FLUID BRIDGE CONFIGURED FOR USE VERTICALLY AND/OR UNDER COMPRESSION

1 . A fluid bridge for delivering negative-pressure to a tissue site, comprising:

a support manifold comprising open-cell foam having a density in a range of about 2.6-8.0 lb/ft 3 and a free volume in a range of about 18% to about 45%; and

an envelope encompassing the support manifold, wherein the support manifold supports the envelope to maintain a fluid pathway within the envelope.

2 . The fluid bridge of claim 1 , wherein:

the envelope comprises a first surface and a second surface;

the support manifold comprises a first end and a second end; and

the envelope further comprises a first aperture located on the first surface in proximity to the first end and a second aperture located on the second surface in proximity to the second end.

3 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 2 , wherein the support manifold comprises a thickness of at least 5 mm.

4 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 3 , wherein the open-cell foam has about 80-250 pores per inch on average.

5 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 4 wherein the open-cell foam has an average pore size of about 80-300 micron.

6 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 5 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold is hydrophobic.

7 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 6 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold comprises polyurethane foam.

8 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 7 , wherein the support manifold has a thickness of about 5-7 mm.

9 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 8 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has a density of about 3.9-4.8 lb/ft 3 .

10 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 9 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has an average pore size of about 133-200 micron.

11 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 10 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has 120-150 pores per inch on average.

12 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 10 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has 120-135 pores per inch on average.

13 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 12 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has a 25% compression load deflection of at least 1.05 pounds per square inch and a 65% compression load deflection of at least 1.29 pounds per square inch.

14 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 12 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has a 25% compression load deflection of at least 1.75 pounds per square inch and a 65% compression load deflection of at least 2.15 pounds per square inch.

15 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 12 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold has a 25% compression load deflection in a range of about 1.05-1.75 pounds per square inch and a 65% compression load deflection in a range of about 1.29-2.15 pounds per square inch.

16 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 15 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold comprises felted foam with a firmness factor of 2-5.

17 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 15 , wherein the open-cell foam of the support manifold comprises felted foam with a firmness factor of 3-5.

18 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 17 , wherein the support manifold has a length of at least about 650 mm.

19 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 18 , wherein the bridge has a width of about 40 mm.

20 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 19 , wherein the bridge has a length at least 15 times greater than the width.

21 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein the support manifold is configured so that a negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge when in substantially vertical orientation is no more than about 45 mmHg.

22 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein the support manifold is configured so that a negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge when in substantially vertical orientation is no more than about 50 mmHg.

23 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein the support manifold is configured so that a negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge when in substantially vertical orientation and under compression is no more than about 50 mmHg.

24 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured so that a negative-pressure drop across a length of the bridge is less than 60 mmHg when the bridge is in a vertical orientation.

25 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured so that a negative-pressure drop across a length of the bridge is less than 75 mmHg when the bridge is in a vertical orientation and under compression.

26 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 2 - 25 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured to maintain, when used in a vertical orientation, at least 75 mmHg negative pressure at the second aperture when 125 mmHg negative pressure is applied to the first aperture.

27 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 2 - 25 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured to maintain, when used in a vertical orientation and under compression, at least 75 mmHg negative pressure at the second aperture when 125 mmHg negative pressure is applied to the first aperture.

28 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 2 - 27 , wherein:

the envelope comprises a first film layer forming the first surface of the envelope and a second film layer forming the second surface of the envelope; and

the first film layer and the second film layer are coupled at a periphery to form the envelope.

29 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 28 , further comprising a wicking layer adjacent to the second surface, opposite the support manifold.

30 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 29 , wherein the envelope comprises a perforation providing controlled flow of less than about 5 cc/min located in proximity to the second end.

31 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 1 - 30 , further comprising a hydrophilic layer adjacent to the support manifold within the envelope.

