WOUND DRESSING WITH SELECTIVE AND DYNAMIC TRANSPARENCY

Abstract

A selectively transparent wound therapy dressing, system, and method of use are provided. The dressing may include conformable foam and drape layers, wherein the drape layer has a refractive index substantially within a range of a disclosing liquid. When the disclosing liquid is applied to the drape layer, the drape layer may switch from opaque to transparent. Subsequent evaporation of the disclosing liquid may return the drape layer to an opaque state. Some embodiments provide for paired use with a negative pressure source input device. The method of use provides selective visibility of a treatment site, and reduces the amount of time in which a patient views an acute or traumatic wound or injury.

Claims

1. A wound therapy dressing comprising: a foam layer, and a drape layer comprising a material having a refractive index substantially within a range of 1.3 to 1.55.

2. The wound therapy dressing of claim 1, wherein the foam layer is substantially transparent.

3. The wound therapy dressing of claim 1, wherein the foam layer is white.

4. The wound therapy dressing of claim 1, wherein the drape layer comprises a fabric comprising fine fibered polymers.

5. The wound therapy dressing of claim 1, wherein the fine fibered polymers comprise elastic materials.

6. The wound therapy dressing of claim 5, wherein the elastic materials comprise polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, polyether block amide, polyamides, polyethyleneimines, or polyester.

7. The wound therapy dressing of claim 1, wherein the drape layer comprises porous or microporous particles.

8. The wound therapy dressing of claim 7, wherein the porous or microporous particles comprise minerals or polymers.

9. The wound therapy dressing of claim 8, wherein the minerals comprise silica, silicates, fluorites, or fluorides.

10. The wound therapy dressing of claim 8, wherein the polymers comprise fluoropolymers, silicones, or acrylics.

11.-43. (canceled)

44. A method for wound therapy comprising: (i) applying to a treatment site a wound therapy system comprising: a conformable, transparent foam dressing layer; and a conformable, selectively-transparent drape layer configured to extend over and adhere the transparent foam dressing layer to a treatment site; (ii) applying a disclosing liquid with a refractive index within a range of the refractive index of the drape layer to the drape layer, wherein the selectively-transparent drape layer changes from a first, opaque state to a second, transparent state; (iii) observing the treatment site while the drape layer remains in the transparent state; and (iv) allowing the disclosing liquid to evaporate, whereby the drape layer returns to an opaque state.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein a patient only sees the treatment site when being examined by a medical practitioner.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein a medical practitioner monitors healing at the periwound of a treatment site.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the system further comprises a negative pressure wound input device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the negative pressure wound input device couples to a hole in the drape layer through which air is withdrawn from the treatment site.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view from a roughly forty-five degree angle of an embodiment of the wound therapy dressing.

[0017] FIG. 2 depicts the wound therapy dressing wherein the foam layer comprises fine fibered polymers.

[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict two possible embodiments where the drape layer is made up of porous particles.

[0019] FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C demonstrate the transition from a first state where the drape layer is opaque to a second state, where the drape layer becomes transparent when a disclosing liquid is applied, to a third state, where the drape layer returns to opaque as the disclosing liquid evaporates.

[0020] FIG. 5A shows a side view of the wound therapy system, including a negative pressure input device, applied on a treatment site. FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the wound therapy system that includes the negative pressure input device.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the wound therapy system where the selectively transparent drape layer is interposed within, around, on top of, or between multiple wound dressing layers.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the wound therapy system where the drape layer is made of at least two layers of polymeric polarizing filter.

[0023] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the wound therapy system where the drape layer further includes a pH indicator.

[0024] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate a method for wound therapy wherein the wound therapy system is applied to a treatment site and a disclosing liquid with a refractive index within a range of the refractive index of the drape layer is applied to change the drape from an opaque state to a transparent state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wound Therapy Dressing:

[0025] A wound therapy dressing is provided herein. In certain embodiments, the wound therapy dressing illustratively may include a foam layer, and a drape layer wherein the drape layer is made of a material having a refractive index substantially within a range of 1.3 to 1.55. As used herein, the terms substantially, substantial, and about are used to describe and account for small variations. When used in conjunction with a material or a standard, the terms can refer to instances in which the standard or material occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation. For example, the terms can refer to less than or equal to 10%, such as less than or equal to 5%, less than or equal to 4%, less than or equal to 3%, less than or equal to 2%, less than or equal to 1%, less than or equal to 0.5%, less than or equal to 0.1%, or less than or equal to 0.05%.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary wound therapy dressing 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is described. Wound therapy dressing 10 may include foam layer 100 and drape layer 102, wherein drape layer 102 has a refractive index substantially within a range of 1.3 to 1.55. Foam layer 100 may be substantially transparent, or non-transparent. Foam layer 100 further may be white.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, drape layer 102 may be made of fabric 104 comprising fine fibered polymers 106. Fine fibered polymers 106 also may be elastic or any suitable Modulus to fit securely overly a wound bed. In certain embodiments, the elastic materials may include, but are not limited to: polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, polyether block amide, polyamides, polyethyleneimines, or polyester.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, wound therapy dressing 10 also may have drape layer 102 made of porous particles 110 or microporous particles 112. In some embodiments, porous particles 110 or microporous particles 112 further may be minerals or polymers. Exemplary minerals include, but are not limited to, silica, silicates, fluorites, or fluorides. Exemplary polymers include, but are not limited to, fluoropolymers, silicones, or acrylics.

