REDUCED-PRESSURE, LINEAR WOUND CLOSING BOLSTERS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20090299303A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Seegert, Charles Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,187,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00561 creating a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/081 Tissue approximator A61B2017/1103, A61B17/8866 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01017 synthetic, e.g. polymer based
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01021 characterised by the structure of the dressing
• 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: A61M 1/75 Intermittent or pulsating suction A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/915 Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster has a pivotable frame that moves from an extended position to a compressed position under the influence of reduced pressure. The closing bolster may have a first closing member, a second closing member, and an interior space. A manifold member is disposed within the interior space and may be coupled to the pivotable frame. When a reduced pressure is applied, the pivotable frame is urged from the extended position to the compressed position. A first gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the first closing member to a first edge of a linear wound may be attached. Likewise, a second gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the second closing member to a second edge of the linear wound may be attached. Systems and methods are also presented.

Claims

1. A reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster for managing a linear wound, the bolster comprising:

a pivotable frame having a first closing member, a second closing member, and an interior space, the pivotable frame operable to move between an extended position and a contracted position;

a manifold member disposed within the interior space;

a first gripping member coupled to the first closing member, the first gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the first closing member to a first edge of the linear wound; and

a second gripping member coupled to the second closing member, the second gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the second closing member to a second edge of the linear wound.

2. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the pivotable frame comprises:

the first closing member;

the second closing member;

a connecting member;

a first pivot connector coupling the first closing member and the connecting member; and

a second pivot connector coupling the second closing member and the connecting member.

3. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the pivotable frame comprises:

the first closing member;

the second closing member; and

a pivot connector for coupling the first closing member and second closing member.

4. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the first gripping member comprises a first adhesive strip and the second gripping member comprises a second adhesive strip.

5. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the first gripping member comprises a first high-friction member coupled to the first closing member and the second gripping member comprises a second high-friction member coupled to the second closing member.

6. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the pivotable frame is open on a first end and a second end.

7. The reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster of claim 1 wherein the manifold member is coupled to the pivotable frame such that when a reduced pressure is applied, the pivotable frame is urged from the extended position to the contracted position.

8-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A reduced-pressure, linear wound treatment system comprising:

a closing bolster for placing on a patient'"'"'s skin over a linear wound and operable to move between an extended position and a compressed position, the closing bolster comprising a pivotable frame having an interior space and a manifold member disposed within the interior space and coupled to the pivotable frame;

a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal between the closing bolster and the patient;

a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem;

wherein the sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the closing bolster; and

wherein the closing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to go to the compressed position and thereby develop an inward force.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein:

wherein the pivotable frame has a first closing member and a second closing member;

wherein the manifold member is coupled to the pivotable frame such that when a reduced pressure is applied, the pivotable frame is urged from the extended position to the compressed position by the manifold member; and

further comprising;

a first gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the first closing member to a first edge of the linear wound; and

a second gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the second closing member to a second edge of the linear wound.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the pivotable frame comprises a first closing member, a second closing member, a connecting member, a first pivot connector coupling the first closing member and the connecting member;

and a second pivot connector coupling the second closing member and the connecting member.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the pivotable frame comprises a first closing member, a second closing member, and a pivot connector for coupling the first closing member and second closing member.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein:

wherein the pivotable frame has a first closing member and a second closing member;

wherein the manifold member is coupled to the pivotable frame such that when a reduced pressure is applied, the pivotable frame is urged from the extended position to the compressed position by the manifold member; and

further comprising;

a first gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the first closing member to a first edge of the linear wound,

a second gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the second closing member to a second edge of the linear wound, and

wherein the first gripping member comprises a first adhesive strip and the second gripping member comprises an adhesive strip.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the first gripping member comprises a first high-friction member coupled to the first closing member and the second gripping member comprises a second high-friction member coupled to the second closing member.

17. (canceled)

18. A method of applying a closing force to a linear wound on a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster, wherein the reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster comprises a manifold member and a pivotable frame that has an interior space and a first closing member, which has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, and has a second closing member, which has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge;

placing the second longitudinal edge of the first closing member proximate a first edge of the linear wound;

placing the second longitudinal edge of the second closing member proximate a second edge of the linear wound;

forming a fluid seal between pivotable frame and the patient'"'"'s skin; and

providing a reduced pressure to the interior space of the pivotable frame.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing the reduced pressure to the interior space comprises the step of providing a cyclical pattern of reduced pressure.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of providing the reduced pressure to the interior space comprises the step of providing a variable pattern of reduced pressure.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the manifold member is coupled to the pivotable frame.

22-28. -28. (canceled)