A collapsible, clamping and/or steerable apparatus in conjunction with negative pressure system and methods for using such an apparatus are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention have lengths and bent and/or increase their curvatures along their lengths, by preferentially contracting and transforming upon negative pressure.

An article, including a network of interconnected polymeric strands; wherein each of the interconnected polymeric strands has a first surface adapted to contact a tissue site and a second surface opposite the first surface; wherein at least one of the interconnected polymeric stand has a plurality of features extending from the first surface of the interconnected polymeric strands; wherein at least one of the interconnected polymeric strands is non-linear; a plurality of openings between adjacent interconnected polymeric strands; an adhesive layer in contact with the second surface of the interconnected polymeric strands; and a filler in contact with the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer in between the network of interconnected polymeric strands and the filler; wherein the article is a negative pressure wound therapy article.

A negative pressure assembly includes a drape, a sealing element, a reactor, a valve and a mechanical pump assembly. The drape and the sealing element, when applied to the skin, cooperate to define an enclosed volume. The reactor is located so as to be in fluid communication with the enclosed volume when the drape is covering the dressing site. The reactor reacts with a selected gas found in air to consume the selected gas. The valve has a first operating state in which gas is drawn from the enclosed volume through the valve. The mechanical pump assembly includes a pump chamber fluidly connectable to the enclosed volume through the valve when the valve is in the first operating state. The mechanical pump is configured to fluidly connect with the enclosed volume and draw air from the enclosed volume into the pump chamber.

An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a tissue site of a patient may include a tissue interface, a cover, an aperture in the cover, and a sealing member. The tissue interface may have an anatomical shape configured to cover the tissue site. The cover may be configured to cover the tissue interface. The aperture in the cover may be fluidly coupled to the tissue interface. The sealing member may be configured to seal the cover to the patient, wherein the cover and the sealing member are configured to cooperate to form a sealed chamber containing the tissue interface. The tissue interface may be coupled to a source of negative pressure, which can be delivered to the tissue interface for distribution to the tissue site. The source of negative pressure may be coupled to the cover of the apparatus.

A negative pressure wound therapy system treats multiple wounds on a patient's body. The system includes a source of negative air pressure, an air source, first and second fluid collection volumes, first and second wound-covering domes disposed over first and second wounds, a valve assembly disposed between the source of negative air pressure and the first and second fluid collection volumes, and between the air source and the first and second domes. The valve assembly has first and second operational modes. In the first, the valve assembly puts the source of negative air pressure in fluid communication with the first fluid collection volume, and the air source in fluid communication with the first dome. In the second, the valve assembly puts the source of negative air pressure in fluid communication with the second fluid collection volume, and the air source in fluid communication with the second dome.

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable.

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable.

A method for providing a negative pressure wherein a pump is cycled on and off to achieve a target negative pressure, which is set slightly lower than the therapeutic negative pressure. A device determines the actual pressure by averaging samples which may occur at a different rate than the pump cycle.

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.

A composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a micropump system housed within or above a wound dressing member. The micropump system includes a miniature pump that applies a subatmospheric pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed without the need for a cumbersome external vacuum source. Hence, the wound dressing and micropump system is portable which allows the patient mobility that is unavailable when an external vacuum source is used. The patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.