Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a sealing layer comprising at least one orifice, an absorbent layer over the sealing layer, absorbing wound exude and a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring neural response and/or providing treatment includes an electrical stimulator configured to apply electrical stimulation, and one or more processors configured to analyze stimulation response. The one or more processors can be further configured to operate the electrical stimulator, adjust the electrical stimulation, and determine one or more wound characteristics based at least in part on at least one of the electrical stimulation or the stimulation response, e.g. a movement of a patient, a color absorption characteristic, or other physiological responses. An indication of the one or more wound characteristics can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a wound site is described, the apparatus comprising: a wound contacting element for retaining wound exudate fluid therein; a wound covering element that provides a substantially airtight seal over the wound contacting element and wound site; a vacuum connection tube connecting a wound cavity to a vacuum source; and a vacuum source connected to a distal end of the vacuum connection tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a driving circuit that supplies a driving signal to a negative pressure source to cause the negative pressure source to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing. The apparatus furthers include a controller that adjusts a frequency of the driving signal supplied by the driving circuit according to a comparison of a previous magnitude and a subsequent magnitude of the driving signal while the negative pressure source provides negative pressure. The transfer of power to the negative pressure source can thereby be tuned to maximize an amount of power transferred to the negative pressure source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for component stress relief are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes a substantially stretchable wound contact layer including a wound facing side and a non-wound facing side. The wound facing side or the non-wound facing side of the wound contact layer can support a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the plurality of the electronic components. The wound facing side or the non-wound facing side of the wound contact layer can include a region of substantially non-stretchable material that supports at least one electronic component from the plurality of electronic components. The at least one electronic component can be attached to the wound contact layer with adhesive material. Such arrangement can securely position the at least one electronic component and limit the mechanical strain on the at least one electronic component supported by the region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for applying negative pressure to a wound site. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a source of negative pressure, a processing element, and a memory comprising instructions configured to, when executed on the processing element, cause the apparatus to attempt to generate, via the source of negative pressure, a desired negative pressure at the wound site. If the desired negative pressure has not been generated after a first predetermined period of time, the instructions cause the apparatus to: deactivate the source of negative pressure for a second predetermined period of time, and subsequently attempt to generate the desired negative pressure at the wound site.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for determining a positioning of sensors in a wound dressing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound monitoring and/or therapy system can include a wound dressing and a plurality of sensors configured to measure one or more wound characteristics. The wound monitor system can also include at least one positioning device configured to indicate position and/or orientation in the wound of a sensor of the plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, a detector can be configured to determine, based on the positioning data, the position and/or orientation in the wound of the sensor of the plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors can be positioned on a strip or string of material in communication with the positioning device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body portion comprising a fluid inlet and an outlet, an expandable container secured to the body portion, at least one wicking element extending from within the body portion into the container, and at least one super absorber element arranged inside the container.

Abstract: Devices and methods for encapsulating a portion of a wound dressing with a coating are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method can comprise positioning a substantially flexible wound contact layer of the wound dressing on a perforated plate. The wound contact layer can include a first side supporting a plurality of electronic components protruding from a surface of the first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second side can be substantially smooth. The method can further comprise applying a vacuum to the wound contact layer through perforations in the perforated plate to hold the wound contact layer against the perforated plate and coating the wound contact layer with a coating.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a wound of a patient with negative pressure is provided. The device comprises a heat-assisted pump system. The pump system can be powered in part by heat derived from the patient. The pump system may be configured to be highly planar, light weight, and portable. The pump system may comprise a Stirling engine or a thermal acoustic engine.

Abstract: Some embodiments have a pump assembly mounted to or supported by a dressing for reduced pressure wound therapy. The dressing can have visual pressure, saturation, and/or temperature sensors to provide a visual indication of the level of pressure, saturation, and/or temperature within the dressing. Additionally, the pump assembly can have a pressure sensor in communication with the flow pathway through the pump, and at least one switch or button supported by the housing, the at least one switch or button being accessible to a user and being in communication with the controller. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump. The pump can be configured to be sterilized following the assembly of the pump such that all of the components of the pump have been sterilized.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for a skin perfusion pressure determination device. In some embodiments, a skin perfusion pressure determination device can include a sensor module having a first sensor for sensing a first parameter associated with a pressure exerted on a target area by the sensor module and a second sensor for sensing a second parameter associated with an amount of blood perfusion at the target area. In some embodiments, the first sensor and the second sensor can be arranged such that, when the sensor module is pressed against the target area the first sensor produces an output corresponding to the sensed first parameter and the second sensor produces an output corresponding to the sensed second parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus employing a wound dressing for negative pressure wound therapy and methods of using the same. Some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressing to be applied to a wound site, for example a wound dressing including a three-dimensional filter element, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of tissue covering elements for use in vacuum assisted tissue apposition systems, wherein the geometry of the covering elements favours the application of contractile forces over compressive or extensive forces at the tissue interface.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer, a spacer layer, an absorbent layer positioned on the spacer layer, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source and/or electronic components, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a recess configured to receive the electronics unit and the absorbent layer is configured to be in fluid communication with the electronics unit, and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the spacer layer, the absorbent layer, and the electronics unit.

Abstract: A collapsible, clamping and/or steerable apparatus in conjunction with negative pressure system and methods for using such an apparatus are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention have lengths and bent and/or increase their curvatures along their lengths, by preferentially contracting and transforming upon negative pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound dressing. The wound dressing can comprise an absorbent material, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source, the electronics unit integrated within the wound dressing and at least partially encapsulated by a flexible film. The electronics unit can include translucent or transparent components that allow light to travel through to reach adhesives or coatings on the electronic components that would otherwise be obscured.

Abstract: A wound dressing, a method of manufacturing a wound dressing, and a method of treating a patient are disclosed. The wound dressing may include an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate; and an obscuring element for at least partially obscuring a view of wound exudate absorbed by the absorbent layer in use.

Abstract: A wound packing material is provided, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, including a body of a porous material, the body including frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. Methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and methods of its use are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into a wound dressing apparatus so that the wound dressing and the negative pressure source are part of an integral or integrated wound dressing structure that applies the wound dressing and the negative pressure source simultaneously to a patient's wound. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be positioned between a wound contact layer and a cover layer of the wound dressing. A component may be used to prevent wound exudate from contacting the inlet of the negative pressure source.