The present invention relates generally to medical treatment systems and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to limited-access, reduced-pressure systems and methods.
Clinical studies and practices have shown that providing reduced pressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequently referred to in the medical community as “negative pressure wound therapy,” “reduced pressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides a number of benefits, which may include faster healing and increased formulation of granulation tissue. Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.
Providing reduced pressure to limited-access locations has been difficult. One example of a difficult limited-access location is the bottom sole (plantar) of a patient's foot or other anatomical locations that are difficult to service. A related illustrative example of a limited-access location is inside an offloading device, such as a walking boot or removable walker. Another example of a limited-access location is a tissue site on a bed-ridden patient's back. Other illustrative examples include a tissue site under a compression garment and sacral wounds on the foot.
Problems with existing reduced-pressure treatment devices and systems are addressed by the systems, apparatus, and methods of the illustrative embodiments described herein. According to an illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source, a treatment manifold for placing proximate the tissue site and operable to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a sealing member for placing over the tissue site and operable to form a pneumatic seal over the tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a reduced-pressure bridge that includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure to the treatment manifold, an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side, a reduced-pressure-interface site formed proximate one end of the reduced-pressure bridge. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a moisture-removing device.
According to another illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure bridge for delivering reduced pressure to a reduced-pressure dressing from a remote site includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer a reduced pressure and an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side. A reduced-pressure-interface site is formed proximate a second end of the reduced-pressure bridge. The encapsulating envelope has a second aperture formed on the patient-facing side of the encapsulating envelope. The reduced-pressure bridge also includes a moisture-removing device on at least a portion of the encapsulating envelope.
According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location includes the steps of: disposing a first manifold proximate the wound and disposing a sealing member over the first manifold. The sealing member has a first aperture. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site further includes providing a reduced-pressure bridge having a first end and a second end. The reduced-pressure bridge has a second aperture proximate the first end, a moisture-removing device, and a second manifold. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site further includes coupling a reduced-pressure interface to the second end of the reduced-pressure bridge; disposing the first end of the reduced-pressure bridge over at least a portion of the sealing member with the second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. The first manifold may be at least partially encapsulated with an encapsulating envelope that has a patient-facing side. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site may further include fluidly coupling a reduced-pressure source to the reduced-pressure interface.
According to another illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure treatment kit includes a reduced-pressure bridge, the reduced-pressure bridge, a reduced-pressure interface, a reduced-pressure delivery conduit, a manifold unit, and a perforated sealing sheet. The manifold unit has a plurality of preformed treatment manifolds. The perforated sealing sheet is operable to be torn into a plurality of securing strips and a sealing member.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.
In the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims.
Referring to
The reduced-pressure bridge 102 provides a low profile source of reduced pressure to be supplied to the limited-access tissue site 104 and thereby may increase patient comfort and enhance reliability of the reduced-pressure supply to the limited-access tissue site 104. Because of the low profile of the reduced-pressure bridge 102, the reduced-pressure bridge 102 may readily be used with an offloading device. As such, the reduced-pressure bridge 102 may allow the patient the benefit of both reduced-pressure treatment as well as the offloading of physical pressure. As described further below, the reduced-pressure bridge 102 may include a moisture-removing device, e.g., moisture-removing device 216 in
The reduced-pressure bridge 102 has a first end 110 that is placed proximate the limited-access tissue site 104 and a second end 112. The second end 112 has a reduced-pressure-interface site 114 that is for receiving a reduced-pressure interface 116, which may be a port, such as a TRAC Pad® interface or a SensaT.R.A.C.™ pad interface from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas. The second end 112 is typically placed at a location on or near the patient that provides convenient access by the healthcare provider, such as a convenient location for applying reduced-pressure to the reduced-pressure-interface site 114. When an offloading device, e.g., offloading boot 108, is utilized, the reduced-pressure bridge 102 would extend from the tissue site to a place outside of the offloading device. The actual length (L) of the reduced-pressure bridge 102 may be varied to support use with a particular offloading device or application.
