Reduced pressure treatment system
A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a cover or a flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the cover or in the area under the flexible overlay. Methods are provided for using various embodiments of the invention.
1. A wound therapy device, comprising:
a cover to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a collection chamber beneath the cover, wherein the collection chamber collects and stores wound fluids from the wound site, and wherein the collection chamber retains collected wound fluids stored therein upon application of negative pressure thereto;
an opening in the cover configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source for creating negative pressure within at least the collection chamber;
a conduit in fluid communication with the opening, the conduit configured to connect to the vacuum source; and
a filter at the opening, the filter positioned directly over the collection chamber and configured to preclude migration of liquid collected and stored within the collection chamber through the opening and into the vacuum source, while simultaneously allowing application of negative pressure through the filter and passage of air through the filter in a direction of the vacuum source.
2. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a seal for sealing the cover to a body surface of a patient.
3. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
4. The wound therapy device of claim 3 , wherein the cover material is chosen from at least one of rubber, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyurethane.
5. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a flexible material.
6. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to prevent significant collapse of the collection chamber when subject to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.
7. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising foam beneath the collection chamber.
8. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , comprising a porous membrane for retaining wound fluids within the collection chamber.
9. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a wound packing means chosen from: absorbent dressing, antiseptic dressing, nonadherent dressing, water dressing, absorbable matrix, gauze, foam, or combinations thereof.
10. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising an antiseptic dressing.
11. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a vacuum port configured to be coupled to the conduit, wherein the filter is located in the vacuum port.
12. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the opening is coupled to a portable vacuum source disposed adjacent the wound.
13. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a switch to halt the supply of negative pressure to the cover at any time that the volume of wound fluids from the wound exceeds a predetermined amount.
14. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a shutoff mechanism for halting or inhibiting the supply of the negative pressure to the cover in the event that the wound fluids aspirated from the wound exceeds a predetermined quantity.
15. The wound therapy device of claim 14 , wherein the shutoff mechanism provides a signal that prompts a deactivation of the vacuum source.
16. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is constructed of plastic chosen from: rubber, silicone, silicone blends, silicone substitutes, polyester, vinyl, polyimide, polyethylene napthalate, polycarbonates, polyester-polycarbonate blends, or a similar polymer, or combinations of all such materials.
17. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising tissue protections means.
18. The wound therapy device of claim 17 , wherein the tissue protection means comprises multiple layers.
19. The wound therapy device of claim 17 , wherein the tissue protection means is configured to be disposed adjacent the wound.
20. The wound therapy device of claim 17 , wherein the tissue protection means is at least one of the following: absorbent dressing, antiseptic dressing, nonadherent dressing, water dressing, absorbable matrix, gauze, foam, or combinations thereof.
21. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is semi-permeable.
22. The wound therapy device of claim 21 , wherein the semi-permeable cover is gas-permeable.
23. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is cup-shaped.
24. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the cover is a flexible overlay.
25. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber collects and stores liquids from the wound site, and wherein the collection chamber retains the collected liquids stored therein upon application of negative pressure thereto.
26. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the opening extends through the wound cover.
27. A wound therapy device, comprising:
a cover to cover at least a portion of a wound site;
a vacuum source, the vacuum source configured to continuously supply negative pressure while in use;
a collection chamber beneath the cover, wherein the collection chamber collects and stores wound fluids from the wound site, and wherein the collection chamber retains collected wound fluids stored therein upon application of negative pressure thereto;
an opening in the cover configured to be in fluid communication with the vacuum source for creating negative pressure within the collection chamber; and
a filter at the opening, the filter positioned directly over the collection chamber and configured to preclude migration of liquid collected and stored within the collection chamber through the opening, while simultaneously allowing application of negative pressure through the filter and passage of air through the filter in a direction of the vacuum source.