Hypobaric chamber treatment system

Abstract

A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to an object or a portion of an object. In some embodiments, the reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In other embodiments, the appliance may be used to provide reduced pressure (or vacuum) treatment for non-medical purposes. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a flexible chamber and a collapsible frame that may be collapsed while the appliance is not in use. In yet other embodiments, the appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the volume within the chamber, a pressurized fluid system to inflate the collapsible frame, a drainage system to remove fluids from the appliance, and a treatment port and a forced entry treatment system to introduce fluids and other treatment instrumentalities into the volume within the chamber. In still other embodiments, the chamber is designed for use with distal extremital portions of a body. In further embodiments, the appliance also comprises a semi-permeable liner positioned between the chamber and the portion of a body to be treated. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the appliance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 132,549, filed on May 19, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 573,653, filed on May 21, 2004. Both applications are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to administration of reduced pressure to objects or portions of objects that require the application of reduced pressure as a part of treatment of such objects or portions of objects. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention comprises an improved apparatus and method for treating wounds and other infirmities and conditions on a portion of a patient's body by applying reduced pressure to the portion of the body for which treatment is desired. In this context, the terms “wound,”“infirmity,”“condition” and “body” are to be interpreted broadly, to include any body part ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In accordance with the present invention, an appliance is provided for treating a portion of a body by applying reduced pressure (i.e., pressure that is below ambient atmospheric pressure) to the portion of the body to be treated in a controlled manner for a selected time period in a manner that overcomes the disadvantages of currently existing apparatus. For example, the application of reduced pressure to a wound provides such benefits as faster healing, increased formation of granulation tissue, closure of chronic open wounds, reduction of bacterial density within wounds, inhibition of burn penetration, and enhancement of flap and graft attachment. Wounds that have exhibited positive response to treatment by the application of negative pressure include infected open wounds, decubitus ulcers, dehisced incisions, partial thickness burns, and various lesions to which flaps or grafts have been attached. In addition, applying reduced pressure to portions of the body affected by lymphedema, venous insufficiency and stasis, varicose veins, and other conditions provides benefits such as increasing the circulation of lymph through the lymphatic system, increasing the circulation of blood through the venous system, faster healing of such conditions, and relief from the symptoms of such conditions. Further, the appliance may also be used in other types of applications requiring the administration of reduced pressure to an object or a portion of an object.

[0018]In its various versions and embodiments, the present invention therefore meets the needs discussed above in the Background section. For example, the appliance of the present invention represents a reduced pressure treatment system capable of enclosing the entire portion of a patient's body to be treated for a wound or other infirmity in a manner so that the system does not contact certain portions of the body of the patient. This is also true in the case of distal extremities, such as fingers and toes. The appliance also provides for evenly distributed pressure on the surface of the portion of the body to be treated in certain instances. The appliance may also be constructed of lightweight materials. In some embodiments, the appliance is also collapsible, so that it may be collapsed when not in use, requiring less storage space. The appliance also has features that separately enclose a portion of the body, providing for efficient removal of any fluid aspirated from the portion of the body being treated. The appliance should also be relatively inexpensive to produce, while meeting the needs described above. Finally, in various embodiments, the appliance meets all or some of the needs described above and may be used in reduced pressure applications other than medical treatment.

Problems solved by technology

The mechanism for this accumulation is impairment of normal fluid uptake by the lymphatic vessels or excessive production of tissue fluid, which is caused by venous obstruction that increases capillary blood pressure.

Common causes of lymphedema include neoplastic obstruction of lymphatic flow, postoperative interference with lymphatic flow, infectious blockade of lymphatics, and radiation damage to lymphatics.

In the case of venous insufficiency and stasis, blood circulation through the venous system is inadequate.

This condition may be caused by congestion or by failure of the valves that regulate the flow of blood in the veins to operate normally.

In the case of varicose veins, the veins become enlarged and dilated, which may lead to venous insufficiency and stasis.

In some cases, this may cause irritation of the skin or other tissue of the patient.

In other cases, this may cause pain or discomfort for the patient.

Other devices may provide reduced pressure treatment to the entire portion of a patient's body without contacting tissue in the area of the patient to be treated, but the devices may be heavy due to the nature of their construction.

In addition, such devices may be large and unwieldy, so that they occupy a substantial amount of space when not in use.

This may result in the devices taking up excessive amounts of storage space.

In both cases, these characteristics may also prevent the devices from being portable.

In yet other cases, the devices may be used in circumstances where it is not necessary to avoid contact with patient tissue, but the devices may become contaminated by exudate aspirated from the wound while in use.

In addition, there is a need for a reduced pressure treatment system that is collapsible, so that it may be collapsed when not in use, requiring less storage space.

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