Dressings, Systems, And Methods For Treating A Wound On A Patient's Limb Employing Liquid Control

Abstract

Wound dressings, systems, and methods are presented for treating a wound on a patient's limb, such as a venous leg ulcer. The dressings, systems, and methods involve creating airflow within the dressing to vaporize and remove liquid. The airflow may begin when the dressing becomes saturated. The dressings may be used to provide compression and reduced pressure to the wound. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented herein.

1 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A system for treating a wound on a patient's limb, the system comprising:
 a wound dressing comprising a tubular sleeve member, the tubular sleeve member comprising a plurality of pressure compartments, wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments is operable to form a pressure gradient on a portion of the patient's limb;   a pressure source fluidly coupled separately to each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments;   a controller coupled to the pressure source to control pressure delivery to the plurality of pressure compartments; and   wherein the controller and pressure source are operable to cause a first pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments to compress around the patient's limb, then subsequently a second pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments to compress in order to encourage fluid movement in the patient's limb from proximate the first pressure compartment towards the second pressure compartment.   
     
     
         35 . A method for treating a wound on a patient's limb, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of pressure compartments on the patient's limb proximate the wound;   sequentially compressing each pressure compartment in a cephaladic direction; and   flowing air over a majority of the pressure compartments to vaporize and remove liquid.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments is operable to form a pressure gradient to move air into the wound dressing. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising a plurality of pressure conduits configured to fluidly couple the pressure source to the plurality of pressure compartments. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments further comprises a pressure interface configured to fluidly couple the pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments to a respective pressure conduit of the plurality of pressure conduits. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the controller is configured to control a plurality of pumps within the pressure source to allow varying pressure within the plurality of pressure compartments. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the controller is configured to control a plurality of valves to allow varying pressure within the plurality of pressure compartments. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments further comprises a bladder configured to be fluidly coupled to the pressure source. 
     
     
         43 . A system for treating a wound on a patient's limb comprising:
 a tubular sleeve having a plurality of pressure compartments, each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments being operable to form a pressure gradient on a portion of the patient's limb when the tubular sleeve is disposed on the patient's limb;   a pressure source fluidly coupled to each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments; and   a controller coupled to the pressure source and operable to control pressure delivery to successively compress each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments to encourage fluid movement in the patient's limb.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises an elastic compression member having a first side and a second side forming a sleeve. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments comprises a fluid-directing member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the elastic compression member, and wherein the fluid-directing member is configured to inhibit fluids from flowing through the fluid-directing member. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments comprises a pathway member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the fluid-directing member, and wherein the pathway member is configured to permit flow of a fluid when the tubular sleeve is under a pressure gradient. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments comprises at least one exhaust port fluidly coupled to the pathway member and operable to allow fluids to exit the pressure compartment. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments further comprises an absorbent member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the pathway member, and wherein the absorbent member is configured to at least temporarily retain liquids. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments further comprises a transition member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the transition member is disposed proximate to the second side of the absorbent member, the transition member configured to wick liquids. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments further comprises a patient-interface member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the patient-interface member is disposed proximate to the second side of the transition member and the second side of the patient-interface member is adapted to be disposed proximate to the patient. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein each pressure compartment of the plurality of pressure compartments is separated from adjacent pressure compartments by a compartment wall. 
     
     
         52 . A wound dressing for treating a wound on a patient's limb, the wound dressing comprising:
 an elastic compression member having a first side and a second side forming a sleeve;   a fluid-directing member having a first side, a second side, and being operable to inhibit fluids from flowing through the fluid-directing member, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the elastic compression member;   a pathway member having a first side, a second side, and being operable to permit flow of a fluid when the wound dressing is under a pressure gradient, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the fluid-directing member;   an absorbent member having a first side, a second side, and being operable to at least temporarily retain liquids, wherein the first side is positioned adjacent the second side of the pathway member; and   at least one exhaust port fluidly coupled to the pathway member and operable to allow fluids to exit the wound dressing.   
     
     
         53 . The wound dressing of  claim 52 , wherein the fluid directing member comprises a drape layer. 
     
     
         54 . The wound dressing of  claim 52 , wherein the wound dressing further comprises a sensor fluidly coupled to the pathway member, wherein the sensor is coupled to a controller, and the sensor and the controller are configured to determine if the pathway member is saturated and, in response, to activate a pressure source. 
     
     
         55 . The wound dressing of  claim 52 , wherein the wound dressing further comprises a sensor fluidly coupled to the absorbent member, wherein the sensor is coupled to a controller, and the sensor and the controller are configured to determine if the absorbent member is saturated and, in response, to activate a pressure source. 
     
     
         56 . The wound dressing of  claim 52 , wherein the pathway member comprises an open-cell reticulated foam.