recommendations preferably should be seen as only one of a plurality of components in an automated matching process for selecting the most suitable wound product(s) for the patient’s wound.

“Accordingly, in line with the present disclosure an automated determination is made as to the progress of the patient’s wound, where this progress in combination with suitable treatment intervention for the specific type of wound is used as an input for determining a desired functional wound product property. Thus, the “previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient” therefore corresponds to information previously collected about the same wound for the same patient.

“Accordingly, advantages following the present disclosure may for example include the possibility to reduce the overall cost for the health system (for example being one of a hospital, a clinic or in relation to general home care), since the desired functional wound product property is in turn matched with e.g. currently available wound products at the health system. Thus, the health system must not necessary seek to find for them non-available wound products but may instead rely on for them available wound products, at the same time ensuring the most efficient treatment of the wound of the patient.

“Further advantages following the present disclosure includes the possibility to identify if the wound product to be used with the patient’s wound must necessarily comprise an antimicrobial component. As a consequence, in case e.g. the matching process indicates that no antimicrobial component is necessary, the indicative information of the selected at least one wound product may include a “recommendation” not to use an antimicrobial component. From an overall perspective, such a recommendation may reduce the general risk of an antimicrobial resistance.

“Within the context of the present disclosure, the expression “wound product” should be interpreted broadly, including any form or means suitable for use in relation to treatment of a patient’s wound. As such, a wound product may for example include a wound dressing, a bandage, a topical applicant, a treatment methodology in combination with a specific type of wound dressing, etc. Further, present or future, wound products are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

“In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of selecting the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products comprises matching but not over-matching the desired functional wound product property. Over-matching the desired functional wound product property should within the context of the present disclosure be understood to signify a situation where the selected wound product(s) provides functions that are at present not necessary for treating the patient’s wound. Such functions may however be “nice to have”, while in accordance to this embodiment is not absolute needed to treat the patient’s wound.

“Conversely, under-matching the desired functional wound product property should accordingly be understood to signify a situation where the wound product does not completely fulfill the desired functional wound product property for treatment of the patient’s wound. However, in accordance to the present disclosure more than a single wound product may be selected for matching the desired functional wound product property for treatment of the patient’s wound. In accordance to a non-limiting example, based on e.g. the availability of wound products it could for example be possible to select e.g. a sterile pad or compress in combination with a bandage to hold the sterile pad or compress in place, rather than only being given the recommendation to select a wound dressing that is self-adhesive.

“Advantageously, it may thus in line with the present disclosure be possible to ensure that the patient is given the best possible treatment for his/her wound at the current state wound, while simultaneously ensuring that the caregiver (such as e.g. the physician, a nurse or any person assisting the patient) is given the opportunity to make use of the type of wound dressing that are readily available for use in relation to the specific patient and the specific wound. In line with the present disclosure, the expressions caregiver, physician, clinician, etc. are used interchangeably.

“Preferably, the present first collection of data comprises information relating to at least one of a wound size, a tissue composition, an exudate amount, and a position of the wound. Such information is preferably collected using e.g. a camera arranged in communication with the control unit, where the control unit in turn may apply an image processing scheme for extracting e.g. the above listed data. The image processing scheme may in some embodiments include the previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient for ensuring that the image (or video) acquired by the camera is (sufficiently) normalized (e.g. equal conditions for image acquisition providing comparable image data). Such an implementation may possibly allow difference determination step to be improved, since a normalized comparison may allow of an in comparison higher quality determination as to the progress of the patent’s wound.

“Advantageously, the method according to the present disclosure may in some embodiments further comprise performing modelling of the present first collection of data of the wound and a previously stored collection of wound data for determining a present healing trajectory. That is, the control unit may form a model of the wound and its progress over time. The model of the wound, in its current and previous state, may in turn be used in a computer vision comparison-based process with e.g. a collection of corresponding wounds for other (non-related) patients. Such a collection of data may for example be stored in relation to the above-mentioned database.

“Furthermore, it may in accordance to the present disclosure be possible to make use of the determined present healing trajectory for the wound for determining the desired functional wound product property. The healing trajectory may be positive or negative, where positive indicates a healing wound and negative indicate a worsen wound. Accordingly, the desired functional wound product property may in some embodiment be dependent on e.g. the gradient of the healing trajectory for the patient’s wound; possibly resulting in a different selection of wound product(s) to be used for treatment of the patient’s wound.

“Additionally, in some embodiments it may be possible to acquire, from the database using the control unit, a previously determined healing trajectory, and to determine, using the control unit, a first trajectory difference by comparing the present healing trajectory and the previously determined healing trajectory. As such, it could in line with the present disclosure be possible to identify if the patient’s wound is healing in line with what was previously expected, or if there is a deviation from e.g. how well the wound appeared at a previous check-up by the caregiver. Such information may further be used for determining the desired functional wound product property, and as a consequence in the selection of wound product(s) to be used for treatment of the patient’s wound.”

