Wound brush

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wound brush (40) for removing superficial wound tissue form the epidermis and dermis of a patient The wound brush (40) comprises a wound brush base (1, 11) comprising a handle (2, 12) for holding the wound brush (40) and a shaft (3), a brush head connector (6, 19) comprising a base (7,23) and a shaft (8, 24) extending from a first side of the base (7, 23) and removably connected to the shaft (3) of the wound brush base (1, 11), and at least one brush head (30) removably connectable to the brush head connector (6, 19). The brush head (30) comprises a base (31) removably connected to the brush head connector (6, 19) and a pattern of bendable bristles (32) extending from a first side of the base (31), there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles (32). The base (31) and the bristles (32) that form the brush head (30) are made of a same material and the pattern of bendable bristles (32) is integrally formed with the base (31).

Description

Wound BrushField of the disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wound brush for effectively and easily cleaning and / or debriding wounds and especially to remove superficial wound tissue. The present disclosure further relates to a brush head to be used with such a wound brush and to a brush head connector for connecting a brush head according to embodiments of the present disclosure to such a wound brush.Background art

[0002] All over the world the number of patients with chronic wounds that are difficult to heal is increasing. In retirement and care homes, for example, the number of patients with a chronic wound may even be as high as 10% or more.

[0003] Many bottlenecks appear regarding the problems surrounding chronic wounds. More particularly, such chronic wounds must be carefully cleaned at least once a day. Both in ambulant care and in healthcare institutions, chronic wound care is still done in a very traditional way with conventional treatments, i.e. frequent changes of the so-called “traditional” gauzes (gauze pads, compresses, gels, etc.) and disinfection of the wounds with disinfectants such as iodine-containing polyvidone derivatives. These treatments are very labor intensive, inefficient and create suboptimal wound healing, which therefore may have a major impact on the patient's quality of life and the healthcare provider experience.

[0004] There is thus a need for easy to use, efficient and accurate tools for wound cleaning with a minimum of learning time for a user to know how to use it.

[0005] EP 3 247 459 describes an ultrasound-assisted wound cleaner in the form of a handheld appliance with an integrated vibration motor, an integrated energy source for the vibration motor and a replaceable cleaning attachment with bristles and / or lamellas which can be driven by the vibration motor for the purpose of abrasively removing wound coatings. The wound cleaner has an integrated ultrasound generator. The replaceable cleaning attachment has an acoustic transducer, which is designed to covert the electric oscillations into sound waves and a device for strengthening and / or distributing and / or transmitting the ultrasound waves, i.e. a sonotrode. In the replaceable cleaning attachment, an electrical conductor is provided. At the end of the replaceable cleaning attachment, the device comprises a first and second bristle ring.

[0006] EP 3 542 740 describes a medical device for wound cleaning comprising a handheld device with a housing and an integrated rechargeable battery that can be externally charged by means of a loading coil. The medical device further comprises an ultrasound generator including a frequency generator coupled to a sonotrode, an electric motor and a power source for operating the electric motor and the sonotrode. The sonotrode is arranged to transfer theultrasound energy onto the tissue to be treated. A cleaning attachment is reversibly attachable to the handheld device, is drivable by the electric motor and / or the sonotrode and comprises a cleaning surface in the form of a textile pad, a brush or a combination of both and a liquid reservoir filled with cleaning liquid.

[0007] US 2023 / 0320479 describes a device in brush form that is configured to remove bacteria and biofilm from an implantable medical device, such as a surgical implant, as wall as bone, muscle, fascia and internal surgical tissue that resides at the surgical site.

[0008] The surgical brush is generally formed of two parts, namely a handle and a detachable head portion. The head portion comprises a body, a movable bristle plate and a plurality of bristles. The body of the head portion does not move (i.e., does not oscillate or rotate) but rather is removably attached to the handle in a fixed (stationary) manner. The action of the head portion thus lies with the movable bristle plate. The body is typically formed of a rigid plastic material, while the bristles are formed of suitable bristle material (e.g. polymeric material (e.g., nylon)).

[0009] The surgical brush can be automated such that at least a head portion thereof that includes bristles is movable in a controlled manner. For example, and as mentioned herein, the bristle portion (bristles) can oscillate or sonicate under action of a motor.

[0010] US 2021 / 0186552 relates to wound care and, more particularto systems and methods for cleansing, desloughing and debriding wounds. The wound care device may comprise a main body or handle portion and a head. The head may removably connect to the main body. In operation, the head may apply motion (e.g. vibration, oscillation, reciprocation, or the like) generated by the main body to a wound surface.

[0011] For example, a motion generator may comprise an electric motor having a rated speed of about 9,000 to about 36,000 revolutions per minute (and preferably about 18,000 to about 22,000 revolutions per minute) when a rated load (e.g., an eccentric mass of about 0.5 to about 1.0 grams and preferably about 0.75 grams) is applied to the shaft thereof. That speed may translate to a vibration, oscillation, reciprocation, or the like in the sonic range of about 150 Hz to about 600 Hz, where each cycle may comprise two strokes (e.g., one stroke or deflection to the left and a return stroke or deflection to the right) across a wound bed. Thus, a motion generator operating at about 150 Hz may produce about 300 vibration strokes per second, while a motion generator operating at about 600 Hz may produce about 1 ,200 vibration strokes per second.Summary of the disclosure

[0012] It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a wound brush for effectively and easily cleaning and / or debriding of wounds by removing superficial wound tissue.

