Abstract: An apparatus and system for providing reduced pressure to a defect in a nerve is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a nerve conduit having a generally tubular shape that has walls including a luminal wall surrounding the tissue site to contain fluids within a luminal space between the tissue site to contain fluids within a luminal space between the tissue site and the luminal wall. The apparatus further comprises a manifold having a porous body and a connector for receiving reduced pressure, wherein the manifold is positioned within the luminal space adjacent the tissue site to distribute the reduced pressure to the defect. Additionally, a method for providing reduced pressure to a defect in a nerve is disclosed that includes implanting the nerve conduit and manifold at a site of damaged nerve tissue and applying a reduced pressure to the manifold thereby stimulating repair or regrowth of nerve tissue.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy may comprise a negative-pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a control valve. The negative-pressure source may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a distribution component. The control valve may be fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to be selectively coupled to the negative-pressure source, the distribution component, or both. A controller may also be configured to operate the control valve to selectively couple the pressure sensor to at least one of the negative-pressure source and the distribution component through the control valve, and the pressure sensor may provide a feedback signal to the controller indicative of pressure in a feedback path associated with the position of the control valve. The controller may also be configured to operate the negative-pressure source based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may include a first layer having a first side, a second side, and fenestrations having a raised edge extending from the first side. The raised edge is configured to expand in response to a pressure gradient across the first layer. The dressing also includes a second layer adjacent to the first side. The second layer includes a manifold. The dressing also includes a cover coupled to the second layer opposite the first layer. The cover includes a polymer drape.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a tissue site proximate a patient's foot may include a tissue interface, a sole, a toe box, a cover, and an interface. The tissue interface may be configured to be circumferentially disposed around the tissue site. The sole may be configured to support the tissue interface. The toe box may be coupled to the sole. The cover may be configured to be coupled to the leg and to the sole to cover the tissue interface. The cover and the sole may form a chamber containing the tissue interface and may seal the tissue interface within the chamber. The interface may be configured to fluidly couple the tissue interface to a source of negative pressure, which can be delivered to the tissue interface for distribution to the tissue site.

Abstract: A system for providing therapy to a tissue site is described. The system can include a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a controller. The controller can be communicatively coupled to the source of negative pressure, the light sensor, and the motion sensor. In some embodiments, the controller can be configured to receive a first signal from the light sensor indicative of ambient light, receive a second signal from the motion sensor indicative of activity, and activate alert based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A citric acid containing dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may comprise a cover, a manifold, and a perforated polymer film and/or a sealing layer. The sealing layer can be a perforated silicone gel having a treatment aperture. The dressing can further contain an adhesive. The cover, the manifold, and the perforated polymer film and/or the sealing layer may be assembled in a stacked relationship with the cover and the sealing layer enclosing the manifold. Citric acid may be present on or incorporated in, for example, the perforated polymer film and/or the sealing layer.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device includes a canister, a pump, a filter, and a control unit. The canister is configured to collect wound exudate from a wound site. The pump is fluidly coupled to the canister and configured to draw a vacuum within the canister by pumping air out of the canister. The filter is positioned between the canister and the pump such that the air pumped out of the canister passes through the filter in a first direction. The control unit is configured to operate the pump and to purge the filter by causing airflow through the filter in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of biofilms and/or the inhibition of biofilm formation. In one embodiment, a biofilm is treated and/or biofilm formation is inhibited by a method comprising contacting a biofilm or a surface with a bifunctional ligand comprising a quorum-sensing-peptide-binding region and a protease-binding region, whereby the biofilm is treated and/or biofilm formation on the surface is inhibited.

Abstract: A collection fitting, system, and method for sampling fluid from a tissue site is described. The collection fitting includes a switch fitting having a first passage and a second passage. The collection fitting also includes a bypass switch coupled to the switch fitting. The bypass switch is operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through the bypass switch. The bypass switch is also operable to fluidly couple the first passage and the second passage through a specimen container.

Abstract: A system and method for performing tissue therapy may include applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site of a patient. A fluid parameter associated with applying a reduced pressure to the tissue site may be sensed. An audible fluid leak location sound may be generated in response to sensing the fluid parameter. The audible fluid leak location sound may be altered in response to sensing that the fluid parameter changes. By altering the audible fluid leak location sound in response to sensing a change of the fluid parameter, a clinician may detect location of a fluid leak at the drape by applying force to the drape. The force applied to the drape may be a clinician pressing a finger onto an edge of the drape.

