Device for vacuum-sealing an injury

• US 6,174,306 B1
• Filed: 09/12/1997
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KCI Medical Resources Unlimited Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Wim Fleischmann
• Inventors: Fleischmann, Wim
• Primary Examiner(s): Kennedy, Sharon
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US08/930,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 604/35, 604/36, 604/38, 604/48, 604/73, 604/128, 604/133, 604/313, 604/315, 604/316, 604/540, 604/541, 604/543
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/085 with adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/684 bellows-type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/732 Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/81 Piston pumps, e.g. syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/94 with gas supply means
• 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 2205/8206 battery-operated
• 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: F04B 45/02 having bellows

Abstract

Described is a device for vacuum-sealing an injury (10), the injury being covered over by a film (14) to form an airtight seal. A drainage tube (18) laid under the film (14) is connected to a secretion-collection container (20). The container (20) is combined with a pump (24) so that the device can be used to provide ambulant aid.

Claims

1. Device for vacuum sealing a wound, comprising:

a film adapted for covering and forming an airtight seal over a wound,

a drainage tube having a proximal end and a distal end, of which the distal end is adapted to being introduced below the film in the wound for forming a vacuum between said film and said wound, and

a container for collection of wound secretion connected to the proximal end of the drainage tube, and wherein said container (20) is constructed to have a variable internal volume,

wherein the internal volume of the container (20) is defined by a floor (64), an upper lid (68) and a deformable wall (70, 86), wherein the container (20) comprises a floor (64) movable with respect to said lid, wherein the wall (70, 86) sealingly connects the floor (64) with the lid (68),

wherein a bellows (72) is provided between the lid (68) and the floor (64) which bellows (72) is capable of being placed under pneumatic pressure to thereby increase the internal volume of, and create a vacuum in, said container (20), and wherein at least one of said lid (68) and said floor (64) is adapted for receiving a gas cartridge (76) such that said gas cartridge (76) is in communication with the inside of said bellows (72).

2. Device as in claim 1, wherein the position of the floor can be seen from the outside of the container and wherein the position of the floor indicates the pressure within the container.