In-situ wound cleansing apparatus

• US 8,834,451 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
• Inventors: Blott, Patrick Lewis, Greener, Bryan, Hartwell, Edward Yerbury, Walker, Tina Michelle, Nicolini, Derek, Lee-Webb, Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele M
• Application Number:
  US13/363,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20120130325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 604/543, 604/311, 604/316, 604/317
• 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 13/05 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 13/512 characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00221 biodegradable, non-irritating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0054 for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00927 with biological activity, e.g. enzymes for debriding wounds or others, collagen or growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• 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 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• 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 1/96 Suction control thereof
• 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 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0212 after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0229 : Devices operating in a closed circuit, i.e. recycling the irrigating fluid

Abstract

An apparatus for treating a wound can include a wound dressing, a vacuum pump configured to apply negative pressure to the dressing, and a fluid offtake tube configured to provide fluid communication between the pump and the dressing. The dressing can include a backing layer, a boss mounted to the backing layer at an opening in the backing layer, a foam layer on a proximal side of the backing layer, an adhesive on a periphery of the backing layer, and a membrane layer having a plurality of apertures configured to contact the wound. The foam layer can be in direct contact with the membrane layer, and can be configured to be simultaneously applied over the wound together with the backing layer. The adhesive can be configured to attach the backing layer to skin around the wound. The periphery of the backing layer can extend beyond and surround the membrane layer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a wound, comprising:

a wound dressing configured to be placed over the wound, the wound dressing comprising;

a backing layer having a proximal, wound-facing side and a distal side;

a boss mounted to the backing layer at an opening in the backing layer and protruding distally therefrom;

a foam layer having a proximal, wound-facing side and a distal side, the foam layer provided on a proximal side of the backing layer;

an adhesive on a periphery of the backing layer, wherein the adhesive is configured to attach the backing layer to skin around the wound; and

a membrane layer provided on the proximal, wound-facing side of the foam layer, the membrane layer comprising a plurality of apertures configured to contact the wound, wherein the foam layer is in direct contact with the membrane layer and wherein the periphery of the backing layer extends beyond and surrounds the membrane, and wherein the membrane layer is adhered to the foam layer when the wound dressing is placed in the wound and removed from the wound;

a vacuum pump configured to apply negative pressure to the wound dressing; and

a fluid offtake tube configured to be mounted to the boss and provide fluid communication between the vacuum pump and the wound dressing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wound dressing comprises a pouch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backing layer, foam layer and membrane layer are configured to be applied over the wound and removed from the wound as a single integral unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foam layer is a reticulated foam layer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foam layer is a polyurethane foam layer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a collection container in fluid communication with the dressing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foam layer is attached to the backing layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the foam layer is attached to the backing layer by heat sealing.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the foam layer is attached to the backing layer by an adhesive film.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is operated by a piezoelectric transducer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal, wound-facing face is capable of forming a substantially fluid-tight seal over the wound and the distal face is configured to be exposed to atmospheric pressure.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fluid cleansing mechanism in fluid communication with the fluid offtake tube, the fluid cleansing mechanism configured to remove materials deleterious to wound healing from fluid in the fluid offtake tube.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wound dressing further comprises a pressure sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to adjust negative pressure applied by the vacuum pump in response to a pressure reading provided by the pressure sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the vacuum pump when the pressure reading exceeds a pressure threshold.