Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating electrical power during negative pressure therapy. The apparatus includes a fuel cell, comprising an anode element and a cathode element, arranged to collect biological fluid from a wound site to which a negative pressure is applied and electro-oxidize a component of the biological fluid at the anode element and/or electro-reduce a component of the biological fluid at the cathode element.

Abstract: A dressing (30), a grommet (10) and a combination thereof are described for making a dressing for use in locating and retaining conduits and/or tubes used in therapy of a wound is described, the dressing (30) comprising a backing layer (32) having an adhesive coating (34) thereon for adhering the dressing (30) to a patient; the backing layer (32) having a cut-out (48) therein for receiving a grommet member (10); said grommet member (10) having at least one aperture (14) therethrough for receiving a conduit; and, said grommet member (10) further comprising a flange portion (16) in some embodiments for attaching the grommet member (10) to said adhesive coated backing layer (32).

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means 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 apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. It may also contain a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound.

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: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a user of the apparatus is described together with a method for protecting said apparatus when subjected to abnormal stresses, the apparatus comprising a device and a waste canister releasably connected thereto wherein the device and waste canister are connected together by clip means, said clip means being subject to failure upon application of abnormal stresses thereby permitting separation of the device and waste canister.

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: A dressing, for use in securing an infusion set on a skin surface, the dressing consisting of a film having a skin contacting surface and a non-skin-contacting surface, the skin-contacting surface being provided with an adhesive; a releasable backing layer provided on the non-skin-contacting surface of the film; a releasable liner provided on the skin-contacting surface of the film layer and overlaying the adhesive wherein an aperture is provided having a first portion extending from an edge of the film, backing layer and liner opening into a second portion having a geometry which is identical or substantially similar to the geometry of the perimeter of the hub of an infusion set, and wherein at least one handle is provided between the film and the liner.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus (130) for use in wound therapy of mammals is described, the apparatus (130) comprising: a dressing covering the wound, the dressing being substantially sealed to prevent ingress of ambient atmospheric air to the wound; aspiration means (132) operably connected to a space between the dressing and the wound by an aspiration conduit (142) sealed to the point of entry between wound and dressing against ingress of ambient atmosphere, said conduit (142) being for aspiration of said wound and for removal of fluid from said space between said wound and said dressing; a waste container (148) for receiving aspirated fluid to be discarded operably connected to said aspiration conduit; and heating means (144) for heating said fluid in order to increase the vapour pressure thereof and to cause evaporation to reduce the volume of the fluid in the waste container (148). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the waste fluid is also provided with a sparge gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the provision of topical negative pressure therapy to a wound site are described, the apparatus comprising: vacuum generating means for generating a negative pressure at said wound site said vacuum generating means being operably connected to a dressing at said wound site by aspiration conduit means; pressure sensing conduit means in fluid communication with said aspiration conduit means at a junction adjacent said dressing; first pressure sensing means between said junction and said vacuum generating means; second pressure sensing means operably associated with said pressure sensing conduit means; diagnostic means in communication with said first and second pressure sensing means; and control means in communication with said diagnostic means for controlling pressure in said aspiration and said pressure sensing conduit means.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a user of the apparatus (200) is described together with a method for protecting said apparatus (200) when subjected to abnormal stresses, the apparatus (200) comprising a device (202) and a waste canister (204) releasably connected thereto wherein the device (202) and waste canister (204) are connected together by clip means (222), said clip means (222) being subject to failure upon application of abnormal stresses thereby permitting separation of the device (202) and waste canister (204).

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the provision of topical negative pressure therapy to a wound site are described, the apparatus comprising: vacuum generating means for generating a negative pressure at said wound site said vacuum generating means being operably connected to a dressing at said wound site by aspiration conduit means; pressure sensing conduit means in fluid communication with said aspiration conduit means at a junction adjacent said dressing; first pressure sensing means between said junction and said vacuum generating means; second pressure sensing means operably associated with said pressure sensing conduit means; diagnostic means in communication with said first and second pressure sensing means; and control means in communication with said diagnostic means for controlling pressure in said aspiration and said pressure sensing conduit means.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.

Abstract: A curable composition apportioned between at least one Part A and at least one Part B, the Parts sealed within barrier means in manner to prevent contamination thereof, the composition comprising: (i) one or more alkenyl-containing prepolymers having at least one alkenyl moiety per molecule, ii) one or more SiH-containing prepolymers having at least one SiH unit per molecule, and additionally: (iii) a catalyst for curing by addition of alkenyl-containing prepolymer (i) to SiH-containing prepolymer (ii), wherein the at least one Part A and at least one Part B are provided within or upon at least two respective receptacles or supports and are adapted to be dispensed or released therefrom in cooperative manner facilitating intimate contact and curing thereof, wherein the receptacle(s) or support(s) for at least one of Part A and Part B is thermally stable at elevated temperature of 123 C for a period in excess of 18 hours, methods for preparing the composition, methods for sterilisation thereof, medical and non-

Abstract: A curable composition apportioned between at least one Part A and at least one Part B, the Parts sealed within barrier means preventing contamination, the at least one Part A comprising: (i) one or more alkenyl-group containing prepolymers having at least one alkenyl group or moiety per molecule, and the at least one Part B comprising: (ii) one or more SiH-containing prepolymers having at least one Si—H unit per molecule; the composition additionally comprising: (iii) a catalyst for curing by addition of alkenyl-containing prepolymer (i) to SiH-containing prepolymer (ii), wherein prepolymer (ii) is substantially absent from Part A and prepolymer (i) is substantially absent from Part B, methods for preparing the composition, methods for sterilisation thereof, medical and non-medical use thereof, a device incorporating the composition, and a precursor therefor including its sterilisable precursor composition, in particular a terminally sterilisable or terminally sterile composition for medical use, particularly

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing negative pressure at a wound site. The apparatus includes a suction pump for generating negative pressure, a negative pressure reservoir, a valve element arranged to selectively provide a fluid communication path between the reservoir and the wound site while a negative pressure in the negative pressure reservoir is greater than a threshold negative pressure, to thereby provide a desired negative pressure at the wound site, and wherein in response to a pressure in the negative pressure reservoir decreasing to the threshold negative pressure, the suction pump is operable to re-establish an initial negative pressure in the negative pressure reservoir.