Apparatus and method for wound cleansing with actives

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. It may also contain a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds, comprising
 a conformable wound dressing having a backing layer which is capable of forming a relatively fluid-tight seal or closure over a wound;   a fluid reservoir connected by a fluid supply tube to the wound dressing;   at least one device for moving fluid through the wound dressing;   at least one outlet tube for aspirating fluid from the wound;   means for supplying physiologically active agents to the wound;   wherein the fluid is configured to be supplied to the wound dressing from the fluid reservoir via the fluid supply tube while fluid is simultaneously aspirated by the at least one device for moving fluid through the at least one outlet tube.