Reduced-pressure system and method employing a gasket
View Patent ↗A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a gasket releasably attached around a perimeter of the tissue site that may remain in place for an extended time and allows an over-drape to be attached to it. The system and method further may include a manifold sized and configured to be placed in contact with the tissue site; the over-drape positioned over the manifold and sealed to the gasket to create a sealed space between the over-drape and the tissue site; and a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the sealed space to deliver reduced pressure to the tissue site. A method is also presented.
1. A method for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure, the method comprising the steps of:
releasably attaching a gasket around a perimeter of the tissue site, the gasket comprising a thin polymer film having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
placing a manifold in contact with the tissue site;
disposing an over-drape over the manifold and tissue site;
sealing the over-drape to the gasket by a first attachment apparatus between the over-drape and the first side of the gasket to provide a sealed space between the over-drape and the tissue site, wherein a second attachment apparatus comprising an adhesive tape is disposed on the second, patient-facing side of the gasket for attaching around the perimeter of the tissue site, the first attachment apparatus being weaker than the second attachment apparatus;
wherein the first attachment apparatus is a first adhesive and the second attachment apparatus is a second adhesive, and wherein the first adhesive is different from the second adhesive; and
providing reduced pressure to the sealed space to treat the tissue site.
2. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the tissue site is a wound bed.
3. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment apparatus is separated from the second attachment apparatus by the gasket.
4. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the thin polymer film comprises polyurethane.
5. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the thin polymer film comprises polyester.
6. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a hydrocolloid.
7. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is operable to remain releasably attached around the perimeter of the tissue site for one week.
8. The method for treating a tissue site of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is operable to remain releasably attached around the perimeter of the tissue site for two weeks.