Surgical Wound Dressing Incorporating Connected Hydrogel Beads Having an Embedded Electrode Therein

• US 20110034906A1
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Malhi, Arnaz
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0209 comprising superabsorbent material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0213 the fluid retention member being a layer of hydrocolloid, gel forming material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0226 characterised by the support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/023 wound covering film layers without a fluid retention layer
• 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 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 26/008 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/918 for multiple suction locations
• 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: A61N 1/0468 Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/24 with built-in power source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wound dressing system is presented. The wound dressing system includes a fluid permeable support layer, the support layer configured for positioning within a wound and adapted to generally conform to a topography of the wound, and to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough. The wound dressing system further includes a plurality of beads supported by the support layer, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member and an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member. Also, a current is generated by an external energy source that electrically flows through the electrode.

Claims

1. A wound dressing system, comprising:

a fluid permeable cover layer configured for positioning across a wound, wherein the cover layer is configured to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough;

a plurality of beads positionable in the wound and retained within the wound by the cover layer, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member; and

an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;

wherein a current generated by an external energy source electrically flows through the electrode.

2. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, further comprising a conduit for supplying reduced pressure to the wound.

3. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads are constructed from hydrogel materials.

4. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, wherein the embedded electrode extends through an entire length of the elongate member.

5. The wound dressing system according to claim 1,

wherein each bead of the plurality of beads has a first length;

wherein adjacent beads of the plurality of beads are separated from each other by a second length; and

wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

6. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one bead of the plurality of beads includes a conductive coating.

7. The wound dressing system according to claim 6, wherein the conductive coating is at least one of Ag, Ag/Cl, Cu, Au, carbon rubber, carbon film, and aluminum film.

8. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral electrode and a rotator in operable communication with the peripheral electrode.

9. The wound dressing system according to claim 8, further comprising a support layer secured to the peripheral electrode and configured to secure the peripheral electrode in position.

10. The wound dressing system according to claim 9, wherein the support layer at least partially overlies the peripheral electrode and is positioned along a periphery of the wound.

11. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage source embedded within the fluid permeable support layer.

12. The wound dressing system according to claim 11, wherein the voltage source is positioned at one end of the elongate member.

13. The wound dressing system according to claim 11, wherein the voltage source is positioned so as to divide the elongate member into at least two portions.

14. The wound dressing system according to claim 1, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads is sufficiently rigid to facilitate passage of the exudates through spaces defined between adjacent beads.

15. A method of manufacturing a wound dressing configuration, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a fluid permeable cover layer, wherein the cover layer is configured for positioning across a wound and is configured to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough;

providing a plurality of beads positionable in the wound, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member; and

providing an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;

wherein a current generated by an external energy source electrically flows through the electrode.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of supplying reduced pressure to the wound.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of beads are constructed from hydrogel materials.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the embedded electrode extends through an entire length of the elongate member.

19. The method according to claim 15,

wherein each bead of the plurality of beads has a first length;

wherein adjacent beads of the plurality of beads are separated from each other by a second length; and

wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein a portion of at least one bead of the plurality of beads includes a conductive coating.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the conductive coating is at least one of Ag, Ag/Cl, Cu, Au, carbon rubber, carbon film, and aluminum film.

22. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of providing a peripheral electrode and a rotator in operable communication with the peripheral electrode.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of providing a cover layer adapted for positioning across the wound to substantially enclose the beads within the wound.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of positioning the peripheral electrode at least partially along a periphery of the outer member.

25. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of embedding a voltage source within the fluid permeable support layer.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of positioning the voltage source at one end of the elongate member.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the voltage source is positioned so as to divide the elongate member into at least two portions.

28. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of beads are sufficiently rigid to facilitate passage of the exudates through spaces defined between adjacent beads.

29. A method of using a wound dressing configuration, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of hydrogel beads in a wound, the beads (i) defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member and (ii) having an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;

placing a peripheral wound electrode on a person;

attaching a cover layer over the wound so that the cover layer forms a barrier between the wound and an outside environment;

communicating energy to the embedded electrode and the peripheral electrode; and

monitoring the energy communicated to the embedded electrode and the peripheral electrode.