Reduced-pressure, linear wound closing bolsters and systems

• US 8,187,237 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Hand, Melanie
• Application Number:
  US12/475,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20090299303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 604/293, 606/201
• US Class Current: 604/313
• 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 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 a first pivot connector, 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 uses reduced pressure to go to the compressed position and thereby develop an inward force.

2. The system of claim 1 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.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the pivotable frame comprises a first closing member, a second closing member, and connecting member, wherein:

the first pivot connector couples the first closing member and the connecting member, and

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

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the pivotable frame comprises a first closing member and a second closing member, and

wherein the first pivot connector couples the first closing member and second closing member.

5. The system of claim 1 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 a second adhesive strip.

6. The system of claim 5 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.