Method and Apparatus for Bridging From a Dressing in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

• US 20100185163A1
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Heagle, David G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• 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 2013/00412 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 2013/00553 with detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/86 Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• 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 of bridging from a wound dressing to a wound port for negative pressure wound therapy includes positioning an elongate wick between a wound and a remote location with respect to the wound. The elongate wick includes a three-dimensional spacer fabric having an upper fabric layer spaced from a lower fabric layer by an intermediate layer of pile threads. The elongate wick is covered with a flexible wick cover such that an enclosure is formed around the elongate wick. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a first end of the elongate wick cover and the wound dressing such that a reservoir is defined over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a second end of the elongate wick cover and a fluid port configured for connection to a source of negative pressure.

Claims

1. A method of bridging from a wound dressing to a wound port for negative pressure wound therapy, comprising the steps of:

positioning an elongate wick between a wound and a remote location with respect to the wound, the elongate wick comprising a three-dimensional spacer fabric defining an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer, the upper fabric layer and the lower fabric layer spaced from one another by an intermediate layer of pile threads;

covering the elongate wick with a flexible wick cover having first and second ends such that an enclosure is formed around the elongate wick;

establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the first end of the elongate wick cover and the wound dressing such that a reservoir is defined over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained; and

establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the second end of the elongate wick cover and at least one of a fluid port, a fluid conduit and a source of negative pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning a skin covering between the wound and the remote location to substantially minimize contact of fluids with a skin surface adjacent the wound.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the elongate skin covering defines a width of about 2 inches, the elongate wick defines a width of about 1 inch, and the wick cover defines a width of about 3 inches.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying heat to the spacer fabric to conform the spacer fabric to a particular body contour.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of drawing fluids through the elongate wick.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate wick is treated with an antimicrobial agent.

6. A composite wound dressing apparatus comprising:

a cover layer for defining a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound, the cover layer including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the reservoir;

an elongate wick having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the reservoir through the aperture in the cover layer, the second end disposed remotely with respect to the aperture in the cover layer, the elongate wick comprising a three-dimensional spacer fabric;

a flexible wick cover extending over the elongate wick and having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for forming a substantially fluid tight seal over the aperture in the cover layer, the second end including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the elongate wick; and

a fluid port coupled to the wick cover and in fluid communication with the second end of the elongate wick through the aperture in the wick cover.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, including a skin covering positioned beneath at least a portion of the elongated wick to substantially minimize contact of fluids with a skin surface adjacent the wound.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the skin covering defines a first width, the wick cover defines a second width and the elongate wick defines a third width, the third width of the wick cover substantially greater than the first width of the skin covering.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wherein the first width is about 2 inches, the second width is about one inch, and the third width is about 3 inches.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fluid port is configured to receive a fluid conduit.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fluid port includes a flange coupled to an underside of the wick cover.

13. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the antimicrobial agent is polyhexamethylene biguanide.

14. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising:

a cover layer for defining a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound, the cover layer including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the reservoir;

an elongate wick having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the reservoir through the aperture in the cover layer, the second end disposed remotely with respect to the aperture in the cover layer, the elongate wick comprising a three-dimensional spacer fabric;

a flexible wick cover extending over the elongate wick and having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for forming a substantially fluid tight seal over the aperture in the cover layer, the second end including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the elongate wick; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the reservoir, the vacuum source suitable for generating the negative pressure in the reservoir.