[0013] It is a further aim of the present disclosure to provide a brush head for use in a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] It is another aim of the present disclosure to provide a brush head connector for connecting a brush head according to embodiments of the disclosure to a wound brush according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0015] In a first aspect, which may be combined with other aspects and / or embodiments described herein, the present disclosure relates to wound brush comprising a wound brush base comprising a handle for holding the wound brush and a shaft. The wound brush further comprises a brush head connector comprising a rigid base and a shaft extending from a first side of the base and removably connected to the shaft of the wound brush base, and at least one brush head removably connectable to the brush head connector. The brush head comprise a base removably connected to the brush head connector and a pattern of bendable bristles extending from a first side of the base, there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles, i.e. whereby the neighbouring bristles do not touch one another. The base and the bendable bristles are made of a same material and the bendable bristles are integrally formed with the base. In other words, the base and the bendable bristles of the brush head are formed in one piece and from a same material.

[0016] The brush head is thus a single material brush head, as the base and the bristles are made of a same material and in one piece. An advantage hereof is that it makes production of such brush heads simple and easy and that it is easy to recycle, which is a big advantage towards sustainability.

[0017] Examples of suitable materials for the brush head are silicone, plastic materials, polyester, fabric (microfiber), foams or the like.

[0018] According to further embodiments, the bristles and base of the brush head may both be made of a same material but with different properties, for example of silicone with a different hardness.

[0019] When connected to the wound brush base, the brush head is very effective in cleaning or debriding wounds. With debriding wounds is meant removing necrotic (dead) tissue, fibrous slough and other wound debris that prevent a wound from healing.

[0020] Preferably, a wound brush, which may also be referred to as wound cleaning device or debriding device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to clean and / or debride wounds by removing superficial wound tissue, preferably present in de dermis or epidermis, and not deeper into the skin.

[0021] Further, an advantage of a wound brush or wound cleaning and / or debriding device according to embodiments of the present disclosure is that, because the brush head is removably connected to the brush head connector and the brush head connector is removably connected to the wound brush base, any brush head according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be used and the brush head itself can be reused multiple times, because it can easily and effectively be cleaned as it is easily removable from and connected back to the brush head connector of the wound brush or wound cleaning and / or debriding device.

[0022] The base of the brush head may preferably have a circular shape, but can, according to other embodiments, also have a spherical, conical or cylindrical shape.

[0023] The brush head connector and the brush head may comprise complimentary connections mechanisms for connecting the brush head to the brush head connector. The connection mechanism on the brush head connector may comprise a plurality of recesses in a second side of the base opposite to the first side, each recess being shaped to receive a protrusion of the connection mechanism of the brush head and at least one recess having at least one upstanding side that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base, and at least one upstanding side which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base. Preferably, all recesses may comprise one upstanding side that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and one upstanding side which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base.

[0024] The connection mechanism on the brush head may comprise a plurality of protrusions shaped to fit into recesses in the connection mechanism of the brush head connector, and a flange extending downwards from and around a circumference of a plane of the second side of the base of the brush head, the flange having a slit around a circumference of the flange to slide over the circumference of the brush head connector of the wound brush.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of recesses of the connection mechanism on the brush head connector may have the shape of a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon. The plurality of protrusions of the connection mechanism on the brush head may be beam-shaped, circular or square, or may have any other suitable shape as long as they fit into the recesses in the connection mechanism of the brush head connector.

[0026] According to exemplary embodiments, the connection mechanism may comprise three substantially triangular shaped recesses in a second side of the base opposite to the first side, each recess having a triangle leg of which an upstanding side is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and a triangle leg of which an upstanding side is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base.

[0027] According to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the connection mechanism may comprise three beam-shaped protrusions, whereby a longitudinal direction of each protrusion extends from a centre of a plane of the second side towards a circumference of that plane.

[0028] Further, it may be clear for a person skilled in the art that the base of the brush head connector may preferably have the same shape as the base of the brush head.

[0029] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle may be a manual handle. According to such embodiments, the handle and the shaft may be made in one piece.

[0030] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle may be a motorized handle. According to such embodiments, the wound brush base may further comprise a housing, a DC motor to which the shaft of the brush head connector is connected for driving the brush head connector to make a movement, and a battery pack for providing power to the DC motor.

[0031] Preferably, the DC motor may drive the brush head connector in such a way that the brush head connector makes a rotating movement.

[0032] The rotating movement can be seen as a continuous linear movement, by which wound slush is removed much more efficient than in case of an oscillating movement as is the case in many prior art wound brushes. The brush head connector and thus the brush head making a rotating movement continuously provides new spaces for the bristles to further remove superficial wound tissue or wound slush. This is not the case for a device that makes an oscillating movement, which only goes back and forth.

[0033] The housing may comprise a brush holding part and a gripping part, the brush holding part making an angle with the gripping part.

[0034] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing may be formed by a first shell and a second shell that are connected together and wherein the housing further comprises a removable end cap at a bottom of the gripping part for closing the housing.

