Flexible reduced pressure treatment appliance

摘要

A wound treatment appliance is provided for treating all or a portion of a wound. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an impermeable flexible overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the covered portion of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the wound in the area under the flexible overlay. In yet other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of the wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, the appliance may include a suction drain. In other embodiments, the appliance may include a collection chamber to collect and store exudate from the wound. In yet other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an impermeable overlay that covers all or a portion of the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the wound treatment appliance.

主权项

1. An apparatus for administering reduced pressure treatment to a wound on a body, comprising:
a flexible overlay positionable over the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure under the flexible overlay, the flexible overlay configured to form a seal surrounding the wound and having at least one opening therein; a vacuum source configured to provide reduced pressure through the opening to a space under the overlay; a conduit for connecting the overlay to the vacuum source; a hydrophobic filter positioned at the opening, wherein the hydrophobic filter is configured to retain wound exudate in the space under the overlay; wherein the flexible overlay defines at least in part a collection chamber configured such that exudate from the wound can flow into the collection chamber and is retained therein, but the wound exudate within the collection chamber is prevented from flowing past the hydrophobic filter; and further comprising a membrane that acts as a barrier separating the collection chamber and the flexible overlay, so that the membrane acts as a portion of the surface of the collection chamber and a portion of the surface of the flexible overlay.