Adjustable overlay reduced pressure wound treatment system
First Claim
1. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
- (a) an overlay comprised of;
(i) a top cup member, wherein the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion; and
(ii) a secondary cup member, wherein the secondary cup member is comprised of a secondary membrane portion and a secondary frame portion, wherein the secondary membrane portion circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion and the secondary frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the secondary membrane portion;
(iii) wherein the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(b) sealing means to seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(c) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an overlay, which is further comprised of cup members that may be detached or cut away from the overlay so that the overlay can be adjusted in size and shape. Also, in some embodiments, the overlay is further comprised of a pressure venting valve to maintain a predetermined level of reduced pressure at the site of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the overlay. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an overlay that covers the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the treatment appliance.
-
Citations
95 Claims
-
1. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) an overlay comprised of;
(i) a top cup member, wherein the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion; and
(ii) a secondary cup member, wherein the secondary cup member is comprised of a secondary membrane portion and a secondary frame portion, wherein the secondary membrane portion circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion and the secondary frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the secondary membrane portion;
(iii) wherein the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(b) sealing means to seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(c) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) an overlay comprised of;
(i) a top cup member, wherein the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion; and
(ii) at least two additional cup members, wherein;
(A) each of the at least two additional cup members is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(B) the additional membrane portion of one of the at least two additional cup members circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the one additional cup member; and
(C) the additional membrane portion of each at least two additional cup members circumscribes and is attached to the frame portion of the previous at least two additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each at least two additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said at least two additional cup member;
(iii) wherein the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(b) a seal to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(c) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) an overlay comprised of;
(i) a top cup member, wherein the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(ii) a secondary cup member, wherein the secondary cup member is comprised of an interior secondary membrane portion, a secondary frame portion, and an exterior secondary membrane portion, and the interior secondary membrane portion is adjacent to a portion of and circumscribes the exterior top membrane portion, and the secondary frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior secondary membrane portion, and the exterior secondary membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the secondary frame portion; and
(iii) cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member to the secondary cup member;
(iv) wherein the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(b) a seal to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(c) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) an overlay comprised of;
(i) a top cup member, wherein the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion; and
(ii) at least two additional cup members, wherein;
(A) each of the at least two additional cup members is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(B) the interior additional membrane portion of one of the at least two additional cup members circumscribes and is adjacent and removably attached to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the one at least two additional cup members is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the one at least two additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the one at least two additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the one at least two additional cup member; and
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least two cup members circumscribes and is adjacent and removably attached to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least two additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least two cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said at least two additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said at least two additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said at least two additional cup member;
(iii) wherein the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(b) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(c) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay further comprised of a top cup member and at least one additional cup member, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(C) the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the additional membrane portion of each additional at least one cup member, if any, circumscribes and is attached to the frame portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to the reduced pressure supply source, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay further comprised of a top cup member and at least one additional cup member, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(C) the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the additional membrane portion of each additional at least one cup member, if any, circumscribes and is attached to the frame portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the enclosure to the reduced pressure supply source, so that the volume under the overlay at the portion of the body to be treated is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source; and
(c) wound packing means, wherein the wound packing means is positioned between the overlay and the wound to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
-
53. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay further comprised of a top cup member and at least one additional cup member, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(C) the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the additional membrane portion of each additional at least one cup member, if any, circumscribes and is attached to the frame portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a suction bulb, wherein the suction bulb may provide a source of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to the suction bulb, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound may be supplied with reduced pressure by the suction bulb. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57)
-
-
58. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay comprised of a top cup member, at least one additional cup member, and cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member and the at least one additional cup member together, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to the reduced pressure supply source, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
-
-
69. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay comprised of a top cup member, at least one additional cup member, and cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member and the at least one additional cup member together, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the enclosure to the reduced pressure supply source, so that the volume under the overlay at the portion of the body to be treated is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source; and
(c) wound packing means, wherein the wound packing means is positioned between the overlay and the wound to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
-
-
77. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:
-
(a) a treatment device, wherein the treatment device is further comprised of;
(i) an overlay comprised of a top cup member, at least one additional cup member, and cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member and the at least one additional cup member together, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member; and
(ii) sealing means to operably seal the overlay to the body, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(b) a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is comprised of;
(i) a suction bulb, wherein the suction bulb may provide a source of reduced pressure; and
(ii) reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to the suction bulb, so that the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound may be supplied with reduced pressure by the suction bulb. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81)
-
-
82. A method of treating a wound on a body, such method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning an overlay on the body over the wound, wherein;
(i) the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and is adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; and
(ii) the overlay is further comprised of a top cup member, at least one additional cup member, and cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member and the at least one additional cup member together, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member;
(b) sealing the overlay to the portion of the body surrounding the wound, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(c) operably connecting the overlay with a vacuum system for producing reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(d) maintaining the reduced pressure until the wound has progressed toward a selected stage of healing. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87)
-
-
88. A method of treating a wound on a body, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) operably connecting an overlay with a vacuum system, wherein;
(i) the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound;
(ii) the overlay is adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound;
(iii) the vacuum system produces reduced pressure for the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(iv) the overlay is comprised of a top cup member, at least one additional cup member, and cup connecting means to removably connect the top cup member and the at least one additional cup member together, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of an interior top membrane portion, a top frame portion, and an exterior top membrane portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior top membrane portion, and the exterior top membrane portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top frame portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an interior additional membrane portion, an additional frame portion, and an exterior additional membrane portion;
(C) the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior top membrane portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the interior additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is adjacent to a portion of the exterior membrane portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the interior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member, and the exterior additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional frame portion of said additional at least one additional cup member;
(b) positioning the overlay on the body over the wound;
(c) sealing the overlay to the portion of the body surrounding the wound, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(d) maintaining the reduced pressure until the wound has progressed toward a selected stage of healing.
-
-
89. A method of treating a wound on a body, such method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning an overlay on the body over the wound, wherein;
(i) the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and is adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; and
(ii) the overlay is further comprised of a top cup member and at least one additional cup member, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(C) the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is attached to the additional frame portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member;
(b) sealing the overlay to the portion of the body surrounding the wound, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(c) operably connecting the overlay with a vacuum system for producing reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(d) maintaining the reduced pressure until the wound has progressed toward a selected stage of healing. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
-
-
95. A method of treating a wound on a body, such method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning an overlay on the body over the wound, wherein;
(i) the overlay is sized to be placed over and enclose the wound and is adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; and
(ii) the overlay is further comprised of a top cup member and at least one additional cup member, wherein;
(A) the top cup member is comprised of a top membrane portion and a top frame portion, and the top frame portion is adjacent to and circumscribes the top membrane portion;
(B) the at least one additional cup member is comprised of an additional membrane portion and an additional frame portion;
(C) the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member circumscribes and is attached to the top frame portion, and the additional frame portion of the first at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of the first at least one additional cup member; and
(D) the additional membrane portion of each additional at least one additional cup member, if any, circumscribes and is attached to the additional frame portion of the previous at least one additional cup member, and the additional frame portion of each additional at least one additional cup member is adjacent to and circumscribes the additional membrane portion of said additional at least one additional cup member;
(b) operably connecting the overlay with a vacuum system for producing reduced pressure in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound;
(c) sealing the overlay to the portion of the body surrounding the wound, so that reduced pressure may be maintained in the volume under the overlay at the site of the wound; and
(d) maintaining the reduced pressure until the wound has progressed toward a selected stage of healing.
-
Specification