MEDICAL ARTICLE HAVING FLUID CONTROL FILM

• US 20100318072A1
• Filed: 08/23/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Scholz, Matthew T., Johnston, Raymond P., Hentzen, Charles A., Heinecke, Steven B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,910,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2046/236 with means for collecting drain fluid, e.g. drain tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/00 Surgical drapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/022 having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics
• 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 13/2017 specially adapted for the ear cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00327 to create projections or depressions in surface
• 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 2013/00651 tapered, bevelled or chamfered
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0077 arranged in lines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/08 Flow guidance means within the module or the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/1692 Other shaped material, e.g. perforated or porous sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/18 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/08 Flat membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/088 Microfluidic devices comprising semi-permeable flat membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/002 with feed system for supplying material from an external source; Supply controls therefor B05C17/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/148 : characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/222 : characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/022 : characterised by the disposition or the configuration, e.g. dimensions, of the embossments or the shaping tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/10 : with reserve ink chambers
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/02 : involving viable microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/065 : the heat-exchange apparatus employing plate-like or laminated conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 : having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/04 : the means being integral with the element
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 : Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 : provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 : Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2457 : Parallel ribs and/or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 : including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 : Thickness [relative or absolute]

Abstract

The present invention provides medical articles having a fluid control film component which comprise a sheet having microchannels that permit directional flow of a liquid. Articles incorporating the fluid control film include: wound dressings, wound drains, tympanostomy fluid wicks, intravenous access site dressings, drug delivery dressings, and sweat collection patches.

Claims

1. A medical treatment article comprising:

at least one fluid control film component having at least one microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels therein that permit directional control of a liquid;

a potential source;

a connector comprising a manifold, wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the channels and the potential source; and

a cap layer juxtaposed against the microstructured surface and sealingly connected to the manifold.

5. The medical treatment article of claim 1, wherein the potential source is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum pump, a vacuum aspirator, a pressure pump and a pressure system.

6. The medical treatment article of claim 5, wherein the pressure system is selected from the group consisting of a fan, a magneto hydrodynamic drive, an acoustic flow system, a centrifugal spinning system, a hydrostatic head, gravity, and an absorbant.

7. The medical treatment article of claim 1, wherein the potential source is fluidically connected to a collector receptacle.

8. The medical treatment article of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the fluid control film components are in a stacked construction.

9. The medical treatment article of claim 8, wherein at least two of the fluid control film components are bonded together.

11. The medical treatment article of claim 1, wherein the manifold is a detachable manifold.

2. The medical treatment article of clam 1 wherein the potential source is capable of establishing a potential difference along a plurality of the channels.

3. The medical treatment article of claim 2 wherein the potential difference is established though the use of a pumping system.

4. The medical treatment article of claim 3, wherein the potential difference is applied in the form of positive pressure or negative pressure.

10. The medical treatment article of clam 1, further comprising a second potential source.