A reduced-pressure delivery conduit 118 may fluidly couple the reduced-pressure interface 116 to a reduced-pressure source 120. The reduced-pressure source 120 may be any device or means for supplying a reduced pressure, such as a vacuum pump or wall suction. While the amount and nature of reduced pressure applied to a site will vary according to the application, the reduced pressure will typically be between −5 mm Hg and −500 mm Hg or more typically between −25 mm Hg to −200 mm Hg. For vertical applications of the reduced-pressure bridge 102, such as is shown in
Depending on the application, a plurality of devices may be fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure delivery conduit 118. For example, a fluid canister 122 or a representative device 124 may be included. The representative device 124 may be another fluid reservoir or canister to hold exudates and other fluids removed. Other examples of device 124 that may be included on the reduced-pressure delivery conduit 118 include the following non-limiting examples: a pressure-feedback device, a volume detection system, a blood detection system, an infection detection system, a flow monitoring system, a temperature monitoring system, a filter, etc. Some of these devices may be formed integral to the reduced-pressure source 120. For example, a reduced-pressure port 126 on the reduced-pressure source 120 may include a filter member that includes one or more filters, e.g., an odor filter.
Referring now to
Referring primarily to
The delivery manifold 212 may be any material capable of transferring reduced pressure. In one embodiment, the delivery manifold 212 is a foam material, such as a GranuFoam® material from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas. The delivery manifold 212 may be formed from the same material as a treatment manifold (e.g., treatment manifold 310 in
The first encapsulating member 210 and the second encapsulating member 214 may be composed of any material that facilitates maintaining reduced pressure within a first encapsulating envelope 229 formed from the first encapsulating member 210 and the second encapsulating member 214. In one embodiment, the first encapsulating member 210 and the second encapsulating member 214 include a polyurethane film, but any suitable drape material may be readily used, such as any natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane, EVA film, co-polyester, silicones, 3M Tegaderm® drape material, or acrylic drape material, such as one available from Avery. These are non-limiting examples.
Referring now primarily to
The moisture-removing device 216 pulls moisture, e.g., perspiration, away from a patient's skin and thereby helps to avoid maceration of the patient's skin and enhances comfort. The extent of the wicking layer 218 can be varied both laterally (width) and longitudinally (lengthwise). For example, the wicking layer 218 may cover 100 percent or more than 90 percent, 80 percent, 70 percent, 60 percent, or 50 percent of the patient-facing second encapsulating member 24. The wicking layer 218 pulls moisture to a place where the moisture can evaporate more readily. In the illustrative embodiment of
Referring now to
In still another alternative embodiment of the moisture-removal device 216, a moisture vapor permeable material is pneumatically coupled to a negative pressure source to provide active removal adjacent the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge 200. In still another illustrative embodiment, apertures may be formed on the second encapsulating member 214 that allow the reduced pressure in the first encapsulating envelope 229 to pull fluids into the delivery manifold 212. In still another illustrative embodiment of a moisture-removing device, apertures may be formed in the second encapsulating member 214 that allow the reduced pressure in the first encapsulating envelope 229 to pull fluids into the delivery manifold 212, and reduced-pressure valves may be associated with the apertures that close when reduced pressure is absent.
Referring again primarily to
Referring now to
Referring now to
A treatment manifold 310 is disposed proximate the tissue site 302. A sealing member 312 having an attachment device 314 on a patient-facing side is disposed over the treatment manifold 310. The term “manifold” as used herein generally refers to a substance or structure that helps to distribute reduced-pressure and to transport fluids. The treatment manifold 310 typically includes a plurality of flow channels or pathways that are interconnected to improve distribution of fluids provided to and removed from the tissue site 302 around the treatment manifold 310. The treatment manifold 310 may be a biocompatible material that is capable of being placed in contact with the tissue site 302 and distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site 302. Examples of treatment manifolds 310 may include, for example, without limitation, devices that have structural elements arranged to form flow channels, such as, for example, cellular foam, open-cell foam, porous tissue collections, liquids, gels, and foams that include, or cure to include, flow channels. The treatment manifold 310 may be porous and may be made from foam, gauze, felted mat, or any other material suited to a particular biological application. In one embodiment, the treatment manifold 310 is a porous foam and includes a plurality of interconnected cells or pores that act as flow channels. The porous foam may be a polyurethane, open-cell, reticulated foam, such as a GranuFoam® material manufactured by Kinetic Concepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Texas. In some situations, the treatment manifold 310 may also be used to distribute fluids, such as medications, antibacterials, growth factors, and various solutions to the tissue site 302.
