Flexible reduced pressure treatment appliance

1. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:

an impermeable flexible overlay sized to be placed over and enclose an area of the wound to be treated and adapted to receive a supply of reduced pressure and to maintain reduced pressure in a volume under the overlay in the area of the wound; wherein

the overlay has a base end opening, a port, a perimeter edge adjacent to the base end opening, and an interior surface configured to face the area of the wound to be treated;

the interior surface has interior surface portions positioned around and adjacent to the perimeter edge;

the surface area of the interior surface is greater than the surface area of the portion of the body to be enclosed by the overlay; and

the overlay has sufficient rigidity such that, before reduced pressure has been supplied to the overlay, the interior surface portions form an acute angle relative to the body, and such that the port is held away from the wound so as to define the volume under the overlay when the overlay is placed over and encloses the area of the wound;

reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the port of the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides the supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound to be treated is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source; wherein

the overlay is adapted to collapse in the approximate direction of the area of the wound to be treated when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound;

the overlay is adapted so that such collapse draws the interior surface portions tightly against the body so as to increase the surface area of the interior surface portions that are in contact with the body, the collapse causing the formation of an approximately hermetic seal between at least the interior surface portions of the overlay and the body in the area of the wound without the need for an adhesive; and

at least one fold forms in the overlay when the overlay collapses.

2. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein:

the overlay comprises a bottom portion having an approximately elongated conical shape, so that the base end opening is approximately elliptically-shaped and positioned at the base of the elongated conical bottom portion; and

the approximately elliptically-shaped base end opening is sized to be placed over and enclose the area of the wound to be treated.

3. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the overlay has an approximately elongated conical shape, so that the base end opening is approximately elliptically-shaped and positioned at the base of the elongated conical shape, wherein the approximately elliptically-shaped base end opening is sized to be placed over and enclose the area of the wound to be treated.

4. The appliance of claim 3 , wherein the port is located approximately at an apex of the approximately elongated conical shape and the reduced pressure supply means is operably connected to the port.

5. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein:

the overlay comprises at least three cover portions, each of such cover portions being approximately triangular in shape; and

one point of each of the at least three triangular-shaped cover portions are joined to form an apex of the overlay and one side of each at least three triangular-shaped cover portions adjacent to the apex is joined to an adjacent side of another of such at least three triangular-shaped cover portions so that the bases of the at least three triangular-shaped cover portions form the base end opening, which is sized to be placed over and enclose the area of the wound to be treated.

6. The appliance of claim 5 , wherein the port is located approximately at the apex of the overlay, and the reduced pressure supply means is operably connected to the port.

7. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fold is configured to accommodate the flow of fluids aspirated by the wound along the at least one fold to the reduced pressure supply means so that such fluids can be removed from the overlay by means of the reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the reduced pressure supply source.

8. The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising supplemental sealing means to enhance the seal between the overlay and the body in the area of the wound.

9. The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising:

a suction drain extending from the reduced pressure supply means into the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound; and

suction drain connecting means to operably connect the reduced pressure supply means to the suction drain so that the suction drain is in fluid communication with the reduced pressure supply means and reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound by means of the suction drain.

10. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:

a wound treatment device, wherein the wound treatment device comprises:

an impermeable flexible overlay sized to be placed over and enclose an area of the wound to be treated and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in a volume under the overlay in the area of the wound to be treated, wherein the overlay comprises a base end opening, a perimeter edge adjacent to the base end opening, and an interior surface configured to face the area of the wound to be treated; wherein

the overlay is configured such that, when the overlay is positioned on the body over the wound, a first portion of the interior surface adjacent to the perimeter edge forms an acute angle relative to the body when the overlay is in a relaxed state and such that the first portion of the interior surface collapses against the body surrounding the wound when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay;

the overlay is configured such that a second portion of the interior surface adjacent to the first portion of the interior surface is maintained out of contact with the body in both the relaxed state of the overlay and when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay;

the surface area of the second portion of the interior surface is greater than the surface area of the portion of the body beneath the second portion of the interior surface;

the overlay is sufficiently rigid to support at least one fold in the second portion of the interior surface of the overlay out of contact with the body when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay; and

the overlay is adapted so that the collapse of the first portion of the interior surface against the body surrounding the wound when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the overlay causes the formation of an approximately hermetic seal between the first portion of the interior surface and without the need for an adhesive;

a vacuum system comprising:

a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and

reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to the reduced pressure supply source so that the volume under the overlay is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source.

11. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the reduced pressure supply source comprises a vacuum pump.

