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 liquid-retaining structure configured to absorb wound exudate from a wound site, the liquid-retaining structure comprising superabsorber material;
a porous foam structure positioned over the liquid-retaining structure;
a flexible wound cover positioned over the liquid-retaining structure and the porous foam structure;
a vacuum connection configured to connect the flexible wound cover with a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum connection is in gaseous communication with the liquid-retaining structure through the porous foam structure; and
a wound interface positioned beneath the liquid-retaining structure configured to contact the wound site;
wherein the liquid-retaining structure is configured to absorb wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure generated by the vacuum source to the wound site.
2. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the porous foam structure is hydrophobic.
3. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-retaining structure comprises a cellulose material.
4. The wound therapy device of claim 3 , wherein the liquid-retaining structure comprises sodium carboxy methyl cellulose.
5. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-retaining structure is configured to cause exudate to gel while continually providing vacuum passageways.
6. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a source of negative pressure.
7. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive configured to seal the wound therapy device to a body surface of a patient.
8. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a skin protection layer.
9. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a nylon layer between the liquid-retaining structure and the porous foam structure.
10. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the wound interface and the liquid-retaining structure are separate layers of an integral body.
11. The wound therapy device of claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum chamber filled with a porous material that allows communication of vacuum from the vacuum source.