A composite wound dressing and delivery apparatus includes a substantially transparent dressing layer having a lower surface that is coated with a pressure sensitive for applying the dressing layer over a wound to define a reservoir in which a negative pressure may be maintained. A substantially transparent backing layer adhered to the lower surface of the dressing layer in a releasable manner, and a vacuum port is centrally located on the dressing layer. The vacuum port is adapted to provide fluid communication between a vacuum source and the reservoir through the dressing layer. A targeting grid associated with either the dressing layer or the backing layer includes regularly spaced reference marks along at least two axes extending from the vacuum port.

A manually-actuated pump for applying reduced-pressure therapy includes a charging chamber and a regulated chamber. The charging chamber has a closed end. A regulator passage extends between the charging chamber and the regulated chamber, and a valve body is adapted to control fluid communication through the regulator passage. A regulator spring is engaged with the valve body to bias the valve body against a differential between a pressure in the regulated chamber and an ambient pressure. The manually-actuated pump also includes an outlet port coupled to the regulated chamber; and a valve assembly coupled to the charging chamber to permit fluid flow through the closed end of the charging chamber.

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 method and apparatus are disclosed for determining status of a canister of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of monitoring pressure provided by a pump element of the TNP system, determining at least one characteristic associated with the monitored pressure and determining status of at least one parameter associated with a canister of the TNP system responsive to the determined characteristics.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed towards wound dressings comprising 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. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for reduced pressure tissue therapy. Some variations of suction devices for reduced pressure tissue therapy comprise a housing, a suction force generating mechanism located within the housing, and a storage module configured to retain tissue exudates. In some variations, the storage module includes a sleeve configured to collect tissue exudates. The sleeve may include a support element to help maintain the lateral structural integrity of the sleeve and/or retain the cross-sectional geometry of the sleeve under negative pressure. In use, the storage module may reduce sanitary and/or biohazard risks by preventing the exudates from contacting the housing and/or suction force generating mechanism. The storage module is configured to be replaced so that the housing and suction force generating mechanism can be used for more than one session.

A method and apparatus for measuring a volume of a wound are described, the method comprising the steps of: applying a dressing over a wound, the volume of which is to be measured, the dressing including at least a sealing drape over the wound so as to create a sealed wound cavity; creating a vacuum in said wound cavity by vacuum pump means so as to produce a predetermined vacuum in the wound cavity; measuring a volume of air extracted from said wound cavity in producing said predetermined vacuum; and, calculating a volume of said wound.

The present invention discloses a multifunctional negative pressure drainage system switchable between various modes, including continuous negative pressure, intermittent negative pressure, rinsing, drug administration, and drug administration loop, including a medical wound dressing, a waste fluid bottle, a vacuum pump, a draining tube A, an airway A, a draining tube B, a peristaltic pump, a draining tube C, an infusion bottle, a draining tube E, a control valve A, a control valve B, and a control valve F. The medical wound dressing, the draining tube B, the peristaltic pump, the draining tube C, and the infusion bottle are connected in turn. The medical wound dressing, the draining tube A, the waste fluid bottle, the airway A, and the vacuum pump are connected in turn. The draining tube E is connected between the draining tube C and the draining tube A. The control valve A is disposed on the draining tube A. The junction between the draining tube E and the draining tube A is located between the control valve A and the medical wound dressing. The control valve B is disposed on the draining tube C. The junction of the draining tube E and the draining tube C is located between the control valve B and the peristaltic pump. The control valve F is disposed on the draining tube E.

A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, including a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit adapted to draw a vacuum and a canister associated with the housing. The canister has a collection bag disposed therein, which is in fluid communication with the wound dressing to receive exudates from the wound bed. The collection bag is adapted to expand upon receipt of the fluids and has means to release gas from within the collection bag in connection with operation of the control unit. With this arrangement, the canister is attitude independent, i.e., the canister may be positioned on edge, on its side or on its end etc. while still maintaining operation of the control unit. The collection bag may include a hydrophobic vent or material for releasing the gases. In another embodiment, the collection bag comprises a gas permeable material. The collection bag may include one of pleats or bellows.