Abstract: A system for treating open wounds includes a foam material configured for pouring, spraying, injecting or spreading on a wound bed. The foam material can comprise a base component and a curing component, which can be pre-mixed before application, or mixed in situ as the components are being applied to the wound site. A third component can comprise a sacrificial porogen. Foam can be placed in the wound bed as a wound liner on the wound surfaces. An additional foam insulation can provide a foam filler partially contained by the wound liner and generally flush with a patient's epidermis. A method of treating open wounds includes the steps of applying the wound liner and filler components. An optional step comprises covering the wound liner with a semi-permeable (breathable) membrane and mounting inlet and outlet ports thereon for introducing healing compositions as input, and extracting wound exudates as output.

Abstract: A biopsy punch device and method for making punch cuts at consistent predetermined depths. In an exemplary embodiment of the biopsy punch device includes two interconnecting pieces: an inner housing piece and an outer blocking cover piece. The inner housing piece releasably mounts cutting blades arranged in a desired geometric shape for biopsy punch cuts. The blocking cover piece overlays the inner housing piece in an assembled configuration and includes two openings: a larger distal end opening and a narrower proximal end cutting blade opening. The blocking cover distal end opening fits around and adjacent to the housing piece distal end. The blocking cover proximal end opening fits around and adjacent to the cutting blades. With the biopsy punch device in assembled position, the proximal side of the blocking cover piece provides a mechanical stop in the cutting process at the desired depth of penetration of the cutting blades.

Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing includes a wick configured for placement over an incision. A transfer assembly includes a compressible, porous core with a permeable cover placed over the core. The transfer assembly is positioned on the wick in fluidic contact and is covered by a dressing cover, which is configured for adhesive attachment to the patient around the incision. A drain slip including a proximal end configured for placement in the incision extends through the wick and the transfer assembly and is configured for connection to a negative pressure source. A NPWT method includes steps of draining a closed incision using negative pressure applied to a drain slip.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating wound healing dressings, treatments, and other variables. The present invention includes in vitro systems and methods for testing wound dressing materials for bacterial control, moisture control, and surface contact properties. The present invention further includes in vivo systems and methods for testing wound dressings, treatments, and other variables utilizing arrays of wound wells on an experimental subject animal. Wound arrays allow for different wound healing variables to be tested with numerous experimental trials within the same subject animal, giving reliable results and reducing the number of subject animals required for testing.

Abstract: A tissue closure treatment system and method are provided with an external patient interface. A first fluid transfer component FTC.1 comprises a strip of porous material, such as rayon, with liquid wicking properties. FTC.1 can be placed directly on a suture line for transferring fluid exuded therethrough. An underdrape is placed over FTC.1 and includes a slot exposing a portion of same. FTC.2 comprises a suitable hydrophobic foam material, such as polyurethane ether, and is placed over the underdrape slot in communication with FTC.1. Negative pressure is applied to FTC.2 through a connecting fluid transfer component FTC.3. A negative pressure source can comprises a manual device or a power-operated suction device. The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using a manual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suction when a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained.

Abstract: A fluid analysis simulation and training system and method. An embodiment includes an educational monitor that allows desired data and results to be displayed on a simulated glucometer as part of a faculty computer. In this embodiment, a faculty member controls the data displayed depending on the action of the learners. The present invention also discloses a model allowing the opportunity to practice the skill of obtaining a blood sample in a simulated environment. The model includes a simulated finger configured for placement over a manikin or simulated patient's finger and for holding a simulated patient fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, the simulated patient fluid includes a predetermined amount of glucose and is configured for testing with a standard glucometer. In another embodiment, the simulated patient fluid is inert, and a faculty member, or instructor, controls the display on a simulated glucometer.

Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Abstract: A biopsy punch device and method for making punch cuts at consistent predetermined depths. In an exemplary embodiment of the biopsy punch device includes two interconnecting pieces: an inner housing piece and an outer blocking cover piece. The inner housing piece releasably mounts cutting blades arranged in a desired geometric shape for biopsy punch cuts. The blocking cover piece overlays the inner housing piece in an assembled configuration and includes two openings: a larger distal end opening and a narrower proximal end cutting blade opening. The blocking cover distal end opening fits around and adjacent to the housing piece distal end. The blocking cover proximal end opening fits around and adjacent to the cutting blades. With the biopsy punch device in assembled position, the proximal side of the blocking cover piece provides a mechanical stop in the cutting process at the desired depth of penetration of the cutting blades.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system including a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters, and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method including the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin, and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Additional aspects of the invention include systems and methods for glucometer simulation and training. Further embodiments include simulated body parts configured for holding simulated bodily fluid for capillary puncture and/or injection simulation.

Abstract: A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system includes a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method includes the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Glucometer simulation and training are also disclosed.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system including a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters, and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method including the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin, and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Systems and methods for glucometer simulation and training are also disclosed.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system including a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters, and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method including the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin, and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Additional aspects of the invention include systems and methods for glucometer simulation and training. An embodiment includes a simulated finger configured for holding simulated blood serum and for puncture with a lancet.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system including a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters, and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method including the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin, and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Additional aspects of the invention include systems and methods for glucometer simulation and training.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating wound healing dressings, treatments, and other variables. The present invention includes in vitro systems and methods for testing wound dressing materials for bacterial control, moisture control, and surface contact properties. The present invention further includes in vivo systems and methods for testing wound dressings, treatments, and other variables utilizing arrays of wound wells on an experimental subject animal. Wound arrays allow for different wound healing variables to be tested with numerous experimental trials within the same subject animal, giving reliable results and reducing the number of subject animals required for testing.

Abstract: A healthcare simulation system including a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters, and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method including the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin, and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs. Alternative aspects of the invention include tools, such as computers and other equipment, for obtaining and displaying information and for interconnecting and interfacing participants, subjects and controllers in training systems and methods. Additional aspects of the invention include systems and methods for glucometer simulation and training. An embodiment includes a simulated finger configured for holding simulated blood serum and for puncture with a lancet.

Abstract: A description of a device and method of use are provided for a containment chamber, accompanying sensing and monitoring instrumentation, and method of creation of a physical force wave that would be capable of mimicking physiologic waves such as pulse pressure, muscle contraction, peristalsis, acoustic waves and other desired waves to be studied. This device allows for the use of various biologic or biologically comparable fluids—alone or in combination—that would allow for the analysis of the passage of these waves through these media. Singularly, this device also allows for the manipulation of the external constraints that mimic the containment of that media in vivo. This allows for the analysis of the effects on the nature of the wave, its reflections, potential augmentation or dampening that occur in conjunction with various selected external and internal (baffle) constraints that mimic those found in nature or in therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing includes a wick configured for placement over an incision. A transfer assembly includes a compressible, porous core with a permeable cover placed over the core. The transfer assembly is positioned on the wick in fluidic contact and is covered by a dressing cover, which is configured for adhesive attachment to the patient around the incision. A drain slip including a proximal end configured for placement in the incision extends through the wick and the transfer assembly and is configured for connection to a negative pressure source. A NPWT method includes steps of draining a closed incision using negative pressure applied to a drain slip.