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.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing, negative pressure source, circuit board, and one or more controllers. The circuit board can be supported by the housing and include a conductive pathway extending around at least part of a perimeter of a first side of the circuit board. The conductive pathway can be electrically coupled to an electrical ground for the circuit board. The one or more controllers can be mounted on the circuit board and activate and deactivate the negative pressure source.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus includes a wound dressing configured to be positioned in contact with a wound, the wound dressing comprising one or more sensors configured to obtain measurement data of at least one of the wound or periwound. The apparatus can also include a controller configured to maintain a device clock indicative of a non-real time clock, receive measurement data obtained by the one or more sensors, and transmit measurement data to a remote computing device according to a security protocol, the security protocol comprising including the device clock associated with the measurement data in the transmission.

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: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for determining an emplacement of sensors in a wound dressing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure wound or patient characteristics. One or more processors are configured to receive wound or patient characteristics data as well as emplacement data. The received data can be used to determine an emplacement of the plurality of sensors, the wound dressing, or a wound. The sensors can include a set of nanosensors. The wound dressing can include pH sensitive ink which can be utilized for determining a placement of the wound dressing and determining a pH associated with the wound. The wound dressing can be used in a negative pressure wound therapy system.

Abstract: Many embodiments of wound filling devices and methods of their use in systems for the application of negative pressure therapy are described herein. In one embodiment, a wound filling device comprises: an inflatable bag member having at least one fluid carrying conduit operably connected thereto to inflate/deflate said bag member; a separate textured covering sock member at least partially covering the inflatable bag member. Another embodiment comprises a three-dimensional wound packing member, and may optionally comprise a plurality of such members linked together. Certain embodiments of wound packing members may comprise a porous bag member adapted to be non-adherent to the wound. Yet other embodiments may comprise a non-porous bag member provided with means to connect a fluid supply to the interior.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may include wound closure devices built from smaller units that are modular, assemble-able and/or customizable.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, methods for monitoring wound pH are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes one or more optical sensors configured to measure a change in color of a pH-sensitive adhesive that changes color in response to changes in wound exudate pH. In some embodiments, the wound dressing may further comprise hydrophilic channels that direct wound exudate to a pH-sensitive material over the optical sensors. Such dressings may also be used in combination with a negative pressure wound therapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. A wound dressing apparatus can comprises a wound contact layer, at least one absorbent layer, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source unit, and a cover layer. The electronics unit can comprise a plurality of sensors positioned on a printed circuit board and an inlet protection mechanism of the negative pressure source unit comprises a first recess in fluid communication with a first sensor and the outlet or exhaust mechanism negative pressure source unit comprises a second recess in fluid communication with a second sensor.

Abstract: Some arrangements disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for treating a wound, comprising applying negative pressure to the wound through a cover applied over a wound, monitoring the internal pressure in the wound, and controlling the closure of the wound by controlling the amount that a wound packing material positioned under the cover collapses within the wound based on the monitored internal pressure. The wound packing material collapse can be controlled to ensure that the monitored internal pressure does not exceed a threshold value. Additionally, some embodiments or arrangements disclosed herein relate to a visualization element to visualize a location of a wound surface. The visualization element can comprise a radiopaque member that is configured to be positioned on or adjacent to a surface of an open wound.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Certain disclosed embodiments facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to exert force on the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a collapsible structure with a plurality of cells.

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 preshaped film material or film. The preshaped film material can be incorporated into the wound dressing and can comprise an aperture configured to permit fluid communication between the absorbent material and the negative pressure source.

Abstract: Material comprising a flexible porous hydrophilic polymer foam or fibre matrix comprising two matrix faces and therebetween a structural matrix framework defining a network of cells, having a cell network surface and therein a network of pores and a powder charge comprising antimicrobial additive and/or wound dressing additive, wherein the powder charge is comprised at the matrix face or faces and/or within the cell network or within the structural matrix framework and wherein the additive is micronized, a method for the preparation thereof comprising micronizing the additive and dosing powder charge to the matrix or a reactive phase for the manufacture of said matrix, devices comprising the material and uses thereof.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to exert force on the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a clamping structure with removable sections.

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.

Abstract: An antimicrobial material including a composite of a matrix component comprising a flexible hydrophilic polymer foam or fiber matrix comprising two matrix faces providing a release face and a reverse face or two release faces, and therebetween a structural matrix framework defining a network of cells having a cell network surface and therein a network of pores or cell openings, and a powder charge component comprising antimicrobial additive or wound care additive, wherein said powder charge is comprised at one said release face or both said faces and/or within said cell network.

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: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes one or more electronic components configured to be incorporated into layers of the wound dressing or integrated on top of the wound dressing. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into the wound dressing. The negative pressure source can be sealed between two moisture vapor permeable cover layers or enclosed in a moisture vapor permeable pouch, and may be received in a recess of an absorbent layer or spacer layer of a wound dressing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus employing a fluidic connector for negative pressure wound therapy and methods of using the same. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors for connecting to a wound site, for example a fluidic connector including a reinforcement, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Embodiments of tissue monitoring in combination with negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a monitoring and therapy system comprises collecting video images of a tissue site and amplifying said video images via Eulerian Video Magnification. Depending upon the changes detected via Eulerian Video magnification, negative pressure wound therapy may be delivered to the tissue site, stopped, or altered in some manner.