Vacuum closure device

摘要

This invention relates to the design of tissue covering elements for use in vacuum assisted tissue apposition systems, wherein the geometry of the covering elements favors the application of contractile forces over compressive or extensive forces at the tissue interface.

主权项

1. A tissue covering element for use in a vacuum assisted closure system, the tissue covering element comprising:
a tissue contacting portion, said portion being positionable on either side of a wound margin of a wounded tissue surface; and a bridging portion which bridges the wound and in use provides at least a partial vacuum above the wound, and wherein the bridging portion when in use comprises a higher ratio of internal surfaces that are aligned substantially non-parallel relative to a skin surface compared to surfaces that are aligned substantially parallel relative to the skin surface such that a contractability of at least a portion of the tissue contacting portion toward a middle portion of the wound is greater in the direction parallel to the skin surface than the contractability of the wound cover in the direction that is substantially non-parallel relative to the skin surface when vacuum is applied above the wound, and wherein the bridging portion is configured for anisotropic collapse parallel to the skin surface.