Abstract: New and useful systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatically identifying alternative cell chemistries of batteries that power portable electric devices and adjusting the characteristics of such devices in response to the identification of such cells in a reduced-pressure therapy environment are set forth in the appended claims.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for treating a tissue site is disclosed that may comprise a manifold including a non-porous film having a plurality of closed cells defined by a sealed region perforated with apertures extending through the sealed region, wherein the manifold is adapted to contact the tissue site. The system may further comprise a cover adapted to provide a fluid seal between a therapeutic environment including the manifold proximate one side of the cover and a local external environment on the other side of the cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of closed cells is adapted to form distal channels with the cover and the apertures are adapted to provide fluid communication between the distal channels and the tissue site. The system may further comprise a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the therapeutic environment and adapted to provide negative pressure through the distal channels and the apertures to the tissue site.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for applying a reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a manifold for applying reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue site includes a plurality of first conduits, each of the plurality of first conduits having a wall with at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture. At least one of the plurality of first conduits is operable to deliver reduced pressure to the subcutaneous tissue site. The plurality of first conduits is coupled in a spaced arrangement that forms an interior space. The manifold further includes a second conduit comprising the interior space and formed by a portion of each wall of the plurality of first conduits. The second conduit is in fluid communication with the plurality of first conduits via the at least one second aperture.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a wound imaging system includes a user interface, a computer processor, and an active contouring module. The user interface is configured to display an image of a wound acquired by the wound imaging system and selectively receive inputs from a user defining an initial perimeter of the wound. An active contouring module is configured to operate on the computer processor to receive the inputs defining the initial perimeter of the wound, identify features of the image on opposing sides of the initial perimeter of the wound, and identify an actual perimeter of the wound based on the initial perimeter of the wound and the identified features. The user interface is further configured to display, on the image of the wound, the actual perimeter of the wound as identified by the active contouring module and selectively receive inputs from the user to modify the actual perimeter of the wound.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating a tissue site are described. In some embodiments, the system may include a dressing, a negative-pressure source, and a communication device. The communication device may be coupled to the negative-pressure source and configured to transmit operational data of the negative pressure source to a remote location for monitoring usage of the system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. The devices are capable of generating a substantially constant reduced pressure with low tolerance for pressure fluctuations. Also disclosed herein are reduced pressure therapy systems that comprise an alarm system to detect the depleted state of the suction device and provide an alert to the patient and/or practitioner.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site, particularly a peritoneal or abdominal site, is disclosed. The dressing may comprise: first and second layers, each being made from a liquid-impermeable material and being at least partially fenestrated, the layers being coupled together to define a chamber therebetween; and disposed within the chamber a third layer comprising a manifold having a central region, and a perimeter region containing perforations arranged in a pattern defining a plurality of sub-regions. The first and second layers can be coupled using a plurality of welds or bonds through the perimeter region perforations. Optionally, the manifold does not comprise, and the chamber does not contain, any manifolding elements extending outward from an outer edge of the perimeter region.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system includes a dressing, a tube, a flow restriction pad, and an in-line filter. The dressing is configured for placement in a wound bed. The tube includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be operably coupled to the dressing. The second end is configured to engage a negative pressure source. The flow restriction pad is configured to be coupled to the dressing proximate the first end of the tube. The flow restriction pad includes a tortuous fluid flow path that is configured to restrict or reduce an amount of a fluid drawn from the dressing into the tube and induce a backpressure between the dressing and the tube. The in-line filter is positioned within the tube between the first end and the second end. The in-line filter configured to substantially prevent the fluid entering the tube.

Abstract: Body-fluid containers, methods, and systems are presented that include a container that has a container housing formed, at least in part, by a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material allows water to evaporate and be transmitted outside of the container. The evaporation allows more fluid to be processed by the container than the container could otherwise hold. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.

Abstract: A system for negative-pressure therapy is described. The system includes a dressing configured to be positioned adjacent a tissue site and a piezoelectric pump having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. An adapter is coupled to the piezoelectric pump and configured to be fluidly coupled to the dressing. The adapter is configured to aggregate fluid flow into the at least one inlet. The adapter can have a block. A first recess depends into the block, and a second recess depends into the block from the first recess, the second recess having an area less than the area of the first recess. A bore depends through the block from the second recess to the first side, and a conduit is coupled to the first side and fluidly coupled to the bore.