Tissue Contact Interface
An apparatus, system, and method for closing an opening through a surface of a tissue site is described. The apparatus includes an apposition layer adapted to be positioned over the opening. The apposition layer is formed from a material having a firmness factor, and has a plurality of holes extending through the apposition layer. The holes form a void space and have a perforation shape factor and a strut angle configured to collapse the apposition layer in a first direction relative to a second direction. A sheet having a plurality of perforations is configured to surround the apposition layer, the sheet having a plurality of perforations. The apposition layer generates a closing force in the first direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the tissue site to close the opening in response to application of a negative pressure.
1 . A system for closing an opening through a surface of a tissue site, the system comprising:
an apposition layer adapted to be positioned over the opening, the apposition layer comprising:
a material having a firmness factor, and
a plurality of holes extending through the apposition layer, the holes forming a void space and having a perforation shape factor and a strut angle configured to collapse the apposition layer in a first direction relative to a second direction;
a first layer adapted to be positioned below the apposition layer, the first layer having at least one perforation;
a second layer adapted to be positioned above the apposition layer, the second layer having at least one perforation;
a dressing adapted to cover the apposition layer to form a sealed space; and
a negative-pressure source adapted to be fluidly coupled to the sealed space to provide negative pressure to the sealed space;
wherein the apposition layer generates a closing force in the first direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the tissue site to close the opening in response to application of the negative pressure.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise a silicone adhesive.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise a silicone adhesive having a coating weight between about 100 gsm and about 200 gsm.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise a polyurethane material.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer each comprise a hydrogel.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise a single, continuous sheet of material.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one perforation of the first layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one perforation of the second layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one perforation of the second layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes have an average effective diameter of about 5 mm.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes are formed in two or more parallel rows.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the strut angle is about 90 degrees.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the strut angle is less than about 90 degrees.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the perforation shape factor of each hole is less than about 1.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the apposition layer is about 15 mm.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the firmness factor is about 5.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the firmness factor is about 3.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each hole of the plurality of holes is elliptical.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the apposition layer comprises a felted foam.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the dressing comprises:
a base layer having a plurality of apertures extending through the base layer, at least a portion of the plurality of apertures configured to transmit fluid across the base layer;
a fluid management assembly positioned over the base layer, the fluid management assembly comprising:
a first wicking layer;
an absorbent disposed over the first wicking layer, and
a second wicking layer disposed over the absorbent and having a periphery coupled to a periphery of the first wicking layer to enclose the absorbent;
a sealing member disposed over the fluid management assembly; and
an adhesive layer positioned between a periphery of the base layer and the sealing member, the adhesive layer coupling the base layer to the sealing member to enclose the fluid management assembly.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of apertures in the base layer comprise:
a first group of apertures disposed in a center portion of the base layer and having a first diameter;
a second group of apertures disposed in a perimeter portion of the base layer and having a second diameter, the first group of apertures and the second group of apertures separated by a border; and
the second group of apertures having an average diameter that is larger than the average diameter of the first group of apertures.
22 . An apparatus for closing an opening through a surface of a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:
an contracting layer adapted to be positioned over the opening, the contracting layer comprising:
a material having a firmness factor, and
a plurality of holes extending through the contracting layer, the holes forming a void space and having a perforation shape factor and a strut angle configured to collapse the contracting layer in a first direction relative to a second direction;
a lower layer adapted to be positioned below the contracting layer, the lower layer having at least one perforation; and
an upper layer adapted to be positioned above the contracting layer, the upper layer having at least one perforation;
wherein the contracting layer generates a closing force substantially parallel to the surface of the tissue site to close the opening in response to application of a negative pressure.
23 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the lower layer and the upper layer each comprise a silicone adhesive.
24 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the lower layer and the upper layer each comprise a silicone adhesive having a coating weight between about 100 gsm and about 200 gsm.
25 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the lower layer and the upper layer each comprise a polyurethane material.
26 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the lower layer and the upper layer each comprise a hydrogel.
27 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the lower layer and the upper layer comprise a single, continuous sheet of material.
28 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the at least one perforation of the lower layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
29 . The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the at least one perforation of the upper layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
30 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the at least one perforation of the upper layer comprises a plurality of perforations.
31 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the plurality of holes have an average effective diameter of about 5 mm.
32 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the plurality of holes are formed in two or more parallel rows.
33 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the strut angle is about 90 degrees.
34 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the strut angle is less than about 90 degrees.
35 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the perforation shape factor of each hole is less than about 1.
36 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein a thickness of the contracting layer is about 15 mm.
37 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the firmness factor is about 5.
38 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the firmness factor is about 3.
39 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein a shape of each hole of the plurality of holes is elliptical.
40 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the contracting layer comprises a compressed foam.
41 . The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising a dressing configured to form a sealed space over the contracting layer, the dressing comprising:
a base layer having a plurality of apertures extending through the base layer, at least a portion of the plurality of apertures configured to transmit fluid across the base layer;
a fluid management assembly positioned over the base layer, the fluid management assembly comprising:
a first wicking layer;
an absorbent disposed over the first wicking layer, and
a second wicking layer disposed over the absorbent and having a periphery coupled to a periphery of the first wicking layer to enclose the absorbent;
a sealing member disposed over the fluid management assembly; and
an adhesive layer positioned between a periphery of the base layer and the sealing member, the adhesive layer coupling the base layer to the sealing member to enclose the fluid management assembly.
42 . The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of apertures in the base layer comprise:
a first group of apertures disposed in a center portion of the base layer and having a first diameter;
a second group of apertures disposed in a perimeter portion of the base layer and having a second diameter, the first group of apertures and the second group of apertures separated by a border; and
the second group of apertures having an average diameter that is larger than the average diameter of the first group of apertures.
43 . A method for closing an opening through a surface of a tissue site, the method comprising:
encapsulating an apposition layer in a sheet having an upper layer above the apposition layer and a lower layer below the apposition layer, the sheet having at least one perforation in the upper layer and at least one perforation in the lower layer;
positioning the apposition layer over the opening, the apposition layer adapted to be positioned adjacent the opening and formed from a material having a firmness factor and a plurality of holes extending through the apposition layer to form a void space, the holes having a perforation shape factor and a strut angle causing the apposition layer to collapse in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening; and
collapsing the apposition layer parallel to the surface of the tissue site to generate a closing force.
44 . The method of claim 43 , further comprising:
positioning a sealing member over the apposition layer;
sealing the sealing member to tissue surrounding the tissue site to form a sealed space; and
fluidly coupling a negative-pressure source to the sealed space.
45 . The method of claim 44 , wherein collapsing the apposition layer comprises:
supplying negative pressure to the sealed space with the negative-pressure source.
46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein collapsing the apposition layer comprises:
supplying negative pressure to the apposition layer.
47 . The method of claim 45 , wherein collapsing the apposition layer comprises:
collapsing the apposition layer in response to a supply of negative pressure; and
drawing edges of the apposition layer toward a center of the apposition layer in response to the collapse of the holes of the apposition layer.
48 . (canceled)