There is additional summary information. Please visit full patent to read further.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A computer implemented method performed by a control unit arranged in communication with a database for selecting at least one wound product for a patient, wherein the method comprises: receiving, at the control unit, a present first collection of data indicative of a wound of the patient, determining, using the control unit, a present first parameter for the wound based on the present first collection of data for the wound, acquiring, from the database using the control unit, a previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient being based on an earlier received collection of data indicative of the wound of the patient, determining, using the control unit, a difference between the present first parameter for the wound and the previously determined first parameter for the wound, acquiring, from the database using the control unit and based on the determined difference and the present first parameter for the wound, a second parameter for the wound, the second parameter being indicative of a treatment intervention for the wound, determining, using the control unit, a desired functional wound product property based on a combination of the present first and the second parameter for the wound, selecting, using the control unit, the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products to match the desired functional wound product property, and providing, from the control unit, information indicative of the selected at least one wound product.

“2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products comprises matching but not over-matching the desired functional wound product property.

“3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the present first collection of data comprises information relating to at least one of a wound size, a tissue composition, an exudate amount, and a position of the wound.

“4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing, using the control unit, a modelling of the present first collection of data of the wound and a previously stored collection of wound data for determining a present healing trajectory.

“5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the desired functional wound product property is further determined based on the determined present healing trajectory.

“6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the previously stored collection of wound data is acquired from the database.

“7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: acquiring, from the database using the control unit, a previously determined healing trajectory, and determining, using the control unit, a first trajectory difference by comparing the present healing trajectory and the previously determined healing trajectory.

“8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the desired functional wound product property is further determined based on the determined first trajectory difference.

“9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising determining if the first trajectory difference is greater than a predetermined threshold.

“10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: forming an alert if the determined first trajectory difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

“11. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: acquiring, from the database using the control unit, a desired healing trajectory, and determining, using the control unit, a second trajectory difference by comparing the present healing trajectory and the previously determined healing trajectory.

“12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the desired functional wound product property is further determined based on the determined second trajectory difference.

“13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the present first collection of data comprises at least one of an image and a video sequence of an area of the wound of the patient.

“14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the video sequence comprises a third-dimensional (3D) modelling of the wound of the patient.

“15. The method according to claim 4, wherein the modelling of the present first collection of data of the wound and the previously stored collection of wound data comprises applying a machine learning process.

“16-18. (canceled)

“19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the desired functional wound product property is further based on a geographical location of the patient.

“20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient is selected to belong to at least one of a plurality of patient categories, and the step of determining the desired functional wound product property is further based on the selected category for the patient.

“21. The method according to claim 4, wherein if the determined trajectory difference is greater than the predetermined threshold the method further comprising: updating the database to comprise the present first collection of data of the wound.

“22. A computer system adapted for selecting at least one wound product for a patient, the computer system comprising: a server arranged in communication with a database, and a client device arranged in networked communication with the server, wherein the computer system is adapted to: receive, at the server, a present first collection of data indicative of a wound of the patient, determine, using the server, a present first parameter for the wound based on the present first collection of data for the wound, acquire, from the database using the server, a previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient being based on an earlier received collection of data indicative of the wound of the patient, determine, using the server, a difference between the present first parameter for the wound and the previously determined first parameter for the wound, acquire, from the database using the server and based on the determined difference and the present first parameter for the wound, a second parameter for the wound, the second parameter being indicative of a treatment intervention for the wound, determine, using the server, a desired functional wound product property based on a combination of the present first and the second parameter for the wound, select, using the server, the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products to match the desired functional wound product property, provide, from the server to the client device, information indicative of the selected at least one wound product, and display, at the client device, the information indicative of the selected at least one wound product.

“23. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program means for operating a computer system adapted for selecting at least one wound product for a patient, the computer system comprising: a server arranged in communication with a database, and a client device arranged in networked communication with the server, wherein the computer program product comprises: code for receiving, at the server, a present first collection of data indicative of a wound of the patient, code for determining, using the server, a present first parameter for the wound based on the present first collection of data for the wound, code for acquiring, from the database using the server, a previously determined first parameter for the same wound of the patient being based on an earlier received collection of data indicative of the wound of the patient, code for determining, using the server, a difference between the present first parameter for the wound and the previously determined first parameter for the wound, code for acquiring, from the database using the server and based on the determined difference and the present first parameter for the wound, a second parameter for the wound, the second parameter being indicative of a treatment intervention for the wound, code for determining, using the server, a desired functional wound product property based on a combination of the present first and the second parameter for the wound, code for selecting, using the server, the at least one wound product of a plurality of different type of wound products to match the desired functional wound product property, code for providing, from the server to the client device, information indicative of the selected at least one wound product, and code for displaying, at the client device, the information indicative of the selected at least one wound product.”

For additional information on this patent application, see: BOBERG, Jan; CHANDARANA, Anand. Method For Selecting A Wound Product For A Patient. Filed December 17, 2019 and posted December 16, 2021. Patent URL: https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220210391065%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20210391065&RS=DN/20210391065

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