Apparatus for Enhancing Wound Healing

• US 20090326487A1
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Vitaris, Ronald F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,257,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/305
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0226 characterised by the support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/025 having a special distribution arrangement of the adhesive
• 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 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00285 medication confinement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00412 for use with needles, tubes or catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00617 with different hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0091 with disinfecting or anaesthetics means, e.g. anti-mycrobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00927 with biological activity, e.g. enzymes for debriding wounds or others, collagen or growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/00 Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body devices for handling toiletry or cosmetic substances A45D; absorbent pads, e.g. swabs, A61F13/15

Abstract

A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound includes a wound dressing configured for placement over the wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound. An elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing is expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir. A fluid system is in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir, and a pressure system is in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.

Claims

1. A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound, comprising:

a wound dressing configured for placement over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound;

an elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing, the elastic bladder member expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir;

a fluid system in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir; and

a pressure system in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic bladder member is coupled to a substantially inelastic backing layer and the backing layer is coupled to a body attachment layer for contacting the skin around the wound such that expansion of the bladder member may effect a tension in backing layer to the draw the skin around the wound inwardly.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elastic bladder is coupled to the substantially inelastic backing layer by an inner adhesive ring nested within an outer adhesive ring.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inner adhesive ring encircles a fluid communication portal providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the fluid system.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic bladder member is coupled to an elastic backing layer and the backing layer is coupled to a reinforcement layer providing bilateral stiffness to the dressing.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcement layer comprises a mesh formed from polyethylene terephthalate fibers.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the backing layer is constructed from urethane.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wound contact fluid comprises a medicament to promote wound healing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the medicament comprises a debridement agent.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the medicament comprises at least one of an antimicrobial agent, polyhexamethylene biguanide, an antibiotic, a growth factor and an analgesic.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid system comprises a syringe repeatably detachable from the apparatus

12. A wound dressing for enhancing healing of a wound, comprising:

a substantially elastic backing layer configured for placement over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound;

a reinforcement layer adhered to the backing layer for providing a bilateral stiffness to the wound dressing, the reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the substantially elastic backing layer; and

an elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing, the elastic bladder member expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir, the elastic bladder member including a fluid communication port therethrough to permit introduction of the wound contact fluid to the wound.

13. The wound dressing according to claim 12, wherein the backing layer is coupled to a portal member, the portal member including a central bore to permit introduction of the wound contact fluid, and a distinct interior distribution ring to permit introduction to a compressible liquid or gas to a pressure application zone of the bladder member.