LATTICE DRESSING

• US 20100100022A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tjsmith & Nephew Limited (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Greener, Bryan, Freedline, Allan
• Granted Patent: US 8,680,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/085 with adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00995 for mechanical treatments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01021 characterised by the structure of the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01038 Flexibility, stretchability or elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0283 for making adhesive or cohesive tape or fabrics therefor, e.g. coating or mechanical treatments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00119 elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00251 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00548 net
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00582 Properties of backing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0074 containing foams
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00859 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes

Abstract

The invention relates to a wound dressing, a method of manufacturing a wound dressing, and in particular to a material for use as and in a wound dressing. A wound dressing can comprise a material movable between an initial conformation and an expanded conformation resulting from applying an extensive force to the material, such that removal of the extensive force can cause a contraction of the material toward a center of a wound. In addition, the wound dressing can comprise a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.

Claims

1. A lattice comprising a material having at least one slit, the slit being capable of expansion into an aperture, the lattice comprising:

a first conformation, wherein the slit is substantially closed; and

a second conformation, wherein the lattice is stretched by the application of an extensive force thereby expanding the at least one slit to form an aperture having a first dimension, and

a backing layer or film coupled to the lattice and configured to retain the lattice in the second conformation.

2. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the material is provided with a plurality of slits.

5. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the backing layer or film is releasable from the lattice.

6. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the backing layer or film is substantially rigid.

7. The lattice claim 6, wherein the extensive force is translated into a contractile force upon removal of the backing layer or film from engagement with the lattice, thereby causing the lattice to form a third conformation, in which the aperture has a second smaller dimension.

13. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of:

a monolith, a foam, a film, a non-woven material, or a woven material.

15. A wound dressing comprising a lattice of claim 1.

27. The lattice of claim 2, wherein each of the slits is surrounded by a plurality of slits having a different geometric orientation than the slit.

28. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the aperture is diamond shaped.

29. The lattice of claim 1, wherein the aperture is generally oval shaped.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

8-12. -12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A wound dressing comprising:

a material comprising;

an initial conformation;

an expanded conformation resulting from an application of an isotropic extensive force to the material, wherein removal of the extensive force causes a contraction of the material directed toward a center of a wound; and

a retaining mechanism removable coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.

18. The wound dressing claim 17, wherein the material comprises a plurality of slits to form a lattice, such that upon application of the extensive force to the lattice an open lattice structure is formed.

19. The wound dressing of claim 17, wherein the retaining mechanism is a releasable backing layer removably coupled to the material.

20. The wound dressing of claim 19, wherein the releasable backing layer is a polymeric film.

30. The wound dressing of claim 18, wherein each of the slits is surrounded by a plurality of slits having a different geometric orientation that the slit.

21-26. -26. (canceled)

31. A method of promoting the closure of a wound, comprising:

placing a lattice comprising a plurality of slits onto a wound, the lattice being in an expanded conformation from application of an extensive force to the lattice such that at least one slit defines an aperture; and

releasing the lattice from the expanded conformation thereby causing the lattice to contract toward a center of the wound.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising applying an isotropic extensive force to the lattice to move the lattice from a contracted conformation to the expanded conformation.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising removing a backing layer from engagement with the lattice to release the lattice from the expanded conformation.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the slits is surrounded by a plurality of slits having a different geometric orientation than the slit.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the aperture is diamond shaped.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the aperture is oval shaped.

37. A method of manufacturing a wound dressing comprising:

forming a plurality of slits in a material to form a lattice having a slit pattern, wherein;

the slit is surrounded by a plurality of slits having a different geometric orientation than the slit;

the material is movable from a contracted conformation to an expanded conformation; and

the slit pattern is configured to exert an isotropic contraction force on the material directed toward a center of a wound upon which the wound dressing has been placed.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the plurality of slits is formed by cutting the material with a blade or laser.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the material is cut along two planes.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the material is cut along three planes.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the cutting of the material results in the removal of less than 10% of the material.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the cutting of the material results in the removal of less than 1% of the material.

43. A material for use in a wound dressing comprising:

a plurality of slits, wherein each slit is surrounded by a plurality of slits having a different geometric orientation than the slit;

an initial conformation; and

an expanded conformation resulting from an application of an external stimulus to the material, wherein removal of the external stimulus causes a contraction of the material to the initial conformation.

44. The material of claim 43, wherein:

the external stimulus is an isotropic extensive force applied to the material; and

the removal of the external stimulus causes contraction of the material toward a center of a wound.

45. The material of claim 43, wherein the external stimulus is moisture content of a wound exudate.