Synthetic granulating gauze for use with reduced-pressure treatment systems
A manifold member for use in applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a patient looks or feels like medical cotton gauze but has a plurality of plurality of interlocking synthetic fibers and a plurality of asperities that provide enhanced performance. Other manifold members, systems, and methods are disclosed.
1. A manifold member for treating a tissue site, the manifold member comprising:
a plurality of synthetic fibers flocked with a plurality of softening fibers and woven to form a gauze having a first side and a second side, wherein the plurality of softening fibers comprise a material that is different from a material of the plurality of synthetic fibers; and
a plurality of asperities formed on at least the first or second side of the gauze, wherein the plurality of asperities are configured to promote granulation tissue at the tissue site;
wherein each of the plurality of asperities comprise molded polymer nodules having at least one dimension longer than 10 microns and being bonded to at least one of the first side or the second side of the gauze.
2. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the gauze has a density in a range of about 20 grams per square meter (gsm) to 200 gsm.
3. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein an average diameter for the plurality of synthetic fibers is greater than 15 microns and less than 25 microns.
4. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of asperities has an average effective diameter less than 20 microns.
5. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of asperities is triangular.
6. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic fibers are hydrophilic.
7. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic fibers are hydrophobic.
8. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise at least one of the following: polyesters, polyamides, and polyolefins.
9. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a pigment.
10. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise fibers having a circular cross section.
11. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise fibers having a lobed cross section.
12. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a starch or a water-sensitive polymer to provide a stiffness that is greater when dry than wet.
13. The manifold member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a radiopaque marker.
14. A system for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, the system comprising:
a gauze having a first side and a second side and formed from a woven plurality of synthetic fibers flocked with a plurality of softening fibers, wherein the plurality of softening fibers comprise a material that is different from a material of the plurality of synthetic fibers;
a plurality of asperities formed on at least the first or second side of the gauze, wherein each of the plurality of asperities comprise molded polymer nodules having at least one dimension longer than 10 microns and being bonded to at least one of the first side or the second side of the gauze;
a sealing member covering the manifold member and adapted to form a sealed space around the tissue site; and
a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the gauze.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the gauze has a density in a range of about 20 grams per square meter (gsm) to 200 gsm.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein an average diameter for the plurality of synthetic fibers is greater than 15 microns and less than 25 microns.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of asperities have an average effective diameter less than 20 microns.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of asperities is triangular.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the synthetic fibers are hydrophilic.
20. The system of claim 14 , wherein the synthetic fibers are hydrophobic.
21. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise at least one of the following: polyesters, polyamides, and polyolefins.
22. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a pigment.
23. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise fibers having a circular cross section.
24. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise fibers having a lobed cross section.
25. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a starch or a water-sensitive polymer to provide a stiffness that is greater when dry than wet.
26. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a radiopaque marker.
27. A manifold for distributing reduced pressure to a tissue site, the manifold comprising:
a gauze of woven synthetic fibers flocked with softening fibers and adapted to provide flow channels through the gauze, wherein the woven softening fibers comprise a material that is different from a material of the synthetic fibers; and
a plurality of asperities disposed on the gauze;
wherein the asperities have a stiffness in a range of about 40 Shore A durometer to 60 Shore A durometer and an average volume in the range of about 0.125 mm 3 to about 8 mm 3 ;
wherein the diameter of the synthetic fibers is in a range of about 15 microns to 20 microns; and
wherein the compression stiffness of the gauze is about 8 kPa at 50 % compression.
28. The manifold of claim 27 , wherein the gauze has a thickness in a range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm and a width in a range of about 1 cm to about 30 cm.
29. The manifold of claim 27 , wherein the synthetic fibers are polymer fibers.
30. The manifold of claim 27 , wherein the synthetic fibers are hydrophobic.