Wound treatment apparatus employing reduced pressure

• US 20080039761A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hunt, Kenneth, Heaton, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,754,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00085 having means for facilitating the application on the skin, e.g. single hand handling facilities A61F13/0259 takes precedence; bandage applicators separate from the bandage or the packaging A61F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01021 characterised by the structure of the dressing
• 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 13/104 for the hands or fingers A61F13/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00519 for treating burn bandages for burns or skin transplants A61F2013/00157
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00574 shaped as a body part A61F2013/00187 take precedence; use of plasters A61F2013/00365; containing means for different purposes A61F2013/00902
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/917 specially adapted for covering whole body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/918 for multiple suction locations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/96 Suction control thereof
• 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

Abstract

A method for stimulating new tissue growth is provided in which a limb is introduced into an interior portion of an outer cover. A porous component is applied to at least a portion of the limb within the outer cover. An opening through which the limb was introduced is sealed, and a negative pressure is applied to the interior portion to stimulate new tissue growth.

Claims

1. A method for stimulating new tissue growth, comprising:

introducing a limb of a patient into an interior portion of an outer cover via an opening of the outer cover;

applying a porous component to at least a portion of the limb within the outer cover;

sealing the opening; and

stimulating new tissue growth by applying a negative pressure to the interior portion of the outer cover.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the negative pressure further comprises applying an intermittent negative pressure to the limb sealed in the outer cover.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the negative pressure further comprises applying a continuous negative pressure to the limb sealed in the outer cover.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically controlling the application of negative pressure using a control device operably associated with a pump.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

unsealing a second opening;

exposing the limb through the unsealed second opening to apply the porous component to the limb; and

resealing the second opening.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein unsealing further comprises unsealing a zip-type seal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying a porous component further comprises applying a glove-shaped porous component.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the limb includes a hand and wrist of the patient; and

sealing the open end includes sealing the open end to the wrist of the patient.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein introducing the limb of the patient to the outer cover further comprises introducing the limb to a substantially air-tight outer cover.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the porous component to the limb includes applying the porous component to a hand of the limb while the hand is in at least a partially-closed position.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying a porous component includes applying a porous component formed of a reticulated foam.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising collecting wound exudates within a canister located between the porous component and a pump used to apply the negative pressure.