Wound dressing port and associated wound dressing

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9033942
  • Patent Number
    9,033,942
  • Date Filed
    Friday, March 7, 2008
    16 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 19, 2015
    9 years ago
Abstract
A wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment includes a backing layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound. A portal member affixed to the backing layer provides a connection to a reduced pressure source through an opening in an ambient surface. A primary port extends between the opening and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface to providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the reduced pressure source. At least one supplemental port establishes fluid communication between the primary port and a supplemental aperture in the reservoir surface that is distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.
Description
BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field


The present disclosure relates generally to a wound dressing for treating an open wound with a vacuum wound therapy treatment. In particular, the disclosure relates to a dressing having a portal member providing a connection to a vacuum system such that a reservoir over the wound may be evacuated.


2. Background of Related Art


The body's natural wound healing process is a complex series of events beginning at the moment of injury. Initially the body reacts by delivering proteins and other factors to the wound through the blood stream to minimize the damage. Blood clots to prevent blood loss while cells engulf bacteria and debris to carry it away from the wound site. Next, the body begins to repair itself in a stage of healing often referred to as the proliferative phase. This phase is characterized by the deposition granulation tissue in the wound bed. Granulation tissue provides a base structure over which cells may migrate inwardly from the periphery to close the wound. Finally the process ends as collagen gives strength to new tissue over time often forming a scar.


One technique for promoting the natural healing process, particularly, but not exclusively during the proliferative phase, is known as vacuum wound therapy (VWT). Application of a reduced pressure, e.g. sub-atmospheric, to a localized reservoir over a wound has been found to assist in closing the wound. The reduced pressure may be effective to promote blood flow to the area to stimulate the formation of granulation tissue and the migration of healthy tissue over the wound by the natural process. Also a reduced pressure may assist in removing fluids exuding from the wound, which may inhibit bacterial growth. This technique has proven effective for chronic or non-healing wounds, but has also been used in for other purposes such as post-operative wound care.


The general VWT protocol provides for the introduction of an absorbent filler material, such as non-reticulated foams, non-woven fabrics, or gauze, into the wound to absorb exudates. The wound and the absorbent filler material may then be overlaid by a flexible cover layer such as a polymeric film, for example, to establish a vacuum reservoir over the wound where a reduced pressure may be applied by individual or cyclic evacuation procedures. To allow the reduced pressure to be maintained over time, the cover layer may include an adhesive periphery that forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the healthy skin surrounding the wound.


Although some procedures may employ a micro-pump contained within the vacuum reservoir, most VWT treatments apply a reduced pressure using an external vacuum source. Thus, fluid communication between the vacuum source and the reservoir must be established. To this end, a cover layer will often include a connector or portal member to which air hoses from an external vacuum system may be connected.


An aspect of concern in a VWT treatment is the migration of the filler material and wound exudates in the direction of airflow when the reduced pressure is applied. These substances may be deposited on surfaces within a portal member, for example, and over time cause the obstruction or complete occlusion of these portal members. This phenomenon may limit the level of exudate flow from the wound area, or may even prohibit the application of a reduced pressure to the wound area, thus limiting or defeating the effectiveness of the VWT treatment. Accordingly, a need exists for a dressing suitable for use in a VWT procedure.


SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment. The wound dressing includes a backing layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound. A portal member is affixed to the backing layer such that an ambient surface of the portal member may be fluidly isolated from a reservoir surface of the portal member. The backing layer defines a boundary between the ambient surface and the reservoir surface when the backing layer is positioned over a wound. The portal member comprises a primary port extending between an opening in the ambient surface and a primary aperture in the reservoir surface. The opening is adapted for connection to a suction device and the primary aperture is adapted for establishing fluid communication with the reservoir. The portal member further comprises at least one supplemental port establishing fluid communication between the primary port and a supplemental aperture in the reservoir surface. The supplemental aperture is distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.


The portal member may include a plurality of supplemental ports extending radially outwardly from the primary port. The primary and supplemental apertures may be distributed substantially over the entire reservoir surface. The may be molded from a flexible polymeric or elastomeric material and may include an attachment flange adapted for connection of an adhesively coated film.


The backing layer of the wound dressing may comprise a flexible polymeric membrane. The backing layer may include an adhesive coating adapted to affix the backing layer over the wound and to provide a substantially fluid tight seal around the perimeter of the wound. The adhesive coating may be interrupted such that an intermediate portion of the backing layer remains uncoated.


According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a vacuum wound therapy system includes a contact layer and an absorbent filler positioned in a wound bed, and a portal member affixed to a backing layer positioned over the wound bed to define a vacuum reservoir. The portal member includes a primary port extending between an opening in an ambient surface and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface, and at least one supplemental port extending between the primary port and a supplemental aperture distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.


The contact layer may be formed from a conical apertured film to promote unidirectional flow of exudates from the wound. The absorbent filler material may include a single strand of a polyolefin filament. Also, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir may include a vacuum source, a collection canister and a one-way valve.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.



FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum wound therapy system in accordance with the present disclosure;



FIG. 2 is an orthographic view of a wound facing side of the portal member of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;



FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the vacuum wound therapy system of FIG. 1 installed over wound on a patient; and



FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 depicting an alternate embodiment of a vacuum wound therapy system.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The wound dressing of the present disclosure promotes healing of a wound by providing a reservoir over the wound where a reduced pressure may be maintained. The reservoir subjects the wound to a sub-atmospheric pressure to effectively draw wound fluid, including liquid exudates, from the wound without the continuous use of a vacuum pump. Hence, vacuum pressure may be applied once, or in varying intervals depending on the nature and severity of the wound. The use of a wound dressing in this manner has been found to promote healing by reducing the probability of infection, stimulating the deposition of granulation tissue and other beneficial processes. The wound dressing of the present disclosure includes a backing layer affixed to a portal member for enhancing the effect of a vacuum wound therapy treatment.


The attached figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are referenced to describe the embodiments depicted therein. Hereinafter, the disclosure will be described in detail by explaining the figures wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views.


Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vacuum wound therapy system according to the present disclosure is depicted generally as 10 for use on a wound “w” surrounded by healthy skin “s.” The vacuum wound therapy system 10 includes a vacuum system 12 in fluid communication with a vacuum reservoir 14 (FIG. 4) defined by or within wound dressing 16. The vacuum system 12 includes a vacuum source 18 coupled to the dressing 16 through a one-way valve 20 and a suction device such as vacuum tube 24. A collection canister 28 may be provided for wound drainage and debris. The vacuum system 12 is adapted to provide a reduced pressure to the vacuum reservoir 14 appropriate to stimulate healing of the wound “w.” A more detailed description of an appropriate vacuum system 12 is found in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0066946, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.


Wound dressing 16 generally includes a contact layer 34, filler 38 and a cover layer 40. Cover layer 40 includes a backing layer 44 and a portal member 46. Portal member 46 is configured to establish fluid communication between vacuum reservoir 14 and vacuum system 12 by providing an interface for a suction device such as vacuum tube 24. Each layer of wound dressing 16 is described in greater detail below.


Contact layer 34 may be sufficiently conformable to be positioned in direct contact with an irregularly shaped surface of a wound bed “w.” A thin film of polyethylene or other suitable non-adherent material may form the contact layer 34 to limit the adherence of filler 38 and other substances to the wound “w.” Apertures or perforations in the film permit fluids to pass through the contact layer 34, allowing for the sub-atmospheric pressure to penetrate into the wound “w” and for exudates to flow freely out of the wound “w.” By selecting an appropriate film material, the passage of wound exudate through contact layer 34 may be controlled so as to be substantially unidirectional to prevent wound exudate from flowing back into the wound. To promote a unidirectional flow, a conical apertured film, such as VENTEX™ by Kendall Corp., a division of Covidien, or apertured films by Tredegar Film Products of Richmond, Va., may be selected for forming contact layer 34. Unidirectional flow of exudates may also be promoted by the selection of other materials including a lamination of layers having varying absorptive characteristics. One exemplary material, which may be used as a contact layer is sold under the trademark XEROFLO® by Kendall Corp., a division of Covidien.


Filler 38 may be arranged over contact layer 34 to fill wound “w” to the level of the surrounding healthy skin “s.” An absorbent material such as non-woven gauze or reticulated foam may be used for filler 38 to trap any exudate that migrates through contact layer 34. An antimicrobial dressing sold under the trakemark KERLIX® by Kendall Corp., a division of Covidien, may be suitable for use as filler 38. To prevent adhesion to the wound “w,” the filler 38 may also comprise a material configured such that any stray fibers do not tend to protrude through apertures of contact layer 34 where they may become engulfed by newly forming granulation tissue. One particular type of material exhibiting this characteristic is often referred to as “tow.” The manufacturing process for synthetic fibers often includes an extrusion of an indeterminate length of continuous filaments, which are spun together to form fibers. It is the continuous lengths of un-spun filaments which are referred to as tow. A single length of tow formed from a hydrophobic material such as polyolefin may be laid in the wound bed “w” to form filler 38. This arrangement allows for a complete removal of filler 38 when the dressing 16 is changed without re-injuring the wound “w.”


Cover layer 40 may be supplied as a single unit including both backing layer 44 and portal member 46, or alternatively, these items may be provided individually and assembled at the time of installation over the wound “w.” Cover layer 40 may be placed over the wound “w” enclosing the contact layer 34 and filler 38 therein.


Backing layer 44 may be formed from a flexible polymeric membrane or film to serve as a fluid barrier to allow for a sub-atmospheric pressure to be established in vacuum reservoir 14, and also as a microbial barrier preventing contaminants from entering the wound area. For example, backing layer 44 may comprise a polyurethane film having a thickness from about 0.8 mils to about 1.0 mils. Preferably, the backing layer 44 is formed from a moisture vapor permeable membrane to promote the exchange of oxygen and moisture vapor between the wound site and the atmosphere. One exemplary material is a transparent membrane sold under the trade name POLYSKIN® II by Kendall Corp., a division of Covidien. Other materials which may be suitable for use in a backing layer include the thin films marketed under the names TEGADERM™ by 3M of St. Paul, Minn. and OPSITE™ by Smith and Nephew PLC of London, UK.


