Abstract:
Devices and methods for skin graft harvesting are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, substrates for transplanting skin grafts are disclosed that include a soft-tack, biocompatible composition having a surface adapted to contact at least one excised skin graft and engage the graft for removal from a donor site. In another aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the skin-contacting surface of the substrate (or dressing) is porous to facilitate fluid transport into (or out of) the graft site during harvesting and/or transplantation. The substrates can also incorporate an absorbent component to capture fluids. The substrate can be a mesh or fabric or web, e.g. woven, knitted, nonwoven or molded. The substrate can be a mesh of biocompatible fibers, for example, cellulosic, polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyesters or polyamide fibers. In one embodiment the mesh is formed of cellulose acetate fibers and coated with a silicone gel, to imparted the desire degree of tackiness.
Abstract:
A cover for protecting a tissue site may comprise a shell layer, an adhesive disposed on the shell layer, and a contact layer disposed adjacent to the adhesive. The contact layer may have an open area of about 40 percent to about 50 percent of the total area of the contact layer. A release liner may be disposed adjacent to the contact layer. Perforations through the shell layer and the contact layer can define a sacrificial segment configured to be separated from the shell layer and the contact layer. A handling bar may be coupled to the sacrificial segment.
Abstract:
A soft-sided or flexible storage pouch may be used with a negative-pressure therapy system to receive and store fluids and exudate from a tissue site. The flexible storage pouch may include an envelope formed from one or more polymer films. The pouch may comprise a storage compartment configured to receive and store liquid fluid or exudate from a tissue site, and a manifold compartment configured to manifold gaseous fluid from the storage compartment to a negative-pressure source. In some embodiments, the manifold compartment may at least partially surround the storage compartment. One or more filters may be disposed in various locations between the storage compartment and the manifold compartment. The filters may be configured to allow the flow of gas from the storage compartment to the manifold in any orientation of the pouch, but may reduce or prevent the flow of liquid from the storage compartment to the manifold.
Abstract:
In one example embodiment, an apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy may comprise a negative-pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a control valve. The negative-pressure source may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a distribution component. The control valve may be fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to be selectively coupled to the negative-pressure source, the distribution component, or both. A controller may also be configured to operate the control valve to selectively couple the pressure sensor to at least one of the negative-pressure source and the distribution component through the control valve, and the pressure sensor may provide a feedback signal to the controller indicative of pressure in a feedback path associated with the position of the control valve. The controller may also be configured to operate the negative-pressure source based on the feedback signal.
Abstract:
A soft-sided or flexible storage pouch may be used with a negative-pressure therapy system to receive and store fluids and exudate from a tissue site. The flexible storage pouch may include an envelope formed from one or more polymer films. A serpentine manifold and absorbent layers disposed between layers of the serpentine manifold may be inside the envelope. The pouch may have an inlet fluidly coupled to a tissue site and an outlet fluidly coupled to a negative-pressure source. The serpentine manifold may provide a tortuous fluid path from the inlet to the outlet that can increase or maximize fluid absorption by the absorbent layers. In some embodiments, one or more exudate barriers, such as baffles, may be included. The baffles may be disposed between the layers of the serpentine manifold and may aid in directing the flow of fluid along the tortuous fluid path of the manifold.
Abstract:
Wound treatment systems and methods (e.g., having hydrophilic wound inserts), such as for negative-pressure and/or fluid-installation wound therapies. Some embodiments include a check-valve assembly between a wound dressing and a vacuum source.
Abstract:
A reduced pressure treatment system includes a porous pad positioned at a tissue site and a canister having a collection chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the porous pad. A reduced pressure source is fluidly connected to the outlet of the canister such that fluid from the tissue site may be drawn into the collection chamber. A hydrophobic filter is positioned adjacent the outlet to prevent liquid from exiting the collection chamber through the outlet. A baffle is positioned within the canister to create a tortuous path between the inlet and the outlet to prevent premature blocking of the hydrophobic filter.