Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds, in which wound exudate is removed from a wound bed and selectively cleansed and returned to the wound. 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 associated wound dressing and cleansing means are conformable to the wound, and may have irrigant fluid circulated from a reservoir 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.

Abstract: Liquid jet surgical cutting apparatus (10) and a method of use thereof are described, the apparatus comprising: a fluid reservoir (12) containing a supply of cutting fluid (14); a pump (16) to supply the cutting fluid to a liquid jet surgical cutting instrument; a liquid jet surgical cutting instrument (20); a drain conduit (22) to receive and drain waste cutting fluid (14) and entrained debris wherein the drain conduit is operably connected to a waste canister (24), the waste canister having vacuum means (26) operably connected thereto to apply a vacuum to an interior of the waste canister and to said drain conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a negative pressure generated by a suction pump of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of disconnecting a drive voltage from a pump of the TNP system, determining an EMF generated by a free-wheeling element of the pump, selecting a new drive voltage for the pump and reconnecting the new drive voltage to the pump.

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: A wound filling device for use in apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a site on the body of a mammal is described, the device comprising: 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. Apparatus embodying the wound filling device is also described.

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.

Abstract: A wound filling device is described and comprises a non-porous bag member, the bag member being sealed against ingress of wound exudate and being filled with resilient, compressible material.

Abstract: A wound packing unit and a method of using such in the treatment of a wound is described, the wound packing unit comprising a resilient, fluid absorbent material contained within a porous bag member, the porous bag member being made of a material which is non-adherent to the wound.

Abstract: A dressing for the application of topical negative and/or positive pressure therapy to a wound is described together with a method for creating the dressing, the dressing comprising in use: an optional layer of a pressure resistant porous material adjacent a surface of a wound to be treated; a first layer of a flexible wound covering and sealing material on top of the optional pressure resistant porous material adapted, in use, to surround the wound and seal against sound tissue to form, in use, a first sealed cavity with the wound; a first conduit having a first end adapted to communicate with an interface between said optional layer of porous material and said first layer of flexible wound covering and sealing material and a second end adapted to communicate with vacuum means to establish a negative pressure, in use, between said first covering and sealing material layer and a wound surface; a resiliently compressible wound packing material on top of said first layer of covering and sealing material; a seco

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional wound packing member is described, the method comprising the steps of: taking material selected from at least one of the following forms comprising perforated sheet, net, woven, non-woven and knitted material; subjecting the at least one material to at least one forming process selected from the processes comprising rolling into tubes, braiding, knotting and knitting to form a three-dimensional and resilient structural unit member for packing into a wound.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing and promoting tissue growth in wounds, in which irrigant fluid optionally containing cell nutrients and/or other 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, a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The apparatus has means for supplying thermal energy to the fluid in the wound. 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 and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the presentation of a uniform coating of a metal cluster species on a substrate is described, the process comprises the steps of: depositing an amorphous primer coating on the substrate; providing a source of metal ions for binding to the amorphous coating; and, generating metal clusters on the primer coating by applying reducing conditions thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are described for the provision of topical negative pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising: an aspirant pump for moving aspirated fluid through said apparatus; aspirant conduit means operably connected to a dressing covering a wound being aspirated; a waste container operably connected to the aspirant conduit and for receiving wound exudate therein; the waste container having a fluid exit port for the flow of gaseous aspirated fluid therefrom, the exit port having filter means associated therewith for preventing aspirated liquid from passing therethrough; a fluid flow path on the exit side of said waste container for the flow of aspirated gaseous fluid therethrough; the fluid flow path having therein a flow meter and a pressure monitor; and a control system for interrogating and interpreting signals from said flow meter and pressure monitor. The apparatus and method alerts a user to an approaching waste canister full condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for indicating a status of at least one operating parameter associated with a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of generating illumination from at least one LED, the illumination having at least one characteristic corresponding to a status of at least one operating parameter associated with the TNP system and being visible to a user.

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 device 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to scaffolds for use as medical devices, for guided tissue regeneration and repair, wherein the relationship between fibre diameter and pore size in a scaffold is decoupled, thereby enabling the small fibre diameters required for cell attachment and proliferation and the large pore sizes needed for cell migration into the scaffold to be achieved.