12. The appliance of claim 11 , wherein the reduced pressure supply source further comprises a control system for the vacuum pump, wherein the control system controls the operation of the vacuum pump.

13. The appliance of claim 11 , wherein:

the reduced pressure supply source further comprises a filter operably positioned between the vacuum pump and the reduced pressure supply means; and

the filter prevents the venting of and contamination of the vacuum pump by micro-organisms aspirated from the wound or fluids aspirated from the wound or both.

14. The appliance of claim 11 , wherein the vacuum pump comprises a portable vacuum pump.

15. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises flexible tubing.

16. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises a collection system that is operably positioned between the overlay and the reduced pressure supply source and the collection system comprises a container to receive and hold fluid aspirated from the wound.

17. The appliance of claim 16 , wherein the collection system comprises pressure halting means to halt the application of reduced pressure to the wound when the fluid in the container exceeds a predetermined amount.

18. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the reduced pressure under the impermeable overlay in the area of the wound is in the range from approximately 20 mm of Hg below atmospheric pressure to approximately 125 mm of Hg below atmospheric pressure.

19. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the reduced pressure is applied in a cyclic nature, the cyclic nature providing alternating time periods of application of reduced pressure and without application of reduced pressure.

20. The appliance of claim 10 , further comprising tissue protection means operably positioned between the body and the portion of the overlay adjacent to the body at the wound site, the tissue protection means being to protect and strengthen the tissue of the body adjacent to the overlay at the wound site.

21. The appliance of claim 20 , wherein the tissue protection means comprises a hydrocolloid material.

22. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:

a wound treatment device, wherein the wound treatment device comprises:

an impermeable flexible overlay sized to be placed over and enclose an area of the wound to be treated and adapted to receive a supply of reduced pressure and to maintain reduced pressure in a volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound; wherein

the impermeable flexible overlay has a base end opening, a port, a perimeter edge adjacent to the base end opening, and an interior surface configured to face the area of the wound to be treated;

the interior surface has interior surface portions positioned around and adjacent to the perimeter edge;

the surface area of the interior surface is greater than the surface area of the portion of the body to be enclosed by the impermeable flexible overlay;

the overlay itself has sufficient rigidity such that, before reduced pressure has been supplied to the overlay, the interior surface portions form an acute angle relative to the body, and such that the port is held away from the wound so as to define the volume under the overlay when the overlay is placed over and encloses the area of the wound;

the impermeable flexible overlay is adapted to collapse in the approximate direction of the area of the wound to be treated when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound;

the impermeable flexible overlay is adapted so that such collapse draws the interior surface portions tightly against the body so as to increase the surface area of the interior surface portions that are in contact with the body, the collapse causing the formation of an approximately hermetic seal between the interior surface portions of the impermeable flexible overlay and the body in the area of the wound without the need for an adhesive; and

at least one fold forms in the impermeable flexible overlay when the impermeable flexible overlay collapses; and

a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system comprises:

a suction bulb, wherein the suction bulb is adapted to provide a source of reduced pressure; and

reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the port of the impermeable flexible overlay to the suction bulb, so that the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound may be supplied with reduced pressure by the suction bulb.

23. The appliance of claim 22 , wherein:

the suction bulb comprises an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet port is operably connected to the reduced pressure supply means; and

the vacuum system further comprises an exhaust tubing member operably connected to the outlet port of the suction bulb.

24. The appliance of claim 23 , wherein the vacuum system further comprises an exhaust control valve operably connected to the exhaust tubing member.

25. The appliance of claim 23 , wherein the vacuum system comprises a filter operably connected to the exhaust tubing member, wherein the filter prevents the venting of micro-organisms aspirated from the wound or fluids aspirated from the wound, or both.

26. The appliance of claim 23 , wherein the vacuum system comprises a supplemental vacuum system that is operably connected to the exhaust tubing member.

27. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:

a wound treatment device, wherein the wound treatment device comprises:

an impermeable flexible overlay sized to be placed over and enclose an area of the wound to be treated and adapted to receive a supply of reduced pressure and to maintain reduced pressure in the area of the wound to be treated; wherein

the impermeable flexible overlay has a base end opening, a perimeter edge adjacent to the base end opening, and an interior surface configured to face the area of the wound to be treated;

the interior surface has interior surface portions positioned around and adjacent to the perimeter edge;

the surface area of the interior surface is greater than the surface area of the portion of the body to be enclosed by the impermeable flexible overlay; and

the overlay itself has sufficient rigidity such that, before reduced pressure has been supplied to the overlay, the interior surface portions form an acute angle relative to the body, and such that at least a portion of the interior surface of the overlay is held away from the wound so as to define the volume under the overlay when the overlay is placed over and encloses the area of the wound;

