Patents Assigned to Smith & Nephew plc
  • Wound cleansing apparatus with scaffold
    Patent number: 8882746
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid containing a physiologically active material from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. A biodegradable scaffold underlies the dressing on the wound bed to promote tissue growth. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing, an assembly comprising the dressing and scaffold, and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Tina Michelle Walker, Julian Lee-Webb, Derek Nicolini, Robin Paul Martin
  • APPARATUS FOR TOPICAL NEGATIVE PRESSURE THERAPY
    Publication number: 20140330225
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the provision of TNP therapy to a wound are described, the apparatus comprising: a sealing membrane (504) for covering a wound to form a wound cavity (500); one end of an aspirant conduit (522) operably associated with the wound cavity, vacuum means (524) provided at a distal end of the aspirant conduit for applying a vacuum to the wound cavity; and, air bleed means (510) in fluid communication with the wound cavity. Various embodiments of air bleed port members are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Kristian Hall, Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140316356
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Derek NICOLINI
  • WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT
    Publication number: 20140316359
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressings comprising a bridge portion connecting two or more portions of an absorbent layer that facilitates trimming of the wound dressing to suitable sizes. Some embodiments provide for trimming the dressing in a gap between two or more portions of an absorbent layer and sealing the exposed portion of dressing after trimming when the dressing is applied to skin surrounding a wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Sarah Jenny Collinson, Philip Gowans, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Marcus Damian Phillips
  • Auxiliary powered negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and methods
    Patent number: 8852170
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus that can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection device, a vacuum pump comprising a pump motor, and tubing can be powered by auxiliary power sources such as high efficiency batteries, photovoltaic panels or cells, fuel cells, combustion generators, human powered generators, or other mechanical, electrical, or chemical power sources such as hand operated dynamos or wound springs, or any combination of the foregoing. Additionally, the apparatus can include a high efficiency pressure controller for controlling the output of the vacuum pump. In some embodiments, the pressure controller can control the pump without using a processor, and can have other features such as an intermittent delay function and an anti-stall mechanism to reduce the energy consumption of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: BlueSky Medical Group, Inc., Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Richard Scott Weston, Farhad Bybordi, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Kristian David Hall
  • WOUND CONTACTING MEMBERS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140296804
    Abstract: Wound contacting members and methods, apparatuses, systems and kits incorporating the same are disclosed. The wound contacting members offer improved performance in terms of preventing or inhibiting tissue in-growth and improving tissue granulation growth. The wound contacting members may be used in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: John Kenneth Hicks, Elizabeth Mary Huddleston
  • Silencer for vacuum system of a wound drainage apparatus
    Patent number: 8845603
    Abstract: Apparatus (10, 200) for the provision of TNP therapy to a wound is described, the apparatus (10, 200) including: a waste canister (22, 204) into which fluid is aspirated from a wound by aspiration pump means (44, 248) and a fluid flow path (420, 422) for at least a part of said aspirated fluid on an outlet side of said aspiration pump means (44) wherein said fluid flow path (420, 422) on the outlet side comprises a silencing system (400) having a plurality of silencing elements (402, 404, 406) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Max Middleton, Stephen Jacob
  • Wound treatment apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8845619
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Julian Lee-Webb, Derek Nicolini, Clare Green, Robin Paul Martin
  • Canister status determination
    Patent number: 8843327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining status of a canister of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of monitoring pressure provided by a pump element of the TNP system, determining at least one characteristic associated with the monitored pressure and determining status of at least one parameter associated with a canister of the TNP system responsive to the determined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Edward Vernon-Harcourt, Jake Turner, Benjamin Gordon
  • In-situ wound cleansing apparatus
    Patent number: 8834451
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a wound can include a wound dressing, a vacuum pump configured to apply negative pressure to the dressing, and a fluid offtake tube configured to provide fluid communication between the pump and the dressing. The dressing can include a backing layer, a boss mounted to the backing layer at an opening in the backing layer, a foam layer on a proximal side of the backing layer, an adhesive on a periphery of the backing layer, and a membrane layer having a plurality of apertures configured to contact the wound. The foam layer can be in direct contact with the membrane layer, and can be configured to be simultaneously applied over the wound together with the backing layer. The adhesive can be configured to attach the backing layer to skin around the wound. The periphery of the backing layer can extend beyond and surround the membrane layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Tina Michelle Walker, Derek Nicolini, Julian Lee-Webb
  • WOUND CLEANSING APPARATUS WITH STRESS
    Publication number: 20140257211
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds with means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound, in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a devise for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound promotes wound healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Julian Lee-Webb, Derek Nicolini, Clare Green, Robin Paul Martin
  • WOUND DRESSING
    Publication number: 20140249493
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT
    Publication number: 20140249495
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW PLC
    Inventors: Ella Lynn Mumby, Hélène Anne Lecomte
  • Vacuum closure device
    Patent number: 8821535
    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 favors the application of contractile forces over compressive or extensive forces at the tissue interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Bryan Greener
  • Apparatus and method for wound volume measurement
    Patent number: 8814841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a volume of a wound are described, the method comprising the steps of: applying a dressing over a wound, the volume of which is to be measured, the dressing including at least a sealing drape over the wound so as to create a sealed wound cavity; creating a vacuum in said wound cavity by vacuum pump means so as to produce a predetermined vacuum in the wound cavity; measuring a volume of air extracted from said wound cavity in producing said predetermined vacuum; and, calculating a volume of said wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Hartwell
  • VACUUM ASSISTED WOUND DRESSING
    Publication number: 20140236109
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Bryan Greener
  • TAILORED POLYMERS
    Publication number: 20140236226
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shape memory polymers (SMP) and especially to shape memory polymer containing a water soluble non-reactive plasticiser and to uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: Smith & Nephew PLC, University of Bradford
    Inventors: Malcolm Brown, Horacio Montes de Oca Balderas, Michael Andrew Hall, Phillip Caton-Rose, Phillip David Coates, Glen Thompson
  • Wound dressing
    Patent number: 8808274
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • WOUND DRESSING
    Publication number: 20140228791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Edward Yerbury Hartwell
  • Wound packing
    Patent number: 8791316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound packing material that comprises a porous material and is suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy. The wound packing material comprises frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed. The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and to methods of its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventor: Bryan Greener