The backing layer 44 of cover layer 40 is adapted to extend laterally beyond the perimeter of the wound bed “w” so as to contact the healthy skin “s” to form a seal thereto. To form the seal, backing layer 44 may be equipped with an adhesive coating on all, or any appropriate portion of a wound facing side. The adhesive coating may comprise, for example, a medical-grade, pressure-sensitive adhesive adapted to provide a fluid-tight and bacteria-tight seal around the wound “w.” Thus exudate cannot escape through the edges of the dressing 16 and external air and contaminants may not enter the wound area. To provide such a seal, the adhesive coating may, for example, be in the range from about 1 mil to about 10 mils thick. In general, a high peal-strength adhesive may be used to resist inadvertent lift-off, roll or “flagging,” i.e., a failure of the dressing to adhere to itself, at the edges of the cover layer 40. The adhesive may include, for example, those adhesives included with the dressing sold under the trademark ULTEC® Hydrocolloid by Kendall Corp., a division of Covidien.


Backing layer 44 includes a connective region 50 to permit of connection of portal member 46. Connective region 50 receives a reservoir surface 54 of portal member 46 to fluidly isolate the reservoir surface 54 from an ambient surface 56 on the portal member 46 except through portal member 46. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, connective region 50 may be adapted to receive reservoir surface 54 directly such that an adhesive coating on either reservoir surface 54 or connective region 50 affixes the portal member 46 to the backing layer 44. Backing layer 44 defines a boundary between reservoir surface 54 and ambient surface 56. This arrangement permits isolation of reservoir surface 54 from reservoir 14, i.e. reservoir surface 54 may be disposed outside of reservoir 14. Perforations 58 may be formed through the connective region 50 to permit fluids to be drawn from reservoir 14. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, backing layer 44a may include an entry 50a dimensioned such that a portion of portal member 46a protrudes through backing layer 44a. An appropriately positioned adhesive coating may form a seal between a wound facing side of backing layer 44a and an oppositely oriented surface of a flange 60a. This arrangement permits reservoir surface 54a to be positioned within reservoir 14a fluidly isolating reservoir surface 54a from ambient surface 56a. Other arrangements are contemplated for affixing a portal member 46, 46a to a backing layer 44, 44a, which may include other parts such as sealing rings (not shown).


Backing layer 44 may include an interrupted adhesive coating such that only the portions of backing layer 44 forming a seal are coated. For example, backing layer 44 may include a band of adhesive coating around the periphery to form a seal with the skin “s,” and another band near the connective region 50 to form a seal with the portal member 46. An intermediate portion of backing layer 44 may remain uncoated to limit the adherence of backing layer 44 to the filler 38, contact layer 34 or other surfaces. Such an arrangement may facilitate removal of the dressing 16 without re-injuring the wound “w.”


Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a portal member 46 may be formed as a rigid component, or alternatively portal member 46 may be molded from a flexible polymeric or elastomeric material. Flexibility in portal member 46 facilitates the placement of wound dressing 16 on curved areas of a patient's skin “s.” Portal member 46 includes a reservoir surface 54 and an ambient surface 56. The reservoir surface 54 is adapted to be positioned such that a primary aperture 64 therein may fluidly communicate with vacuum reservoir 14, through a perforation 58 for example. Ambient surface 56 may be positioned in the environment surrounding dressing 16 and includes an opening 68 adapted for connection to a suction device such as vacuum tube 24 of vacuum system 12. A primary port 70 is defined between the primary aperture 64 and the opening 68 to permit fluid communication between the reservoir 14 and the vacuum system 12.


Branching from primary port 70 is a radial array of supplemental ports 72 extending to reservoir surface 54. Each of the supplemental ports 72 terminates at a supplemental aperture 74 distinct from and substantially spaced from primary aperture 64. Any number, distribution and arrangement of supplemental ports 72 may be included to distribute supplemental openings 74 over the reservoir surface 54. As FIG. 2 illustrates supplemental apertures 74 may be positioned near a periphery of reservoir surface 54 such that fluids may be drawn from reservoir 14 over a collection area spanning the entire area covered by the portal member 46. Any number, size and arrangement of primary and supplemental apertures 64, 74 is contemplated to effectively draw fluids for a particular application.


Referring now to FIG. 4, wound dressing 16 may be installed on a patient to cover a wound “w.” Reservoir 14 is defined by or within wound dressing 16 when applied to the skin “s.” Contact layer 34 is positioned in direct contact with the wound “w” and filler 38 is positioned up to the level of healthy skin “s.” Portal member 46 may be positioned over connective region 50 of backing layer 44 such that the primary and supplemental apertures 64, 74 are aligned with perforations 58. This will allow fluids to be drawn into primary and supplemental ports 70, 72 from reservoir 14. Ambient surface 56 is fluidly isolated from reservoir 14 except through primary and supplemental ports 70, 72. Opening 68 in the ambient surface 56 receives vacuum tube 24, thus fluidly connecting vacuum system 12 with reservoir 14.


