Patterned Neo-Epithelialization Dressings, Systems, And Methods

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses arc presented that involve forming patterns on neo-epithelium that allow increased functionality and may more nearly resemble the original epithelium. In one instance, a patterned neo-epithelium dressing for treating a tissue site having granulation tissue includes an interface member for placing proximate the granulation tissue and a plurality of three-dimensional features formed on a second, patient-facing side of the interface member. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed.

1 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A dressing for treating a tissue site having granulation tissue, comprising:
 an interface member having a first side and a second side and a plurality of pores adapted to allow fluid transmission and limit cell migration; and   a plurality of three-dimensional features formed on the second side of the interface member, wherein the plurality of three-dimensional features comprises a pattern that mimics human skin.   
     
     
         65 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional features comprises a human skin pattern of a specific area of a human body. 
     
     
         66 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of pores have an average pore size between 5 μm and 100 μm. 
     
     
         67 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member is formed with a fluid passageway that fluidly couples the first side and the second side. 
     
     
         68 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional features comprises a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         69 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional features comprises a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         70 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises a polymer for medical use. 
     
     
         71 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises silicone. 
     
     
         72 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         73 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises a thin member bonded to a foam. 
     
     
         74 . The dressing of  claim 73 , wherein the thin member is adapted to contract to form a plurality of ridges and grooves. 
     
     
         75 . The dressing of  claim 73 , wherein the thin member forms the second side of the interface member and comprises a medical-grade polymer. 
     
     
         76 . The dressing of  claim 73 , wherein the foam comprises an open-cell hydrophilic foam. 
     
     
         77 . The dressing of  claim 73 , wherein the foam comprises a hydrophobic foam. 
     
     
         78 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises a foam having rigid portions and less rigid portions adapted to compress under application of reduced pressure. 
     
     
         79 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises:
 a thin member having a first side and a second side;   a hydrophilic material having a first side and a second side; and   wherein the second side of the hydrophilic material is coupled to the first side of the thin member.   
     
     
         80 . The dressing of  claim 64 , further comprising a protein coated on the plurality of three-dimensional features. 
     
     
         81 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises a resorbable polymer. 
     
     
         82 . The dressing of  claim 64 , wherein the interface member comprises collagen. 
     
     
         83 . A patterned neo-epithelium dressing for disposing proximate to granulation tissue on a tissue site, comprising:
 an interface member having a first side and a second side and comprising a medical-grade polyurethane film bonded to a foam;   a fluid passageway adapted to fluidly couple the first side and the second side of the interface member; and   a plurality of three-dimensional features patterned after at least one of an epithelial and endothelial lining having an intact analogous skin pattern and formed on the second side of the interface member.   
     
     
         84 . The patterned neo-epithelium dressing of  claim 83 , wherein a portion of the plurality of three-dimensional features are coated with a growth factor. 
     
     
         85 . The patterned neo-epithelium dressing of  claim 83 , wherein the interface member comprises a plurality of pores having an average pore size between 5 μm and 1000 μm. 
     
     
         86 . The patterned neo-epithelium dressing of  claim 83 , wherein a portion of the plurality of three-dimensional features are organized in a radial pattern adapted to direct migration of neo-epithelium from a periphery to a center of the patterned neo-epithelium dressing. 
     
     
         87 . A method of treating a tissue site of a patient, the method comprising:
 promoting the formation of granulation tissue using reduced pressure;   deploying a patterned neo-epithelium dressing comprising an interface member having a first side and a second side for placing proximate the granulation tissue, wherein the interface member further comprises a plurality of three-dimensional features comprising ridges mimicking human skin formed on the second side of the interface member; and   applying a contact pressure on the patterned neo-epithelium dressing using reduced pressure.   
     
     
         88 . The method of treating a tissue site of  claim 87 , wherein the interface member has a plurality of pores having an average pore size large enough to allow fluid transmission and small enough to limit cell migration. 
     
     
         89 . The method of treating a tissue site of  claim 87 , wherein the interface member has a plurality of pores having an average pore size greater than 5 μm and smaller than 1000 μm. 
     
     
         90 . The method of treating a tissue site of  claim 87 , wherein the step of applying the contact pressure comprises deploying a pressure wrap over the first side of the patterned neo-epithelium dressing. 
     
     
         91 . A method of treating a tissue site of a patient, comprising:
 deploying a patterned neo-epithelium dressing proximate the tissue site, wherein the patterned neo-epithelium dressing is adapted to direct a flow of endogenous fluids to cause a patterned protein deposition to form a neo-epithelium having fissures at the tissue site;   forming a fluid seal over the patterned neo-epithelium dressing; and   providing reduced pressure to the patterned neo-epithelium dressing, whereby the endogenous fluids are removed along the fissures.   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising:
 removing the endogenous fluids until the patterned protein deposition occurs along one or more flow paths; and   allowing epithelium to migrate along the patterned protein deposition.   
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the patterned neo-epithelium dressing comprises a plurality of three-dimensional features adapted to cause the formation of the fissures in the neo-epithelium.