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 number of viewing portals that facilitate observation of wound tissue or healthy skin underlying the wound dressing. Some embodiments of the viewing portals are provided by forming through holes in internal dressing layers including absorbent material and transmission material, optionally by providing a plug material within the through holes, and by providing translucent or transparent cover layer and tissue contact layer materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for hemostasis. The unit is configured to be directly applied to a bleeding wound and comprises an envelope enclosing an inner space as well as an effective amount of a hemostatic material disposed within the inner space. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement of two or more such units for hemostasis, the units being coupled to each other. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing an arrangement of units for hemostasis. In accordance with the method, an effective amount of a hemostatic material is disposed within an interior region of a starting material, and neck regions are formed on both sides of the charge so as to form an envelope enclosing the charge.

Abstract: A treatment system for debriding a treatment area of a tissue site and applying negative pressure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the treatment system may include an ultrasonic bubble generator fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source, fluid source, and a dressing. Fluid may be drawn from the fluid source to the ultrasonic bubble generator, whereby micro-bubbles and ultrasonic waves may be generated in the fluid before the fluid is instilled to the dressing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

Abstract: A wound monitoring and/or therapy system can include a substantially stretchable substrate supporting a plurality of electronic components, including sensors, and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the electronic components. The electronic components can also include a circuit board supporting at least one controller configured to control at least some of the sensors, the circuit board configured to operate without failure when the substrate is flexed as a result of strain. A calibration track can be positioned on the substrate and connected to a monitoring circuit configured to measure a change in resistance of the calibration track indicative of resistance change of at least some of the plurality of electronic connections. The system can include a controller with a circuit board supporting a plurality of electrical components and an antenna configured to communicate with the substrate, the antenna at least partially enclosing the circuit board.

Abstract: An evacuation system and method for removing and/or treating gaseous and/or particulate byproducts of surgical procedures includes an end effector such as a side vent trocar, an operating room tower or the equivalent, a disposal vessel, a vacuum source and optionally a filter. The end effector may be coupled to the tower by a conduit, the tower may be coupled to the collection tank by a conduit, and the collection tank may be coupled to the vacuum source. Gaseous and/or particulate byproducts may flow from the surgical site through the trocar, conduits, tower tank and filter, and the flow may be regulated at least in part by the components of the system.

Abstract: A stool management system having a tubular body including a first end section disposable in a rectum of a patient and a second end section including a first connector which detachably mates with a second connector coupled to a collection container which receives waste matter passed through the tubular body from the bowel of the patient.

Abstract: A cover layer for a vacuum wound therapy dressing includes a backing layer formed from a flexible polymeric membrane and an adhesive layer for affixing the backing layer over a wound bed to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal around a perimeter of the wound bed. The cover layer is reinforced with a reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the backing layer to distribute forces associated with evacuating a reservoir, as defined by or within the cover, to stimulate healing of the wound bed.

Abstract: A method includes inserting into a patient body a medical suction tool, which includes a hollow first tube for removing material away from a Eustachian tube of a patient, and a hollow second tube disposed around the first tube. The medical suction tool is navigated to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is sealed by coupling an outer surface of the second tube to an inner surface of the Eustachian tube. While the Eustachian tube is sealed by the second tube, the material is removed away from the Eustachian tube via the first tube.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: A device for applying a product onto skin having a housing which receives the product from a container (12) and receives a gas. The housing has an outlet through which the product and gas are dispensed onto an area of the skin, and a heater configured to heat the gas and/or the product such that the gas and/or product is applied to the skin in a heated state. The product meets the gas adjacent to the outlet where the gas collects the product such that the heated gas and product are projected through the outlet and applied to the skin in a heated state. The housing forms a handheld device to be held by a user and moved across the skin to apply the product.

Abstract: A bodily fluid drainage assembly can include a fluid bag and one or more covers. The assembly can include one or more volume indicators from which an approximate volume of a bodily fluid that is retained within the bag can be ascertained. In some arrangements, a cover includes a volume indicator that defines an opening through which a transparent or semitransparent portion of the bag can be viewed.

Abstract: Leak location devices and methods of using leak location devices that can be used in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a leak location device can include a microphone for detecting sound pressure produced by a leak. Detected sound pressure can be compared to a threshold, which can correspond to background or ambient sound pressure. Background or ambient sound pressure can correspond to sound produced by a negative pressure source. The leak detection device can include a display configured to visually depict the detected sound, and a light source which creates a visual depiction of the coverage angle of the microphone.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for holding surgical drain evacuators in inelastic expandable pouches. Particularly, apparatuses and methods include or utilize garments for supporting and protecting surgical drain evacuators and surgical drains include straps or belts for attaching the garment to a patient. The garments include one or more expandable pouches configured to receive a surgical drain evacuator, wherein the expandable pouch is formed of a flexible inelastic material.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a front panel, a rear panel, an intermediate panel joining the front and the rear panels and optionally one or more fitting components is provided. At least one of the panels and/or the fitting components is elastically contractible and made of an elastic nonwoven material that is pre-stretched and has both non-elastic and elastic polymeric material components in the form of fibers. The nonwoven material is bonded by individual bonding points arranged in a pattern. The pattern has rows of individual bonding points extending in a machine-direction and a cross-direction of the nonwoven material, and each has a centre point. The centre point of each bonding point in a row of bonding points extending in the cross-direction and/or machine-direction is offset from a centre point of each bonding point in a neighbouring row of bonding points extending in the cross-direction and/or in the machine-direction, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of a canister for a negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the canister includes a receptacle for receiving wound exudate. A filter stack is interposed between the receptacle and the pump assembly and provides a fluid flow path therebetween. The flow path is more easily navigable by gas than by liquid, thereby allowing the pump assembly to apply a negative pressure to the canister without aspirating wound exudate into filters housed within the filter stack.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of the present application can accelerate and reduce medical complications associated with healing of non-planar wounds such as amputation wounds. The devices and methods utilize a collapsing structure and negative pressure to cause the shaped wound to preferentially close. The structure can accommodate movement over curved tissue surfaces, which can utilize scales or interleaved elements to provide efficient wound closure along arcuate paths. This structure can enable gradual closure from the deepest portion of the wound to the shallowest portion.

Abstract: An apparatus to couple a drainage reservoir to a patient is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a device having, a first end, a second end, and a tab with an orifice. The first end comprises an adhesive surface. Further, the apparatus includes a clip attached to the orifice in the tab of the device. The first end of the device is attached to the body of the patient, and the clip is coupled to the strap on the drainage reservoir such that the drainage reservoir is coupled to the body of the patient with the help of the device and the included clip.

Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bounded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).

Abstract: A fluid control device includes a container and a passive valve. A vacuum source has a suction hole. The container has a first connection hole, a second connection hole, a third connection hole, a storage chamber, and a water-sealing chamber. The passive valve includes a first valve housing, a second valve housing, and a diaphragm. A ventilation hole, a second ventilation hole, and a third ventilation hole are provided in the first valve housing and the second valve housing. The first ventilation hole of the passive valve communicates with the second connection hole of the container. The second ventilation hole of the passive valve communicates with the suction hole of the vacuum source. The third ventilation hole is opened to the atmosphere. The diaphragm is pinched between the first valve housing and the second valve housing and forms a first region and a second region.