Combination SIS and vacuum bandage and method

1. A wound care bandage for use with a vacuum source, the wound care bandage comprising:

a collagen matrix configured to be placed on a wound of a patient for integration into the wound;

a support structure configured for placement over the collagen matrix to provide a vacuum space defined by the support structure and the collagen matrix and adapted to receive negative pressure from the vacuum source;

a cover configured to be disposed over the support structure and the wound to provide a sealed environment for the vacuum space over the wound; and

wherein the support structure comprises a lower member adapted to be disposed adjacent skin surrounding the wound without sutures or staples when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space, an upper member, and a middle member between the lower member and the upper member, and wherein the support structure is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced-apart relationship with the collagen matrix when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space.

2. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the middle member is sufficiently rigid to support the upper member in the spaced-apart relationship when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space.

3. The bandage of claim 2 , wherein the middle member includes an inner wall that defines the vacuum space with the collagen matrix and the upper member.

4. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the upper member is sufficiently rigid to maintain the spaced-apart relationship when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space.

5. The bandage of claim 4 , wherein the middle member includes an inner wall that defines the vacuum space with the collagen matrix and the upper member.

6. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the collagen matrix comprises a submucosa layer.

7. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the bandage further includes a biological glue for positioning between the wound and the collagen matrix for holding the collagen matrix stationary relative to the wound.

8. The bandage of claim 7 , wherein the glue is a fibrin sealant.

9. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a first surface and a second surface and the first surface includes an adhesive for adhering to skin adjacent the wound.

10. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes air passageways between the cover and the collagen matrix to further define the vacuum space.

11. The wound care bandage of claim 1 , wherein the collagen matrix is a sheet of collagen matrix material having a three-dimensional structure configured to support tissue remodeling when positioned on the wound.

12. The wound care bandage of claim 11 , wherein the collagen matrix is selected from the group consisting of submucosa, lamina propria, and stratum compactum.

13. The wound care bandage of claim 11 , wherein the upper member is sufficiently rigid to maintain the spaced-apart relation when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space.

14. A method for promoting wound healing using a vacuum source, the method comprising:

applying a collagen matrix to a wound surface;

positioning a support structure having a lower member adapted to be disposed adjacent skin surrounding the wound, an upper member matter, and a middle member between the lower member and the upper member;

placing a cover over the wound and the support structure to create a vacuum space defined by the collagen matrix, the cover, the middle member, and the upper member, wherein the support structure is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced-apart relationship with the collagen matrix when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space; and

providing a vacuum to the vacuum space from the vacuum source in a magnitude over a period of time sufficient to hold the upper member in place without sutures or staples and facilitate integration of the collagen matrix into the wound surface with the support structure being removable from the wound after integration of the collagen matrix into the wound.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first collagen matrix comprises a submucosa layer.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the support structure includes air passageways between the cover and the collagen matrix to further define the vacuum space.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the middle member is sufficiently rigid to support the upper member in the spaced-apart relation when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum space.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the middle member includes an inner wall that defines the vacuum space along with the collagen matrix and the upper member.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the vacuum is applied intermittently by cycling the vacuum source on and off at intervals over the duration period to controllably draw fluid from the wound into the collagen matrix.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the vacuum is applied by turning the vacuum source on at a constant rate and turning the vacuum source off after the duration period to controllably draw blood from the wound into the collagen matrix.