Negative pressure wound closure device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11083631-B2
Application number	US-201816191237-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2018
Priority date	Jul 16, 2012
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wound closure apparatus, comprising:
a stabilizing structure, comprising a plurality of cells provided side-by-side in a plane, each cell defined by a plurality of planar walls, each cell having a top end and a bottom end with an opening extending through the top end and the bottom end in a direction perpendicular to the plane;
wherein the stabilizing structure is configured to collapse more within the plane than along the direction perpendicular to the plane;
separate foam layers provided above, below, or on both upper and lower regions of the stabilizing structure, the foam layers comprising a plurality of fingers that extend into the cells of the stabilizing structure to a position between adjoining planar walls of cells wherein the adjoining walls rotate during collapse of the stabilizing structure; and
wherein the fingers are conically shaped.

2. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 , wherein the foam layers further comprise:
a base within a horizontal plane;
wherein the plurality of fingers extend in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the fingers comprising a bottom incorporated into the base of the foam layer and a top opposite the base; and
wherein the bottom of the fingers have a larger diameter than the top of the fingers.

3. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 , wherein the foam layers further comprise a plurality of connecting sections that connect the fingers.

4. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 , wherein the foam layers comprise a plurality of depressions.

5. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing structure has an oval outer shape in the plane.

6. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing structure comprises a flexible material.

7. The stabilizing structure of claim 6 wherein the flexible material comprises a silicone material or a polyurethane material.

8. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein one or more cells have a diamond shape.

9. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein the foam layers comprise an open cell foam such that fluid passes through the open cell foam upon application of negative pressure to a wound in which the stabilizing structure is positioned.

10. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein the foam layers have varying flexibility.

11. The stabilizing structure of claim 1 wherein the fingers extend at least 1 mm from the foam layer into the cells of the stabilizing structure.

12. A wound closure apparatus, comprising:
a stabilizing structure, comprising a plurality of cells provided side-by-side in a plane, each cell defined by a plurality of planar walls, each cell having a top end and a bottom end with an opening extending through the top end and the bottom end in a direction perpendicular to the plane wherein the stabilizing structure has a length direction and a width direction and an outer surface having an oval shape;
wherein the stabilizing structure is configured to collapse more within the plane than along the direction perpendicular to the plane;
separate foam layers provided above, below, or on both upper and lower regions of the stabilizing structure, the foam layers comprising a plurality of fingers that extend into the cells of the stabilizing structure to a position between adjoining planar walls of cells wherein the adjoining walls rotate in the plane during collapse of the stabilizing structure upon application of negative pressure; and
wherein the fingers are conically shaped.

13. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 , wherein the foam layers further comprise:
a base within a horizontal plane;
wherein the plurality of fingers extend in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the fingers comprising a bottom incorporated into the base of the foam layer and a top opposite the base; and
wherein the bottom of the fingers have a larger diameter than the top of the fingers.

14. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 , wherein the foam layers further comprise a plurality of connecting sections that connect the fingers.

15. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 , wherein the foam layers comprise a plurality of depressions.

16. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein the oval shape of the stabilizing structure is longer in the length direction than the width direction such that the stabilizing structure preferentially collapses in the width direction.

17. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein the stabilizing structure comprises a flexible material.

18. The stabilizing structure of claim 17 wherein the flexible material comprises a silicone material or a polyurethane material.

19. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein one or more cells have a diamond shape.

20. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein the foam layers comprise an open cell foam such that fluid passes through the open cell foam upon application of negative pressure to a wound in which the stabilizing structure is positioned.

21. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein the foam layers have varying flexibility.

22. The stabilizing structure of claim 12 wherein the fingers extend at least 1 mm from the foam layer into the cells of the stabilizing structure.

Assignees

• Smith & Nephew Inc
• Univ Massachusetts

Inventors

• Dunn Raymond M
• Hammond Victoria Jody
• Hartwell Edward Yerbury
• Hicks John Kenneth
• Huddleston Elizabeth Mary
• Kelly Andrew
• Linton Andrew
• Richardson Mark
• Saxby Carl
• Stern Tim

Classifications

• A61M1/913

  having a bridging element for transferring the reduced pressure from the connector to the dressing · CPC title

• A61M1/916

  specially adapted for deep wounds · CPC title

• A61M1/915

  Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold · CPC title

• A61F2013/00178

  hand-held CO2 cylinder, e.g. sparklet · CPC title

• A61F2013/00536

  for draining or irrigating wounds · CPC title