Evacuating the reservoir 14 may impart a tendency for filler material 38 and wound exudate to migrate in the direction of airflow. This tendency for migration may result in the obstruction or occlusion of one or more of the primary and supplemental ports 70, 72. However, because portal member 46 may include many apertures 64, 74 distributed over the entire area covered by the portal member 46, the effectiveness of the VWT procedure may persist. If one of the apertures 64, 74 becomes clogged, fluids will be drawn to another one of the apertures 64, 74 that is distinct and substantially spaced from the clogged aperture 64, 74.


Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of a vacuum wound therapy system is depicted generally as 10a. Wound dressing 16a includes a portal member 46a protruding through entry 50a of cover layer 40a. Backing layer 44a adheres to the flange 60a of the portal member 46a and also to the skin “s” such that the reservoir surface 54a and ambient surface 56a are fluidly isolated except through the primary and supplemental ports 70a, 72a. Ambient surface 56a has an opening 68a therein for connection of a suction device such as vacuum tube 24. Fluid communication is thus established between reservoir 14a and vacuum system 12 through primary port 70a, and primary opening 64a. Supplemental ports 72a establish fluid communication between primary port 70a and supplemental apertures 74a in reservoir surface 54a. Supplemental apertures 74a are distinct and substantially spaced from primary aperture 64a. In this arrangement, reservoir surface 54a is enclosed by reservoir 14a.


Portal member 46a includes a radial array of supplemental ports 72a such that apertures 64a, 74a may be distributed substantially over the entire reservoir surface 54a. This arrangement provides a means of keeping a collection area of the port 46a exposed to as much of the dressing 16a as possible.


Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity or understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A wound dressing for positioning over a wound, the wound dressing comprising: a wound port configured to be affixed to a backing layer configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around a perimeter of the wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained, such that an ambient surface of the wound port is positioned outside of the reservoir, the wound port comprising: a primary port extending between an opening in the ambient surface of the wound port and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface of the wound port; anda plurality of supplemental ports establishing fluid communication between the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures in the reservoir surface, the plurality of supplemental apertures surrounding the primary aperture, and arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture such that at least a first supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures is not collinear with the primary aperture and a second supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures.
  • 2. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the wound port is molded from flexible polymer.
  • 3. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the wound port further comprises an attachment flange adapted for connection to the backing layer.
  • 4. The wound dressing according to claim 1, further comprising the backing layer, wherein the backing layer comprises a flexible polymeric membrane.
  • 5. The wound dressing according to claim 4, wherein the backing layer comprises an adhesive coating around a periphery thereof, the adhesive coating adapted to affix the backing layer over the wound and to provide the substantially fluid tight seal around the perimeter of the wound.
  • 6. The wound dressing according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive coating is interrupted such that an intermediate portion of the backing layer remains uncoated.
  • 7. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source and with the reservoir via the primary aperture.
  • 8. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the supplemental apertures are distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.
  • 9. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of supplemental apertures are distributed across a part of the reservoir surface.
  • 10. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the wound port is pre-affixed to the backing layer.
  • 11. The wound dressing according to claim 1, further comprising a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in direct contact with the wound, the wound contact layer configured to permit substantially unidirectional fluid flow so that exudate removed from the wound is prevented from flowing back into the wound.
  • 12. The wound dressing according to claim 11, further comprising: an absorbent filler configured to be positioned between the reservoir surface of the wound port and the wound, wherein the absorbent filler is configured to be positioned adjacent the wound contact layer.
  • 13. A wound dressing for positioning over a wound, the wound dressing comprising: a backing layer configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around a perimeter of the wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained;a wound port configured to be affixed to the backing layer such that an ambient surface of the wound port is positioned outside of the reservoir, the wound port comprising: a primary port extending between an opening in the ambient surface of the wound port and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface of the wound port; anda plurality of supplemental ports establishing fluid communication between the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures in the reservoir surface, the plurality of supplemental apertures arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture, wherein each supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures extends radially outwardly from the primary aperture.
  • 14. A wound dressing for positioning over a wound, the wound dressing comprising: a backing layer configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around a perimeter of the wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained;a wound port configured to be affixed to the backing layer such that an ambient surface of the wound port is positioned outside of the reservoir, the wound port comprising: a primary port extending between an opening in the ambient surface of the wound port and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface of the wound port; anda plurality of supplemental ports establishing fluid communication between the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures in the reservoir surface, the plurality of supplemental apertures surrounding the primary aperture, and arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture, wherein the plurality of supplemental apertures are distributed about a periphery of the reservoir surface.
  • 15. A vacuum wound therapy system comprising: a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in direct contact with a wound, the wound contact layer configured to permit substantially unidirectional fluid flow so that exudate removed from the wound is prevented from flowing back into the wound;an absorbent filler configured to be positioned adjacent the wound contact layer;a backing layer configured to be positioned over the wound to define a vacuum reservoir over the wound; anda wound port comprising an opening for receiving a vacuum lumen, the port configured to be affixed to the backing layer outside the vacuum reservoir such that the absorbent filler is positioned between the port and the wound, the wound port comprising: a primary port extending between an opening in an ambient surface of the wound port and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface of the wound port, anda plurality of supplemental ports extending between the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures in the reservoir surface, the plurality of supplemental apertures surrounding the primary aperture, and arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture such that at least a first supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures is not collinear with the primary aperture and a second supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures.
