DRESSING FOR NEGATIVE-PRESSURE THERAPIES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dressing for the application of negative pressure therapies.

Claims

1. A dressing for negative pressure therapy, comprising: a multi-layer structure comprising: a first layer and a second layer, linked together by respective perimeter edges, wherein the first layer consists of a lamellar body comprising: a first inner face inward facing and facing the second layer; a first outer face facing outwards; and a plurality of first through holes allowing fluid to pass through; wherein the dressing is characterized in that the second layer comprises two lamellar bodies solidly linked together, each of which comprises a plurality of second through holes allowing the passage of fluid, and a plurality of tubular elements arranged between the lamellar bodies, and inside which a pressurized gaseous fluid is housed and maintained, wherein the first layer and the second layer overlap each other so that the first and second through holes face each other, creating channels that allow the passage of negative pressure between two opposite sides of the dressing.

2. The dressing according to claim 1, comprising a third layer of geometry and dimensions essentially similar to those of the first layer and the second layer, consisting of a lamellar body comprising: a second inner face facing inwards and face facing the second layer; a second outer face; and a plurality of third through holes allowing fluid to pass through; wherein the first layer, second layer, and third layer overlap each other so that the first, second, and third through holes face each other, creating channels that allow negative pressure to pass between two opposite sides of the dressing.

3. The dressing according to claim 2, comprising a fourth layer of geometry and dimensions essentially similar to those of the first, second, and third layers.

4. The dressing according to claim 3, the fourth layer consists of a knitted fabric reinforced with a barbed thread and sewn in a spring-like manner, so as to allow the passage of fluids into the first, second, and third through holes.

5. The dressing according to claim 4, wherein the fourth layer consists of a sheet of porous foamed material so as to allow the passage of fluids into the first, second, and third through holes.

6. The dressing according to claim 5, comprising a closure element for holding the dressing in a rolled and encapsulated configuration.

7. The dressing according to claim 1, wherein the tubular elements have an essentially cylindrical geometry.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to complement the description being made and in order to assist in a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached hereto as an integral part of the said description, in which the following is illustratively and non-limitingly depicted:

[0029] FIG. 1. Shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the dressing.

[0030] FIG. 2. Shows a side view of a longitudinal cut of the first embodiment of the dressing, showing its main constituent elements.

[0031] FIG. 3. Shows a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the dressing.

[0032] FIG. 4. Shows a side view of a longitudinal cut of the second embodiment of the dressing.

[0033] FIG. 5. Shows a side view of a longitudinal cut of the third embodiment of the dressing.

[0034] FIG. 6. Shows a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the dressing.

[0035] FIG. 7. Shows a side view of a longitudinal cut of the third embodiment of the dressing.

[0036] FIG. 8. Shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the dressing, configured as a capsule.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0037] A detailed explanation of an example of a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention is given below with the aid of the figures referred to above.

[0038] The dressing for negative pressure therapy described is made up of a multilayer structure, which in its first preferred embodiment comprises a first layer (1) and a second layer (2), linked together by their respective perimeter edges, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] The first layer (1) consists of a laminar body with a first inner face (3), which is intended to face inwards and face the second layer (2), and a first outer face (4), which is intended to face outwards. The laminar body also comprises a number of first through holes (5) uniformly distributed, which allow the passage of fluid through it, giving the first layer (1) a fenestrated character that allows an adequate distribution of a negative pressure.

[0040] The second layer (2) has geometry and dimensions essentially similar to those of the first layer (1) and is made up of two lamellar bodies (6) solidly linked together by means of a plurality of tubular elements (7) uniformly distributed and inside which a gaseous fluid is housed and maintained at low pressure. The distribution of the tubular elements (7) is such that the mutual separation distance between two adjacent tubular elements (7) is equal to or greater than half their diametrical dimensions. In this first preferred embodiment, the tubular elements (7), of essentially cylindrical geometry, are linked perpendicularly at each of their ends to the respective lamellar bodies (6).

[0041] Each of the lamellar bodies (6) incorporates a plurality of second through holes (8) that allow the passage of fluid through them, giving the second layer (2) a fenestrated character that contributes to allow an adequate distribution of negative pressure. Said second through holes (8), which in this preferred embodiment have an essentially rhomboidal geometry, are evenly distributed in each laminar body (6) and so that they are adjacent to, but not coincident with, the inserts of the tubular elements, as illustrated in the detail of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 2 also shows that the first layer (1) and the second layer (2) overlap each other so that the first (5) and second through holes (8) face each other, creating channels that allow the passage of negative pressure between two opposite sides of the dressing.

[0043] In a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dressing additionally comprises a third layer (9) of geometry and dimensions essentially similar to those of the first layer (1) and the second layer (2). This second preferred embodiment is intended for application to light and superficial wounds and for protection of abdominal viscera.

[0044] The third layer (9) is made up of a laminar body with a second inner face (10), which is intended to face inwards and face the second layer (2), and a second outer face (11). The laminar body also comprises a plurality of third through holes (12) uniformly distributed, which allow the passage of fluid through it, giving the third layer (9) a fenestrated character that allows an adequate distribution of a negative pressure.

[0045] FIG. 3 also shows that the first layer (1), the second layer (2) and the third layer (9) overlap each other so that the first (5), second (8) and third through holes (12) face each other, creating channels that allow the passage of the negative pressure between two opposite sides of the dressing. The second through holes (8) have different geometries and dimensions, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] In a third preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the dressing additionally comprises a fourth layer (13), with geometry and dimensions essentially similar to those of the first (1), second (2) and third (9) layers. In this third preferred embodiment, the fourth layer (13) allows the dressing to function for wounds with infection and necrosis.

[0047] In the third embodiment, the fourth layer (13) consists of a knitted fabric reinforced with a barbed thread sewn in the form of a spring, so as to allow the passage of fluids into the through holes (5), (8), (12). The fourth layer (13) thus described has a certain resistance to deformation exerted by the application of negative pressure. In this third preferred embodiment, the fourth layer (13) is made of polypropylene and is less than 8 mm thick.

[0048] In an example use of this third preferred embodiment, the fourth layer (13) is placed directly over an infected wound, such that the first layer (1) is free to attach to a negative pressure therapy system. By applying negative pressure to the dressing, efficient and homogeneous drainage of wound fluids is achieved through the mesh of the fourth layer (13) and the through holes (5), (8), (12), as the tubular elements (7) allow the negative pressure therapy to be distributed in a homogeneous manner which also optimizes the drainage capacity.

[0049] Moreover, the bearded thread of the fourth layer (13) contributes to the maintenance of a fresh wound and the removal of necrotic tissue when the dressing is removed, facilitating faster and more efficient healing.

[0050] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show a fourth preferred embodiment of the dressing, in which the fourth layer (13) consists of a sheet of porous foamed material, in this case polyurethane foam. This preferred embodiment incorporates a closure element (14) designed to keep the dressing in a rolled and encapsulated configuration, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0051] This encapsulated configuration of the dressing allows it to be inserted and maintained in small wounds, such as those due to surgical incisions, where NPWT is required. The closure element (1) can be either an element external to the dressing, such as a small adhesive strip or a suture thread, or an element of its own, such as a die-cut or a tongue and groove joint.