The attachment device 314 may be used to hold the sealing member 312 against the patient's epidermis or another layer, such as a gasket or additional sealing member. The attachment device 314 may take numerous forms, e.g., a medically acceptable, pressure-sensitive adhesive, cement, hydrocolloid, etc.
The sealing member 312 and the attachment device 314 are formed with a first aperture 318. The sealing member 312 may be any material that provides a pneumatic seal. The sealing member may, for example, be an impermeable or semi-permeable, elastomeric material that has pore sizes less than about 20 microns. “Elastomeric” means having the properties of an elastomer. Elastomeric material, or elastomers, generally refers to a polymeric material that has rubber-like properties. More specifically, most elastomers have elongation rates greater than 100% and a significant amount of resilience. The resilience of a material refers to the material's ability to recover from an elastic deformation. Examples of elastomers may include, but are not limited to, natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane, EVA film, co-polyester, and silicones. Specific examples of sealing member materials include a silicone drape, 3M Tegaderm® drape, acrylic drape such as one available from Avery Dennison, or an incise drape.
The reduced-pressure bridge 308 has a first end 320 and a second end 322. A first encapsulating member 324 is coupled to a second encapsulating member 326 to form an encapsulating envelope 328. The first encapsulating envelope 328 encloses, at least in part, a delivery manifold 330. The second encapsulating member 326 has a second aperture 332 proximate the first end 320. The second aperture 332 is sized and configured to align with the first aperture 318. A reduced-pressure interface 334 is fluidly coupled at a reduced-pressure-interface site 336. The reduced-pressure interface 334 is fluidly coupled to a third aperture 338. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit 340 fluidly couples a reduced-pressure source (not shown) to the reduced-pressure interface 334. A moisture-removing device 342 is coupled to the patient-facing side of the encapsulating envelope 328 and in particular to the second encapsulating member 326.
Referring now to
The reduced-pressure bridge 402 may be analogous the reduced-pressure bridges 102, 200, and 308 previously presented. The reduced-pressure bridge 402 has a first end 403 and a second end 405. A reduced-pressure interface 404 may be coupled to a reduced-pressure-interface site 406 on the reduced-pressure bridge 402. The reduced-pressure delivery conduit 408 may be coupled to the reduced-pressure interface 404. The reduced-pressure delivery conduit 408 may include a visual indicia flag or label 410 and restricting clip or clamp 412. A fitting 414 may be coupled at one end of the reduced-pressure delivery conduit 408 to facilitate coupling to a reduced-pressure source (not shown). That the reduced-pressure bridge 402 is already encapsulated as provided in the reduced-pressure treatment kit 400 allows for easy application and requires minimal work to deploy the reduced-pressure bridge 402.
The perforated sealing sheet 420 has adhesive on a patient-facing side and has a releasable backing or release liner that covers the adhesive until it is ready for application. A plurality of perforations, e.g., mid-line perforation 422, provides a location where the healthcare provider may readily tear the perforated sealing sheet 420 to form new members. Thus, for example, a portion of the mid-line perforation 422, a first longitudinal perforation 424, and a portion of an end perforation 426 may be torn to form a first sealing member 428, which has an aperture 430. The sealing member 428 may be used to secure a treatment manifold in place. Other longitudinal perforations 432 may be torn to form securing strips 434 that are used to hold the reduced-pressure bridge 402 in place as will be described further below.
