Negative pressure wound closure device

• US 9,962,295 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2013
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC), University Of Massachusetts
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC), University Of Massachusetts
• Inventors: Dunn, Raymond M, Hammond, Victoria Jody, Hartwell, Edward Yerbury, Hicks, John Kenneth, Huddleston, Elizabeth Mary, Kelly, Andrew, Linton, Andrew, Richardson, Mark, Saxby, Carl, Stern, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele
• Assistant Examiner(s): Treyger, Ilya
• Application Number:
  US14/415,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20150196431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• 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 2013/00178 hand-held CO2 cylinder, e.g. sparklet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00536 for draining or irrigating wounds
• 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 1/913 having a bridging element for transferring the reduced pressure from the connector to the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

Claims

1. A wound closure device, comprising:

a stabilizing structure comprising a plurality of planar support structures, each planar support structure comprising a first plurality of beams intersecting with a second plurality of beams, the plurality of planar support structures being arranged parallel to one another;

a plurality of spring elements joining adjacent planar support structures, the plurality of spring elements providing for compression of the stabilizing structure so that the planar support structures come closer to one another; and

wherein the planar support structure comprises one or more standoffs located on an outer plane or perimeter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the beams are rigid.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of beams intersects with the second plurality of beams at a right angle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the planar support structure is substantially rigid within the plane of the support structure.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring elements comprise a first and a second plurality of spring elements, the first plurality of spring elements located in a first plurality of parallel planes, the first plurality of parallel planes including a first plurality of rigid beams, and wherein the second plurality of spring elements are located in a second plurality of parallel planes, the second plurality of parallel planes including the second plurality of rigid beams.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the spring elements are V-shaped members.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each planar support structure is identical.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a porous material surrounds one or more of the planar support structures.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the porous material surrounds the entire device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more parallel planar support structures, with spring elements provided between each.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising an identical arrangement of spring elements between each of the planar support structures.

12. A method of closing a wound, comprising;

placing the wound closure device of claim 1 into a wound;

fluidically connecting the wound to a source of negative pressure; and

applying negative pressure to the wound via the source of negative pressure.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising collapsing the stabilizing structure or wound closure device in a direction within the plane without significantly collapsing the device in the direction perpendicular to the plane.

14. A negative pressure wound closure system, comprising:

the wound closure device of claim 1;

a drape sized and configured to be placed over the stabilizing structure and to form a substantially fluid-tight seal against a region of skin surrounding the wound; and

a source of negative pressure in fluid communication with the wound.

15. A wound closure device, comprising:

a stabilizing structure comprising a plurality of planar support structures, each planar support structure comprising a first plurality of beams intersecting with a second plurality of beams, the plurality of planar support structures being arranged parallel to one another;

a plurality of spring elements joining adjacent planar support structures, the plurality of spring elements providing for compression of the stabilizing structure so that the planar support structures come closer to one another; and

wherein the planar support structure comprises one or more outer standoffs provided with one or more tissue anchors configured to engage tissue placed into contact with the device.

16. A wound closure device, comprising:

a stabilizing structure comprising a plurality of planar support structures, each planar support structure comprising a first plurality of beams intersecting with a second plurality of beams, the plurality of planar support structures being arranged parallel to one another;

a plurality of spring elements joining adjacent planar support structures, the plurality of spring elements providing for compression of the stabilizing structure so that the planar support structures come closer to one another; and

wherein the plurality of spring elements comprise a first plurality of spring elements located in a first plane perpendicular to the planar support structures, and a second plurality of spring elements located in a second plane perpendicular to both the first plane and to the planar support structures.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of spring elements is located in a first plurality of parallel planes, the first plurality of parallel planes including the first plurality of rigid beams, and wherein the second plurality of spring elements are located in a second plurality of parallel planes, the second plurality of parallel planes including the second plurality of rigid beams.