[0035] The wound brush may further comprise a lighting function for optimal wound visibility and / or a lighting function for giving feedback to user.

[0036] The at least one brush head may comprise a set of interchangeable brush heads.

[0037] The interchangeable brush heads may have different patterns of bristles.

[0038] In a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the brush head may have a plurality of bristles that are of a same size or may have a plurality of bristles that are of different sizes. The bristles on a same brush head may have a same length or a different length, and / or may have a same shape or a different shape. Summarized this means that the pattern of bristles may be a combination of bristles with different lengths, shapes and sizes or may be a pattern comprising bristles with a same shape, length and size, or with a same shape, different length and size, etc.

[0039] Further, in a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of bristles may have any suitable shape and may, for example have the shape of a cone, a cylinder, a thin straight beam or a thin bent beam.

[0040] In a second aspect, which may be combined with other aspects and / or embodiments described herein, the present disclosure relates to a base for a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, for example a wound brush base according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] The wound brush base comprises a handle for holding the wound brush base, and a brush head connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure connected to the handle via a shaft extending from the handle and being shaped to receive the shaft of the brush head connector.

[0042] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the brush head connector may be fixedly connected to the wound brush base. According to other embodiments, the brush head connector may be removably connected to the wound brush base.

[0043] For connecting the brush head connector to the wound brush base, an outer side of the shaft of the brush head connector may comprise a threaded connection, the threaded connection being oriented in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the motor.

[0044] The handle of the wound brush base may, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, be a manual handle.

[0045] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the manual handle may be a bar-shaped handle. A top portion of the handle may, according to embodiments of the disclosure, be bended so that it makes an angle with a lower portion of the handle. This may improve the ergonomics of the wound brush base and thus also the handling and the ease of use of the wound brush base.

[0046] According to other embodiments of the disclosure, the manual handle may have any other suitable shape, such as for example a substantially spherical shape, or the shape of a computer mouse, or any other suitable shape that can easily be held by a hand of a user.

[0047] The handle may be made from a metal or a plastic material.

[0048] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle may be a motorized handle. In this embodiment, the wound brush base may further comprise a housing, a DC motor to which the shaft of the brush head connector is connected and a battery pack for providing power to the DC motor.

[0049] The housing may comprise a brush holding part and a gripping part. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the brush holding part may make an angle with the gripping part. This may improve the ergonomics of the wound brush base and thus also the handling and the ease of use of the wound brush base.

[0050] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the housing may be formed by a first and a second shell that are connected together, and wherein the housing further comprises a removable end cap at a bottom of the gripping part for closing the housing. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second shell may each comprise part of the brush holding part and part of the gripping part. In this case, the first and second shell may be connected to each other along a longitudinal axis of the gripping part. This can be done by any suitable method known by a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, welding, a snap connection, etc. Connecting the first and second shell can, instead of along a longitudinal axis of the shells, also be done in any other direction, e.g. along an upper edge of the gripping part and a lower edge of the brush holding part. The DC motor may be located in the brush holding part and the battery pack may be located in the holding portion.

[0051] A wound brush base according to embodiments of the present disclosure may further comprise a lighting function for optimal wound visibility and / or a lighting function for giving feedback to user. The lighting function may be obtained for example, by a LED PCB and a light guide.

[0052] In a third aspect, which may be combined with other aspects and / or embodiments described herein, the present disclosure relates to brush head for use with a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The brush head comprises a base removably connected to the brush head connector, and a pattern of bendable bristles extending from a first side of the base, there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles. The base and the bristles are made of a same material and the pattern of bendable bristles is integrally formed with the base, in other words the base and the bristles of the brush head are formed in one piece.

[0053] The base and the bristles of the brush head being made of a same material and in one piece may have as an advantage that it makes production of such brush heads simple and easy and that it is easy to recycle, which is a big advantage towards sustainability.

[0054] Examples of suitable materials for the bristles are silicone, plastic materials, polyester, fabric (microfiber), foams or the like. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the bristles and base of the brush head may both be made of a same material, but with different properties, for example of silicone with a different hardness.

[0055] A brush head according to embodiments of the present disclosure may further comprise, on a second side opposite to the first side, a connection mechanism, adapted to fit into a complementary connection mechanism on a brush head connector of a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, for example a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection mechanism on the brush head may comprise a plurality of protrusions shaped to fit into recesses in a connection mechanism of a brush head connector and a flange extending downwards from and around a circumference of a plane of the secondside, the flange having a slit around a circumference of the flange to slide over the circumference of the brush head connector of a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, e.g. a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] The plurality of protrusions in the connection mechanism of the brush head may be beam-shaped, circular or square, or may have any other suitable shape as known by a person skilled in the art.

[0057] The bendable bristles in the pattern may have the shape of a cone, a cylinder, a thin straight beam or a thin bent beam, or may have any other suitable shape as known by a person skilled in the art or as known to be suitable for cleaning wounds.

[0058] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the bendable bristles in the pattern of a brush head may each have a same size or may have a different size. The bristles on a same brush head may have a same length or a different length, and / or may have a same shape or a different shape. Summarized this means that the pattern of bristles may be a combination of bristles with different lengths, shapes and sizes or may be a pattern comprising bristles with a same shape, length and size, or with a same shape, different lengths and sizes, etc.

