Systems and methods for providing a debriding wound vacuum

Abstract

Thus, systems and methods for a debriding wound vacuum may include a sponge for application to a wound, a flexible sheet for covering and sealing the wound, and a bladder. The bladder may be in fluid communication with at least a portion of the sponge. The bladder preferably contains a debridement substance. A negative pressure device may form part of the system and may be used to apply negative pressure via a hollow tube to the sponge. The negative pressure device may be adapted to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube in order form a seal between the flexible sheet and the wound. The systems may also include microelectronic mechanical valves for releasing the debridement substance from the bladder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a wound using a wound treatment device, said wound treatment device comprising a negative pressure device, a sponge, a hollow tube for providing fluid communication between the negative pressure device and the sponge, a flexible plastic membrane for sealing the sponge over the wound, and a mechanism for the introduction of a debridement substance to the wound via the sponge, the method comprising:
 using the negative pressure device to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube tube, wherein, following the application of negative pressure, a predetermined threshold of negative pressure is obtained;   ceasing the application of negative pressure while maintaining the seal;   treating the wound with the debridement substance applied through the sponge;   maintaining the debridement substance on the wound; and   reapplying the negative pressure for removal of wound debridement products.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the negative pressure is maintained for a pre-determined amount of time after debridement products have been suctioned from the wound. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said debridement substance comprises a tissue-digesting enzyme. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said debridement substance comprises collagenase. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an analgesic is applied to the wound through the sponge prior to debridement of the wound. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an absorbable antibiotic is applied to the wound through the sponge prior to debridement of the wound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a time-release mechanism to release the debridement substance from the sponge at a pre-determined time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sponge further comprises a material that releases the debridement substance at a pre-determined time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sponge further comprises a chamber including the debridement substance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising using a microelectronic mechanical valve to release the debridement substances from the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , using a receiver on the microelectronic mechanical valve for receiving wireless signals, said wireless signals for controlling the opening of the valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using an elastic bladder to house the debridement substance prior to release into the sponge. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising using a microelectronic mechanical valve to release the debridement substance from the bladder. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating a wound using a wound treatment device, said wound treatment device comprising a negative pressure device, a sponge, a hollow tube for providing fluid communication between the negative pressure device and the sponge, a flexible plastic membrane for sealing the sponge over the wound, and a mechanism for the introduction of a debridement substance to the wound via the sponge:
 using the negative pressure device to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube, wherein following the application of negative pressure fluid is suctioned from the wound and the membrane is sealed over the sponge and around the perimeter of the wound;   ceasing the application of negative pressure while maintaining the seal;   introducing analgesic to the wound through the sponge;   reapplying negative pressure to the wound to suction off excess fluid;   treating the wound with the debridement substance applied through the sponge;   maintaining the debridement substance on the wound for a pre-determined amount of time; and   reapplying the negative pressure for removal of wound debridement products.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the negative pressure is maintained for a pre-determined amount of time after debridement products have been suctioned from the wound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said debridement substance comprises a tissue-digesting enzyme. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said debridement substance comprises collagenase. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein an absorbable antibiotic is applied to the wound following the application of the analgesic. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating a wound using a wound treatment device, said wound treatment device comprising a negative pressure device, a sponge, a hollow tube for providing fluid communication between the negative pressure device and the sponge, a flexible plastic membrane for sealing the sponge over the wound, and a mechanism for the introduction of a debridement substance to the wound via the sponge:
 using the negative pressure device to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube, wherein following the application of negative pressure fluid is suctioned from the wound and the membrane is sealed over the sponge and around the perimeter of the wound;   ceasing the application of negative pressure while maintaining the seal;   introducing an absorbable antibiotic to the wound through the sponge;   reapplying negative pressure to the wound to suction off excess fluid;   treating the wound with the debridement substance applied through the sponge;   maintaining the debridement substance on the wound; and   reapplying the negative pressure for removal of wound debridement products.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the negative pressure is maintained for a pre-determined amount of time after debridement products have been suctioned from the wound. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said debridement substance comprises a tissue-digesting enzyme. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said debridement substance comprises collagenase. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein an analgesic is applied to the wound prior to the application of the antibiotic. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising maintaining the debridement substance on the wound for a pre-determined amount of time.