Reduced pressure treatment system

• US 10,265,445 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2015
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Weston, Richard Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Catharine L
• Application Number:
  US14/854,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20160058927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00059 provided with visual effects, e.g. printed or colored
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/05 specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/008 Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage corn plasters A61F13/063
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00153 coloured or with decoration pattern or printing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0028 applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/966 having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site

Abstract

A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover.

Claims

1. A method of treating a wound, comprising:

positioning a wound dressing of a wound dressing apparatus over the wound, the wound dressing comprising a liquid impermeable cover, wherein the wound dressing creates a substantially sealed space between the wound dressing and the wound;

applying reduced pressure to the space between the wound dressing and the wound; and

monitoring the reduced pressure in the space between the cover and the wound by visually observing a change in color or a change in a shade of a color of at least a portion of the wound dressing apparatus in response to the amount of reduced pressure applied to the sealed space.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring an alarm, the alarm being in communication with the wound dressing and being configured to alert a user when a threshold value of reduced pressure is reached within the cover.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning an adhesive strip over at least a portion of the cover to seal the wound dressing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound dressing comprises foam, porous polymer material, gauze, soft flexible padding, an absorbable matrix, or other material configured to be positioned between the wound and the cover.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wound dressing apparatus comprises a computer or other data processor and an alarm device, the alarm device configured to produce an audible sound corresponding to one or more conditions in an area of the wound.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising applying reduced pressure to the space between the wound dressing and the wound so that at least a portion of the cover contracts in the direction of the wound.

7. A method of treating a wound, comprising:

positioning a wound dressing of a wound dressing apparatus over the wound, the wound dressing comprising a liquid impermeable cover, wherein the wound dressing creates a substantially sealed space between the wound dressing and the wound;

applying reduced pressure to the space between the wound dressing and the wound; and

monitoring the reduced pressure in the space between the cover and the wound by observing a physical movement of a pressure indicator of at least a portion of the wound dressing apparatus in response to the amount of reduced pressure applied to the sealed space;

wherein the movement of the pressure indicator is separate from movement of the cover; and

wherein the physical movement is tactually observable.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring an alarm, the alarm being in communication with the wound dressing and being configured to alert a user when a threshold value of reduced pressure is reached within the cover.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising positioning an adhesive strip over at least a portion of the cover to seal the wound dressing.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the wound dressing comprises foam, porous polymer material, gauze, soft flexible padding, an absorbable matrix, or other material configured to be positioned between the wound and the cover.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the wound dressing apparatus comprises a computer or other data processor and an alarm device, the alarm device configured to produce an audible sound corresponding to one or more conditions in an area of the wound.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein monitoring the reduced pressure in the space between the wound dressing and the wound comprises visually observing the pressure indicator supported by a portion of the wound dressing apparatus, the pressure indicator configured to move in response to the amount of reduced pressure applied.

13. A method of treating a wound, comprising:

positioning a wound dressing of a wound dressing apparatus over the wound, the wound dressing comprising a liquid impermeable cover, wherein the wound dressing creates a substantially sealed space between the wound dressing and the wound;

applying reduced pressure to the space between the wound dressing and the wound; and

monitoring the reduced pressure in the space between the cover and the wound by visually observing a change in color or a change in a shade of a color of at least a portion of the wound dressing apparatus in response to the amount of reduced pressure applied to the sealed space;

wherein monitoring the reduced pressure in the space between the wound dressing and the wound comprises visually observing a pressure indicator supported by a portion of the wound dressing apparatus, the pressure indicator configured to change color or change shade of color in response to the amount of reduced pressure applied.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising monitoring an alarm, the alarm being in communication with the wound dressing and being configured to alert a user when a threshold value of reduced pressure is reached within the cover.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning an adhesive strip over at least a portion of the cover to seal the wound dressing.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the wound dressing comprises foam, porous polymer material, gauze, soft flexible padding, an absorbable matrix, or other material configured to be positioned between the wound and the cover.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the wound dressing apparatus comprises a computer or other data processor and an alarm device, the alarm device configured to produce an audible sound corresponding to one or more conditions in an area of the wound.