the impermeable flexible overlay is adapted to collapse in the approximate direction of the area of the wound to be treated when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound;

the impermeable flexible overlay is adapted so that such collapse draws the interior surface portions tightly against the body so as to increase the surface area of the interior surface portions that are in contact with the body, the collapse causing the formation of an approximately hermetic seal between at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the impermeable flexible overlay and the body in the area of the wound without the need for an adhesive; and

at least one fold forms in the impermeable flexible overlay when the impermeable flexible overlay collapses;

a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system comprises:

a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure; and

reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the impermeable flexible overlay to the reduced pressure supply source, so that the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound to be treated is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source; and

wound packing means, wherein the wound packing means is positioned between the wound treatment device and the portion of the wound to be treated.

28. The appliance of claim 27 , further comprising:

a suction drain extending from the reduced pressure supply means into the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound; and

suction drain connecting means to operably connect the reduced pressure supply means to the suction drain so that the suction drain is in fluid communication with the reduced pressure supply means and reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound by means of the suction drain.

29. The appliance of claim 28 , wherein the suction drain comprises a distal end portion and the distal end portion has at least one perforation in the surface thereof.

30. The appliance of claim 29 , wherein the distal end portion of the suction drain is positioned within the interior volume of the wound packing means.

31. The appliance of claim 27 , wherein the wound packing means is selected from the group consisting of absorbent dressings, antiseptic dressings, nonadherent dressings, water dressings, and combinations of such dressings.

32. The appliance of claim 31 , wherein the wound packing means is selected from the group consisting of gauze, cotton, and combinations of gauze and cotton.

33. The appliance of claim 27 , wherein the wound packing means comprises an absorbable matrix adapted to encourage growth of the tissue in the area of the wound into the matrix.

34. The appliance of claim 33 , wherein the absorbable matrix comprises a collagen material.

35. An appliance for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, the appliance comprising:

an impermeable flexible overlay sized to be placed over and enclose the area of the wound to be treated and adapted to maintain reduced pressure in the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound, wherein the impermeable flexible overlay comprises an opening, a perimeter edge adjacent to the opening, and an interior surface facing the area of the wound to be treated, and the surface area of the interior surface is greater than the surface area of the portion of the body to be enclosed by the impermeable flexible overlay; wherein:

the overlay itself has sufficient rigidity such that at least a portion of the interior surface is biased to form an acute angle relative to the body;

the overlay is configured to collapse in the approximate direction of the area of the wound to be treated when reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound;

the overlay is configured so that such collapse causes a portion of the interior surface adjacent to the perimeter edge to overcome the bias and to be drawn tightly against the body surrounding the wound so that a portion of the overlay adjacent to the perimeter edge forms a substantially flat seal that operably seals the overlay to the body in the area of the wound to be treated, so that reduced pressure can be maintained in the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound; and

at least one fold forms in the impermeable flexible overlay when the impermeable flexible overlay collapses; and

reduced pressure supply means to operably connect the overlay to a reduced pressure supply source that provides a supply of reduced pressure to the overlay, so that the volume under the overlay in the area of the wound to be treated is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source.

36. The appliance of claim 35 , wherein the impermeable flexible overlay comprises a port and the reduced pressure supply means is operably connected to the port.

37. The appliance of claim 35 , wherein: fluids aspirated by the wound flow along the at least one fold to the reduced pressure supply means and are removed from the impermeable flexible overlay by means of the reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the reduced pressure supply source.

38. The appliance of claim 35 , further comprising:

a suction drain extending from the reduced pressure supply means into the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound; and

suction drain connecting means to operably connect the reduced pressure supply means to the suction drain so that the suction drain is in fluid communication with the reduced pressure supply means and reduced pressure is supplied to the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound by means of the suction drain.

39. The appliance of claim 35 , further comprising a reduced pressure supply source operably connected to the reduced pressure supply means, wherein the reduced pressure supply source provides a supply of reduced pressure so that the volume under the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound is supplied with reduced pressure by the reduced pressure supply source.

40. The appliance of claim 35 , further comprising:

a collection chamber to receive and hold fluid aspirated from the wound; and

collection chamber attachment means to operably attach the collection chamber to the impermeable flexible overlay, wherein reduced pressure and the fluid are permitted to flow between the collection chamber and the volume of the impermeable flexible overlay in the area of the wound.

41. The appliance of claim 35 , wherein the seal operably seals the overlay to the body in the area of the wound to be treated without the need for an adhesive.