Wound contact device
A therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a permeable structure having a plurality of depressions formed in a surface thereof. In use, the surface having the depressions is disposed adjacent a surface of the wound. A method of treating a wound comprises the steps of providing a permeable structure comprising a plurality of randomly disposed fibers and having i) a plurality of wound surface contact elements disposed between end portions of the structure, and ii) a plurality of voids defined by the contact elements; and applying the permeable structure to at least one surface of the wound.
1. A therapeutic device for facilitating the healing of a wound in a mammal by encouraging cellular activity at the wound, the device being arranged to be brought into intimate engagement with tissue of the mammal at the wound and to be held in place at least partially by suction, the device comprising a cover and a dressing, the dressing comprising a permeable structure comprising a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of interstices located between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of discrete voids, each of the plurality of discrete voids being in communication with at least some of the interstices, the first surface being arranged to be disposed in contact with the wound, the cover being disposed over the second surface to establish a confined space to which suction may be applied to produce a compressive force, the voids being resistant to collapse in a force range from 0.1 to 5.0 psi to maintain at least some empty space in them when the dressing is under the compressive force of the suction, whereupon a mechanical force is applied on the tissue at the voids, wherein the mechanical force results in the tissue at the voids having a catenary shape and encourages cellular activity, thereby facilitating wound healing.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the average depth of the voids is greater than 0.1 mm.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the empty space in the voids when suction is applied to the confined space extends to at least about 0.1 mm above the surface of the wound.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the empty space in the voids when suction is applied to the confined space extends to within the range of about 0.2 mm to 5 mm above the surface of the wound.
5. The device of claim 2 wherein the average depth of the voids is in the range of 0.2 mm to 5 mm.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the permeable structure comprises fibers.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the fibers are polyester.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the permeable structure comprises a spunbonded, meltblown, or meltspun material.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the cover is conformable.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the cover comprises an adhesive film for forming a conformable seal with the tissue of the mammal adjacent the wound.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the average width of the voids is at least 0.1 mm.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the average width of the voids is within the range of about 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein the interstices are interconnected.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein the dressing additionally comprises a healing agent comprising at least one of hyaluronic acid and/or antimicrobial silver.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein the dressing additionally comprises a healing agent selected from the group consisting of collagen and calcium alginate.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of voids occupies more than about 25% of the surface area of the first surface.
17. The device of claim 1 additionally comprising a conduit coupled to the cover for connection to a source of suction to apply suction to the confined space.
18. The device of claim 1 wherein the voids extend into the permeable structure and terminate in a top portion and at least some of the interstices are in communication with the top portion of the voids.
19. A therapeutic device for facilitating the healing of a wound in a mammal by encouraging cellular activity at the wound, the device being arranged to be brought into intimate engagement with tissue of the mammal at the wound and to be held in place at least partially by suction, the device comprising a cover and a dressing, the dressing comprising a permeable structure comprising a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of interstices located between the first surface and the second surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of discrete voids, at least some of which are bounded by some of the interstices, the first surface being arranged to be disposed in contact with the wound, the cover being disposed over the second surface to establish a confined space to which suction may be applied to produce a compressive force, the voids being resistant to collapse in a force range from 0.1 to 5.0 psi to maintain at least some empty space in them when the dressing is under the compressive force of the suction, whereupon a mechanical force is applied on the tissue at the voids, wherein the mechanical force results in the tissue at the voids having a catenary shape and encourages cellular activity, thereby facilitating wound healing.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the permeable structure comprises fibers.
21. The device of claim 20 wherein the fibers are polyester.
22. The device of claim 20 wherein the permeable structure comprises a spunbonded, meltblown, or meltspun material.
23. The device of claim 19 wherein the cover is conformable.
24. The device of claim 23 wherein the cover comprises an adhesive film for forming a conformable seal with the tissue of the mammal adjacent the wound.
25. The device of claim 19 wherein the average width of the voids is at least 0.1 mm.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the average width of the voids is within the range of about 0.5 mm and 10 mm.
27. The device of claim 19 wherein the average depth of the voids is greater than 0.1 mm.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the empty space in the voids when suction is applied to the confined space extends to at least about 0.1 mm above the surface of the wound.
29. The device of claim 28 wherein the empty space in the voids when suction is applied to the confined space extends to within the range of about 0.2 mm to 5 mm above the surface of the wound.
30. The device of claim 27 wherein the average depth of the voids is in the range of 0.2 mm to 5 mm.
31. The device of claim 19 wherein the interstices are interconnected.
32. The device of claim 19 wherein the dressing additionally comprises a healing agent comprising at least one of hyaluronic acid and/or antimicrobial silver.
33. The device of claim 19 wherein the dressing additionally comprises a healing agent selected from the group consisting of collagen and calcium alginate.
34. The device of claim 19 wherein the plurality of voids occupies more than about 25% of the surface area of the first surface.
35. The device of claim 19 additionally comprising a conduit coupled to the cover for connection to a source of suction to apply suction to the confined space.
36. The device of claim 19 wherein at least some of the discrete voids are completely bounded by some of the interstices.