AUTO-REPLENISHING, WOUND-DRESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20140296774A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aplion Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aplion Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Bhavaraju, Sai, Gordon, John Howard, Heiser, Jeremy, Joshi, Ashok V, Dayton, Troy C
• Granted Patent: US 10,279,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/23
• 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 2013/0017 possibility of applying fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/002 with temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00268 impervious, i.e. occlusive bandage
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/00 Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body devices for handling toiletry or cosmetic substances A45D; absorbent pads, e.g. swabs, A61F13/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/006 using sponges, foams, absorbent pads or swabs as spreading means

Abstract

Apparatus and methods to treat skin defects include a pump with reservoirs for a pressurization gas and a fluid. Upon activation, the pump generates a gas introduced into the gas reservoir, a movable wall of which displaces a movable wall of a fluid source, thus dispensing the fluid into the dressing to spread throughout irrespective of orientation of the dressing, maintaining a transport fluid (e.g. carrier) in the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated. The dressing may have a distribution network, and multiple members, dispensing the fluid into the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated.

Claims

1. A dressing comprising:

a distribution member;

a feed conduit for delivering a fluid to the distribution member, the distribution member configured to receive and distribute the fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member by wicking action, irrespective of the orientation of the distribution member; and

an interface member is positioned between the distribution member and a skin defect being treated by the dressing, the interface member transporting the fluid into contact with the skin defect.

2. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the distribution member maintains a predetermined amount or concentration of fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member.

3. The dressing of claim 1, further comprising a protective member positioned adjacent the distribution member.

4. The dressing of claim 3, wherein the protective member is semi-occlusive.

5. The dressing of claim 4, comprising one or more members structured to operate as at least one of the interface member, the distribution member, and the protective member, a fluid transport member, a tenting member, a fluid absorber, and a combination thereof.

6. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the distribution member comprises at least one material chosen from a polymer, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a naturally occurring fiber, a sponge, a fiber matrix, a gauze, absorbent material, adsorbent material, a gel, and a foam.

7. A method for treating a skin defect, the method comprising:

providing a dressing comprising;

a feed conduit; and

a distribution member in fluid communication with the feed conduit, the distribution member configured to receive a fluid and comprising a material to substantially uniformly distribute the fluid across the distribution member irrespective of the orientation of the distribution member;

applying the dressing to a skin defect;

supplying a fluid to the distribution member through the feed conduit; and

distributing the fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein an interface member is positioned between the distribution member and the skin defect being treated by the dressing, the interface member transporting the fluid into contact with the skin defect.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the distribution member maintains a predetermined amount of fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the distribution member comprises material that allows the spread of fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member by wicking action.

11. The method of claim 10, where the force exerted on the fluid by the wicking action is greater than or equal to the force exerted on the fluid by gravity.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising a protective member positioned adjacent the distribution member.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the distribution member comprises distribution tubes for distributing a volume of fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising priming the dressing with a quantity of fluid.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a bolus of fluid to the dressing.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the dressing further comprises a controller, and wherein supplying the fluid to the distribution member comprises programming the controller to supply the fluid at a predetermined flow rate or time interval.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein supplying fluid to the distribution member comprises maintaining a fluid with a concentration of active ingredient greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time.

18. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a housing having, an interior volume, inextensible and vented to discharge gas therefrom, and containing reservoir and a fluid source in contact with one another;

a fluid source containing a fluid having a first wall flexible to move in response to substantially any pressure and substantially impervious to the fluid, and an outlet to dispense the fluid;

a reservoir comprising a second wall, in contact with the first wall to move therewith, substantially impervious to a gas;

a galvanic cell in communication with the reservoir and comprising chemicals selected to produce a gas within the reservoir;

a dressing to expose the fluid to a skin defect of a subject, said dressing comprising a distribution member configured to receive the fluid and comprising a material to substantially uniformly distribute the fluid across the distribution member by wicking action irrespective of the orientation of the distribution member; and

a conduit connectable to the outlet and in fluid communication with the distribution member to replenish the fluid in the distribution member;

wherein the distribution member comprises one of distribution tubes or a porous pouch for distributing a volume of fluid substantially uniformly across the distribution member.