Reduced pressure wound treatment system

Abstract

A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for treating a wound on the body of a patient. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an overlay, which is further comprised of cup members that may be detached or cut away from the overlay so that the overlay can be adjusted in size and shape. Also, in some embodiments, the overlay is further comprised of a pressure venting valve to maintain a predetermined level of reduced pressure at the site of the wound. In other embodiments, the wound treatment appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the site of the wound in the volume under the overlay. In yet other embodiments, the treatment appliance also includes wound packing means to prevent overgrowth of the wound or to encourage growth of wound tissue into an absorbable matrix comprising the wound packing means. In still other embodiments, a suction bulb may be used to provide a source of reduced pressure to an overlay that covers the wound. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the treatment appliance.

1 - 95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . An apparatus for applying reduced pressure to a wound, comprising:
 a flexible overlay configured to be positioned over the wound, the flexible overlay comprising:
 an exterior membrane portion having one of an approximately elliptical shape or an approximately rectangular shape with rounded corners, the exterior membrane portion configured to seal to skin surrounding the wound; 
 an interior membrane portion circumscribed by the exterior membrane portion, the interior membrane portion having an approximately elliptical shape and being smaller in dimension than the exterior membrane portion and defining an interior volume in which reduced pressure can be maintained at the site of the wound; 
 an opening extending through the interior membrane portion; and 
 a suction drain extending through the opening into the interior volume, the suction drain having a bottom drain portion positioned within the interior volume and a top drain portion extending outside of the flexible overlay. 
   
     
     
         97 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , further comprising wound packing means configured to be positioned between the flexible overlay and the wound. 
     
     
         98 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the bottom portion of the suction drain is configured to contact the wound packing means. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the wound packing means comprises one or more of the following:
 (A) an absorbent dressing;   (B) an antiseptic dressing;   (C) a nonadherent dressing;   (D) a water dressing;   (E) a combination of one or more of the absorbent dressing, the antiseptic dressing, the nonadherent dressing, and the water dressing;   (F) an absorbable matrix adapted to encourage growth of tissue in the wound under the flexible overlay into the absorbable matrix;   (G) gauze;   (H) cotton; or   (I) a combination of the gauze and the cotton.   
     
     
         100 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the wound packing means comprises gauze. 
     
     
         101 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , wherein the exterior membrane portion has an outer edge comprising two parallel sides. 
     
     
         102 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , wherein the opening through the interior membrane portion is nearer to a first end of the interior membrane portion than to an opposite second end. 
     
     
         103 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , further comprising tissue protection means configured to be positioned between the flexible overlay and the wound. 
     
     
         104 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , wherein an adhesive is applied to the flexible overlay to seal to skin surrounding the wound. 
     
     
         105 . The apparatus of  claim 96 , further comprising adhesive tape configured to seal portions of the exterior membrane to skin surrounding the wound.