Connection pads for coupling fluid-instillation and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods and wound dressings for breaching a drape after coupling a wound dressing to a fluid-instillation and/or NPWT apparatus.

The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound. The apparatus can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.

Apparatuses and methods disclosed herein relate to various embodiments of wound fillers that, in some cases, preferentially collapse in one direction as compared to another direction. Such apparatuses and methods may aid in the closure of wounds and may further be used in combination with pressure sensors and controllers to provide for controlled collapse of the wound fillers.

A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a stabilizing structure with dissolvable portions.

Systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure sensor measures the pressure at the wound therapy dressing and restricts fluid flow to the wound therapy dressing when a predetermined pressure is achieve.

Systems and methods are presented for providing reduced pressure to and monitoring pressure at a plurality of tissue sites using a plurality of pressure management devices. The pressure management devices are associated with a plurality of sensing conduits that fluidly couple the pressure management devices and the plurality of tissue sites. Other systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing, as well as a pressure source, controller, and output device supported by the housing. The pressure source couples via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing and provides negative pressure to the wound dressing. The controller operates the pressure source to provide negative pressure to the wound dressing. The output device provides identification data to an electronic device, and the identification data is usable by the electronic device to access a label associated with the housing or one or more components supported by the housing.

An NPWT module includes a suction module including a suction device that has an intake port, an exhaust port, and a suction main body connected to the intake port and the exhaust port, a power supply that supplies power to the suction device, and a control circuit that controls power supply performed by the power supply and a water-absorbing member having a flat shape, and the NPWT module has a first space in which the suction module is located and a second space that communicates with the intake port of the suction device and in which the water-absorbing member is located. The first space and the second space are positioned adjacent to each other.

A wound dressing for pressure gradient wound therapy. The wound dressing includes a dressing body and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer provides an adhesive region for providing a seal between the wound dressing and the periphery of a wound site, in use. Sensors are provided associated with the adhesive region, the sensors being configured to monitor one or more conditions indicative of a hermeticity of the seal between the wound dressing and the periphery of the wound site.

The present invention relates to a method (10) and control system (100) for monitoring operation of a pressure gradient wound therapy apparatus (200). A parameter indicative of a rate of change of pressure within the applied wound dressing (202) is measured, and a rate of change of pressure within the applied wound dressing (202) in is determined in dependence on the measured parameter. The rate of change of pressure corresponds to a leak level and is used to control the wound therapy apparatus (200) in accordance with one or more predetermined actions such that an appropriate action is taken for a given leak level.