Wound treatment apparatus employing reduced pressure
An apparatus for stimulating healing of a wound, includes a porous pad adapted to contact a surface of the wound on an affected part of a body. An envelope for receiving the porous pad and the affected part of the body is provided, and the envelope includes a re-sealable opening that permits the wound to be inspected. A connector is fluidly connected to an interior of the envelope and to a source of negative pressure.
1. An apparatus for stimulating healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a porous pad adapted to contact a surface of the wound on an affected part of a body;
an envelope encompassing the porous pad and adapted to receive the affected part of the body, the envelope having a re-sealable opening that permits the wound to be inspected; and
a connector fluidly connected to an interior of the envelope and to a source of negative pressure.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source of negative pressure is a suction pump.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the envelope is formed from a cover that is air impermeable.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad comprises a foam having intercommunicating cells.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the envelope comprises a flexible plastic cover.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad comprises a polyurethane foam.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad comprises a lower base, a middle section, and an upper section.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the porous pad is glove- or mitten-shaped to receive a hand of the body, the porous pad further comprising:
a lower base and an upper section forming a cavity to receive the hand; and
a middle section positioned within the cavity and including at least one finger-separator for positioning the hand within the cavity.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a V-cut type groove positioned on the at least one finger-separator.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the envelope is substantially air-tight and further comprises:
a second opening through which the hand of the body may be introduced, the second opening being capable of being sealed to a wrist or lower arm of the body.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the lower base is connected to the upper section.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the porous pad comprises a glove, a sock, or a sleeve.
14. An apparatus for stimulating healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a porous pad adapted to contact a surface of the wound on an affected part of a body;
an envelope encompassing the porous pad and adapted to receive the affected part of the body;
a connector fluidly connected to an interior of the envelope and to a source of negative pressure; and
a canister for collecting wound exudate.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the source of negative pressure is a suction pump.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the envelope is formed from a cover that is air impermeable.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the porous pad comprises a foam having intercommunicating cells.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the envelope comprises a flexible plastic cover.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the porous pad comprises a polyurethane foam.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the porous pad comprises a lower base, a middle section, and an upper section.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the porous pad is glove- or mitten-shaped to receive a hand of the body, the porous pad further comprising:
a lower base and an upper section forming a cavity to receive the hand; and
a middle section positioned within the cavity and including at least one finger-separator for positioning the hand within the cavity.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , further comprising a V-cut type groove positioned on the at least one finger-separator.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the envelope is substantially air-tight and further comprises:
a second opening through which the hand of the body may be introduced, the second opening being capable of being sealed to a wrist or lower arm of the body.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the lower base is connected to the upper section.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the porous pad comprises a glove, a sock, or a sleeve.
27. An apparatus for stimulating healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a porous pad adapted to contact a surface of the wound on an affected part of a body;
an envelope encompassing the porous pad on the affected part of the body, the envelope having a re-sealable opening that permits the wound to be inspected; and
a connection means for connecting an interior of the envelope to a source of negative pressure.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the connection means comprises a flange bonded to the envelope, a spout, and an aperture.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope and is fluidly connected to the connection means.
30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the porous pad is glove- or mitten-shaped to receive a hand of the body, the porous pad further comprising:
a lower base and an upper section forming a cavity to receive the hand; and
a middle section positioned within the cavity and including at least one finger-separator for positioning the hand within the cavity.
31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the envelope is substantially air-tight and further comprises:
a second opening through which the hand of the body may be introduced, the second opening being capable of being sealed to a wrist or lower arm of the body.
32. An apparatus for stimulating healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a porous pad adapted to contact a surface of the wound on an affected part of a body;
an envelope encompassing the porous pad on the affected part of the body;
a connection means for connecting an interior of the envelope to a source of negative pressure; and
a canister for collecting wound exudate.
33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the connection means comprises a flange bonded to the envelope, a spout, and an aperture.
34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the source of negative pressure is positioned outside the envelope and is fluidly connected to the connection means.
35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the porous pad is glove- or mitten-shaped to receive a hand of the body, the porous pad further comprising:
a lower base and an upper section forming a cavity to receive the hand; and
a middle section positioned within the cavity and including at least one finger-separator for positioning the hand within the cavity.
36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35 , wherein the envelope is substantially air-tight and further comprises:
a second opening through which the hand of the body may be introduced, the second opening being capable of being sealed to a wrist or lower arm of the body.