Self contained wound dressing apparatus

• US 10,384,041 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Patel, Harish A., Acheson, Dianne
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treyger, Ilya Y
• Application Number:
  US15/484,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20170259047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00063 comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00
• 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 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00412 for use with needles, tubes or catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0074 containing foams
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00748 with hydrocolloids or superabsorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0091 with disinfecting or anaesthetics means, e.g. anti-mycrobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/82 Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• 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 1/984 portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/08 : Supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 : Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents

Abstract

The composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump applies a vacuum pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed. The vacuum pump is tethered to the wound dressing and is portable, preferably, carried by the patient in a support bag, which permits patient mobility. Moreover, the patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.

Claims

1. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:

a wound dressing configured to enclose a wound and provide a seal around a perimeter of the wound, the wound dressing comprising a first layer and a second layer arranged in superposed relation, the first layer configured to absorb and capture wound fluid and the second layer positioned over the first layer;

a pump system comprising;

a vacuum pump configured to apply vacuum pressure to the wound to draw wound fluid away from the wound, wherein the vacuum pump is positioned within the wound dressing;

a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure within the wound dressing, the pressure sensor positioned within the wound dressing;

a controller configured to control the vacuum pump,

wherein the pump system is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external computer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the vacuum pump in response to a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wound dressing further comprises a wound contact layer configured to be in direct contact with the wound.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wound contact layer includes a plurality of pores configured to allow unidirectional flow of the wound fluid toward the first layer when vacuum pressure is applied to the wound.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wound contact layer includes medicament coated thereto.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an override switch configured to initiate or terminate operation of the vacuum pump without input from the pressure sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises an absorbent material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the absorbent material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of foams, nonwoven composite fabrics, cellulosic fabrics, super absorbent polymers, and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the absorbent material comprises at least one of a medicament, an anti-infective agent, an antimicrobial, polyhexamethylene biguanide, antibiotics, analgesics, healing factors, vitamins, growth factors and nutrients.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a transparent material.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transparent material is configured to allow a visual indication of the status of the wound dressing.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump system is configured to communicate to the external electronic device at least one of:

establishment of a desired vacuum level, loss of vacuum, or a leak.

14. A method of operating a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, the method comprising:

by a negative pressure source positioned within a wound dressing, applying negative pressure to a wound covered by the wound dressing that comprises a first layer and a second layer arranged in superposed relation, the first layer configured to absorb and capture wound fluid and the second layer positioned over the first layer;

by a pressure sensor positioned within the wound dressing, detecting pressure within the wound dressing; and

wirelessly communicating with an external electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling the negative pressure source based the detected pressure.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising wirelessly communicating to the external electronic device at least one of:

establishment of a desired vacuum level, loss of vacuum, or a leak.