IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,178,777
Granted Patent B2
US 12,178,777 · App. 16/526,792 · Granted Dec 31, 2024

Soft-tissue treatment with negative pressure

Inventors: Colin John Hall (Poole, GB); Benjamin Andrew Pratt (Poole, GB); Richard Marvin Kazala, Jr. (San Antonio, TX); Shervin Jahanian (San Antonio, TX); Larry Tab Randolph (San Antonio, TX); Jonathan G. Rehbein (San Antonio, TX); Tyler H. Simmons (San Antonio, TX)
Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company
A61H9/0057A61F13/00017A61F13/00029A61F13/00038A61F13/05A61H2201/169A61H2209/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,178,777
App. No.
16/526,792
Granted
Dec 31, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network may comprise a first manifold layer, a second manifold layer coupled to the first manifold layer, and a cover layer coupled to the second manifold layer. The first manifold may have a first stiffness, and the second manifold may have a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. In some embodiments, the apparatus may additionally have a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the first manifold layer and the second manifold layer to a fluid conductor through the cover layer. The fluid conductor may be coupled to or configured to be coupled to a source of negative pressure.

Claims (68)

1. An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network, the apparatus comprising:

a manifold layer having a first stiffness, the first stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 1000 gram-force;

a support layer adjacent to the manifold layer, the support layer comprising one or more apertures, and the support layer having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness;

a cover adjacent to the support layer; and

a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the manifold layer and the support layer to a fluid conductor;

wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the apertures are visible through the cover.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the cover is configured to be drawn into the one or more apertures to form one or more indentations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the indentations are visible.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second stiffness is at least 1.3 times greater than the first stiffness.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the manifold layer has a first thickness; and

the support layer has a second thickness less than the first thickness.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the manifold layer comprises open-cell foam.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first stiffness is about 910 gram-force.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 3000 gram-force.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1000 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1200 gram-force to about 1500 gram-force.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a closed-cell foam.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises neoprene foam.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a knit fabric.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a woven fabric.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a polyvinyl chloride film.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a composite film.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a non-woven fabric.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises rubber.

20. An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network, the apparatus comprising:

a manifold layer having a first stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 1000 gram-force;

a support layer adjacent to the manifold layer, the support layer having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness; and

a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the manifold layer and the support layer to a fluid conductor.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising a cover adjacent to the support layer, and wherein the support layer comprises one or more apertures.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the apertures are visible through the cover.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the cover is configured to be drawn into the one or more apertures to form one or more indentations.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the first stiffness is about 910 gram-force.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 3000 gram-force.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

27. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1000 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1200 gram-force to about 1500 gram-force.

29. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein:

the manifold layer has a first thickness; and

the support layer has a second thickness less than the first thickness.

30. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises a closed-cell foam.

31. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises neoprene foam.

32. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises a knit fabric.

33. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises a woven fabric.

34. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises a polyvinyl chloride film.

35. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises a composite film.

36. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the support layer comprises rubber.

37. An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network, the apparatus comprising:

a manifold layer having a first stiffness;

a support layer adjacent to the manifold layer, the support layer having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 3000 gram-force; and

a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the manifold layer and the support layer to a fluid conductor.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 , further comprising a cover adjacent to the support layer, and wherein the support layer comprises one or more apertures.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the apertures are visible through the cover.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein when negative pressure is applied to one or more of the manifold layer and the support layer at least a portion of the cover is configured to be drawn into the one or more apertures to form one or more indentations.

41. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 800 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

42. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1000 gram-force to about 2000 gram-force.

43. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the second stiffness is from about 1200 gram-force to about 1500 gram-force.

44. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein:

the manifold layer has a first thickness; and

the support layer has a second thickness less than the first thickness.

45. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises a closed-cell foam.

46. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises neoprene foam.

47. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises a knit fabric.

48. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises a woven fabric.

49. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises a polyvinyl chloride film.

50. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises a composite film.

51. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the support layer comprises rubber.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2024
From: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
To: SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 066436/0225 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION LISTED ON SCHEDULE OF IP RIGHTS ATTACHED TO ASSIGNMENT AT LINES 55: 71; 89; 116-129; AND 131 NEED TO BE DELETED PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064788 FRAME: 0823. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 13, 2023
From: KCI LICENSING, INC.
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064886/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2023
From: KCI LICENSING, INC.
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064788/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: HALL, COLIN JOHN; PRATT, BENJAMIN ANDREW; KAZALA, RICHARD MARVIN, JR.; JAHANIAN, SHERVIN; RANDOLPH, LARRY TAB; REHBEIN, JONATHAN G.; SIMMONS, TYLER H.
To: KCI LICENSING, INC.
Reel/Frame 050792/0718 →