Various aspects of a skin treatment device and a method to cleanse and balance pH value of skin are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the skin treatment device includes a nozzle to be directed into contact with the skin of a subject. A vacuum pump may be operably coupled to the nozzle for generating a suction force of the nozzle to evacuate impurities from the skin. A liquid replenishing assembly may be operably coupled to the nozzle for atomizing liquid at a pre-defined pH value. The liquid from the liquid replenishing assembly may pass into the nozzle based on the pre-defined pH value. The first control valve may be connected to an outlet of the vacuum pump and an outlet of the liquid replenishing assembly for communication with the nozzle.

A surgical method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, drying an osteochondral defect using a suction swab. The drying step includes suctioning moisture from the osteochondral defect through the suction swab or communicating a gas to the osteochondral defect through the suction swab.

A composition for healing or improving skin includes a fabric or material impregnated with an oxygen generating material. The fabric may include a first side in contact with the skin for providing oxygen to the skin and a second side between the oxygen generating material and the air surrounding the skin to form a barrier for retaining heat and inhibiting evaporation.

In various aspects, the wound therapy apparatus disclosed herein includes a wound interface that defines an enclosed space over a wound bed that is fluid tight when secured to a skin surface around the wound bed. The wound therapy apparatus includes a control group that cooperates with the wound interface to regulate input of input fluid comprising a gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air into the enclosed space and to regulate the withdrawal of output fluid from the enclosed space in order to vary an actual pressure p.sub.a within the enclosed space generally between a minimum pressure p.sub.min and a maximum pressure p.sub.max, the minimum pressure p.sub.min being less than ambient pressure p.sub.amb, in various aspects. The input of the gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air is sequential with withdrawal of the gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air, in various aspects. Related methods of use of the wound therapy apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the methods of use and related apparatus disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

An apparatus for treating a tissue site includes a dressing, an oxygen source, a valve, and a negative-pressure source. The dressing is configured to be sealed around the tissue site. The oxygen source is fluidly coupled to the dressing and configured to provide a low flow of oxygen. A first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the dressing and the valve moves between a closed position preventing flow through the valve and an open position permitting flow through the valve. The negative-pressure source is fluidly coupled to a second port of the valve and provides negative pressure to the second port of the valve at a non-therapeutic level. The valve separates the negative-pressure source from the dressing and selectively opens when a positive pressure is applied on an upstream side of the valve.

In various aspects, the wound therapy apparatus disclosed herein includes a wound interface that defines an enclosed space over a wound bed that is fluid tight when secured to a skin surface around the wound bed. The wound therapy apparatus includes a control group that cooperates with the wound interface to regulate input of input fluid comprising a gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air into the enclosed space and to regulate the withdrawal of output fluid from the enclosed space in order to vary an actual pressure p.sub.a within the enclosed space generally between a minimum pressure p.sub.min and a maximum pressure p.sub.max. Related methods of use of the wound therapy apparatus are disclosed herein.

This disclosure includes wound dressings and systems with remote oxygen generation for topical wound therapy and related methods. Some systems include a dressing for facilitating delivery of oxygen to the target tissue, the dressing having: a first manifold that defines a plurality of gas passageways and is configured to allow communication of oxygen to the target tissue; a gas-occlusive layer configured to be disposed over the first manifold and coupled to tissue surrounding the target tissue such that: an interior volume is defined between the gas-occlusive layer and the target tissue; and the gas-occlusive layer limits escape of oxygen from the interior volume between the gas-occlusive layer and the tissue surrounding the target tissue; a container outside the interior volume, the container having a sidewall that defines a chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the interior volume; and an oxygen-generating material disposed within the chamber of container and configured to release oxygen when exposed to water.

A combination therapy pad that includes a first layer and a second layer operatively coupled to the first layer. A fiber-optic array is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A third layer is operatively coupled to the first layer. The third layer includes a vacuum tube in fluid communication with a vacuum source and a therapeutic fluid tube in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The third layer provides at least one of vacuum therapy and therapeutic fluid treatment to a wound area.

An apparatus for cleansing wounds, in which wound exudate is removed from a wound bed and selectively cleansed and returned to the wound. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The associated wound dressing and cleansing means are conformable to the wound, and may have irrigant fluid circulated from a reservoir by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing.

In various aspects, the wound therapy apparatus disclosed herein includes a wound interface that defines an enclosed space over a wound bed that is fluid tight when secured to a skin surface around the wound bed. The wound therapy apparatus includes a control group that cooperates with the wound interface to regulate input of input fluid comprising a gas having an O.sub.2 concentration greater than atmospheric air into the enclosed space and to regulate the withdrawal of output fluid from the enclosed space in order to vary an actual pressure p.sub.a within the enclosed space generally between a minimum pressure p.sub.min and a maximum pressure p.sub.max. Related methods of use of the wound therapy apparatus are disclosed herein.