Reduced-pressure sources, systems, and methods involve using a vacuum pump that is disposed within a sealed space to produce reduced pressure. The exhaust from the vacuum pump is exhausted from the sealed space through pores in an enclosure member that is made of a polymeric, porous, hydrophobic material. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A pump generates a vacuum at a wound site via first tubing. A negative pressure circuit is defined by a canister, the first tubing and the wound site. A controller of a therapy device operates the pump to apply a first negative pressure to the entirety of the negative pressure circuit, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the negative pressure circuit. The controller also operates the pump to apply a second negative pressure to a selected portion of the negative pressure circuit exclusive of the wound site, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the selected portion. A quantity of fluid to be delivered to the wound site via a second tubing is determined by comparing measured parameters related to the flow of air into the negative pressure circuit to parameters measured with respect to the flow of air into the selected portion.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical treatment and therapy of mammalian tissue. More specifically, it relates to coverings and/or dressings that provide negative pressure at mammalian tissue sites, such as at one or more sites of surgical, non-surgical, and/or traumatic wounds, to promote closure and healing of the wounds. A key embodiment of the disclosed invention entails the use of a dressing that comprises a sponge that is shaped so as to create a vector force inward bringing wound edges together to promote healing, especially upon application of negative pressure. Other key features of the disclosed invention are its simplicity, its low cost, and that it is completely mechanical and lacks the need for any electronic components. The disclosure also relates to devices, systems, kits and methods for providing said negative pressure at said mammalian tissue sites and promote healing.

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.

Disclosed is a canister for a mobile negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device, specifically adapted for ensuring prolonged uninterrupted use of the NPWT device. Also disclosed is a corresponding NPWT device that includes the canister.

An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound is disclosed. The apparatus can include a housing, a pressure source, a canister, and a controller. The pressure source can be supported by the housing and provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing positioned over a wound. The canister can collect exudate from the wound. The controller can monitor a parameter indicative of providing negative pressure to the wound dressing with the pressure source, determine from the parameter that the wound is treatable with a canisterless wound therapy apparatus, and output for presentation to a user a notification indicating that the wound is treatable with the canisterless wound therapy apparatus.

Wound drain (100) includes a body of soft and flexible elastomeric material. The body includes a flange (110) having a generally planar form and an elongate shaft (120) having a first portion extending to one side of the flange (110), and optionally a second portion extending to the opposite side of the flange. The flange (110) has a cross-sectional length in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the shaft (120) that is larger than a cross-sectional length of the shaft (120). The shaft (120) includes one or more channels (123) each extending along its entire length or a portion of its length, and along both the first and second portions of the shaft (120) when the second portion of the shaft (120) is present.

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 impermeable flexible overlay comprises suction assistance means, such as channels, which assist in the application of reduced pressure to the area of the wound and removal of exudate from 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.

In some embodiments, a negative pressure apparatus includes a negative pressure source configured to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing placed to create a seal over a wound, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller can be configured to operate the negative pressure source in a first mode and determine a change in pressure in the fluid flow path over a period of time based on a plurality of measurements by the pressure sensor. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is decreasing, the controller can operate the negative pressure source in a second mode in which greater amount of negative pressure is provided than in the first mode. In response to a determination that pressure in the fluid flow path is not decreasing, the controller can provide an indication of a first leak in the seal.

A wound monitoring and/or therapy system can include a substantially stretchable substrate supporting a plurality of electronic components, including sensors, and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the electronic components. The electronic components can also include a circuit board supporting at least one controller configured to control at least some of the sensors, the circuit board configured to operate without failure when the substrate is flexed as a result of strain. A calibration track can be positioned on the substrate and connected to a monitoring circuit configured to measure a change in resistance of the calibration track indicative of resistance change of at least some of the plurality of electronic connections. The system can include a controller with a circuit board supporting a plurality of electrical components and an antenna configured to communicate with the substrate, the antenna at least partially enclosing the circuit board.