REDUCED PRESSURE TREATMENT SYSTEM

• US 20110046585A1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Bluesky Medical Group Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Weston, Richard Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/320
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00059 provided with visual effects, e.g. printed or colored
• 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 15/008 Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage corn plasters A61F13/063
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00153 coloured or with decoration pattern or printing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0028 applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/966 having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site

Abstract

A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also includes a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. An absorbable matrix may be placed in the site of a wound to encourage tissue growth into the matrix. Temperature of the site may be monitored using a layer of temperature sensitive material and temperature sensors connected to an alarm and recording device. A vacuum pump supplies suction within the wound cover over the treatment site. A portable version of the wound treatment apparatus is also provided. Finally, a method for treating wounds using reduced pressure is provided.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An apparatus for the treatment of a wound, comprising:

a flexible wound cover;

a container attached to and in fluid communication with the wound cover, the container being configured to retain fluid from the wound;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the container; and

a hydrophobic filter interposed between the container and the vacuum source.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is integrated into a single unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vacuum source is removably attached to the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is self-contained and portable.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a battery power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the filter is integrated into the canister.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a vacuum source shutoff mechanism responsive to the fluid level in the container.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the vacuum source further comprises a control mechanism responsive to a signal sent from the shutoff mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a flexible padding under the cover.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the cover so as to create a substantially fluid-tight seal to the skin surrounding the wound.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a porous screen disposed underneath the cover, the porous screen being constructed so as to permit the passage of fluids and gasses.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a packing material underneath the cover.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an absorbable material configured to be placed between the wound cover and the wound.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wound cover is fluid-impermeable.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover further comprises a port in fluidic connection with the vacuum source.

17. An apparatus for the treatment of a wound, comprising:

a wound cover;

a fluid collector integrated with the wound cover, the fluid collector configured to retain fluid from the wound;

a vacuum source configured to provide suction to the wound beneath the wound cover; and

a filter intermediate the fluid collector and the vacuum source.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wound cover comprises a flexible flat wound cover.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wound cover comprises a rigid, fluid impermeable material.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wound cover is cone-shaped, bowl-shaped or cup-shaped.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fluid collector comprises a container attached to the wound cover.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vacuum source comprises a portable vacuum pump.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the vacuum pump is attached to the cover.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter is a hydrophobic or micropore filter.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wound cover, vacuum source, filter and fluid collector are integrated as a single unit.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an absorbable material configured to be positioned between the wound cover and the wound.

27. An apparatus for the treatment of a wound, comprising:

a wound cover configured to be positioned over a wound; and

a vacuum source adjacent the wound cover configured to apply negative pressure to the wound, wherein the vacuum source and the wound cover form a single unit.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a fluid collector attached to the wound cover.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a filter configured to prevent material from contaminating the vacuum source.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vacuum source, filter and fluid collector form a single integrated unit.

31. A method of treating a wound, comprising:

positioning a wound cover over a wound; and

applying negative pressure to the wound with a vacuum source to draw wound exudate into a fluid collector integrated with the wound cover.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising sealing the wound cover to skin surrounding the wound.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the vacuum source is attached to the wound cover.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising the powering the vacuum source with a battery.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising shutting off the vacuum source if the fluid level in the fluid collector exceeds a predetermined amount.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the negative pressure is applied to the wound through a filter between the fluid collector and the vacuum source.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the wound exudate is drawn into a container attached to the wound cover.