Wound treatment apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic apparatus for stimulating the healing of a wound site includes a polyurethane foam positioned at the wound site and a connector having a disc-like cup and an elbow-shaped spout. The connector is positioned in contact with the polyurethane foam, and the elbow-shaped spout is configured for connection to a tube that is capable of delivering negative pressure through the elbow-shaped spout and to the polyurethane foam. The therapeutic apparatus further includes a drape having a hole, the drape being positioned over the connector such that the elbow-shaped spout extends through the hole in the drape.

1 . A therapeutic apparatus for stimulating the healing of a wound site, the apparatus comprising:
 a polyurethane foam positioned at the wound site;   a connector having a disc-like cup and an elbow-shaped spout, the connector being positioned in contact with the polyurethane foam, the elbow-shaped spout configured for connection to a tube capable of delivering negative pressure through the elbow-shaped spout and to the polyurethane foam; and   a drape having a hole and the drape being positioned over the connector such that the elbow-shaped spout extends through the hole in the drape.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drape includes an adhesive on one side of the drape. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a liner positioned on the adhesively-lined side of the drape to protect the adhesive prior to use. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drape is sized to extend beyond the polyurethane foam such that the drape is capable of being secured to skin surrounding the wound site. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drape is adhesively secured to the connector, the polyurethane foam, and skin surrounding the wound site. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drape maintains negative pressure at the wound site. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drape further comprises:
 a polyurethane film having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a portion of a first side of the polyurethane film, the polyurethane film having handling bars that are not coated with adhesive to facilitate placement of the polyurethane film over the wound site;   a protective film disposed on a second side of the polyurethane film; and   a liner removably positioned on the adhesively-lined, first side of the polyurethane film.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane foam is an open-celled, reticulated foam. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow-shaped spout is centrally positioned on the disc-like cup. 
   
   
       10 . A therapeutic apparatus for stimulating the healing of wound site, the apparatus comprising:
 a porous dressing positioned at the wound site;   a connector having a flange and a centrally positioned spout, the flange having a lower surface and a substantially-planar upper surface, the connector being positioned adjacent the polyurethane foam, the centrally positioned spout adapted to be connected to a tube capable of delivering negative pressure through the centrally positioned spout; and   a drape configured to secure the connector to the porous dressing, the drape having an aperture and the drape being positioned over the connector such that the centrally positioned spout extends through the aperture in the drape.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the porous dressing is an open-celled, reticulated, polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the porous dressing is a polyvinyl alcohol foam. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lower surface of the flange is in contact with the porous dressing. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drape includes an adhesive on one side of the drape. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a liner positioned on the adhesively-lined side of the drape to protect the adhesive prior to use. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drape is adhesively secured to the substantially-planar upper surface of the flange. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drape is sized to extend beyond the porous dressing and is adhesively secured to the skin surrounding the wound site. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drape is adhesively secured to the connector, the porous dressing, and skin surrounding the wound site. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the drape maintains negative pressure at the wound site. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drape further comprises:
 a polyurethane film having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a portion of a first side of the polyurethane film, the polyurethane film having handling bars that are not coated with adhesive to facilitate placement of the polyurethane film over the wound site;   a protective film disposed on a second side of the polyurethane film; and   a liner removably positioned on the adhesively-lined, first side of the polyurethane film.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the centrally positioned spout is elbow-shaped. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the centrally positioned spout is angled at a substantially right angle. 
   
   
       23 . A method for securing a suction device to a wound site, the method comprising:
 applying a connector to an open-celled polymer foam positioned at the wound site such that a flange of the connector contacts the open-celled polymer foam, the connector having a centrally-positioned spout configured to receive a suction tube; and   sealing the connector at the wound site with a drape such that the centrally-positioned spout extends through a hole of the drape.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising:
 prior to applying the suction head, positioning the open-celled polymer foam at the wound site.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sealing the connector at the wound site further comprises:
 adhesively securing the drape to the flange of the connector, the open-celled polymer foam, and skin surrounding the wound site.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sealing the connector at the wound site further comprises:
 stretching the drape over the connector and the open-celled polymer foam; and   adhesively securing the drape to skin surrounding the wound site.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the open-celled polymer foam is a reticulated, polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the open-celled polymer foam is a polyvinyl alcohol foam. 
   
   
       29 . A method for administering negative pressure wound site therapy to a wound site, the method comprising:
 positioning an open-celled polymer foam at the wound site;   applying a connector having a flange and a centrally-positioned spout to the open-celled polymer foam such that a flange of the connector contacts the open-celled polymer foam;   securing the connector at the wound site with a drape such that the centrally-positioned spout extends through a hole of the drape; and   applying a negative pressure to the wound site through the centrally-positioned spout and open-celled polymer foam.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 maintaining the negative pressure at the wound site with the drape positioned over the connector.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein sealing the suction head at the wound site further comprises:
 adhesively securing the drape to the flange of the connector, the open-celled polymer foam, and skin surrounding the wound site.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein sealing the connector at the wound site further comprises:
 stretching the drape over the connector and the open-celled polymer foam; and   adhesively securing the drape to skin surrounding the wound site.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the open-celled polymer foam is a reticulated, polyurethane foam. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the open-celled polymer foam is a polyvinyl alcohol foam.