The illustrative manifold unit 418, which is also shown in
Referring now primarily to
The perforations, e.g., midline perforation 422, on the perforated sealing sheet 420 are torn. Tearing the perforations produces the sealing member 428, which has aperture 430, a plurality of securing strips 434, and an additional sealing member 429.
A treatment manifold (e.g., treatment manifold 310 in
A release liner (e.g., release liner 220 in
A reduced-pressure source (e.g., reduced-pressure source 120 in
Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/651,585 filed Jul. 17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/045,946, filed Oct. 4, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,744,277, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,306, filed Jan. 11, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,416, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/403,296, filed Mar. 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,158,844, entitled “Limited-Access, Reduced Pressure Systems and Methods”, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/103,566, filed Oct. 8, 2008, entitled “System and Method for Applying Reduced Pressure to a Patient's Limb, Such As a Foot.” The entire contents of each of the applications referenced above are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1355846 | Rannells | Oct 1920 | A |
2547758 | Keeling | Apr 1951 | A |
2632443 | Lesher | Mar 1953 | A |
2682873 | Evans et al. | Jul 1954 | A |
2910763 | Lauterbach | Nov 1959 | A |
2969057 | Simmons | Jan 1961 | A |
3066672 | Crosby, Jr. et al. | Dec 1962 | A |
3367332 | Groves | Feb 1968 | A |
3520300 | Flower, Jr. | Jul 1970 | A |
3568675 | Harvey | Mar 1971 | A |
3648692 | Wheeler | Mar 1972 | A |
3682180 | McFarlane | Aug 1972 | A |
3826254 | Mellor | Jul 1974 | A |
4080970 | Miller | Mar 1978 | A |
4096853 | Weigand | Jun 1978 | A |
4139004 | Gonzalez, Jr. | Feb 1979 | A |
4165748 | Johnson | Aug 1979 | A |
4184510 | Murry et al. | Jan 1980 | A |
4233969 | Lock et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
4245630 | Lloyd et al. | Jan 1981 | A |
4256109 | Nichols | Mar 1981 | A |
4261363 | Russo | Apr 1981 | A |
4275721 | Olson | Jun 1981 | A |
4284079 | Adair | Aug 1981 | A |
4297995 | Golub | Nov 1981 | A |
4333468 | Geist | Jun 1982 | A |
4373519 | Errede et al. | Feb 1983 | A |
4382441 | Svedman | May 1983 | A |
4392853 | Muto | Jul 1983 | A |
4392858 | George et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
4419097 | Rowland | Dec 1983 | A |
4465485 | Kashmer et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4475909 | Eisenberg | Oct 1984 | A |
4480638 | Schmid | Nov 1984 | A |
4525166 | Leclerc | Jun 1985 | A |
4525374 | Vaillancourt | Jun 1985 | A |
4540412 | Van Overloop | Sep 1985 | A |
4543100 | Brodsky | Sep 1985 | A |
4548202 | Duncan | Oct 1985 | A |
4551139 | Plaas et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4569348 | Hasslinger | Feb 1986 | A |
4605399 | Weston et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4608041 | Nielsen | Aug 1986 | A |
4640688 | Hauser | Feb 1987 | A |
4655754 | Richmond et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4664662 | Webster | May 1987 | A |
4710165 | McNeil et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4733659 | Edenbaum et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4743232 | Kruger | May 1988 | A |
4758220 | Sundblom et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4787888 | Fox | Nov 1988 | A |
4826494 | Richmond et al. | May 1989 | A |
4838883 | Matsuura | Jun 1989 | A |
4840187 | Brazier | Jun 1989 | A |
4863449 | Therriault et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4872450 | Austad | Oct 1989 | A |
4878901 | Sachse | Nov 1989 | A |
4897081 | Poirier et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4906233 | Moriuchi et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4906240 | Reed et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4919654 | Kalt | Apr 1990 | A |
4941882 | Ward et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4953565 | Tachibana et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4969880 | Zamierowski | Nov 1990 | A |
