Wound treatment containment apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to the treatment of wounds. In particular, the invention relates to systems, devices, and methods enabling treatment (e.g., debridement) of wounds with liquid, gas, or particles in a non-controlled setting while providing containment of contaminated liquid, gas or particles, thereby preventing exposure of individuals and surfaces in proximity to the patient to infectious materials. In certain embodiments, the systems and devices are conformable to the contours of a non-planar surface, such as the human body (e.g., to seal or partially seal the device or system to a portion of a human body).

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for wound treatment comprising:
 a) a base element, reversibly securable to a wound-proximal membrane element or to a surface of a body;   b) an upper housing element, connectable to said base element, and bearing at least one port element, wherein said at least one port element is connectable to a suction component; and   c) a buffer component that is a separate component or forms part of said base element, wherein said buffer component is conformable to the contours of a non-planar surface, and wherein said buffer component is:
 i) reversibly or irreversibly securable to said wound-proximal membrane element, 
 ii) reversibly or irreversibly securable to said base element, 
 iii) is reversibly or irreversibly securable to said wound-proximal membrane element and said base element, 
 iv) is reversibly or irreversibly securable to said upper housing element, and/or 
 v) is reversible securable to said surface of said body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising said would proximal membrane element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one port element comprises first and second port elements, and wherein said first port element is connectable to said suction component, and said second port element is connectable to a material introduction component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said material introduction component is configured to introduce liquid, gas, or solid particles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said liquid comprises irrigation fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said material introduction component is connected to said first port element. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more nozzles for directing the flow of material onto said wound. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing element connects to said base element by an interlocking mechanism, by magnets, or by a screw-in mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base element securably attaches to said wound-proximal membrane element by an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said wound-proximal membrane element adheres to a subject proximal to a wound on said subject. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said buffer component is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of: gel, foam, rubber, PETG plastic, pliable plastic, thin foil, silicone, and sponge material. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising the components of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a wound comprising:
 a) placing a containment system on the outer surface of a subject such that at least part of a wound is enclosed and such that said containment system conforms to said outer surface of said subject creating a seal, wherein said containment system comprises a housing and at least one port component; and   b) introducing and/or removing liquid, gas, or particles via said at least one port component such that at least partial treatment of said wound is achieved without leakage of said liquid, said gas, and said particles outside of said containment system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said containment system further comprises a base element that is conformable to said outer surface of said subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said base element is flexibly attached to said housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said base element is reversibly attached to said housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said containment system further comprises a buffer component that is conformable to said outer surface of said subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said buffer component is flexibly attached to said base element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said buffer component is reversibly attached to said base element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said wound comprises a biofilm, and wherein said introducing and removing removes all or part of said biofilm. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said seal is an airtight seal, liquid tight seal, and/or particle tight seal. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said liquid is irrigation fluid which is administered via pulse lavage irrigation. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said liquid is irrigation fluid which is administered via pressurized non-pulsatile irrigation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said introducing and/or removing liquid, gas, or particles comprises removing gas such that negative pressure is applied to said wound.