Reduced-Pressure Systems, Dressings, And Methods Facilitating Separation Of Electronic And Clinical Component Parts

Abstract

Systems, dressings, and related methods, for providing reduced pressure to a tissue site on a patient are presented that involve using a self-contained reduced-pressure dressing. The dressing includes an absorbent pouch and an electronics pouch. The absorbent pouch has an absorbent for absorbing liquid from the tissue site, and the electronics pouch has a pump for applying reduced pressure to the tissue site through the absorbent pouch. The electronics pouch is removably coupled to the absorbent pouch such that the electronics pouch and absorbent pouch may be easily separated for disposal.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for disposing of a reduced-pressure dressing comprising a second pouch removably coupled to a first pouch, the first pouch comprising a tissue manifold layer, an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the tissue manifold layer, and a first cover, the method comprising:
 pulling the second pouch to separate second pouch from the first pouch along a weakened coupling between the second pouch and the first pouch.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the weakened coupling comprises a perforation and wherein the second pouch comprises a pump, a second pouch cover, and a substrate. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the weakened coupling is an intermediate cover member that tears more easily than the first cover and the second pouch cover, and wherein the second pouch comprises a pump, a first electronics cover, and a substrate. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the weakened coupling comprises an interface between a first cover connector and a second cover connector, and wherein the second pouch comprises a pump, a first electronics cover, and a substrate. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the weakened coupling comprises an adhesive layer coupled to the first pouch and the second pouch, and wherein the second pouch comprises a pump, a first electronics cover, and a substrate. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the adhesive layer is coupled to the first cover and the substrate. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the reduced-pressure dressing further comprises a sealing member coupled to the second pouch and the first pouch, and the second pouch comprises a pump, a first electronics cover, and a substrate, the method further comprising:
 separating the sealing member from one of the first pouch and the second pouch.   
     
     
         34 . A reduced-pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the reduced-pressure dressing comprising:
 an absorbent pouch having an absorbent for absorbing liquid from the tissue site;   a pump pouch having a pump for applying reduced pressure to the tissue site through the absorbent pouch, the pump pouch removably coupled to the absorbent pouch.   
     
     
         35 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the pump pouch comprises a perforation and a tab, the perforation operable to tear in response to the application of a separating force to the tab.   
     
     
         36 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the pump pouch comprises a circuit board;   the pump is mounted to the circuit board;   the reduced-pressure dressing comprises a sealing member coupled to the circuit board and the absorbent pouch; and   the sealing member provides a fluid seal between the pump and the absorbent pouch.   
     
     
         37 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 36 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sealing ring. 
     
     
         38 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 36 , wherein the sealing member comprises a first sealing connector and a second sealing connector. 
     
     
         39 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the pump pouch is coupled to the absorbent pouch by a first cover connector and a second cover connector. 
     
     
         40 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the pump pouch is coupled to the absorbent pouch by an intermediate cover member;   the intermediate cover member is more susceptible to tearing than the pump pouch and the absorbent pouch; and   the pump pouch and absorbent pouch are separable by tearing the intermediate cover member.   
     
     
         41 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 34 , wherein the pump is a piezoelectric-driven micropump. 
     
     
         42 . A reduced-pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site, the reduced-pressure dressing comprising:
 a manifold layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site;   an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the manifold layer;   a cover positioned over the absorbent layer to create a sealed space beneath the cover, the cover having an aperture to allow fluid communication with the sealed space;   an envelope comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet, the lower sheet coupled to the upper sheet, and a pump positioned between upper and lower sheets; and   a removable coupling between the envelope and the cover.   
     
     
         43 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the envelope comprises a perforation and a tab, the perforation operable to tear in response to the application of a separating force to the tab.   
     
     
         44 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the envelope comprises a circuit board;   the pump is mounted to the circuit board; and   the reduced-pressure dressing comprises a sealing member coupled to the circuit board and the cover, wherein the sealing member provides a fluid seal between the pump and the cover.   
     
     
         45 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 44 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sealing ring. 
     
     
         46 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 44 , wherein the sealing member comprises a first sealing connector and a second sealing connector. 
     
     
         47 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 42 , wherein the envelope is coupled to the cover by a first cover connector and a second cover connector. 
     
     
         48 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the envelope is coupled to cover by an intermediate cover member;   the intermediate cover member is more susceptible to tearing than the cover, the upper sheet, and the lower sheet; and   the envelope and absorbent pouch are separable by tearing the intermediate cover member.   
     
     
         49 . The reduced-pressure dressing of  claim 42 , wherein the pump is a piezoelectric-driven micropump.