32 . A fluid bridge comprising:

a manifold comprising foam having open cells and a thickness of at least 5 mm, wherein the foam of the manifold comprises felted foam with a felted firmness factor of about 2-5; and

an envelope encompassing the manifold, wherein the manifold supports the envelope.

33 . The fluid bridge of claim 32 , wherein the foam of the manifold has a felted foam firmness factor of 3-5.

34 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 33 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted foam characteristics of 40-50 pores per inch on average and density of 1.3-1.6 lb/ft 3 .

35 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 34 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted average pore sizes of 400-600 micron.

36 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 35 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted thickness of 10-35 mm.

37 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 35 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted thickness of 10-25 mm.

38 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 35 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted thickness of 10-20 mm.

39 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 35 , wherein the foam of the manifold has pre-felted thickness of 15-20 mm.

40 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 39 , wherein:

the envelope comprises a first surface and a second surface;

the bridge comprises a first end and a second end; and

the envelope further comprises a first aperture located on the first surface in proximity to the first end and a second aperture located on the second surface in proximity to the second end.

41 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 40 , wherein the foam of the manifold is hydrophobic.

42 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 41 , wherein the foam of the manifold comprises polyurethane foam.

43 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 42 , wherein the foam of the manifold has a thickness of about 5-7 mm.

44 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 40 - 43 , wherein:

the envelope comprises a first film layer forming the first surface of the envelope and a second film layer forming the second surface of the envelope; and

the first film layer and the second film layer are coupled at a periphery to form the envelope.

45 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 40 - 44 , further comprising a wicking layer adjacent to the second surface, opposite the support manifold.

46 . The fluid bridge of any of claims 32 - 45 , wherein the envelope comprises a perforation providing calibrated flow of less than about 5 cc/min located in proximity to the second end.

47 . A system for treating a tissue site with negative pressure, comprising:

a fluid bridge comprising a first end, a second end, and a support manifold having a free volume in a range of about 18% to about 45%; and

a negative-pressure source in fluid communication with the support manifold at the first end of the fluid bridge;

wherein the second end is configured to be in proximity to and in fluid communication with the tissue site.

48 . The system of claim 47 , further comprising a compression garment configured to cover at least the second end of the fluid bridge.

49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the compression garment is configured to apply about 20-60 mmHg compression.

50 . The system of claims 48 , wherein the compression garment is configured to apply about 40-60 mmHg compression.

51 . The system of any of claims 47 - 50 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured so that a negative-pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the fluid bridge is no more than about 50 mmHg.

52 . The system of any of claims 47 - 50 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured so that a negative-pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the fluid bridge is less than 60 mmHg.

53 . The system of any of claims 47 - 50 , wherein the fluid bridge is configured so that a negative-pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the fluid bridge is less than 75 mmHg.

54 . The system of any of claims 47 - 53 , wherein the bridge is configured to maintain at least 75 mmHg negative pressure at the second end when 125 mmHg negative pressure is applied to the first end.

55 . The system of any of claims 47 - 54 , wherein the fluid bridge comprises any of claims 1 - 46 .

56 . A method of applying negative pressure to a tissue site, comprising:

providing a fluid bridge having a support manifold with a first end and a second end;

disposing the fluid bridge with the second end in proximity to the tissue site;

providing a compression garment;

disposing the compression garment to provide compression to the tissue site, wherein the second end is disposed under the compression garment; and

applying negative pressure to the first end;

wherein the second end maintains at least 75 mmHg negative pressure to the tissue site.

57 . The method of claim 56 , wherein a negative-pressure drop between the first end and the second end is no more than 50 mmHg.

58 . The method of any of claims 56 - 57 , wherein disposing the fluid bridge comprises orienting the fluid bridge substantially vertically.

59 . The method of any of claims 56 - 58 , wherein disposing the compression garment comprises configuring the compression garment to apply about 20-60 mmHg compression.

60 . The method of any of claims 56 - 58 , wherein disposing the compression garment comprises configuring the compression garment to apply about 40-60 mmHg compression.

