DEVICES AND METHODS TO APPLY ALTERNATING LEVEL OF REDUCED PRESSURE TO TISSUE

• US 20100228205A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Spiracur Inc
• Inventors: HU, Dean, Wu, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,728,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/75 Intermittent or pulsating suction A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/815 the barrel serving as aspiration container, e.g. in a breast pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/82 Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/86 Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/90 Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/984 portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/071 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices with a pressure oscillation mechanism. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.

Claims

1. A reduced pressure device for treatment of a patient, comprising a non-electrically powered, oscillating suction device configured to provide at least one period of greater pressure reduction after activation of the oscillating suction device to establish an initial level of pressure reduction.

2. A reduced pressure device for treatment of a patient, comprising a non-electrically powered, oscillating suction device configured to provide at least one pressure oscillation cycle after activation of the oscillating suction.

3. A reduced pressure device for treatment of a patient, comprising a mechanically powered suction mechanism and a modulation mechanism.

4. The reduced pressure device of claim 3, wherein the mechanically powered suction mechanism comprises a fixed wall chamber, a movable wall member configured to form a sliding seal with the fixed wall chamber, and at least one force generating member configured to apply force to the movable wall member.

5. The reduced pressure device of claim 4, wherein the at least one force generating member comprises a coiled ribbon spring attached to a rotatable hub.

6. The reduced pressure device of claim 5, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises a tether element attached to a controlled rotation rate mechanism.

7. The reduced pressure device of claim 6, wherein the tether element is further attached to the rotatable hub.

8. The reduced pressure device of claim 7, wherein the tether element is coupled to a pulley mechanism.

9. The reduced pressure device of claim 8, wherein the pulley mechanism is attached to the sliding seal.

10. The reduced pressure device of claim 4, wherein the modulation mechanism is operatively coupled to the movable wall member.

11. The reduced pressure device of claim 10, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises at least one oscillating force generating member.

12. The reduced pressure device of claim 4, wherein the modulation mechanism is operatively coupled to the movable wall member and to the at least one force generating member.

13. The reduced pressure device of claim 5, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises teeth on the rotatable hub and a flexible prong configured to interface with the teeth of the rotatable hub.

14. The reduced pressure device of claim 5, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises a rotatable cam configured to displace a portion of at least one force generating member.

15. The reduced pressure device of claim 4, wherein the at least one force generating member is a ribbon spring.

16. The reduced pressure device of claim 15, wherein the ribbon spring is a constant force spring.

17. The reduced pressure device of claim 15, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises a bushing attached to the ribbon spring, said bushing comprising a rougher inner surface region and a smoother inner surface region movably coupled to a bearing surface.

18. The reduced pressure device of claim 15, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises a bushing attached to the ribbon spring, said bushing comprising a rougher outer surface region and a smoother outer surface region interfacing with an outer bearing surface.

19. The reduced pressure device of claim 15, wherein the modulation mechanism comprises a bushing attached to the ribbon spring, said bushing comprising at least one rougher surface region and at least one smoother surface region interfacing with at least one bearing surface.

20. The reduced pressure device of claim 15, wherein the ribbon spring is comprises an elongated reduced force configuration and a retracted increased force configuration.

21. The reduced pressure device of claim 4, further comprising a fluorosilicone lubricant between the fixed wall chamber and the movable wall member.

22. The reduce pressure device of claim 21, wherein the movable wall member comprises silicone.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-electrically powered force generating member is a constant force spring.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the non-electrically powered force generating member is a variable force spring comprising an elongated reduced-force configuration and a retracted increased-force configuration.

23. A method of treating a patient, comprising:

initiating a reduced pressure level using a non-electrically powered force generating member; and

controllably modulating the reduced pressure level.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein generating the reduce pressure level comprises activating the non-electrically powered force generating member to generate a force acting on a variable volume vacuum chamber.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the non-electrically powered force generating member is a mechanically powered force generating member.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein controllably modulating the reduce pressure level comprises modulating the force from the non-electrically powered force generating member.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein controllably modulating the reduce pressure level comprises providing a force from a variable force generating member that acts on the variable volume vacuum chamber.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the force from the variable force generating member and the force from the non-electrically powered force generating member acts in combination on the variable volume vacuum chamber.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the non-electrically powered force generating member is a ribbon spring.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein controllably modulating the reduced pressure level comprises impeding the retraction of the non-electrically powered force generating member.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the non-electrically powered force generating member has a reduced tensile strain when its retraction is impeded.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein controllably modulating the reduced pressure level comprises displacing a portion of the non-electrically powered force generating member.