Wound healing device

Abstract

This invention provides wound healing systems, which delivers oxygen to the wound bed and applies negative pressure thereto, where the source of oxygen and negative pressure are simultaneously applied to distal sites of the dressing. Methods of treating wounds and methods of treating or preventing anaerobic infection of wounds using such systems are described.

1 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A wound healing system, comprising:
 a dressing for wound containment;   a first inlet in said dressing, wherein said first inlet is operationally connected to a source for the application of negative pressure to a wound covered by said dressing;   a second inlet in said dressing, wherein said second inlet is located distally to said first inlet and wherein said second inlet is operationally connected to a source for the application of oxygen flow, which conducts oxygen to a wound covered by said dressing; and   a regulator for said source for the application of negative pressure to supply at least 20-500 mmHg of pressure.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said dressing is compressible, elastic or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said dressing is of a dimension which accommodates the area of the wound and cavity. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said dressing is fluid permeable. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein said dressing further comprises a second layer comprising a gas or fluid impermeable material. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein said second layer comprises an indicator that is distinguishable upon application of negative pressure. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said indicator is a pattern which deforms upon application of negative pressure. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said indicator is a color change upon application of negative pressure. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said regulator applies continuous or interrupted synchronized negative pressure. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said regulator comprises a valve which selectively applies negative pressure to individual inlets. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said application of negative pressure is in an alternating or sequential manner. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a fluid trap operationally connected to said first inlet and said source for the application of negative pressure, such that fluid from a wound covered by said dressing is conveyed to said fluid trap. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said fluid trap further comprises a detector moiety which senses a fluid level in said trap and regulates application of said negative pressure in response to achieving a defined fluid level or a change in fluid characteristics. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said fluid trap further comprises an access port for sampling wound fluids. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said fluid trap further comprises a filter positioned between said fluid trap and said source for the application of negative pressure for preventing access of wound fluids to the source for the application of negative pressure. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a regulator for said source for the application of oxygen to supply a as mixture composed of at least 21% oxygen. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein said regulator is also for the application of negative pressure to supply at least 20-500 mmHg of pressure. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein said regulator applies oxygen and negative pressure in an alternating manner. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein said regulator applies oxygen and negative pressure in a concurrent manner 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a filter positioned between said source for the application of oxygen and said dressing, for prevention of contamination of said wound. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein said dressing further comprises an oxygen sensor. 
     
     
         66 . The wound healing system of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 a first absorptive layer and a second impermeable layer; wherein said first layer is positioned proximal to said wound, and said second layer is distal to said wound and wherein said dressing is compartmentalized into sections, such that negative pressure is independently applied to each of said sections;   at least a second and third inlet operationally connected to a source for the application of negative pressure and operationally connected independently to said sections; whereby application of negative pressure to said dressing is unequal, such that a first portion of said dressing proximal to said second or third inlet is differentially subjected to negative pressure in comparison to a second portion of said dressing distal to said second or third inlet.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein said first portion is subjected to negative pressure and said second portion is not subjected to negative pressure. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a regulator for said source for the application of negative pressure to supply at least 20-500 mmHg of pressure. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68  wherein said regulator comprises a valve which selectively applies negative pressure to individual inlets. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising forth and fifth inlets, wherein application of negative pressure may be to up to three inlets concurrently. 
     
     
         71 . A method of treating a wound in a subject, said method comprising the steps of applying a source of oxygen containing to a wound in said subject and concurrently applying negative pressure to said wound, wherein said source of oxygen maintains oxygen at a value of at least 21% of the total gas in said source and whereby application of oxygen and negative pressure to said wound stimulates wound healing. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , said method comprising:
 applying the wound healing system of claim  1  to said wound such that said wound is substantially covered by said dressing;   applying negative pressure to said first inlet in said dressing; and   concurrently or temporally applying oxygen to said second inlet.   
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 72 , wherein said dressing is comprised of a first layer, which is gas permeable having a plurality of discrete oxygen passageways overlying the wound and through which negative pressure established by the negative pressure source is communicated to the wound. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said wound is a result of trauma, an infection, peripheral vascular disease or a diabetes-associated complication. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein said infection is with an anaerobic or facultative anaerobic organism. 
     
     
         76 . The method  claim 74 , wherein said method further comprises administering an antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, or an anti-inflammatory medicament to said subject. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein said dressing incorporates an antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, or an anti-inflammatory medicament. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said method further comprises the step of determining a blood pressure proximal to a body region containing said wound and applying said negative pressure at a strength which is less than said blood pressure. 
     
     
         79 . A method of treating or preventing anaerobic infection of a wound in a subject, said method comprising the steps of applying a source of oxygen containing to a wound in said subject and concurrently applying negative pressure to said wound, wherein said source of oxygen maintains oxygen at a value of at least 21% of the total gas in said source and whereby application of oxygen and negative pressure to said wound treats or prevents anaerobic infection of said wound. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , said method comprising:
 applying the wound healing system of claim  1  to a wound in a subject at risk for or suffering from an anaerobic infection of said wound, such that said wound is substantially covered by said dressing;   applying negative pressure to said first inlet in said dressing; and   concurrently or temporally applying oxygen to said second inlet.   
     
     
         81 . The method according to  claim 80 , wherein said dressing is comprised of a first layer, which is gas permeable having a plurality of discrete oxygen passageways overlying the wound and through which negative pressure established by the negative pressure source is communicated to the wound. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said wound is a result of trauma, an infection, peripheral vascular disease or a diabetes-associated complication. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein said infection is with an anaerobic or facultative anaerobic organism. 
     
     
         84 . The method  claim 82 , wherein said method further comprises administering an antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, or an anti-inflammatory medicament to said subject. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein said dressing incorporates an antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, or an anti-inflammatory medicament. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said method further comprises the step of determining a blood pressure proximal to a body region containing said wound and applying said negative pressure at a strength which is less than said blood pressure.