Device and method for wound therapy

• US 7,779,625 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith+Nephew, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kalypto Medical, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Bhavaraju, Sai, Gordon, John Howard, Joshi, Ashok V., Dayton, Troy C., Heiser, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treyger; Ilya Y
• Application Number:
  US11/610,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 604304-307, 604/313, 604315-317, 604/541, 604/543, 602/42, 602/43, 602/46
• US Class Current: 60/313
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0206 with absorbent fibrous layers, e.g. woven or non-woven absorbent pads or island dressings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0213 the fluid retention member being a layer of hydrocolloid, gel forming material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0243 characterised by the properties of the skin contacting layer, e.g. air-vapor permeability
• 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: A61L 15/28 Polysaccharides or their derivatives A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/425 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/58 Adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/60 Liquid-swellable gel-forming materials, e.g. super-absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/784 by filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air, e.g. swellable filter valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/882 Draining devices provided with means for releasing antimicrobial or gelation agents in the drained fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/90 Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
• 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 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 : Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7509 : for virus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 : bacterial
• 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

Abstract

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Claims

1. A wound therapy device, comprising:

a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing;

a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, the liquid collector defining a plurality of passages, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source to the wound site through the liquid collector passages;

a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source and within the housing;

a wound interface positioned between the wound site and the liquid collector; and

a seal for sealing the housing to skin around the wound site.

2. The wound therapy device of claim 1, wherein the liquid collector is sufficiently rigid to allow at least one of the liquid collector passages to remain open when the device is subject to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.

3. The wound therapy device of claim 1, further comprising a skin protection layer for protecting a user'"'"'s skin.

4. The wound therapy device of claim 1, wherein the liquid collector comprises one of the group consisting of sponges, fibers, fabrics, gauzes, absorbent material, adsorbent material, polymers, gels, gelling agents, foams, packing material, and combinations thereof.

5. The wound therapy device of claim 4, further comprising a vacuum disperser in communication with the liquid collector.

6. The wound therapy device of claim 5, further comprising a moisture disperser in communication with the liquid collector.

7. The wound therapy device of claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the wound while the liquid collector is absorbing fluid.

8. A wound therapy device, comprising:

a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing;

a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, the liquid collector defining a plurality of passages, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate within the housing while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source to the wound site through the liquid collector passages;

a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source;

a vacuum disperser in communication with the liquid collector;

a moisture disperser in communication with the liquid collector;

a wound interface positioned between the wound site and the liquid collector;

a skin protection layer;

a seal for sealing the housing to skin around the wound site; and

a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the housing.

9. A wound therapy device, comprising:

a vacuum source module comprising a vacuum source capable of generating negative pressure and a pressure controller for controlling the amount of negative pressure;

a dressing module comprising;

a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;

a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the wound site;

a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source module and within the housing;

a seal for sealing the dressing module to a surface around the wound site; and

a coupling for maintaining the vacuum source module in communication with the dressing module, said coupling configured to transfer negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the dressing module.

10. A method of assembling a wound therapy device comprising the steps of:

providing a vacuum source module comprising a vacuum source capable of generating negative pressure and a pressure controller for controlling the amount of negative pressure;

providing a dressing module comprising;

a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;

a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the wound site;

a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source module and within the housing;

a seal for sealing the dressing module to a surface around the wound site;

securing the vacuum source module to the dressing module, such that the vacuum source module transfers negative pressure to the dressing module; and

attaching the device adjacent a wound site.