Some embodiments have a pump assembly mounted to or supported by a dressing for reduced pressure wound therapy. The dressing can have visual pressure, saturation, and/or temperature sensors to provide a visual indication of the level of pressure, saturation, and/or temperature within the dressing. Additionally, the pump assembly can have a pressure sensor in communication with the flow pathway through the pump, and at least one switch or button supported by the housing, the at least one switch or button being accessible to a user and being in communication with the controller. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump. The pump can be configured to be sterilized following the assembly of the pump such that all of the components of the pump have been sterilized.

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.

The invention relates in one variant to a suction pump (1) for sucking body fluid, comprising an optical status indicator (5) for displaying a light signal as a function of the operating state of the suction pump (1), the optical status indicator (5) is arranged on at least two points of the outer surface of the suction pump (1), the surface normals of which are at an angle of at least 5° to one another. In a second variant, the invention relates to a suction pump (1) for sucking body fluid, including an optical status indicator (5) for displaying a light signal as a function of the operating state of the suction pump (1), wherein the suction pump (1) has on its underside at least one stand (13) for support on a support surface, the status indicator (5) is arranged on the underside of the suction pump (1) so that the light signal is emitted in the direction of the support surface. In a third variant, the invention relates to a suction pump (1) for sucking body fluid, including an optical status indicator (5) for displaying a light signal as a function of the operating state of the suction pump (1), the status indicator (5) occupying at least 5% of the surface of the suction pump (1).

Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. The devices are capable of generating a substantially constant reduced pressure with low tolerance for pressure fluctuations. Also disclosed herein are reduced pressure therapy systems that comprise an alarm system to detect the depleted state of the suction device and provide an alert to the patient and/or practitioner.

A suction catheter system is described with a suction extension interfaced with a guide catheter to form a continuous suction lumen extending through a portion of the guide catheter and through the suction extension. The suction extension can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. The suction extension can comprise a connecting section with a non-circular cross section for interfacing with the inner lumen of an engagement section of the guide catheter. The tubular body of the guide catheter can have a reduced diameter distal section the can be useful to restrain the movement of the suction extension. Proximal fittings attached to the guide catheter can facilitate safe removal of the catheter system from the patient by allowing for the removal of some or all of a tubular extension of the suction extension from the guide catheter behind a hemostatic seal. Pressure sensors connected to the proximal fittings can help to guide the procedures with reduced risk of embolizing thrombus.

A fluid collection system includes a vacuum source, a collection vessel, and a surgical drape. A fluid outflow line is connected between the surgical drape and the collection vessel. The fluid outflow line provides a path for fluid to the collection vessel. A suction line is connected with the collection vessel. The suction line provides suction to draw fluid through the fluid outflow line to the collection vessel. The suction line branches into a first suction line and a second suction line parallel with the first suction line. The first suction line and the second suction line are each connected with the vacuum source. A flow restrictor is disposed along the first suction line. A valve is disposed along the second suction line. The valve is opened in a pulsatile fashion when fluid is present in the surgical drape to increase a level of suction provided to the surgical drape.

Disclosed herein is a device which is intended to deliver and maintain reduced pressure to body surfaces for application of reduced pressure wound therapy (RPWT) also known as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). During application of this type of therapy, a substantially airtight seal is formed around a section of tissue to be treated. This seal is formed by a dressing which provides fluid communication from a section of tissue to a reduced pressure source. Disclosed herein is a dressing system which is configured to enhance usability and functionality of this dressing. First, the system may be configured to allow full rotation of the fluid communication conduit to the reduced pressure source along the axis substantially normal to the dressing. Second, the system may be configured to include a one-way valve to prevent backflow of any drainage fluids. Third, the system may be configured with transparent windows covered by opaque flaps to allow inspection through the dressing. Fourth, the system may be configured to include an indicator which visually makes clear whether reduced pressure is being applied or not. Fifth, the system is configured to minimize the profile of the dressing system.

Some arrangements disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for treating a wound, comprising applying negative pressure to the wound through a cover applied over a wound, monitoring the internal pressure in the wound, and controlling the closure of the wound by controlling the amount that a wound packing material positioned under the cover collapses within the wound based on the monitored internal pressure. The wound packing material collapse can be controlled to ensure that the monitored internal pressure does not exceed a threshold value. Additionally, some embodiments or arrangements disclosed herein relate to a visualization element to visualize a location of a wound surface. The visualization element can comprise a radiopaque member that is configured to be positioned on or adjacent to a surface of an open wound.

A fluid collection system includes a vacuum source, a collection vessel, and a surgical drape. A fluid outflow line is connected between the surgical drape and the collection vessel. The fluid outflow line provides a path for fluid to the collection vessel. A suction line is connected with the collection vessel. The suction line provides suction to draw fluid through the fluid outflow line to the collection vessel. The suction line branches into a first suction line and a second suction line parallel with the first suction line. The first suction line and the second suction line are each connected with the vacuum source. A flow restrictor is disposed along the first suction line. A valve is disposed along the second suction line. The valve is opened in a pulsatile fashion when fluid is present in the surgical drape to increase a level of suction provided to the surgical drape.

A suction catheter system is described with a suction extension interfaced with a guide catheter to form a continuous suction lumen extending through a portion of the guide catheter and through the suction extension. The suction extension can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. The suction extension can comprise a connecting section with a non-circular cross section for interfacing with the inner lumen of an engagement section of the guide catheter. The tubular body of the guide catheter can have a reduced diameter distal section the can be useful to restrain the movement of the suction extension. Proximal fittings attached to the guide catheter can facilitate safe removal of the catheter system from the patient by allowing for the removal of some or all of a tubular extension of the suction extension from the guide catheter behind a hemostatic seal. Pressure sensors connected to the proximal fittings can help to guide the procedures with reduced risk of embolizing thrombus.