  • 16. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, wherein the absorbent filler comprises a single strand of a polyolefin filament.
  • 17. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, further comprising a vacuum system in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir.
  • 18. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 17, wherein the vacuum system includes a vacuum source, a collection canister and a one-way valve.
  • 19. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, wherein the supplemental apertures are distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.
  • 20. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, wherein the primary aperture and the plurality of supplemental apertures are positioned over the absorbent filler.
  • 21. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, wherein the wound port further comprises an attachment flange adapted for connection to the backing layer.
  • 22. The vacuum wound therapy system according to claim 15, wherein the wound port is pre-affixed to the backing layer.
  • 23. A vacuum wound therapy system comprising: a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in direct contact with a wound, wherein the wound contact layer is formed from a conical apertured film;an absorbent filler configured to be positioned adjacent the wound contact layer;a backing layer configured to be positioned over the wound to define a vacuum reservoir over the wound; anda wound port comprising an opening for receiving a vacuum lumen, the port configured to be affixed to the backing layer outside the vacuum reservoir such that the absorbent filler is positioned between the port and the wound, the wound port comprising: a primary port extending between an opening in an ambient surface of the wound port and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface of the wound port, anda plurality of supplemental ports extending between the primary port and a plurality of supplemental apertures in the reservoir surface, the plurality of supplemental apertures surrounding the primary aperture, and arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture such that at least a first supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures is not collinear with the primary aperture and a second supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures.
  • 24. A method of applying negative pressure wound therapy to a wound, the method comprising: covering the wound with a wound dressing comprising: a backing layer comprising a wound facing side and an opposite side; anda wound contact layer in direct contact with the wound;wherein the wound dressing forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with skin surrounding the wound;affixing a wound port to the backing layer, the wound port comprising: an opening configured to be in fluid communication with a negative pressure source;a primary port extending through the wound port between the opening and a primary aperture; anda plurality of supplemental ports extending between a plurality of supplemental apertures and the primary port, the plurality of supplemental apertures surrounding the primary aperture, and arranged in a planar configuration about the primary aperture such that at least a first supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures is not collinear with the primary aperture and a second supplemental aperture of the plurality of supplemental apertures;connecting the negative pressure source to the opening in the wound port; andactivating the negative pressure source,wherein while negative pressure is being applied fluid flows through the wound contact layer substantially unidirectionally so that exudate removed from the wound is prevented from flowing back into the wound.
  • 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising placing an absorbent filler in the wound.
  • 26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising positioning the backing layer and the wound port over the absorbent filler such that the wound facing side of the backing layer and the primary aperture and the plurality of supplemental apertures of the wound port face the absorbent filler.
  • 27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising placing the absorbent filler over the wound contact layer.
  • 28. The method according to claim 24, wherein the wound port further comprises an attachment flange, and wherein affixing the wound port to the backing layer includes affixing the attachment flange to the backing layer.
US Referenced Citations (278)
Number Name Date Kind
1585104 Montgomery May 1926 A
2736317 Alexander Feb 1956 A
3042041 Jascalevich Jul 1962 A
3568675 Harvey Mar 1971 A
3572340 Lloyd et al. Mar 1971 A
3874387 Barbieri Apr 1975 A
3880164 Stepno Apr 1975 A
4080970 Miller Mar 1978 A
4164027 Bonnie et al. Aug 1979 A
4231357 Hessner Nov 1980 A
4261363 Russo Apr 1981 A
4360015 Mayer Nov 1982 A
4382441 Svedman May 1983 A
4392853 Muto Jul 1983 A
4468219 George et al. Aug 1984 A
4508256 Radel et al. Apr 1985 A
4540412 Van Overloop Sep 1985 A
4553967 Ferguson et al. Nov 1985 A
4561435 McKnight et al. Dec 1985 A
4569674 Phillips et al. Feb 1986 A
4579120 MacGregor Apr 1986 A
4614183 McCracken et al. Sep 1986 A
4784653 Bolton et al. Nov 1988 A
4807625 Singleton Feb 1989 A
4906240 Reed et al. Mar 1990 A
4921492 Schultz et al. May 1990 A
4941882 Ward et al. Jul 1990 A
4969880 Zamierowski Nov 1990 A
4980226 Hellgren et al. Dec 1990 A
5009224 Cole Apr 1991 A
5056510 Gilman Oct 1991 A
5060642 Gilman Oct 1991 A
5088483 Heinecke Feb 1992 A
5100395 Rosenberg Mar 1992 A
5100396 Zamierowski Mar 1992 A
5106362 Gilman Apr 1992 A
5112323 Winkler et al. May 1992 A
5134007 Reising et al. Jul 1992 A
5147698 Cole Sep 1992 A
5149331 Ferdman et al. Sep 1992 A
5152757 Eriksson Oct 1992 A
5160315 Heinecke et al. Nov 1992 A
5160334 Billings et al. Nov 1992 A
5176663 Svedman et al. Jan 1993 A
5230496 Shillington et al. Jul 1993 A
