Wound healing apparatus with bioabsorbable material and suction tubes
First Claim
1. A wound healing apparatus for treating a wound, comprising:
- a plurality of skeletal members; and
a biodegradable material supported by said plurality of skeletal members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for placement in a wound to promote healing, and a method of treating wounds using such apparatus. The apparatus comprises a bioabsorbable fabric supported by a skeleton of impervious flexible members, such as Teflon™ tubes. When placed inside the wound, the bioabsorbable fabric absorbs into the body within about 5 to 10 days. As the fabric is being absorbed, it serves as a framework for fibroblasts to bridge the gap in the wounded tissue and thereby promote healing. The tubes serve as conduits to remove excess fluids from the wound, preferably under the power of a suction device to which the tubes are connected outside the body. After the fabric is absorbed by the body, the flexible tubes are removed. An expandable embodiment may be deployed into a wound cavity via an introducer tube and plunger. The apparatus may incorporate various sensors.
258 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A wound healing apparatus for treating a wound, comprising:
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a plurality of skeletal members; and
a biodegradable material supported by said plurality of skeletal members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wound healing apparatus comprising:
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an evacuation tube;
a plurality of flexible tubes connected to said evacuation tube;
a bioabsorbable fabric supported by said plurality of flexible tubes;
an insertion tube in which said plurality of flexible tubes and said bioabsorbable fabric are initially disposed; and
a plunger operably connected to said plurality of flexible tubes;
wherein said insertion tube is insertable into a wound;
wherein said plunger is operable for deploying said plurality of flexible tubes and said bioabsorbable fabric from said insertion tube into the wound;
wherein said plurality of flexible tubes is adaptable for removing fluid from the wound through said evacuation tube; and
wherein said plurality of flexible tubes is removable from the wound after said bioabsorbable fabric is absorbed by the wound. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A wound healing apparatus comprising:
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an evacuation tube;
a plurality of flexible tubes connected to said evacuation tube; and
a bioabsorbable fabric supported by said plurality of flexible tubes;
said apparatus being adaptable for placement in a wound;
wherein said plurality of flexible tubes is adaptable for removing fluid from the wound through said evacuation tube; and
wherein said plurality of flexible tubes is removable from the wound after said bioabsorbable fabric is absorbed by the wound. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of treating a wound of a patient, comprising the following steps:
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placing a wound healing apparatus in the wound, said apparatus comprising;
a plurality of skeletal members; and
a biodegradable material supported by said plurality of skeletal members; and
allowing said biodegradable material to be absorbed in the wound. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification