Negative pressure dressing and method of using same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the application of negative pressure wound therapy to a the wound, comprising:
- a wound cover configured to be placed over and enclose the wound so as to define a space between at least a portion of the wound cover and the wound and to maintain a reduced pressure in the space when reduced pressure is applied to the space;
a first length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein;
the first length changing member extends across at least a portion of the wound cover from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover;
the first length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover; and
the first length changing member comprises a material that changes length when an electrical current is supplied to the material; and
a second length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein;
the second length changing member extends from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover; and
the second length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one of more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.
187 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the application of negative pressure wound therapy to a the wound, comprising:
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a wound cover configured to be placed over and enclose the wound so as to define a space between at least a portion of the wound cover and the wound and to maintain a reduced pressure in the space when reduced pressure is applied to the space; a first length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein; the first length changing member extends across at least a portion of the wound cover from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover; the first length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover; and the first length changing member comprises a material that changes length when an electrical current is supplied to the material; and a second length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein; the second length changing member extends from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover; and the second length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for the application of negative pressure wound therapy to a wound, comprising:
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a wound cover configured to be placed over and enclose the wound so as to define a space between at least a portion of the wound cover and the wound and to maintain a reduced pressure in the space when reduced pressure is applied to the space; and a first length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein; the first length changing member extends across at least a portion of the wound cover from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover; and the first length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover; wherein the the first length changing member is activated in response to an input of data obtained by a sensor in communication with the apparatus.
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16. An apparatus for the application of negative pressure wound therapy to a wound, comprising:
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a wound cover configured to be placed over and enclose the wound so as to define a space between at least a portion of the wound cover and the wound and to maintain a reduced pressure in the space when reduced pressure is applied to the space; a first length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein; the first length changing member extends across at least a portion of the wound cover from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover; the first length changing member changes length when activated to thereby exert a force on the wound cover; and the first length changing member comprises a material that changes length when an electrical current is supplied to the material; and a second length changing member supported by the wound cover, wherein the second length changing member extends from one side portion of the wound cover toward another side portion of the wound cover in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first length changing member.
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Specification