5244457 Karami et al. Sep 1993 A
5263922 Sova et al. Nov 1993 A
5300054 Feist et al. Apr 1994 A
5304161 Noel et al. Apr 1994 A
5308313 Karami et al. May 1994 A
5366451 Levesque Nov 1994 A
5391161 Hellgren et al. Feb 1995 A
5437651 Todd et al. Aug 1995 A
5439458 Noel et al. Aug 1995 A
5447492 Cartmell et al. Sep 1995 A
5486167 Dragoo et al. Jan 1996 A
5520629 Heinecke et al. May 1996 A
5525407 Yang Jun 1996 A
5527923 Klingler et al. Jun 1996 A
5531855 Heinecke et al. Jul 1996 A
5549584 Gross Aug 1996 A
5593750 Rothrum et al. Jan 1997 A
5599289 Castellana Feb 1997 A
5613942 Lucast et al. Mar 1997 A
5618278 Rothrum Apr 1997 A
5624423 Anjur et al. Apr 1997 A
5636643 Argenta et al. Jun 1997 A
5637093 Hyman et al. Jun 1997 A
5645081 Argenta et al. Jul 1997 A
5678564 Lawrence et al. Oct 1997 A
5695846 Lange et al. Dec 1997 A
5738642 Heinecke et al. Apr 1998 A
5797844 Yoshioka et al. Aug 1998 A
5797894 Cadieux et al. Aug 1998 A
5894608 Birbara Apr 1999 A
5914282 Dunshee et al. Jun 1999 A
5968001 Freeman Oct 1999 A
6071267 Zamierowski Jun 2000 A
6117111 Fleischmann Sep 2000 A
6121508 Bischof et al. Sep 2000 A
6142982 Hunt et al. Nov 2000 A
6169224 Heinecke et al. Jan 2001 B1
6264976 Heinecke et al. Jul 2001 B1
6291050 Cree et al. Sep 2001 B1
6345623 Heaton et al. Feb 2002 B1
6398767 Fleischmann Jun 2002 B1
6406447 Thrash et al. Jun 2002 B1
6420622 Johnston et al. Jul 2002 B1
6436432 Heinecke et al. Aug 2002 B2
6461467 Blatchford et al. Oct 2002 B2
6479073 Lucast et al. Nov 2002 B1
6553998 Heaton et al. Apr 2003 B2
6566575 Stickels et al. May 2003 B1
6607799 Heinecke et al. Aug 2003 B1
6626891 Ohmstede Sep 2003 B2
6648862 Watson Nov 2003 B2
6685681 Lockwood et al. Feb 2004 B2
6685682 Heinecke et al. Feb 2004 B1
6695824 Howard et al. Feb 2004 B2
6752794 Lockwood et al. Jun 2004 B2
6755807 Risk, Jr. et al. Jun 2004 B2
6814079 Heaton et al. Nov 2004 B2
6838589 Liedtke et al. Jan 2005 B2
6855135 Lockwood et al. Feb 2005 B2
6867342 Johnston et al. Mar 2005 B2
6878857 Chihani et al. Apr 2005 B1
6903243 Burton Jun 2005 B1
6936037 Bubb et al. Aug 2005 B2
6951553 Bubb et al. Oct 2005 B2
6994702 Johnson Feb 2006 B1
6994904 Joseph et al. Feb 2006 B2
7004915 Boynton et al. Feb 2006 B2
7005143 Abuelyaman et al. Feb 2006 B2
7070580 Nielsen Jul 2006 B2
7070584 Johnson et al. Jul 2006 B2
7108683 Zamierowski Sep 2006 B2
7117869 Heaton Oct 2006 B2
7128735 Weston Oct 2006 B2
7182758 McCraw Feb 2007 B2
7183454 Rosenberg Feb 2007 B1
7195624 Lockwood et al. Mar 2007 B2
7198046 Argenta et al. Apr 2007 B1
7216651 Argenta et al. May 2007 B2
7273054 Heaton et al. Sep 2007 B2
7276247 Fansler et al. Oct 2007 B2
7279612 Heaton et al. Oct 2007 B1
7285576 Hyde et al. Oct 2007 B2
7316672 Hunt et al. Jan 2008 B1
7338482 Lockwood et al. Mar 2008 B2
7381859 Hunt et al. Jun 2008 B2
7381860 Gudnason et al. Jun 2008 B2
7438705 Karpowicz et al. Oct 2008 B2
7442849 Heinecke Oct 2008 B2
7485112 Karpowicz et al. Feb 2009 B2
7503910 Adahan Mar 2009 B2
7524315 Blott et al. Apr 2009 B2
7534927 Lockwood et al. May 2009 B2
7569742 Haggstrom et al. Aug 2009 B2
7585554 Johnson et al. Sep 2009 B2
7586019 Oelund et al. Sep 2009 B2
7608066 Vogel Oct 2009 B2
7625362 Boehringer et al. Dec 2009 B2
7645269 Zamierowski Jan 2010 B2
7651484 Heaton et al. Jan 2010 B2
7670323 Hunt et al. Mar 2010 B2
7678102 Heaton Mar 2010 B1
7686785 Boehringer et al. Mar 2010 B2
7699823 Fink Apr 2010 B2
7699830 Martin Apr 2010 B2
7723560 Lockwood et al. May 2010 B2
7745681 Ferguson Jun 2010 B1
7754937 Boehringer et al. Jul 2010 B2
7758554 Lina et al. Jul 2010 B2
7759537 Bishop et al. Jul 2010 B2
7759539 Shaw et al. Jul 2010 B2
7779625 Joshi et al. Aug 2010 B2
7781639 Johnston et al. Aug 2010 B2
7790945 Watson, Jr. Sep 2010 B1
7790946 Mulligan Sep 2010 B2
7794438 Henley et al. Sep 2010 B2
7794450 Blott et al. Sep 2010 B2
7815616 Boehringer et al. Oct 2010 B2
7862718 Doyen et al. Jan 2011 B2
7880050 Robinson et al. Feb 2011 B2
7883494 Martin Feb 2011 B2
7896864 Lockwood et al. Mar 2011 B2
7909805 Weston Mar 2011 B2
7942866 Radl et al. May 2011 B2
7951124 Boehringer et al. May 2011 B2
7964766 Blott et al. Jun 2011 B2
7976533 Larsson Jul 2011 B2
7981098 Boehringer et al. Jul 2011 B2
8002313 Singh et al. Aug 2011 B2
8021347 Vitaris et al. Sep 2011 B2
8057449 Sanders et al. Nov 2011 B2
8061360 Locke et al. Nov 2011 B2
8062272 Weston Nov 2011 B2
8083712 Biggie et al. Dec 2011 B2
8105295 Blott et al. Jan 2012 B2
8152785 Vitaris Apr 2012 B2
8235955 Blott et al. Aug 2012 B2
8257327 Blott et al. Sep 2012 B2
8267908 Coulthard Sep 2012 B2
8348910 Blott et al. Jan 2013 B2
8372049 Jaeb et al. Feb 2013 B2
8430867 Robinson et al. Apr 2013 B2
8444612 Patel et al. May 2013 B2
8506554 Adahan Aug 2013 B2
8529548 Blott et al. Sep 2013 B2
8545466 Andresen et al. Oct 2013 B2
20010031943 Urie Oct 2001 A1
20020002209 Mork Jan 2002 A1
20020065494 Lockwood et al. May 2002 A1
20020115952 Johnson et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020161346 Lockwood et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020182246 Oyaski Dec 2002 A1
20030225347 Argenta et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040030304 Hunt et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040039415 Zamierowski Feb 2004 A1
20040064132 Boehringer et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040073151 Weston Apr 2004 A1
20050004534 Lockwood et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050010153 Lockwood et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050020955 Sanders et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050065484 Watson, Jr. Mar 2005 A1
20050070858 Lockwood et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050085795 Lockwood et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050137539 Biggie et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050203452 Weston et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050222527 Miller et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050273066 Wittmann Dec 2005 A1
20060009744 Erdman et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060020234 Chou et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060025727 Boehringer Feb 2006 A1
20060036221 Watson, Jr. Feb 2006 A1
20060041247 Petrosenko et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060079852 Bubb et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060100586 Karpowicz et al. May 2006 A1