61 . The method of any of claims 56 - 60 , wherein applying negative pressure comprises applying negative pressure of about 125 mmHg to the first end.

62 . The method of any of claims 56 - 60 , wherein the negative pressure applied to the first end is from about 125 to about 150 mmHg.

63 . The method of any of claims 56 - 60 , wherein the negative pressure applied to the first end is no less than 125 mmHg.

64 . The method of any of claims 56 - 63 , wherein applying negative pressure occurs continuously for at least 60 hours.

65 . The method of any of claims 56 - 64 , relating to or using the fluid bridge of claims 1 - 46 .

66 . A method of forming a fluid bridge, comprising:

providing an open-cell foam having a thickness of at least 5 mm, a density in a range of about 2.6-8.0 lb/ft 3 , and about 80-250 pores per inch on average; and

encasing the open-cell foam in an envelope, wherein the open-cell foam supports the envelope to maintain a fluid pathway.

67 . The method of claim 66 , wherein the open-cell foam has an average pore size ranging from 80-300 micron.

68 . The method of any of claims 66 - 67 , wherein the open-cell foam is hydrophobic.

69 . The method of any of claims 66 - 68 , wherein the open-cell foam comprises polyurethane foam.

70 . The method of any of claims 66 - 69 , wherein the open-cell foam has a thickness of about 5-7 mm.

71 . The method of any of claims 66 - 70 , wherein the open-cell foam has a density of about 3.9-4.8 lb/ft 3 .

72 . The method of any of claims 66 - 71 , wherein the open-cell foam has an average pore size that ranges from 133-200 micron.

73 . The method of any of claims 66 - 72 , wherein the open-cell foam has 120-150 pores per inch on average.

74 . The method of any of claims 66 - 73 , wherein the open-cell foam has 120-135 pores per inch on average.

75 . The method of any of claims 66 - 74 , wherein:

the envelope comprises a first surface and a second surface;

the bridge comprises a first end and a second end; and

the method further comprises forming a first aperture located on the first surface in proximity to the first end and a second aperture located on the second surface in proximity to the second end.

76 . The method of any of claims 66 - 75 , wherein providing an open-cell foam comprises:

providing an open-cell foam blank having thickness of at least 10 mm, 40-50 pores per inch on average, and density of 1.3-1.6 lb/ft 3 ; and

felting the open-cell foam blank.

77 . The method of claim 76 , wherein felting the open-cell foam blank comprises felting the open-cell foam blank to 2-5 firmness.

78 . The method of claim 76 , wherein felting the open-cell foam blank comprises felting the open-cell foam blank to 3-5 firmness.

79 . The method of claim 76 , wherein felting the open-cell foam blank comprises felting the open-cell foam blank to firmness 3.

80 . The method of any of claims 76 - 79 , wherein the open-cell foam blank has average pore sizes of 400-600 micron.

81 . The method of any of claims 76 - 80 , wherein the open-cell foam blank has thickness of 10-35 mm.

82 . The method of any of claims 75 - 81 , further comprising attaching a wicking layer adjacent to the second surface, opposite the open-cell foam.

83 . The method of any of claims 66 - 82 , further comprising forming a perforation configured to provide calibrated flow into the envelope of less than about 5 cc/min located in proximity to the second end.

84 . The method of any of claims 66 - 83 , further comprising:

providing a hydrophilic foam layer; and

disposing the hydrophilic foam layer in proximity to the open-cell foam within the envelope.

85 . The method of claim 84 , wherein:

the first surface of the envelope comprises an evaporative layer; and

the hydrophilic foam layer is disposed between the open-cell foam and the first surface.

86 . The method of any of claims 66 - 85 , wherein the open-cell foam has a free volume in a range of about 18% to about 45%.

87 . The method of any of claims 66 - 86 , relating to the fluid bridge of claims 1 - 46 .

88 . The systems, apparatuses, and methods substantially as described herein.