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 utilizing a stabilizing structure that preferentially contracts to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a protective layer, such as a mesh or net layer, attached to a top surface of the stabilizing structure. The protective layer prevents a drape positioned over the stabilizing structure from being drawn into cells of the stabilizing structure, and permits visualization of the collapse of the cells.

A porous conduit may be suitable for use in treating a tissue site, and may include a central lumen and a porous wall positioned substantially concentric about the central lumen. The porous wall may have an open porous structure that may define a plurality of interconnected pores in fluid communication with one another. As part of a system, the porous conduit may be used with a manifold adapted to be positioned at a tissue site, a sealing drape adapted to cover the manifold to provide a sealed space relative to the tissue site, and a therapy device including a reduced-pressure source. The porous conduit may be disposed in the sealed space and in fluid communication between the sealed space and the reduced-pressure source.

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 include wound closure devices built from smaller units that are modular, assemble-able and/or customizable.

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

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.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a wound dressing, a negative pressure source, and a controller. The negative pressure source can provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to the wound dressing. The controller can monitor a rate of fluid removal from the wound, wirelessly communicate the rate of fluid removal to a remote device, and output an indication when the rate of fluid removal meets a threshold.

Apparatuses and dressing components for tissue treatment with negative pressure and methods of making and using the dressings and dressing components are disclosed. For example, an apparatus for managing fluid from a tissue site may comprise at least two fluid pathways formed along the length of the apparatus. The apparatus may have at least one hinge line spanning along the length of the apparatus between at the at least two fluid pathways, and the apparatus may be curved about the hinge line. Some examples of the apparatus may comprise multiple layers assembled in a stacked relationship, which may be bonded together using weld lines to define at least two fluid pathways along the length of the apparatus. In some examples, the apparatus may be curved about the weld lines.

Disclosed embodiments may relate to a fluid bridge configured to facilitate negative -pressure therapy when used in a vertical orientation and/or under compression, and to systems and methods related thereto. In some embodiments, the fluid bridge may comprise an open-cell foam support manifold within an envelope. The support manifold may be configured to reduce negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge and/or to maintain therapeutic levels of negative pressure, for example despite vertical orientation and/or use under a compression garment.

A bridge for facilitating delivery of reduced pressure to a wound site includes a reduced pressure lumen configured to be fluidly coupled to a reduced pressure source, a secondary pressure lumen configured to be fluidly coupled to a secondary pressure source, and one or more fluid adapters operable to be connected to a wound dressing disposed at the wound site. The one or more fluid adapters are positioned and configured with respect to the reduced pressure lumen to apply reduced pressure from the reduced pressure lumen to the wound site through the wound dressing and deliver exudate removed from the wound site through the reduced pressure lumen to the reduced pressure tubing. The secondary pressure lumen is fluidly coupled to the reduced pressure lumen to facilitate flow of the exudate removed from the wound site by the reduced pressure source using the secondary pressure source.

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.