4985019 | Michelson | Jan 1991 | A |
5037397 | Kalt et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5086170 | Luheshi et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5092858 | Benson et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5100396 | Zamierowski | Mar 1992 | A |
5134994 | Say | Aug 1992 | A |
5149331 | Ferdman et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5167613 | Karami et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5176663 | Svedman et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5215522 | Page et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5232453 | Plass et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5261893 | Zamierowski | Nov 1993 | A |
5278100 | Doan et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5279550 | Habib et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5298015 | Komatsuzaki et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5342376 | Ruff | Aug 1994 | A |
5344415 | DeBusk et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5358494 | Svedman | Oct 1994 | A |
5437622 | Carion | Aug 1995 | A |
5437651 | Todd et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5527293 | Zamierowski | Jun 1996 | A |
5549584 | Gross | Aug 1996 | A |
5556375 | Ewall | Sep 1996 | A |
5607388 | Ewall | Mar 1997 | A |
5636643 | Argenta et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5645081 | Argenta et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
6071267 | Zamierowski | Jun 2000 | A |
6135116 | Vogel et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6241747 | Ruff | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6287316 | Agarwal et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6345623 | Heaton et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6488643 | Tumey et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6493568 | Bell et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6553998 | Heaton et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6814079 | Heaton et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
7846141 | Weston | Dec 2010 | B2 |
8062273 | Weston | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8216198 | Heagle et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
8251979 | Malhi | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8257327 | Blott et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8398614 | Blott et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8449509 | Weston | May 2013 | B2 |
8529548 | Blott et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8535296 | Blott et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8551060 | Schuessler et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8568386 | Malhi | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8679081 | Heagle et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8834451 | Blott et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8926592 | Blott et al. | Jan 2015 | B2 |
9017302 | Vitaris et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9198801 | Weston | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9211365 | Weston | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9289542 | Blott et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
10898624 | McNeil | Jan 2021 | B2 |
20020077661 | Saadat | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020115951 | Norstrem et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020120185 | Johnson | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020143286 | Tumey | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20040030304 | Hunt | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20140163491 | Schuessler et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20150080788 | Blott et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
550575 | Mar 1986 | AU |
745271 | Mar 2002 | AU |
755496 | Dec 2002 | AU |
2005436 | Jun 1990 | CA |
26 40 413 | Mar 1978 | DE |
43 06 478 | Sep 1994 | DE |
29 504 378 | Sep 1995 | DE |
0100148 | Feb 1984 | EP |
0117632 | Sep 1984 | EP |
0161865 | Nov 1985 | EP |