20070014837 Johnson Jan 2007 A1
20070016152 Karpowicz Jan 2007 A1
20070021697 Ginther Jan 2007 A1
20070032762 Vogel Feb 2007 A1
20070032778 Heaton et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070038172 Zamierowski Feb 2007 A1
20070066946 Haggstrom et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070156104 Lockwood et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070167927 Hunt et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070185426 Ambrosio Aug 2007 A1
20070185463 Mulligan Aug 2007 A1
20070219497 Johnson et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070233022 Henley et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070265561 Yeung Nov 2007 A1
20070265585 Joshi et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070282310 Bengtson Dec 2007 A1
20080033325 Van der Hulst Feb 2008 A1
20080039761 Heaton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080103489 Dahners May 2008 A1
20080108977 Heaton et al. May 2008 A1
20080119802 Riesinger May 2008 A1
20080161778 Steward Jul 2008 A1
20080167593 Fleischmann Jul 2008 A1
20080195017 Robinson et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080200906 Sanders et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080208147 Argenta et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080215019 Malamutmann Sep 2008 A1
20080234641 Locke et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080243096 Svedman Oct 2008 A1
20080281281 Meyer et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080300578 Freedman Dec 2008 A1
20080306456 Riesinger Dec 2008 A1
20080312572 Riesinger Dec 2008 A1
20090005744 Karpowicz et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090093778 Svedman Apr 2009 A1
20090099519 Kaplan Apr 2009 A1
20090124988 Coulthard May 2009 A1
20090131892 Karpowicz et al. May 2009 A1
20090137973 Karpowicz et al. May 2009 A1
20090157016 Adahan Jun 2009 A1
20090171288 Wheeler Jul 2009 A1
20090192467 Hansen et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090192499 Weston et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090227969 Jaeb et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090234306 Vitaris Sep 2009 A1
20090254053 Svensby et al. Oct 2009 A1
20100000524 Ohbi Jan 2010 A1
20100016767 Jones et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100063464 Meyer et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100063484 Heagle Mar 2010 A1
20100069850 Fabo Mar 2010 A1
20100106114 Weston et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100210986 Sanders Aug 2010 A1
20100262094 Walton et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100262095 Hall et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100268128 Randolph Oct 2010 A1
20100305549 Miller et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110213320 Blott et al. Sep 2011 A1
20120116334 Albert et al. May 2012 A1
20130172836 Vess et al. Jul 2013 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (97)
Number Date Country
3907007 Sep 1990 DE
20 2010 009 148 Oct 2010 DE
0325771 Sep 1993 EP
0392640 Jun 1995 EP
0441418 Jul 1995 EP
0651983 Sep 1998 EP
0 774 242 Mar 2000 EP
0690706 Nov 2000 EP
0 674 892 Jul 2001 EP
1129734 Sep 2001 EP
0921775 Dec 2001 EP
0 948 951 Jun 2002 EP
1283702 Feb 2003 EP
0 729 334 Mar 2003 EP
0708620 May 2003 EP
0 898 471 May 2005 EP
1556120 Jul 2005 EP
1660000 May 2006 EP
1663062 Jun 2006 EP
0982015 Aug 2006 EP
2218431 Apr 2008 EP
1986584 Nov 2008 EP
2010065 Jan 2009 EP
2079507 Jul 2009 EP
2081629 Jul 2009 EP
2129409 Dec 2009 EP
2138139 Dec 2009 EP
1652549 Jan 2010 EP
2146759 Jan 2010 EP
1 314 410 Feb 2010 EP
2152196 Feb 2010 EP
2203137 Jul 2010 EP
2244217 Oct 2010 EP
2244746 Nov 2010 EP
2254537 Dec 2010 EP
2306951 Apr 2011 EP
1578477 Sep 2011 EP
2 415 908 Jan 2006 GB
2415908 Jan 2006 GB
2431351 Apr 2007 GB
WO 9403214 Feb 1994 WO
WO 9421207 Sep 1994 WO
WO 9423678 Oct 1994 WO
WO 02070040 Sep 2002 WO
WO 2004041064 May 2004 WO
WO 2005009488 Feb 2005 WO
WO 2005016179 Feb 2005 WO
WO 2005025447 Mar 2005 WO
WO 2005072789 Aug 2005 WO
WO 2005079718 Sep 2005 WO
WO 2005115523 Dec 2005 WO
WO 2005123170 Dec 2005 WO
2006105892 Oct 2006 WO
WO 2007006306 Jan 2007 WO
WO 2007015964 Feb 2007 WO
WO 2007041642 Apr 2007 WO
WO 2007062024 May 2007 WO
WO 2007067685 Jun 2007 WO
WO 2007085396 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007087808 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007087809 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007087811 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007092397 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007095180 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007106590 Sep 2007 WO
WO 2007106591 Sep 2007 WO
WO 2007133618 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2007143060 Dec 2007 WO
WO 2008011774 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008012278 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008013896 Jan 2008 WO
WO 2008016304 Feb 2008 WO
WO 2008036162 Mar 2008 WO
WO 2008040020 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008041926 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008043067 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008064502 Jun 2008 WO
WO 2008086397 Jul 2008 WO
WO 2008100437 Aug 2008 WO
WO 2008100440 Aug 2008 WO
WO 2008131895 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2008132215 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2008135997 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2008141470 Nov 2008 WO
WO 2008154158 Dec 2008 WO
WO 2009016603 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009016605 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009019229 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009021047 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009021353 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009034322 Mar 2009 WO
WO 2009062327 May 2009 WO
WO 2009068665 Jun 2009 WO
WO 2009078790 Jun 2009 WO
WO 2009086580 Jul 2009 WO
WO 2009088925 Jul 2009 WO
WO 2009111655 Sep 2009 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
European Search Report, Application No. 09152714.3, dated May 26, 2009.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20090227968 A1 Sep 2009 US