APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WOUND TREATMENT EMPLOYING PERIODIC SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

摘要

A tissue treatment apparatus and method are provided for treating tissue by the application of the time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure. The apparatus includes a cover adapted to cover a wound and adapted to maintain sub-atmospheric pressure the site of the wound. The apparatus further includes a source of suction configured to generate a time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure having a periodic waveform comprising a gradual change in pressure. The suction source cooperates with the cover to supply the time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure under the cover to the wound. The time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure may vary between a first pressure value below the inherent tissue tension of the wound tissue and a second pressure value above the inherent tissue tension of the wound tissue.

主权项

1. A method for growing wound tissue into a bioabsorbable screen employing gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure, the method comprising:
(a) overlaying wound tissue with a bioabsorbable screen configured to allow for incorporation of wound tissue into the bioabsorbable screen such that the bioabsorbable screen is substantially indistinguishable from the wound tissue and having a degree of reticulation selected to promote tissue growth into the bioabsorbable screen; (b) enclosing the bioabsorbable screen and the wound tissue under a cover to provide an enclosure above the wound tissue and the bioabsorbable screen in which sub-atmospheric pressure may be maintained; and (c) applying a non-intermittent, gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure to the enclosure from a source of sub-atmospheric pressure operably connected to the cover, and maintaining the non-intermittent, gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure for a time sufficient to grow and incorporate wound tissue into the bioabsorbable screen.