0358302 | Mar 1990 | EP |
1018967 | Jul 2000 | EP |
692578 | Jun 1953 | GB |
2195255 | Apr 1988 | GB |
2 197 789 | Jun 1988 | GB |
2 220 357 | Jan 1990 | GB |
2 235 877 | Mar 1991 | GB |
2 329 127 | Mar 1999 | GB |
2 333 965 | Aug 1999 | GB |
4129536 | Aug 2008 | JP |
71559 | Apr 2002 | SG |
8002182 | Oct 1980 | WO |
8704626 | Aug 1987 | WO |
90010424 | Sep 1990 | WO |
93009727 | May 1993 | WO |
9420041 | Sep 1994 | WO |
9605873 | Feb 1996 | WO |
9718007 | May 1997 | WO |
9913793 | Mar 1999 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Louis C. Argenta, MD and Michael J. Morykwas, PhD; Vacuum-Assisted Closure: A New Method for Wound Control and Treatment: Clinical Experience; Annals of Plastic Surgery; vol. 38, No. 6, Jun. 1997; pp. 563-576. |
Susan Mendez-Eatmen, RN; “When wounds Won't Heal” RN Jan. 1998, vol. 61 (1); Medical Economics Company, Inc., Montvale, NJ, USA; pp. 20-24. |
James H. Blackburn II, MD et al.: Negative-Pressure Dressings as a Bolster for Skin Grafts; Annals of Plastic Surgery, vol. 40, No. 5, May 1998, pp. 453-457; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., Philidelphia, PA, USA. |
John Masters; “Reliable, Inexpensive and Simple Suction Dressings”; Letter to the Editor, British Journal of Plastic Surgery, 1998, vol. 51 (3), p. 267; Elsevier Science/The British Association of Plastic Surgeons, UK. |
S.E. Greer, et al. “The Use of Subatmospheric Pressure Dressing Therapy to Close Lymphocutaneous Fistulas of the Groin” British Journal of Plastic Surgery (2000), 53, pp. 484-487. |
George V. Letsou, MD., et al; “Stimulation of Adenylate Cyclase Activity in Cultured Endothelial Cells Subjected to Cyclic Stretch”; Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 31, 1990, pp. 634-639. |
Orringer, Jay, et al; “Management of Wounds in Patients with Complex Enterocutaneous Fistulas”; Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Jul. 1987, vol. 165, pp. 79-80. |
International Search Report for PCT International Application PCT/GB95/01983; dated Nov. 23, 1995. |
PCT International Search Report for PCT International Application PCT/GB98/02713; dated Jan. 8, 1999. |
PCT Written Opinion; PCT International Application PCT/GB98/02713; dated Jun. 8, 1999. |
PCT International Examination and Search Report, PCT International Application PCT/GB96/02802; dated Jan. 15, 1998 & Apr. 29, 1997. |
PCT Written Opinion, PCT International Application PCT/GB96/02802; dated Sep. 3, 1997. |
Dattilo, Philip P., Jr., et al; “Medical Textiles: Application of an Absorbable Barbed Bi-directional Surgical Suture”; Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, vol. 2, Issue 2, Spring 2002, pp. 1-5. |
Kostyuchenok, B.M., et al; “Vacuum Treatment in the Surgical Management of Purulent Wounds”; Vestnik Khirurgi, Sep. 1986, pp. 18-21 and 6 page English translation thereof. |
Davydov, Yu. A., et al; “Vacuum Therapy in the Treatment of Purulent Lactation Mastitis”; Vestnik Khirurgi, May 14, 1986, pp. 66-70, and 9 page English translation thereof. |
Yusupov. Yu.N., et al; “Active Wound Drainage”, Vestnki Khirurgi, vol. 138, Issue 4, 1987, and 7 page English translation thereof. |
Davydov, Yu.A., et al; “Bacteriological and Cytological Assessment of Vacuum Therapy for Purulent Wounds”; Vestnik Khirugi, Oct. 1988, pp. 48-52, and 8 page English translation thereof. |
Davydov, Yu.A., et al; “Concepts for the Clinical-Biological Management of the Wound Process in the Treatment of Purulent Wounds by Means of Vacuum Therapy”; Vestnik Khirurgi, Jul. 7, 1980, pp. 132-136, and 8 page English translation thereof. |
Chariker, Mark E., M.D., et al; “Effective Management of incisional and cutaneous fistulae with closed suction wound drainage”; Contemporary Surgery, vol. 34, Jun. 1989, pp. 59-63. |
Egnell Minor, Instruction Book, First Edition, 300 7502, Feb. 1975, pp. 24. |
Egnell Minor: Addition to the Users Manual Concerning Overflow Protection—Concerns all Egnell Pumps, Feb. 3, 1983, pp. 2. |
Svedman, P.: “Irrigation Treatment of Leg Ulcers”, The Lancet, Sep. 3, 1983, pp. 532-534. |
Chinn, Steven D. et al.: “Closed Wound Suction Drainage”, The Journal of Foot Surgery, vol. 24, No. 1, 1985, pp. 76-81. |
