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: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing reduced or negative pressure, and more particularly cyclical reduced pressure, to treat a wound. The system can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection container, a suction source, filters, and conduits. In addition, the system can include a control device and sensors. The sensors may be configured to monitor certain physiological conditions of a patient such as temperature, pressure, blood flow, blood oxygen saturation, pulse, cardiac cycle, and the like. Application of cyclical reduced pressure between two or more values below atmospheric pressure may be synchronized with the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors. Certain embodiments of the system utilize an air reservoir and one or more valves and pressure sensors or gauges to allow for rapid cycling of the level of reduced pressure within the wound dressing between two or more reduced pressure values.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, devices and methods for monitoring dimensional changes in medical devices attached to or implanted in the body, such as wound fillers. Disclosed embodiments may facilitate measuring the degree of wound closure by incorporating conductive elements into the wound filler. In some embodiments, the conductive elements may be conductive filler, a flexible conductive element, or an arrangement of discrete non-flexible conductive elements. The density of conductive material in an area or volume of the wound filler upon wound closure may be detected by a detection device that assesses the local dielectric constant of the wound filler, such as through use of a capacitive plate, or by a detection device that measures the resonant frequency of a conductive element.

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: Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a spacer layer with an upper portion and a lower portion. The spacer layer can be configured to be wrapped around at least one edge of the absorbent layer with the upper portion of the spacer layer being above the absorbent layer and the lower portion of the spacer layer being below the absorbent layer. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a first and second spacer layer and an absorbent layer. The first spacer layer can be positioned below the absorbent layer and the first spacer layer can have a perimeter larger than a perimeter of the absorbent layer. The second spacer layer can be positioned above the absorbent layer. The second spacer layer can have a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the absorbent layer.

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: 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: 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: 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 an obscuring layer that may hide fluid contained therein and a stabilizing structure that may aid in wound closure.

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: In some embodiments, an apparatus for imaging blood within a target region of tissue includes an imaging device configured to output image data associated with light received by the imaging device having a first and second spectral ranges, wherein the absorptivity by blood of light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of light having the second spectral range, and a controlling element configured to capture the image data associated with light received by the imaging device and to process the captured image data associated with light having the first spectral range and the captured image data associated with light having the second spectral range to generate compound image data associated with an amount of blood within the target region of tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a source of negative pressure, a coupling circuit, a driving circuit, and a controller. The driving circuit supplies a driving signal to the source of negative pressure via the coupling circuit to cause the source of negative pressure to provide negative pressure to a wound dressing. The coupling circuit includes an inductive reactance that limits a rate of change over time of the driving signal. The controller controls the driving signal supplied by the driving circuit.

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: 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.

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: Some embodiments comprise a pump assembly for reduced pressure wound therapy, comprising a housing, a flow pathway through the pump, one or more valves in communication with the flow pathway, a pump supported within or by the housing, and a one-way flow valve in fluid communication with the pump. 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 one-way flow valve can be configured to substantially prevent a flow of gas through the one-way flow valve in a direction of flow away from the pump. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound and for minimizing scarring. The apparatus promotes scar-minimizing healing of a wound where negative pressure wound therapy is applied, and comprises a wound contact layer containing silicone, polysiloxanes, or other related compounds.

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: 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: In some embodiments, a negative pressure apparatus includes a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing placed to create a seal over a wound, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller can be configured to operate the negative pressure source in a first mode and determine a change in pressure in the fluid flow path over a period of time based on a plurality of measurements by the pressure sensor. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is decreasing, the controller can operate the negative pressure source in a second mode in which greater amount of negative pressure is provided than in the first mode. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is not decreasing, the controller can provide an indication of a first leak in the seal.