Wound dressing with absorption and suction capabilities

• US 7,790,945 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company (Solventum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Watson, Richard L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia M
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAWTHORNE, OPHELIA ALTHEA
• Application Number:
  US10/818,468
• Time in Patent Office: 2,346 Days
• Field of Search: 604/289, 604304-308, 604/313, 604/543, 604/540, 602/48, 602 41- 43, 602/44, 602/45, 602/46, 602/47, 602/50, 602/51, 602/52, 602/53
• US Class Current: 602/43
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/912 Connectors between dressing and drainage tube
• 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 1/918 for multiple suction locations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/95 with sensors for exudate composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/985 the dressing itself forming the collection container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• 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

Abstract

A wound dressing having a suction member adaptable for connection to a source of vacuum pressure. The wound dressing preferably has a hydrophobic or biodegradable base layer and one or more absorptive layers for absorbing fluid from the wound. The absorptive layers are preferably quilted with patches containing desiccant, adsorbent, or absorbent material. Alternatively, the wound dressing may allow fluid to pass through the suction member. A semi-permeable cover is provided for allowing the wound to breathe while protecting the wound from undesirable substances such as bacteria, viruses, or fluids. The cover may have a bladder for distributing contact pressure away from the wound. Various sensors may be provided in the wound dressing for sensing various physiological parameters in the wound, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, and serous fluid turbidity. Medicine may also be applied to the wound through the wound dressing.

Claims

1. A method of treating a wound, comprising:

applying a suction member to the wound;

covering said suction member with a semi-permeable cover;

fastening said cover to skin surrounding the wound; and

connecting said suction member to a source of vacuum pressure to remove fluid from the wound;

wherein said suction member comprises a plurality of bioabsorbable filaments.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying at least one absorptive layer having a fluid trapping agent beneath said suction member.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one absorptive layer comprises a quilted material having a plurality of patches containing a fluid trapping agent.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said quilted material comprises a plurality of perforations.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said fluid trapping agent is selected from the group consisting of desiccant, adsorbent, and absorbent.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing at least one sensor for sensing at least one physiological parameter in the wound.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of an oxygen saturation sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a respiratory rate sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, an ECG sensor, and a serous fluid turbidity sensor.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a porous base layer to a base of the wound beneath said suction member.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said base layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic material, biodegradable material, and a combination of hydrophobic material and biodegradable material.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a bladder for distributing contact pressure outside the vicinity of the wound.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said bladder is integral with said cover.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an underside having an adhesive with a peel-off backing.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing electrical stimulation to the wound via electrical leads extending through said suction member.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing medicine to the wound via at least one conduit extending through said suction member.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said semi-permeable cover is permeable to air and impermeable to at least one of liquids, viruses, and bacteria.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of trimming said suction member to fit the shape of the wound.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a fluid lock to prevent fluid from being transmitted to said source of vacuum pressure.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying at least one stabilizing layer in the wound beneath said suction member wherein fluid is allowed to flow through said at least one stabilizing layer and said suction member.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

applying a porous base layer to a base of the wound beneath said suction member;

applying at least one absorptive layer having a fluid trapping agent beneath said suction member; and

wherein said porous base layer or said at least one absorptive layer comprises medicine embedded therein.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are made of a bioabsorbable plastic.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are made of a soy-based material.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are made of a glyco-protein material.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are beta glucans.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are gelatins.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable filaments are polyhydroxyalkanoates.