Wound treatment apparatus employing reduced pressure
View Patent ↗Apparatus is described for stimulating healing of wounds, particularly burns, to the hands or feet. The apparatus comprises an envelope for receiving the affected part of the body. The envelope ( 12 ) comprises an air-tight cover which contains a porous pad ( 22, 24, 26 ) for covering the wound. Means are provided for connecting the interior of the envelope to a source of suction.
1. Apparatus for stimulating healing of wounds which comprises an envelope for receiving an affected part of the body, said envelope including a substantially air-tight cover and porous pad within the cover, said pad being adapted to contact the wound surface, and connection means for connecting the interior of the envelope to a source of negative pressure, wherein the cover has a re-sealable opening which permits the wound to be inspected at intervals.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source of negative pressure is a suction pump.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope and fluidly connected to the connection means.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the substantially air-tight cover is air impermeable.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad comprises a foam having intercommunicating cells.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the envelope comprises a flexible plastic.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad comprises polyurethane foam.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises a flange bonded to the cover, a spout, and an aperture.
9. Apparatus for stimulating healing of wounds which comprises an envelope for receiving an affected part of the body, said envelope including a substantially air-tight cover and porous pad within the cover, said pad being adapted to contact the wound surface, and connection means for connecting the interior of the envelope to a source of negative pressure, which includes a canister for collecting wound exudate.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the source of negative pressure is a suction pump.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope and fluidly connected to the connection means.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the substantially air-tight cover is air impermeable.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the porous pad comprises a foam having intercommunicating cells.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the envelope comprises a flexible plastic.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the porous pad comprises polyurethane foam.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the connection means comprises a flange bonded to the cover, a spout, and an aperture.
17. An apparatus for stimulating healing of wounds, comprising:
an envelope for receiving an affected part of the body, said envelope including a substantially air-tight cover and porous pad within the cover, the pad being adapted to contact the wound surface, and a connector fluidly connected to the interior of the envelope and to a source of negative pressure, wherein the cover has a re-sealable opening which permits the wound to be inspected at intervals.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope.
19. An apparatus for stimulating healing of wounds, comprising:
an envelope for receiving an affected part of the body, said envelope including a substantially air-tight cover and porous pad within the cover, the pad being adapted to contact the wound surface, and a connector fluidly connected to the interior of the envelope and to a source of negative pressure; and
a canister for collecting wound exudate.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope.