Wound closure devices with dissolvable portions
A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a stabilizing structure with dissolvable portions.
1. A wound closure device, comprising:
a stabilizing structure, comprising:
a plurality of cells provided side-by-side in a horizontal plane parallel to a length and a width of the stabilizing structure, each cell defined by a plurality of walls extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane;
a plurality of dissolvable portions positioned within the cells, the dissolvable portions configured to dissolve over time and prevent the stabilizing structure from collapsing, the stabilizing structure configured to collapse to a collapsed position after the dissolvable portions are dissolved; and
wherein each cell comprises a dissolvable portion coated only on a plurality of internal corners of the cell.
2. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing structure is configured to collapse more in the horizontal plane parallel to a length and a width of the stabilizing structure than in the vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
3. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable portions are configured to dissolve within 24 hours.
4. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the cells are configured to be dissolvable.
5. The wound closure device of claim 4 , wherein the cells are configured to dissolve slower than the dissolvable portions.
6. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the cells are configured to not dissolve.
7. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable portions comprise a carboxymethyl cellulose.
8. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable portions are positioned at intersections between walls within each cell.
9. The wound closure device of claim 1 , further comprising a top layer of foam positioned above the stabilizing structure.
10. The wound closure device of claim 9 , further comprising a bottom layer of foam positioned under the stabilizing structure.
11. The wound closure device of claim 10 , wherein the top layer, or the bottom layer, or both layers of foam are coated with a dissolvable material.
12. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable portions comprise thickened end portions.
13. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing structure is configured to collapse under negative pressure.
14. The wound closure device of claim 1 , further comprising a suction port configured to supply negative pressure to a wound.
15. The wound closure device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more drapes configured to cover the stabilizing structure and form a seal around a wound.
16. The wound closure device of claim 1 , further comprising a source of negative pressure.
17. The wound closure device of claim 1 , further comprising means for delivering energy to the stabilizing structure to aid in the dissolution of the dissolvable portions.
18. The wound closure device of claim 1 , wherein each dissolvable portion comprises a first dissolvable portion and a second dissolvable portion coated on opposite corners of the cell along a longitudinal axis of the stabilizing structure.