Arnljots, Björn et al.: “Irrigation Treatment in Split-Thickness Skin Grafting of Intractable Leg Ulcers”, Scand J. Plast Reconstr. Surg., No. 19, 1985, pp. 211-213. |
Svedman, P.: “A Dressing Allowing Continuous Treatment of a Biosurface”, IRCS Medical Science: Biomedical Technology, Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Transplantation, vol. 7, 1979, p. 221. |
Svedman, P. et al: “A Dressing System Providing Fluid Supply and Suction Drainage Used for Continuous of Intermittent Irrigation”, Annals of Plastic Surgery, vol. 17, No. 2, Aug. 1986, pp. 125-133. |
N.A. Bagautdinov, “Variant of External Vacuum Aspiration in the Treatment of Purulent Diseases of Soft Tissues,” Current Problems in Modern Clinical Surgery: Interdepartmental Collection, edited by V. Ye Volkov et al. (Chuvashia State University, Cheboksary, U.S.S.R. 1986); pp. 94-96 (copy and certified translation). |
K.F. Jeter, T.E. Tintle, and M. Chariker, “Managing Draining Wounds and Fistulae: New and Established Methods,” Chronic Wound Care, edited by D. Krasner (Health Management Publications, Inc., King of Prussia, PA 1990), pp. 240-246. |
G. {hacek over (Z)}ivadinovi?, V. ?uki?, {hacek over (Z)}. Maksimovi?, ?. Radak, and P. Pe{hacek over (s)}ka, “Vacuum Therapy in the Treatment of Peripheral Blood Vessels,” Timok Medical Journal 11 (1986), pp. 161-164 (copy and certified translation). |
F.E. Johnson, “An Improved Technique for Skin Graft Placement Using a Suction Drain,” Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics 159 (1984), pp. 584-585. |
A.A. Safronov, Dissertation Abstract, Vacuum Therapy of Trophic Ulcers of the Lower Leg with Simultaneous Autoplasty of the Skin (Central Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Moscow, U.S.S.R. 1967) (copy and certified translation). |
M. Schein, R. Saadia, J.R. Jamieson, and G.A.G. Decker, “The ‘Sandwich Technique’ in the Management of the Open Abdomen,” British Journal of Surgery 73 (1986), pp. 369-370. |
D.E. Tribble, An Improved Sump Drain-Irrigation Device of Simple Construction, Archives of Surgery 105 (1972) pp. 511-513. |
M.J. Morykwas, L.C. Argenta, E.I. Shelton-Brown, and W. McGuirt, “Vacuum-Assisted Closure: A New Method for Wound Control and Treatment: Animal Studies and Basic Foundation,” Annals of Plastic Surgery 38 (1997), pp. 553-562 (Morykwas I). |
C.E. Tennants, “The Use of Hypermia in the Postoperative Treatment of Lesions of the Extremities and Thorax,”Journal of the American Medical Association 64 (1915), pp. 1548-1549. |
Selections from W. Meyer and V. Schmieden, Bier's Hyperemic Treatment in Surgery, Medicine, and the Specialties: A Manual of Its Practical Application, (W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA 1909), pp. 17-25, 44-64, 90-96, 167-170, and 210-211. |
V.A. Solovev et al., Guidelines, The Method of Treatment of Immature External Fistulas in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract, editor-in-chief Prov. V.I. Parahonyak (S.M. Kirov Gorky State Medical Institute, Gorky, U.S.S.R. 1987) (“Solovev Guidelines”). |
V.A. Kuznetsov & N.a. Bagautdinov, “Vacuum and Vacuum-Sorption Treatment of Open Septic Wounds,” in II All-Union Conference on Wounds and Wound Infections: Presentation Abstracts, edited by B.M. Kostyuchenok et al. (Moscow, U.S.S.R. Oct. 28-29, 1986) pp. 91-92 (“Bagautdinov II”). |
V.A. Solovev, Dissertation Abstract, Treatment and Prevention of Suture Failures after Gastric Resection (S.M. Kirov Gorky State Medical Institute, Gorky, U.S.S.R. 1988) (“Solovev Abstract”). |
V.A.C.® Therapy Clinical Guidelines: A Reference Source for Clinicians; Jul. 2007. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210100939 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61103566 | Oct 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12403296 | Mar 2009 | US |
Child | 13348306 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 15651585 | Jul 2017 | US |
Child | 17125307 | US | |
Parent | 14045946 | Oct 2013 | US |
Child | 15651585 | US | |
Parent | 13348306 | Jan 2012 | US |
Child | 14045946 | US |