Device and method for wound therapy
A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.
1. A wound therapy device, comprising:
a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing;
a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, the liquid collector defining a plurality of passages, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source to the wound site through the liquid collector passages;
a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source and within the housing;
a wound interface positioned between the wound site and the liquid collector; and
a seal for sealing the housing to skin around the wound site.
2. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid collector is sufficiently rigid to allow at least one of the liquid collector passages to remain open when the device is subject to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.
3. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a skin protection layer for protecting a user's skin.
4. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid collector comprises one of the group consisting of sponges, fibers, fabrics, gauzes, absorbent material, adsorbent material, polymers, gels, gelling agents, foams, packing material, and combinations thereof.
5. The wound therapy device of claim 4 , further comprising a vacuum disperser in communication with the liquid collector.
6. The wound therapy device of claim 5 , further comprising a moisture disperser in communication with the liquid collector.
7. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising means for maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the wound while the liquid collector is absorbing fluid.
8. A wound therapy device, comprising:
a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing;
a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, the liquid collector defining a plurality of passages, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate within the housing while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source to the wound site through the liquid collector passages;
a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source;
a vacuum disperser in communication with the liquid collector;
a moisture disperser in communication with the liquid collector;
a wound interface positioned between the wound site and the liquid collector;
a skin protection layer;
a seal for sealing the housing to skin around the wound site; and
a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the housing.
9. A wound therapy device, comprising:
a vacuum source module comprising a vacuum source capable of generating negative pressure and a pressure controller for controlling the amount of negative pressure;
a dressing module comprising:
a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the wound site;
a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source module and within the housing;
a seal for sealing the dressing module to a surface around the wound site; and
a coupling for maintaining the vacuum source module in communication with the dressing module, said coupling configured to transfer negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the dressing module.
10. A method of assembling a wound therapy device comprising the steps of:
providing a vacuum source module comprising a vacuum source capable of generating negative pressure and a pressure controller for controlling the amount of negative pressure;
providing a dressing module comprising:
a housing to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a porous liquid collector positioned within the housing and in communication with the wound site, wherein said liquid collector is configured to collect and retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source module to the wound site;
a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid collector and the vacuum source module and within the housing;
a seal for sealing the dressing module to a surface around the wound site;
securing the vacuum source module to the dressing module, such that the vacuum source module transfers negative pressure to the dressing module; and
attaching the device adjacent a wound site.