Self contained wound dressing apparatus

Abstract

The composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of an external peristaltic vacuum pump. The external peristaltic pump applies a vacuum pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed. The external peristaltic pump is tethered to the wound dressing and is portable, preferably, carried by the patient in a support bag, which permits patient mobility. Moreover, the patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 714,912, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 7, 2006.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating an open wound, and, more specifically, relates to a self contained wound dressing with an external portable pump system which draws wound fluids into a collection canister supported by the patient. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Wound closure involves the migration of epithelial and subcutaneous tissue adjacent the wound towards the center of the wound until the wound closes. Unfortunately, closure is difficult with large wounds or wounds that have become infected. In such wounds, a zone of stasis (i.e. an area in which localized swelling of tissue restricts the flow of blood to the tissues) forms near the surface of the wound. Without sufficient bl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, a wound dressing apparatus, includes a wound dressing member dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed, a portable vacuum pump in fluid communication with the wound dressing member for applying subatmospheric pressure to facilitate removal of fluid from the wound dressing member, and having a self contained battery for operating the vacuum pump, a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum pump for collecting fluids removed from the wound dressing member and a body support bag attachable to the body of the patient and having a pouch for retaining at least one of the collection canister and the vacuum pump.

[0012] A method for facilitating healing of a wound is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning a wound dressing member relative to a wound bed, introducing a portable vacuum pump to be in fluid communication with the wound dressing member for applying subatmospheric pressure to facilitate removal of fluid from the wound dressing member, connecting a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum pump for collecting fluids removed from the wound dressing member, mounting a body support bag having a retaining pouch and positioning at least one of the collection canister and the vacuum pump into the retaining pouch of the body support bag.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, closure is difficult with large wounds or wounds that have become infected.

Without sufficient blood flow, the epithelial and subcutaneous tissues surrounding the wound not only receive diminished oxygen and nutrients, but, are also less able to successfully fight microbial infection and, thus, are less able to close the wound naturally.

Such wounds have presented difficulties to medical personnel for many years.

Images