Therapeutic apparatus for treating ulcers

• US 20060149171A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Vogel, Richard C., Tumey, David M., Randolph, L. Tab, Morris, Susan P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/065 Hands
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/75 Intermittent or pulsating suction A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/90 Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/917 specially adapted for covering whole body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing concurrent applications of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy and vacuum assisted closure therapy generally comprises a wound dressing for introduction of a negative pressure into a wound on a patient'"'"'s foot and a foot wrap for application of positive, compressive forces to substantially all of the patients foot. A suction pump, having an associated vacuum sensor and first feedback mechanism, supplies negative pressure to the wound dressing. A ventable source of pressurized gas, having an associated pressure transducer and second feedback mechanism, supplies positive force to the foot wrap. At least one control system is operably associated with the suction pump and ventable source of pressurized gas for controlling the negative and positive applications of pressure to the patient'"'"'s foot. Controlled modes for operation include continuous or intermittent application of one or both therapies and simultaneous or cycled application of the therapies.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus for therapeutic treatment of wounds, comprising:

a wound dressing for introduction of a negative pressure over a wound, wherein said wound dressing is comprised of a porous material positioned within said wound, a drape for covering and sealing said porous material within said wound, and a first tube in fluid communication with said porous layer;

a wrap having an inflatable bladder for applying a compressive force over a second region of said patient'"'"'s body, concurrent with the introduction of said negative pressure, to compress blood vessels of said second region and thereby partially empty said blood vessels;

a second tube in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder;

a negative pressure source for supplying negative pressure to said wound dressing through said first tube; and

a positive pressure source for supplying compressive force to said wrap through said second tube.

2. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure source comprises a pump.

3. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positive pressure source comprises a ventable source of pressurized gas.

4. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control system for defining the application of pressure to the wound dressing and the wrap.

5. The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum sensor for measuring the pressure supplied to the wound dressing.

6. The medical apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a first feedback mechanism for controlling the pressure supplied to the wound dressing.

7. The medical apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a pressure transducer adapted to measure the pressure supplied to the wrap; and

a second feedback mechanism for controlling the venting of positive pressure into the wrap.

8. The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wound is selected from the group consisting of:

diabetic ulcers, arterial ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and pressure ulcers.

9. A method for treatment of a wound, the method comprising the steps of:

inducing a reduced pressure within an area around and including the wound; and

applying a positive compressive force, concurrently with said inducing a reduced pressure step, to the wound.