Abstract:
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for promoting re-epithelialization as an aspect of wound healing are presented. A re-epithelialization dressing for use with reduced pressure has a moist tissue-interface layer, a manifold member, and a sealing member. The moist tissue-interface layer has a plurality of apertures. The moist tissue-interface layer is for disposing adjacent to the wound and provides a moisture balance (i.e., provides moisture when the wound is dry and receives moisture when the wound site is substantially wet). The reduced pressure, apertures, and moist tissue-interface layer help with liquid management and otherwise promote re-epithelialization. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.
Abstract:
Reduced-pressure canisters and methods for recycling are disclosed. In one instance, a method for performing multiple reduced pressure treatments on one or more patients includes providing a reduced-pressure treatment system that includes a first canister body, a fluid reservoir, and one or more modules, such as a pump control module. The method involves using the reduced-pressure system and then removing one or more modules and placing the one or more modules in fitted shipping receptacle that disallows shipping of the fluid reservoir. The one or more modules may be reconditioned and coupled to a second canister body. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
A reduced-pressure system for delivering reduced pressure for medical purposes to a desired site and to receive fluids in one instance includes a reservoir having an interior space operable to contain the fluids. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit is placed in fluid communication with the interior space for delivering the reduced pressure to the desired site. A source conduit and a pressure sensor conduit are placed in fluid communication with the interior space. A pressure sensor is placed in fluid communication with the pressure sensor conduit. A reduced-pressure source is placed in fluid communication with the source conduit. A reduced-pressure control unit is associated with the pressure sensor and the reduced-pressure source and is operable to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and supply data from the reduced-pressure source and to determine when a reservoir-full/blockage condition exists. Other systems and methods are presented.
Abstract:
A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.
Abstract:
Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed, in some embodiments, that involve treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, wherein the dressing includes a dressing reduced-pressure indicator that allows one to ascertain that the reduced pressure applied at the dressing is greater than a threshold reduced pressure. The dressing reduced-pressure indicator may include a moving member that is adapted to move under reduced pressure and a visual indicator associated with the moving member. Another embodiment uses an electro-mechanical indicator to provide a powered visual alert or audible alert or another output signal. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
Reduced-pressure medical dressings, systems, and methods involve a dressing with a first barrier layer that desolidifies when exposed to a fluid—typically a liquid—to form a treatment aperture in the first barrier that is used to deliver reduced pressure to a tissue site. The first barrier layer is formed from a desolidifying material. The system includes a drape covering a second surface of a manifold and a portion of the patient's epidermis to provide a substantially sealed space containing a manifold and the first barrier layer. Other systems, dressings, and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A wound-closing dressing, which is suitable for use as part of a reduced-pressure, wound-treatment system, may include a sealing drape, one or more contracting elements, and a gripping member. The contracting element may be coupled to the sealing drape and is configured to contract when activated and to generate a closing force. A gripping member is coupled to the sealing drape and is configured to transmit the closing force to a patient's epidermis. Other dressings, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus and method for managing reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source that generates reduced pressure. The reduced pressure is delivered to the tissue site via a delivery tube. The apparatus includes a single pressure sensor. The single pressure sensor detects an actual reduced pressure at the tissue site. The apparatus also includes a controller. The controller determines a responsiveness of the actual reduced pressure measured by the single pressure sensor to an increase in reduced pressure generated by the reduced pressure source. The apparatus includes an indicator. The indicator emits a signal when the controller determines that the actual reduced pressure measured by the single pressure sensor is nonresponsive to the increase in reduced pressure generated by the reduced pressure source.
Abstract:
Wounds dressings, systems, and methods are presented that involve using a patient's body heat to enhance liquid removal from the wound dressing through a high-moisture-vapor-transmission-rate drape. Additional heat sources or devices, such as nano-antennas or electrical heating elements, may be added or used separately to enhance the removal liquid from the wound dressing. Other dressings, systems, and methods are presented herein.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and dressing are presented for treating a tunnel wound on a patient. In one instance, a reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing includes a longitudinal core member formed from a closed-cell foam that is surrounded by a first longitudinal concentric member formed from a manifolding material. When subjected to reduced pressure, the longitudinal core member expands and the first longitudinal concentric member compresses. These actions create intimate contact between the tunnel wound and the dressing, oppose collapse of the tunnel, and when reduced pressure is removed provide clearance to remove the dressing. Other embodiments are presented.