Wound treatment apparatus and method

• US 8,529,548 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Inventors: Blott, Patrick Lewis, Hartwell, Edward Yerbury, Lee-Webb, Julian, Nicolini, Derek, Green, Clare, Martin, Robin Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): SU, SUSAN SHAN
• Application Number:
  US12/976,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 604/313, 604/315, 604/316, 604/317, 604/540, 604/543
• US Class Current: 604/543
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00063 comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/02 Adhesive bandages or dressings
• 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 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00221 biodegradable, non-irritating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00357 implanted wound fillings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/71 Suction drainage systems containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/774 Handpieces specially adapted for providing suction as well as irrigation, either simultaneously or independently
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/92 with liquid supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/94 with gas supply means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/964 having venting means on or near the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/364 by chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3686 : microwaves
• 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: A61M 3/0283 : with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92
• 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 5/14 : Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 : having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 : infrared

Abstract

An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for aspirating and irrigating a wound, comprising

a conformable wound filler configured to be placed in the wound;

a wound cover configured to form a seal over the wound;

a fluid supply tube configured to supply fluid to the wound;

at least one fluid reservoir configured to be connected to the fluid supply tube;

an outlet tube configured to supply negative pressure to the wound;

a negative pressure source configured to be connected to the outlet tube, the negative pressure source configured to apply negative pressure to the wound by cycling between a first negative pressure level and a second negative pressure level;

a control device configured to;

control the fluid supply and the negative pressure source such that fluid is supplied to the wound while fluid is simultaneously aspirated from the wound;

maintain a desired balance of fluid removed from the wound and fluid supplied to the wound; and

control the fluid supply such that fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir is supplied to the wound in a plurality of fluid supply cycles, each fluid supply cycle supplying a volume of fluid with a time period between fluid supply cycles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid reservoir contains an anti-bacterial fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biodegradable scaffold configured to be positioned under the wound cover and configured to be placed in contact with the wound.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid reservoir contains fluid that is capable of supplying thermal energy to the wound.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable module configured to provide mechanical stress to the wound, the inflatable module configured to be positioned under the wound cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inflatable module is configured to be inflated via fluid expansion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid reservoir contains a physiologically active component.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an irrigant pump configured to supply fluid to the wound.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply is configured to pulse the volume of fluid into the wound.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid supply is configured to pulse the volume of fluid at least once per minute.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a module that imposes a linear flow on the irrigant fluid.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply tube is configured to apply shear stress to the wound.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to cyclically vary a velocity of fluid supplied to the wound.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a manifold configured to allow passage of fluid supplied to the wound and fluid removed from the wound in a linear stream.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to maintain a desired fluid flow velocity at the wound.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure source is configured to:

vary an amplitude of the negative pressure at the wound and simultaneously vary an amplitude of a flow velocity of the fluid supplied to the wound.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inlet manifold that is configured to expand and apply positive pressure to the wound.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flattened manifold layer positioned between the wound filler and the wound cover, the manifold layer comprising at least one aperture for passage of negative pressure.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a synthetic scaffold positionable under the wound cover and configured to be placed in contact with the wound.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid reservoir is demountable.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid reservoir is connected to the fluid supply tube via an interface.