[0059] In a fourth aspect, which may be combined with other aspects and / or embodiments described herein, the present disclosure relates to brush head connector for use with a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The brush head connector for connecting a brush head to a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a base, and a shaft extending from a first side of the base, shaped for being connected to a wound brush base of the wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] The brush head connector may further comprise a connection mechanism shaped for connecting with a complimentary connection mechanism of a brush head. The connection mechanism may comprise a plurality of recesses in a second side of the base opposite to the first side, each recess being shaped to receive a protrusion of a connection mechanism of a brush head to be connected to a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure. At least one recess may have at least one upstanding side that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and at least one upstanding side which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base. Preferably, all recesses may comprise at least one upstanding side that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and at least one upstanding side which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side ofthe base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base.

[0061] The plurality of recesses of the connection mechanism on the brush head connector may have the shape of a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon. The plurality of protrusions of the connection mechanism on the brush head may be beam-shaped, circular or square, or may have any other suitable shape as long as they fit into the recesses in the connection mechanism of the brush head connector. According to exemplary embodiments, the connection mechanism may comprise three substantially triangular shaped recesses in a second side of the base opposite to the first side, each recess having a triangle leg of which an upstanding side is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and a triangle leg of which an upstanding side is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base or in other words may make an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base.Brief description of the drawings

[0062] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0063] Figs. 1a and 1 b, and 2a and 2b schematically illustrate a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figs. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 schematically illustrate a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates examples of brush heads that can be used with a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] Figs. 7a and 7b schematically illustrate a brush head connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c schematically illustrate a brush head according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] Figs. 9a and 9b schematically illustrate the connection process between a brush head and a brush head connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure and the resulting brush head / brush head connector assembly.Description of embodiments

[0069] Below, particular embodiments according to the disclosure are described with reference to certain drawings but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and therelative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the disclosure.

[0070] The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the disclosure can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0071] The terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the disclosure described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0072] Furthermore, the various embodiments, although referred to as “preferred” are to be construed as exemplary manners in which the disclosure may be implemented rather than as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0073] A wound cleaning and / or debriding device, e.g. a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure is a portable or handheld device intended to mechanically remove contaminated soft tissue structures from wounds that may cause healing disturbances or infections. Preferably, a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to clean and / or debride wounds by removing superficial wound tissue, preferably present in de dermis or epidermis layers of the skin and not deeper into the skin.

[0074] The wound brush may thus be used for cleaning and / or debriding wounds. With debriding wounds is meant removing necrotic (dead) tissue, fibrous slough and other wound debris that prevent a wound from healing. The wound brush is, however, not intended for healing purposes but may serve as a device for treating chronic wounds and subdermal soft tissue abrasion and cleaning.

[0075] The wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure causes mechanical disruption and removal of tissue coverings contaminated with bacteria by either only user hand movement or by combining user hand movement and brush rotating movement.

[0076] For that purpose, the wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a wound brush base and at least one brush head that is removably attached to the wound brush base by means of a brush head connector. The wound brush base comprises a handle for holding the wound brush and a shaft. The brush head connector comprises a base and a shaft extending from a first side of the base for removably connecting to the shaft of the wound brush base. The at least one brush head is removably connectable to the brush head connector.

[0077] The brush head comprises a base removably connectable to the brush head connector and a pattern of bendable bristles extending from a first side of the base, there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles. The base and bendable bristles are made of a same material and the bendable bristles are integrally formed with the base.

[0078] An advantage of the brush head being removably connectable to the wound brush by means of the brush head connector is that the wound brush can be provided to a user with different interchangeable brush heads, so that the wound brush can be used for cleaning different types of wounds.

[0079] An advantage of having a brush head connector that is shaped to be removably fixed or connected to the brush head base and the brush head that is shaped to be removably fixed or connected to the brush head connector, is that the wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with brush head connectors of different shapes and sizes, and hence, can also be used with brush heads of different shapes and sizes.

[0080] The brush head is thus a single material brush head, as the base and the bristles are made of a same material. An advantage hereof is that it makes production of such brush heads simple and easy and that it is easy to recycle, which is a big advantage towards sustainability.

[0081] Examples of suitable materials for the brush head are silicone, plastic materials, polyester, fabric (microfiber), foams or the like. According to further embodiments, the bristles and base of the brush head may both be made of a same material, but with different properties, for example of silicone with a different hardness.

[0082] When connected to the wound brush base, the brush head is very effective in cleaning or debriding wounds. With debriding wounds is meant removing necrotic (dead) tissue, fibrous slough and other wound debris that prevent a wound from healing.

[0083] For a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the brush head can easily be removed or interchanged from and to the wound brush base, which makes that a user can always work sterile as it is very easy and fast to remove a used brush head and replace it by another one. Preferably, brush heads according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be packaged separately and sterile, and the package is such that is provides for a way to attach the brush head to the wound brush base without a user having to touch the brush head with his or her hands.

