A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover.

A system for managing reduced pressure to a wound site includes a wound enclosure configured to form a substantially sealed volume around the wound site, a first closed volume, a second closed volume, and a controller. The first closed volume includes a primary pressure source and a canister fluidly coupled to the primary pressure source. The first closed volume is configured to apply reduced pressure to the wound site and deliver exudate collected from the wound site to the canister through a first lumen. The second closed volume includes a secondary pressure source and is configured to apply a secondary pressure to the wound site through a second lumen to facilitate flow of the exudate from the wound site to the canister through the first lumen. The controller is configured to communicate with at least the second closed volume for selectively applying the secondary pressure to the wound site.

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound therapy device, system and method. The negative pressure wound therapy device is connected with a dressing, and comprises a housing, a control circuit board, a pump, and an aspiration conduit. The pump generates negative pressure. The pump may comprise a voltage-actuated deformation element (such as piezoelectric vibration element) to push fluid from an aspiration end to a discharge end. The aspiration conduit has a pump end and a dressing end. The pump end is fluidly connected to the aspiration end of the pump, and the dressing end is fluidly connected to the dressing used for covering a wound. The control circuit board is disposed in the housing, controls the pump to generate the negative pressure in the aspiration conduit, and applies negative pressure to the wound covered by the dressing via the aspiration conduit.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes a controller configured to determine a level of exudate in a canister (or a dressing) based at least in part on one or more characteristics of pressure signals generated by a negative pressure source and monitored by a pressure sensor. One such characteristic of the pressure signals can be amplitude, which may increase as a level of exudate in the canister (or dressing) increases. The canister (or dressing) can include a filter configured to become occluded in order to prevent overflow of the canister (or dressing). The controller can be additionally configured to detect and indicate a canister (or dressing) pre-full condition before the filter becomes occluded. More efficient and reliable operation of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can thereby be attained.

Embodiments of reduced pressure systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system can include a source of negative pressure and a controller configured to present GUI screens for controlling and monitoring operation of the system. The controller can be configured to receive, via the GUI, an adjustment of a negative pressure therapy parameter and adjust (or cause adjustment) of the operation of the negative pressure source based on received adjustment. The controller can be further configured to record historical data parameters associated with negative pressure therapy parameters. The controller can also be configured to transmit (or cause transmission) over a communication channel at least some of recorded historical data. The system can be configured to provide external connectivity for accomplishing various activities, such as location tracking, compliance monitoring, tracking of operational data, remote selection and adjustment of therapy settings, etc.

Manifold structures, systems, and methods are disclosed that include using longitudinal members and one or more shaped projections to cause microstrain at a tissue site. In one instance a manifold structure includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal members and at least one shaped projection coupled to at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members for creating a microstrain at a tissue site. The at least one shaped projection includes a columnar member having a distal end and includes an enlarged member positioned at the distal end of the columnar member. The columnar member has a first outer diameter (D.sub.1) and the enlarged member has a second outer diameter (D.sub.2). The second outer diameter of the enlarged member is greater than the first outer diameter of the columnar member (D.sub.2>D.sub.1). Other systems, methods, and structures are presented.

Appurtenances to a wound dressing and systems for monitoring wound dressings are described. In some embodiments, a system for monitoring a wound dressing includes: an appurtenance to a wound dressing, wherein the appurtenance includes a sensor unit, an electronic identifier, and a transmitter unit operably attached to the sensor unit and to the electronic identifier; and a local unit including a receiver for the transmitter unit, a processor operably attached to the receiver, and a communication unit operably attached to the processor.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for increasing liquid absorption are described. Some embodiments may include a dressing having an absorbent layer containing super-absorbent material as well as ionic-exchange media (IEM). In some embodiments, the absorbent layer may include absorbent fibers. The absorbent fibers may each include a super-absorbent core surrounded by a water-permeable layer onto which ionic-exchange media (IEM) may be grafted. As liquid comes into contact with the IEM, its ionic nature may be reduced, therefore protecting the absorbent qualities of the super-absorbent material.

In some illustrative examples, a conduit interface may include a mounting surface and an exterior-facing surface positioned across from the mounting surface, an internal cavity, an inlet port, a vent, and a temporary plug. The internal cavity may include an opening positioned proximate to the mounting surface. The inlet port may be in in fluid communication with the internal cavity through the exterior-facing surface. The vent may be in fluid communication with the internal cavity through the exterior-facing surface. The temporary plug may be configured to temporarily preclude fluid communication through the vent. The conduit interface may be suitable for providing fluid communication with a dressing at a tissue site. Also provided are other examples, apparatus, systems, and methods.

This disclosure is directed towards the use of intelligent disposables in wound treatment devices and systems, such as negative pressure wound therapy devices and systems and liquid jet debridement devices and systems for wound preparation. An intelligent disposable can collect, maintain, and store data to manage the entire device or system lifecycle. The intelligent disposable may include a control or processing circuitry, a transceiver, a memory, and a power source. The transceiver can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device, such as phone or tablet. Any variety of data may be stored by the intelligent disposable, such as operational statistics, regulatory information, and past use information.