Compression strain and negative pressure delivery indicator for a wound dressing
View Patent ↗An indicator configured to be attached to a wound dressing includes first and second parts. The wound dressing is configured to collapse in response to an applied negative pressure. The first and second indicator parts are configured to move relative to one another as the wound dressing is collapsed. The movement of the first and second indicator parts is configured to allow a user to easily visualize the compression of the wound dressing and monitor the application of the negative pressure to the wound dressing. A marker is provided along a top surface of the first part and a window is formed on the second part. The changes in the portion of the marker that is visible in the window as the first part is slid into or under the second part are configured to provide for easier detection of the collapse of the wound dressing by the user.
1. A negative pressure wound therapy system comprising:
a wound dressing sealable to a patient's skin surrounding a wound and configured to laterally collapse upon application of negative pressure to the wound dressing; and
an indicator coupled to the wound dressing and configured to visually indicate an amount by which the wound dressing laterally collapses upon the application of negative pressure, the indicator comprising:
a first part coupled to a first lateral side of the wound dressing, and
a second part coupled to a second lateral side of the wound dressing opposite the first lateral side.
2. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1 , wherein:
the amount by which the wound dressing laterally collapses is an amount by which a distance between the first lateral side and the second lateral side decreases upon the application of negative pressure.
3. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second parts of the indicator extend along a top surface of the wound dressing and at least partially overlap with each other along the top surface.
4. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second parts of the indicator are slidably connected along a top surface of the wound dressing such that the first part slides under or into the second part when the wound dressing laterally collapses.
5. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 4 , wherein: the first part of the indicator comprises a marker on a top surface of the first part; and the second part of the indicator comprises a window through which the marker is at least partially visible when the first part slides under or into the second part.
6. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein an edge of the window is collinear with an edge of the second part of the indicator such that the window forms a notch extending into the second part from the edge.
7. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second parts of the indicator are configured to move relative to each other as the wound dressing laterally collapses such that a different portion of the marker is visible through the window based on an amount by which the wound dressing has laterally collapsed.
8. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein: the marker comprises a colored scale having a plurality of colored bands; and one or more of the colored bands are visible through the window based on an amount by which the wound dressing has laterally collapsed.
9. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 8 , wherein each of the colored bands corresponds to an amount of negative pressure and indicates the amount by which the wound dressing laterally collapses when the corresponding amount of negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing.
10. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein:
the marker comprises a plurality of lines of text; and
one or more of the lines of text are visible through the window based on an amount by which the wound dressing has laterally collapsed.
11. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein:
the marker comprises a gradient of lines; and
one or more of the lines are visible through the window based on an amount by which the wound dressing has laterally collapsed.
12. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 5 , wherein:
the marker comprises a triangular shape; and
a different portion of the triangular shape is visible through the window based on an amount by which the wound dressing has laterally collapsed.
13. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing comprises:
a foam layer having a first side and a second wound-facing side; and
a backing layer having a first side and a second wound-facing side abutting the first side of the foam layer, wherein the backing layer is substantially impermeable to air and configured to maintain the negative pressure applied to the wound dressing.
14. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 13 , wherein the indicator is positioned between the foam layer and the backing layer.
15. The negative pressure wound therapy system of claim 13 , wherein the indicator is coupled to the first side of the backing layer such that the backing layer is positioned between the indicator and the foam layer.
16. A method for monitoring a status of a negative pressure wound therapy treatment comprising:
applying a wound dressing to a patient's skin surrounding a wound, the wound dressing including an indicator configured to indicate to a user whether there has been a change in at least one of a lateral or a longitudinal dimension of the wound dressing, the indicator comprising:
a first part coupled to a first lateral side of the wound dressing, and
a second part coupled to a second lateral side of the wound dressing opposite the first lateral side;
applying a source of negative pressure to the wound dressing; and
observing, on the indicator, a change in at least one of the lateral or the longitudinal dimensions of the wound dressing.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the wound dressing is configured to collapse in at least a lateral direction such that a second lateral dimension of the wound dressing following the application of negative pressure to the wound dressing is less than a first lateral dimension of the wound dressing prior to the application of negative pressure to the wound dressing.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein observing the change in at least one of the lateral or the longitudinal dimensions of the wound dressing comprises monitoring movement of one or both of the first part or the second part of the indicator following the application of negative pressure to the wound dressing.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the monitoring of movement of one or both of the first part or the second part of the indicator is configured to indicate a collapse of the wound dressing in the lateral direction.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein a lack of movement of one or both of the first part or the second part of the indicator in response to the application of negative pressure is configured to indicate an issue with the negative pressure wound therapy treatment.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising verifying a connection between the wound dressing and a pressure source configured apply a negative pressure to the wound dressing in response to no movement of either the first part or the second part of the indicator being observed.