[0084] Figs. 1a and 1 b schematically illustrate a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, e.g. a wound brush 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The wound brush 40 comprises a wound brush base 1 and a brush head 30 removably attachable to the wound brush base 1. According to the present embodiment, the wound brush base 1 may comprise a manual handle 2 for the wound brush 40 to be hold by a user. The manual handle 2 may, according to the example given, be formed by a bar. In the example given, the handle 2 may be bended such that a top portion 2a of the handle 2 makes an angle with a lower portion 2bof the handle 2. With the top portion 2a making an angle a with the lower portion 2b is meant that a longitudinal axis of the top portion 2a makes an angle a with the longitudinal axis of the lower portion 2b, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The bended handle 2 provides a smooth grip and proper placement of the wound brush 40 on the wound. Further, the bended handle may improve the ergonomics of the wound brush base 1 and thus also the handling and the ease of use of the wound brush base 1 .

[0085] Another example of a wound brush base 1 with a manual handle 2 is illustrated in Figs. 2a and 2b. In this example, the manual handle 2 may have a substantially spherical shape which can easily be hold in a hand of a user.

[0086] According to further embodiments, the manual handle 2 may have any other suitable shape as long as it gives a firm grip to a user.

[0087] The manual handle 2 may be made from a metal or a plastic material or any other suitable material as known by a person skilled in the art.

[0088] The manual handle may comprise a shaft 3 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the top portion 2a of the handle 2 (see Figs. 1 a and 1 b) or in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the handle 2 (see Figs. 2a and 2b). Preferably, the shaft 3 and the handle 2 are made out of a same material and in one piece. The shaft 3 of the handle 2 may be a hollow shaft and may thus comprise a hole 4 for receiving a pin or shaft 8 of a brush head connector 6. The brush head connector 6 may be fixedly or removably connected to the shaft 3 of the handle 2. For that purpose, the shaft 8 of the brush head connector 6 may, for example, be provided with a threaded connection which is oriented in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the motor. The hole 4 of the shaft 3 of the handle 2 may then accordingly be provided with a threaded connection in an opposite direction. According to other examples, the brush connector may be connected to the shaft 3 of the handle 2 via a click mechanism. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle 2 and the brush head connector 6 may also be formed as one piece and out of one material.

[0089] An advantage of having a handle 2 with a separate brush head connector 6, i.e. a brush head connector 6 that is shaped to be removably fixed or connected to the handle 2, is that the wound brush base 1 can be used with brush head connectors 6 of different shapes and sizes, and hence, can also be used with brush heads 30 of different shapes and sizes.

[0090] Figs. 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 schematically illustrate another embodiment of a wound brush 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The wound brush 40 comprises, similar as in the former described embodiment, a wound brush base 11 and a brush head 30. According to this embodiment, however, the wound brush base 11 may comprise a motorized handle 12. The motorized handle 12 may comprise a housing 13 and may comprise a brush holding part 14 and a gripping part 15. For ergonomic reasons, the brush holding part 14 maymake an angle with the gripping part 15. The housing may, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, be formed by a first shell 13a and a second shell 13b (see Fig. 4). The first and second shells 13a, 13b may, according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 be connected to each other along an elongated axis A.

[0091] According to other embodiments, the shells may also be formed in a different way. The first shell may be formed by the gripping part 15 and the second shell may be formed by the brush holding part 14. Connecting both shells together may occur along an upper edge of the gripping part 15 and a lower edge of the brush holding part 14.

[0092] The housing 13 may be closed by an end cap 16 at a bottom of the gripping part 15. The gripping part 15 serves for a user to be able to hold the wound brush base 11 in a comfortable way.

[0093] The wound brush base 11 furthermore comprises a battery pack 17 for driving a DC motor 18. The battery pack 17 may be provided in the gripping part 15 of the housing 13, while a DC motor 18 may be provided in the brush holding part 14 of the housing 13 (see Fig. 5). The battery pack 17 may comprise a suitable number of batteries, for example but not limited to two batteries as illustrated in Fig. 5. The battery or batteries may preferably be rechargeable batteries that are adapted for wireless charging or for charging via a USB- or USB-C charger. In the latter case, the wound brush base 11 may furthermore comprise a USB- or USB-C connector.

[0094] The DC motor 18 is connected to and drives a brush head connector 19. Preferably, the DC motor 18 drives the brush head connector 19 in such a way that the brush head connector 19 makes a rotating movement. The rotating movement can be seen as a continuous linear movement, by which wound slush is removed much more efficient than in case of an oscillating movement as is the case in many prior art wound brushes. The brush head connector 19 and thus the brush head 30 making a rotating movement continuously provides new spaces for the bristles 32 to further remove superficial wound tissue or wound slush. This is not the case for a device that makes an oscillating movement, which only goes back and forth.

[0095] The DC motor 18 may be comprised within an enclosure 22 (see Fig. 5). This enclosure 22 further comprises the motor shaft 20 and a bearing 26. The enclosure 22 locks rotation of the motor in the brush holding part 15 of the housing 13.

