Capillary-Action Wound Therapy Device

• US 20080188820A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ashok V. Joshi
• Original Assignee: Ashok V. Joshi
• Inventors: Joshi, Ashok V.
• Application Number:
  US11/958,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188820A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/985 the dressing itself forming the collection container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen

Abstract

A disposable wound-healing device is disclosed that incorporates a housing having a fluid-impermeable material having a cavity and a perimeter that can be sealed in an air-tight manner over a wound region of a patient. The device is capable of producing a negative pressure over the wound region by either removing oxygen from within the cavity, or absorbing fluid into the cavity and then removing the fluid from the cavity. The oxygen may be removed via chemical absorption, by an electrochemical cell or by a chemical reaction that cannibalizes oxygen from the cavity. The fluid may be removed through the use of osmotic or electro-osmotic cells, or through a one-way valve. The negative partial pressure over the wound region promotes healing.

Claims

1. A disposable wound-therapy device comprising:

a housing forming a cavity therein, wherein the cavity communicates with at least one opening adapted to encompass at least a portion of a wound region of a patient;

a perimeter substantially surrounding the at least one opening;

means for adhering the perimeter to a surface of the patient proximate the wound region; and

a capillary device for removing fluid from the wound region and transporting the fluid out of the cavity using capillary action.

2. The wound-therapy device of claim 1, wherein the capillary device comprises at least one capillary tube in communication with the wound region.

3. The wound-therapy device of claim 1, wherein the capillary device further comprises an absorbent polymer in communication with the wound region to facilitate removal of the fluid from the cavity.

4. The wound-therapy device of claim 1, further comprising a retention chamber in communication with the cavity, wherein the capillary device transports the fluid from the wound region to the retention chamber.

5. The wound-therapy device of claim 4, wherein the capillary device comprises at least one capillary tube in communication with the wound region to transport the fluid from the wound region to the retention chamber.

6. The wound-therapy device of claim 4, wherein the retention chamber further comprises means for absorbing and retaining the fluid.

7. The wound-therapy device of claim 6, wherein the absorbing and retaining means comprises a porous matrix.

8. The wound-therapy device of claim 1, wherein the capillary device comprises a one-way valve to transport the fluid out of the cavity.

9. The wound-therapy device of claim 1, further comprising an oxygen-removal device in communication with the cavity to reduce pressure therein.

10. The wound-therapy device of claim 9, wherein the oxygen-removal device comprises at least one of a one-way valve configured to reduce pressure within the cavity upon depressing the housing, and an oxygen-absorbent material within the cavity.

11. A disposable wound-therapy device comprising:

a housing forming a cavity, wherein the cavity communicates with at least a portion of a wound region of a patient;

a retention chamber in communication with the cavity; and

a capillary device in fluidic communication with the wound region to remove fluid from the wound region and transport the fluid to the retention chamber using capillary action.

12. The wound-therapy device of claim 11, wherein the capillary device comprises at least one capillary tube and an absorbent polymer in communication with the wound region to facilitate removal of the fluid from the wound region.

13. The wound-therapy device of claim 11, wherein the retention chamber further comprises means for absorbing and retaining the fluid.

14. The wound-therapy device of claim 11, further comprising an oxygen-removal device in communication with the cavity to reduce pressure therein.

15. The wound-therapy device of claim 14, wherein the oxygen-removal device comprises and oxygen-absorbent material.

16. The wound-therapy device of claim 14, wherein the oxygen-removal device comprises the housing comprising a material that is resiliently deformable upon application of pressure.

17. The wound-therapy device of claim 16, wherein the housing further comprises a one-way valve to reduce pressure within the cavity upon applying pressure to depress the housing.

18. A method to promote healing of a wound region of a patient, the method comprising:

providing a housing forming a cavity, the cavity comprising at least one opening configured to encompass at least a portion of a wound region of a patient;

adhering a perimeter of the at least one opening to a surface of the patient proximate the wound region;

providing a retention chamber in communication with the cavity; and

transporting fluid from the wound region to the retention chamber using capillary action.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein removing fluid from the wound region comprises providing at least one capillary tube between the wound region and the retention chamber to remove the fluid the wound region and transport the fluid to the retention chamber.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising reducing pressure within the cavity to facilitate wound healing.