Wound treatment apparatus employing reduced pressure
View Patent ↗A method for stimulating new tissue growth is provided in which a limb is introduced into an interior portion of an outer cover. A porous component is applied to at least a portion of the limb within the outer cover. An opening through which the limb was introduced is sealed, and a negative pressure is applied to the interior portion to stimulate new tissue growth.
1. A method for stimulating new tissue growth, comprising:
introducing a limb of a patient into an interior portion of an outer cover via an opening of the outer cover;
unsealing a second opening;
exposing the limb through the unsealed second opening to apply the porous component to the limb;
applying a porous component to at least a portion of the limb within the outer cover;
resealing the second opening;
sealing the opening; and
stimulating new tissue growth by applying a negative pressure to the interior portion of the outer cover.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the negative pressure further comprises applying an intermittent negative pressure to the limb sealed in the outer cover.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the negative pressure further comprises applying a continuous negative pressure to the limb sealed in the outer cover.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising automatically controlling the application of negative pressure using a control device operably associated with a pump.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein unsealing further comprises unsealing a zip seal.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying a porous component further comprises applying a glove-shaped porous component.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the limb includes a hand and wrist of the patient; and
sealing the opening includes sealing the opening to the wrist of the patient.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein introducing the limb of the patient to the outer cover further comprises introducing the limb to a substantially air-tight outer cover.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the porous component to the limb includes applying the porous component to a hand of the limb while the hand is in at least a partially-closed position.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying a porous component includes applying a porous component formed of a reticulated foam.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising collecting wound exudates within a canister located between the porous component and a pump used to apply the negative pressure.