Wound Therapy System:

[0029] A wound therapy system is also provided herein. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C and FIGS. 5A-5B, in one embodiment, wound therapy system 20 may include conformable foam dressing layer 200 and conformable drape layer 202. Conformable drape layer 202 may be configured to extend over and adhere foam dressing layer 200 to treatment site 204 or wound bed, which further may include periwound 205. The treatment site may be a wound bed. Referring to FIG. 4A, in first state 206 drape layer 202 is opaque. Referring to FIG. 4B, in second state 210, drape layer 202 becomes transparent when disclosing liquid 210 with a refractive index within a range of the refractive index of drape layer 202 is applied to drape layer 202. Second state 206 occurs at a point in time subsequent to first state 206. Referring to FIG. 4C, in third state 212, drape layer 202 becomes opaque again as disclosing liquid 210 evaporates. Third state 212 occurs at a point in time subsequent to second state 210. Wound therapy system 20 further may have negative pressure wound input device 214, as shown from a side view in FIG. 5A. As further shown in FIG. 5B, negative pressure wound input device 214 may couple to hole 216 in drape layer 202 through which air may be withdrawn from treatment site 204. Either or both conformable foam dressing layer 200 and conformable drape layer 202 may be transparent or selectively-transparent.

[0030] Drape layer 202 may be made of fabric 104, which further may comprise fine-fibered polymers. The fine-fibered polymers 106 of wound therapy system 20 may be elastic materials. In certain embodiments, exemplary elastic materials may include, but are not limited to: polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, polyether block amide, polyamides, polyethyleneimines, or polyester. Fine-fibered polymers of wound therapy system 20 also may be plasma or corona surface treated. In some embodiments, fine-fibered polymers of wound therapy system 20 may have diameters from about less than 1 micrometer to about 30 micrometers. In some embodiments, the polymers may be manufactured from dry laid, airlaid, or woven manufacturing methods. In certain embodiments, a patient facing side of drape layer 202 further has an about 5 micrometer to an about 20 micrometer breathable polyurethane coating to enhance water proofing. Drape layer 202 also may include an adhesive coating that can bond to either foam dressing layer 200 or directly to periwound 205. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be an acrylic, polyurethane, or a silicone gel. Drape layer 202 may also be made of porous or microporous particles. In certain embodiments, the porous particles may be minerals or polymers. Exemplary minerals may include, but are not limited to: silica, silicates, fluorites, or fluorides. Exemplary polymers may include, but are not limited to: fluoropolymers, silicones, or acrylics.

[0031] Disclosing liquid 210 may have a range of refractive indexes, including, but not limited to, a range between about 1.0 and about 2.0, between about 1.2 and about 1.75, or between about 1.33 and 1.35. If the refractive index of disclosing liquid 210 and drape 202 are close, as air is displaced more transparency may be achieved in drape 202. Disclosing liquid 210 further may be fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer (FEP). In some embodiments, disclosing liquid 210 is water or any combination of water and ethanol. Disclosing liquid 210 also may be ethanol or benzyl alcohol. In one particular embodiment, drape layer 202 is polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) bonded to a drape cover and the PVDF is fused to the drape cover through heat lamination. An island dressing also may be used in lieu of or in combination with a foam dressing.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, drape layer 202 is shown disposed above or on top of a plurality of wound dressing layers 218. In other embodiments, drape layer 202 may be interposed within, around, or between more than one other wound dressing layer. In some embodiments, drape layer 202 may appear frosted or partially frosted in first state 206. The pore sizes of foam dressing layer 200 may be less than or equal to 100 micrometers. Additionally, draper layer 202 also may be a foam composite and can also have pore sizes less than or equal to 100 micrometers.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 7, drape layer 202 also may include two or more layers of polymeric polarizing filter 220. As further shown in FIG. 8, drape layer 202 also may include pH indicator 222. A cationic polymer, such as polyethyleneimine may be mixed with a cover film, or coated on with a pH indicator, such as phenolphthalein which can provide a deep pink hiding color to block visibility of wound treatment site 204 or periwound 205. If an acid is used as disclosing liquid 210 and wiped over drape 202, pH indicator 222 may become clear. One suitable volatile acid may be carbonated water. Ethanol may be added to the carbonated water to increase its volatility.

Method of Use:

[0034] A method for wound therapy is also provided herein. Referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the method may include: i) applying to treatment site 204 conformable foam dressing 200 and conformable drape layer 202 by extending drape layer 202 over and adhering drape layer 202 to foam dressing layer 200 ii) applying disclosing liquid 210 with a refractive index within a range of the refractive index of drape layer 202, wherein the selectively-transparent drape layer 202 changes from a first opaque state 206 to a second transparent state 208, iii) observing treatment site 204 while drape layer 202 remains in second transparent state 208, and iv) allowing disclosing liquid 210 to evaporate, whereby drape layer 202 enters a third, opaque state 212.

[0035] Following the disclosed method, in one use of the method, a patient could limit visibility of the treatment site to moments when they are being examined by a medical practitioner. A medical practitioner or clinician may use this method to monitor healing at periwound 205 or on a wound bed or treatment site 204, and then return drape layer 202 to opaque state 212 after an appointment or office visit is complete. This method is partially designed to alleviate patient stress and anxiety associated with viewing severe wound beds when recovering from a traumatic or acute injury.

[0036] The method further may include negative pressure wound input device 214 coupled to system 20. Negative pressure wound input device 214 may couple to hole 216 in drape layer 202, through which air may be withdrawn from treatment site 204.

[0037] While various illustrative embodiments of the invention are described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.