Micromechanical Force Devices for Wound Healing Acceleration

Abstract

An apparatus provides micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound. The apparatus includes a pressure chamber having a substantially airtight plunger and an inlet fluidly connected to a first end of a conduit. A constant force spring is operatively connected to apply a constant force to the plunger. A suction cup is in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
 a pressure chamber including a substantially airtight plunger and an inlet fluidly connected to a first end of a conduit;   a constant force spring operatively connected to apply a constant force to the plunger; and   a suction cup in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a valve in the conduit so as to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the pressure chamber and with the suction cup, wherein the valve is configured and adapted to be switched from:
 a) a first position in which the suction cup is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber to apply a substantially constant pressure to a wound bed within the suction cup; and   b) a second position in which the suction cup and the inlet of the pressure chamber are in fluid isolation, and in which the inlet of the pressure chamber can freely vent to the surroundings.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) a manifold in the conduit in fluid communication with the pressure chamber; and   b) a pressure reserve in fluid communication with the manifold, wherein the pressure reserve and manifold are configured and adapted to replenish the pressure in the pressure chamber as needed to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the pressure chamber.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the constant force spring is structured to act along a common axis of motion with the plunger. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising pulley means operatively connected to the plunger and to the constant force spring, wherein the pulley means are configured and adapted to communicate forces from the constant force spring acting along a first axis to the plunger acting along a second axis. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the constant force spring moves the plunger by pulling the plunger away from the conduit. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the constant force spring pulling the plunger away from the conduit maintains a constant pressure in the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the constant force spring pulling the plunger away from the conduit maintains the constant pressure in the pressure chamber as fluids enter the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the constant force spring comprises a first section including a coil and a second section extending laterally away from the coil. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the coil of the constant force spring is disposed around a rod of a support structure mounted to the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the rod of the support structure is transverse to an axis of motion of the plunger. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the second section of the constant force spring is connected to the plunger. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the constant force spring is attached to a shaft that is attached to the plunger. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the constant force spring is attached to a shaft that is attached to the plunger. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein, the constant force spring develops a constant spring force when moving the plunger. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the constant force spring develops a constant spring force in the range of 0.17 lbf to 0.97 lbf when moving the plunger.