[0096] The wound brush base 11 may further comprise a number of buttons 21 , for example but not limited to an on / off button, a button to start and stop rotation, a button to regulate the speed of the motor and thus of the rotating brush head connector 19, a button to choose rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), a button to consult battery status, a button to activate light (see further). In the example given, the buttons 21 may be provided on an inner surface of the gripping part 15 of the wound brush base 11 . This increases the ease of use fora user, as the user can operate the buttons 21 without having to move his or her grip on the gripping part 14 of the wound brush base 11 . However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure in any way. The buttons 21 may also be provided on any other suitable location on the wound brush base 11 , such as for example, at the top of the wound brush base 11 , i.e. on an upper surface of the brush holding part 11 , or on an outer surface of the gripping part 15 of the wound brush base 11. Different buttons 21 may even be on different locations on the wound brush base 11.

[0097] The wound brush base 11 may further comprise a lighting function 50 for optimal wound visibility and / or a lighting function 50 for giving feedback to user. Therefore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the wound brush base 11 may further comprise a LED user interface comprising a LED PCB 29a and a light guide 29b. The LED user interface 29a, 29b may be located on a side of the brush holding part 14 of the wound brush base 11 opposite to the side of the brush holding part 14 where the brush head connector 16 is provided. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the light function 50 may be for indicating the rotation speed of the brush head 30 and / or battery status. According to other embodiments, the wound brush 40 may further comprise an additional lighting function for optimal wound visibility.

[0098] When a user wants to use the wound brush 40, the brush head 30 has to be provided or removably connected onto the brush head connector 6, 19 which is removably connected to the wound brush base 11 . The brush head connector 6, 19 comprises a base 7, 23 and a shaft 8, 24 extending from a first side of the base 7, 23 and is shaped for being removably connected to the wound brush base 1 , 11. The base 7, 23 of the brush head connector 6, 19 may preferably have a circular shape, but can, according to other embodiments, also have a spherical, conical or cylindrical shape. The brush head 30 comprises a base 31 shaped for being removably attached or connected to the wound brush base 11 via the brush head connector 6,19. It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the base 31 of the brush head 30 may preferably have a same shape as the base 7, 23 of the brush head connector 6, 19. Therefore, also the base 31 of the brush head 30 may preferably have a circular shape, but can, according to other embodiments, also have a spherical, conical or cylindrical shape.

[0099] The brush head 30 further comprises a pattern of bristles 32 extending from the base 31 , e.g. in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base 31. These bristles 32 form, as it were, the bristles of the brush head 30. The bristles 32 are bendable, such that they can adapt to the structure of the wound to be cleaned and always stay in contact with the wound surface, even if this surface is uneven. When not in use, neighbouring bristles 32 do not touch one another, so that there is enough space for the bristles 32 to bend during a wound cleaning operation. The configuration / pattern of the bristles 32 according to embodiments of the present disclosure makes that during cleaning of wounds, wound slush remains within thebrush head 30 in between the bristles 32. If, during the cleaning process, the brush head 30 is saturated with wound slush, it can easily be cleaned by removing the brush head from the wound brush, washing the wound slush out and go on with the cleaning process.

[0100] The bristles 32 may be made of any suitable material known by a person skilled in the art, provided it is bendable. The bristles 32 are made of a same material as the base 31 of the brush head 30. To that end, the bristles 32 are integrally formed with the base 31 of the brush head 30. Examples of suitable materials are silicone, plastic materials, polyester, fabric (microfiber), foams or the like. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the bristles 32 and the base 31 of the brush head 30 may both be made of a same material, but with different properties, for example of silicone with a different hardness.

[0101] The plurality of bristles 32 in a pattern may each have a same size or may have a different size. The bristles 32 may also have different shapes according to different embodiments of this disclosure. Non-limiting examples of such bristle patterns are given in Fig. 6. For example, the bristles 32 may have the shape of a cone, a cylinder, a thin straight beam or a thin bent beam. The pattern may be a random pattern (see Fig. 6 (b) and (d)) or may be a structured pattern (see Fig. 6 (a) and (c), (e) and (f)). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the bristles 32 may cover a complete surface of the base 31 of the brush head 30 (see Fig. 6 (a) to (e)) or may cover only part of the surface of the base 31 (see Fig. 6(f)). Different shapes of the bristles 32 can have different properties and can be suitable for different types of wounds. The bristles 32 on a same brush head 30 may have a same length or a different length, and / or may have a same shape or a different shape. Summarized this means that the pattern of bristles 32 may be a combination of bristles 32 with different lengths, shapes and sizes or may be a pattern comprising bristles 32 with a same shape, length and size, or with a same shape but different lengths and sizes, etc.

[0102] Connecting the brush head 30 to the brush head connector 6, 19 on the wound brush base 1 , 11 can be done by clicking the brush head 30 onto the brush head connector 6, 19. Therefore, the brush head connector s, 19 and the brush head 30 each comprise compatible connection mechanisms. The connection mechanism of the brush head connector s, 19 is provided on a side of the brush head connector s, 19 opposite to the side where the shaft 3 is provided and may comprise a plurality of recesses 25 in a second side of the base 7, 23 opposite to the first side. Each recess 25 may be shaped to receive a protrusion 35 of a connection mechanism of a brush head 30. The plurality of recesses 25 may have the shape of a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon, or any other suitable polygon. At least one of the upstanding sides of each recess 25 may be substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base and at least one of the upstanding sides of each recess 25 may be tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base 7, 23, or in other words maymake an angle of higher than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the second side of the base 7, 23.

