Externally-applied patient interface system and method

• US 20060079852A1
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bubb, Stephen K., Zamierowski, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/317
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/734 Visual indicating means for flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/95 with sensors for exudate composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/00 Measuring parameters of the user

Abstract

A tissue closure treatment system and method are provided with an external patient interface. A first fluid transfer component FTC.1 comprises a strip of porous material, such as rayon, with liquid wicking properties. FTC.1 can be placed directly on a suture line for transferring fluid exuded therethrough. An underdrape is placed over FTC.1 and includes a slot exposing a portion of same. FTC.2 comprises a suitable hydrophobic foam material, such as polyurethane ether, and is placed over the underdrape slot in communication with FTC.1. Negative pressure is applied to FTC.2 through a connecting fluid transfer component FTC.3. A negative pressure source can comprises a manual device or a power-operated suction device. The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using a manual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suction when a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained. An automatic operating mode utilizes a microprocessor, which can be preprogrammed to respond to various patient and operating conditions. The method proceeds through several phases with different components in place and different patient interface functions occurring in each.

Claims

1. A dressing assembly for a wound or incision, which comprises:

an external patient interface including an external fluid transfer component, said fluid transfer component being adapted for transferring fluid from the wound or incision;

said external patient interface including an overdrape placed over said fluid transfer component in contact with a surrounding skin surface; and

said fluid transfer component including a porous core with a surface and a wicking material layer engaging same.

2. The dressing assembly according to claim 1, which includes:

said overdrape having an opening to said fluid transfer component; and

said opening forming a discharge port for discharging fluid from said dressing assembly.

3. The dressing assembly according to claim 1, which includes:

an internal fluid transfer component located in said wound or incision in fluidic communication with said external fluid transfer component.

4. The dressing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said internal fluid transfer component comprises a drain strip with an internal portion located within said wound or incision and an external portion located externally thereto.

5. The dressing assembly according to claim 4, which includes:

multiple said drain strips each comprising a flat, flexible material; and

each said drain strip external portion being folded over the skin surface adjacent to said wound or incision.

6. The dressing assembly according to claim 2, which includes:

said core including proximal and distal surfaces and a perimeter edge extending therebetween;

said wicking material layer comprising a proximal wicking material layer engaging said core proximal surface and adapted for overlying said wound or incision; and

a distal wicking material layer engaging said core distal surface and said overdrape.

7. The dressing assembly according to claim 2 wherein said core comprises a reticulated, compressible foam material chosen from among the group comprising polyurethane ether (PUE) and polyvinyl acetate (PVA).

8. The dressing assembly according to claim 2 wherein said wicking material comprises rayon.

9. The dressing assembly according to claim 1, which includes a pressure source connected to said fluid transfer component.

10. The dressing assembly according to claim 9, which includes:

a fluid port mounted on said overdrape and connected to said pressure source.

11. The dressing assembly according to claim 9 wherein said pressure source comprises a manually-operated vacuum-type device.

12. The dressing assembly according to claim 1, which includes:

a wicking material cover enclosing said core and including said wicking material layer;

said cover including a perimeter edge;

said fluid transfer component having compressed and uncompressed configurations; and

said wicking material edge buckling and forming a laterally-projecting rim with said fluid transfer component in its compressed configuration.

13. The dressing assembly according to claim 2, which includes:

said core forming an air-entrapment interior zone with the application of negative pressure thereto;

said core forming a fluid transfer zone at its outer surface and adjacent to said wicking material cover; and

said fluid transfer zone being adapted for directing fluid from said wound or incision to said discharge port.

14. The dressing assembly according to claim 9, which includes:

a sensor connected to said fluid transfer component and adapted for sensing a characteristic thereof and providing an output signal corresponding to said characteristic;

a controller connected to said sensor and receiving input signals therefrom and providing an output signal to said pressure source; and

a feedback loop connected to said controller output and to said controller for providing a feedback signal corresponding to said controller output and inputting same to said controller.

15. A dressing assembly for a wound or incision, which comprises:

an external patient interface including an external fluid transfer component, said fluid transfer component being adapted for transferring fluid from the wound or incision;

said external patient interface including an overdrape placed over said fluid transfer component in contact with a surrounding skin surface;

said fluid transfer component including a porous core with a surface;

said overdrape having an opening to said fluid transfer component;

said opening forming a discharge port for discharging fluid from said dressing assembly;

an internal fluid transfer component located in said wound or incision in fluidic communication with said external fluid transfer component and comprising multiple drain strips each having an internal portion located within said wound or incision and an external portion located externally thereto;

said drain strips each comprising a flat, flexible material;

each said drain strip external portion being folded over the skin surface adjacent to said wound or incision;

a pressure source connected to said fluid transfer component;

a wicking material cover enclosing said core and including a perimeter edge;

said fluid transfer component having compressed and uncompressed configurations;

said wicking material edge buckling and forming a laterally-projecting rim with said fluid transfer component in its compressed configuration;

said core forming an air-entrapment interior zone with the application of negative pressure thereto;

said core forming a fluid transfer zone at its outer surface and adjacent to said wicking material cover; and

said fluid transfer zone being adapted for directing fluid from said wound or incision to said discharge port;

a sensor connected to said fluid transfer component and adapted for sensing a characteristic thereof and providing an output signal corresponding to said characteristic;

a controller connected to said sensor and receiving input signals therefrom and providing an output signal to said pressure source; and

a feedback loop connected to said controller output and to said controller for providing a feedback signal corresponding to said controller output and inputting same to said controller.

16. A method for treating a wound or incision externally, which comprises the steps of:

providing an external patient interface including an external fluid transfer component;

placing said external patient interface on a patient over the wound or incision;

providing an overdrape and placing same over said fluid transfer component in contact with a surrounding skin surface;

providing said fluid transfer component with a porous core including a surface and a wicking material layer engaging same; and

transferring fluid from the wound or incision to the fluid transfer component.

18. The hemostat according to claim 16, which includes:

a sensor connected to said transfer component and adapted for sensing a characteristic thereof and providing an output signal corresponding to said characteristic;

a controller connected to said sensor and receiving input signals therefrom and providing an output signal to said pressure source; and

a feedback loop connected to said controller output and to said controller for providing a feedback signal corresponding to said controller output and inputting same to said controller.

17. A hemostat, which comprises:

an external patient interface including an external transfer component;

said external patient interface including an overdrape placed over said transfer component in contact with a surrounding skin surface and including a port;

said transfer component including a porous core with a surface; and

a pressure source connected to said fluid transfer component via said port.

19. A hemostasis method, which comprises the steps of:

providing an external patient interface including an external transfer component;

applying said transfer component to a patient;

providing said external patient interface with an overdrape and placing same over said transfer component in contact with a surrounding skin surface;

providing said overdrape with a port;

providing said transfer component with a porous core including a surface;

providing a pressure source;

connecting said pressure source to said fluid transfer component via said port; and

applying a subdermal hemostatic pressure to said patient via said patient interface.