[0103] The connection mechanism on the brush head 30 may comprise a plurality of protrusions 35 shaped to fit into the recesses 25 in the brush head connector 6, 19. The plurality of protrusions may be beam-shaped, circular or square, or may have any other suitable shape as long as they fit into the recesses in a connection mechanism of a brush head connector 6, 19 to which the brush head 30 is to be connected. The connection mechanism on the brush head 30 further comprises a flange 36 extending downwards from and around a circumference of a plane of the second side of the brush head 30. The flange may have a slit 37 around a circumference of the flange 36 to slide over the circumference of a brush head connector 6, 19 of a wound cleaning and / or debriding device, such as for example a wound brush according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0104] According to a specific but non-limiting example, the connection mechanism on the brush head connector 6, 19 may comprise three triangular shaped recesses 25 (see Figs. 7a and 7b). Each triangular recess 25 may have an upstanding side 27 which is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the side of the base 7, 23 on which the connection mechanism is provided and a an upstanding side 28 which is tilted with respect to the plane of that side of the base 7, 23, or in other words makes an angle of more than 0° and less than 90° with the plane of the base 7, 23. This is illustrated in Figs. 7a and 7b. According to this example, the complementary connection mechanism on the brush head 30 may comprise three beamshaped protrusions 35 (see Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c). Each of the three beam-shaped protrusions35 may have a longitudinal axis extending from a centre of a plane of that side towards a circumference of that plane and a flange 36 extending downwards from and around the circumference of the plane. The flange 36 may, according to embodiments of the present disclosure and as illustrated in Fig. 8a and 8c, comprise a slit 37 all around the circumference of the flange 36. According to other embodiments (not shown in the drawings), a plurality of slits may be provided along the circumference of the flange 36.

[0105] The brush head 30 may be connected to the brush head connector 6, 19 via a reversable snap connection. This snap connection is illustrated in Figs. 9a and 9b and works as follows. A user may have a wound brush base 1 , 11 with a brush head connector 6, 19 connected to it. A brush head 30 may be separately packaged. A user can open the package and does not need to touch the brush head 30. The user can simply move towards the brush head 30 with the wound brush base 1 , 11 with the brush head connector 6, 19 attached to it. The connection means on the brush head connector 6, 19 may be put in contact with the connection means on the brush head 30 so that the protrusions 35 of the brush head 30 are located in the recesses 25 in the brush head connector 6, 19. Thereby, the slit 37 in the flange36 of the brush head 30 moves over the edge of the base of the brush head connector 6, 19such that the brush head 30 is connected to the brush head connector 6, 19. Starting rotation of the brush head 30 either by manual movement or by starting the motor of the wound brush 40 in case of a motor driven wound brush 40, makes that the brush head connector 6, 19 will start rotating by which the brush head is fixed by the protrusions 35 which slide against the tilted upstanding side 28 of the connection means on the brush head connector s, 19. By this sliding, firm fixation of the brush head 30 to the brush head connector 6, 19 is ensured. Removing the brush head 30 can easily be done by simply stopping rotation and pull the brush head 30 of the brush head connector s, 19.

[0106] A wound brush 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is easy to use. Because the brush head 30 can easily be provided, removed and interchanged to and from the wound brush base 1 ,11 , each type of wound can be cleaned and treated with the most suitable brush head 30 and as efficient as possible. The brush heads 30 can be packaged separately, as already mentioned above, such that they are as sterile as possible when they need to be used. They are preferably packaged in such a way that a user does not need to touch them by hand when attaching them to the brush head connector 6, 19. After use, the brush head 30 may be thrown away.

[0107] A wound brush 40 according to embodiments of the present disclosure provides a rotating movement as the primary cleaning and / or debriding process, supported by abrasive mechanical removal by the bristles 32 of the brush head 30. To achieve gentle wound cleaning and / or debriding, the wound brush 40 thus combines mechanical removal of wound slush and removal of microscopic coverings containing bacterial biofilm.

[0108] Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure comprise a wound cleaning device comprising an assembly of: (i) at least one wound cleaning base, for example at least one wound brush base 1 , 11 as described herein, comprising for example a manual handle 2 or a motorized handle 12, and (ii) one or more wound cleaning heads, for example one or more brush heads 30 as disclosed herein.

[0109] For example, a wound cleaning device can be provided as a combination of both a wound brush base 1 having a manual handle 2 and a wound brush base 11 having a motorized handle 12, and at least one wound cleaning head, so that a user can choose which wound brush base 1 , 11 to use for a particular application.

[0110] Further, the wound cleaning device can be provided with a plurality of interchangeable wound cleaning heads, for example, brush heads 30 as disclosed herein. These interchangeable brush heads 30 may have different patterns of bristles 32 for different applications and / or bases 31 with different diameters so as to be suitable for being used for different sizes of wounds and / or may be made of different materials.

[0111] Wound brush bases 1 , 11 can be provided with interchangeable brush head connectors 6, 19 so as to be able to connect to different wound cleaning heads, for example different brush heads 30 as disclosed herein.

Claims

Claims1 . A wound brush (40) comprising:- a wound brush base (1 , 11) comprising a handle (2, 12) for holding the wound brush (40) and a shaft (3),- a brush head connector (6, 19) comprising a base (7,23) and a shaft (8, 24) extending from a first side of the base (7, 23) and removably connected to the shaft (3) of the wound brush base (1 , 11), and- at least one brush head (30) removably connectable to the brush head connector (6, 19), wherein the brush head (30) comprises:- a base (31) removably connected to the brush head connector (6, 19) and- a pattern of bendable bristles (32) extending from a first side of the base (31), there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles (32), and wherein the base (31) and the bendable bristles (32) are made of a same material and the bendable bristles (32) are integrally formed with the base (31).

2. A wound brush (40) according to claim 1 , wherein the brush head connector (6, 19) and the brush head (30) comprise complimentary connection mechanisms for connecting the brush head (30) to the brush head connector (6, 19), wherein the connection mechanism on the brush head connector (6, 19) comprises a plurality of recesses (25) in a second side of the base (7, 23) opposite to the first side, each recess (25) being shaped to receive a protrusion (35) of the connection mechanism of the brush head (30) and at least one recess (25) having at least one upstanding side (27) that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base (7, 23), and at least one upstanding side (28) which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base (7, 23), and wherein the connection mechanism on the brush head (30) comprises:- a plurality of protrusions (35) shaped to fit into recesses (25) in the connection mechanism of the brush head connector (6, 19), and- a flange (36) extending from and around a circumference of a plane of the second side, the flange (36) having a slit (37) around a circumference of the flange (36).

3. A wound brush (40) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of recesses (25) of the connection mechanism on the brush head connector (6, 19) has the shape of a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon.

4. A wound brush (40) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions (35) of the connection mechanism on the brush head (30) is beam-shaped, circular or square.

5. A wound brush (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (2) is a manual handle.

6. A wound brush (40) according to claim 5, wherein the handle (2) and the shaft (3) are made in one piece.

7. A wound brush (40) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle (12) is a motorized handle and wherein the wound brush base (11) further comprises:- a housing (13),- a DC motor (18) to which the shaft (24) of the brush head connector (19) is connected for driving the brush head connector (19) to make a movement, and- a battery pack (17) for providing power to the DC motor (18).

8. A wound brush (40) according to claim 7, wherein the DC motor (18) drives the brush head connector (19) in such a way that the brush head connector (19) makes a rotating movement.

9. A wound brush (40) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the housing (13) comprises a brush holding part (14) and a gripping part (15), the brush holding part (14) making an angle with the gripping part (15).

10. A wound brush (40) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the housing (13) is formed by a first shell (13a) and a second shell (13b) that are connected together and wherein the housing (13) further comprises a removable end cap (16) at a bottom of the gripping part (15) for closing the housing (13).

11. A wound brush (40) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a lighting function for optimal wound visibility and / or a lighting function for giving feedback to user.

12. A wound brush (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one brush head (30) comprises a set of interchangeable brush heads (30).

13. A wound brush (40) according to claim 12, wherein the interchangeable brush heads (30) have different patterns of bristles (32).

14. A wound brush (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bristles (32) each have a same size or have a different size.

15. A wound brush (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bristles (32) have the shape of a cone, a cylinder, a thin straight beam or a thin bent beam.

16. A brush head (30) for use with a wound brush (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, the brush head (30) comprising:- a base (31) removably connectable to a brush head connector (6, 19), and- a pattern of bendable bristles (32) extending from a first side of the base (31), there being a gap in between neighbouring bristles (32), wherein the base (31) and the bristles (32) are made of a same material and the pattern of bendable bristles (32) is integrally formed with the base (31).

17. A brush head (30) according to claim 16, wherein the brush head (30) further comprises, on a second side opposite to the first side, a connection mechanism, adapted to fit a complementary connection mechanism on the brush head connector (6, 19), wherein the connection mechanism comprises:- a plurality of protrusions (35) shaped to fit into recesses (25) in a connection mechanism of the brush head connector (6, 19), and- a flange (36) extending from and around a circumference of a plane of the second side, the flange (36) comprising a slit (37) around a circumference of the flange (36).

18. A brush head (30) according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of protrusions (35) is beam-shaped, circular or square.

19. A brush head (30) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the bristles (32) in the pattern have the shape of a cone, a cylinder, a thin straight beam or a thin bent beam.

20. A brush head (30) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the bristles (32) in the pattern each have a same size or have a different size.

21. A brush head connector (6, 19) for connecting a brush head (30) according to any one of claims 16 to 20 to a wound brush according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the brush head connector (6, 19) comprising:- a base (7, 23), and- a shaft (8, 24) extending from a first side of the base (7, 23), shaped for being connected to a wound brush base (1 , 11) of the wound brush (40).

22. A brush head connector (6, 19) according to claim 21 , further comprising a connection mechanism shaped for connecting with a complimentary connection mechanism of the brush head (30), wherein the connection mechanism comprises a plurality of recesses (25) in a second side of the base (7, 23) opposite to the first side, each recess (25) being shaped to receive a protrusion (35) of a connection mechanism of a brush head (30) and at least one recess (25) having at least one upstanding side (27) that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the second side of the base (7, 23), and at least one upstanding side (28) which is tilted with respect to the plane of the second side of the base (7, 23).

23. A brush head connector (6, 19) according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of recesses (25) has the shape of a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon.

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