Inflatable off-loading wound dressing assemblies, systems, and methods

Abstract

To offload forces from a tissue site being treated with reduced pressure, an offloading pressure component may be used as part of a reduced-pressure treatment system. A reduced-pressure source of the reduced-pressure treatment system vents positive pressure exhaust into the offloading pressure component to inflate the offloading pressure component. The offloading pressure component disperses forces away from the tissue site. Other devices, methods, and systems are presented.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a reduced-pressure treatment system, the apparatus comprising:
 a drape for forming a sealed space;   an inflatable bladder coupled to the drape for dispersing positive pressure exerted on or near the drape, the inflatable bladder configured to receive positive pressure to inflate the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is fluidly coupled to a reduced-pressure source, and wherein the reduced-pressure source is configured to provide reduced pressure to the sealed space. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reduced-pressure source is a micro-pump disposed in the sealed space created by the drape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reduced-pressure source includes a reduced-pressure valve that enables the reduced-pressure source to draw atmospheric air into the inflatable bladder to inflate the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reduced-pressure source includes a reduced-pressure valve that enables the reduced-pressure source to draw atmospheric air in addition to providing reduced pressure to a tissue site for inflating the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is donut-shaped having an interior region adapted to encompass the sealed space. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder includes an aperture for coupling an exhaust port of a reduced-pressure source to the inflatable bladder, and wherein a positive pressure exhaust from a reduced-pressure source is configured to exit through the exhaust port and into the inflatable bladder for inflating the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising an exhaust valve for limiting a flow of gas from the exhaust port into the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a sealing ring operable to maintain a seal between the exhaust port of the reduced-pressure source and the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or any of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable bladder includes a relief valve operable to release air from the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or any of the preceding claims, further comprising:
 a controller that controls inflation and deflation of the inflatable bladder; 
 a pressure sensor associated with the drape and in communication with the controller for providing pressure readings to the controller; and 
 an alarm in communication with the controller and configured to indicate that the pressure readings have exceeded a threshold value. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder comprises at least two layers of flexible film adhesively bonded together. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder comprises at least two layers of flexible film welded together. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder comprises a single layer of flexible film that has been folded and sealed at an otherwise open end. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to store liquid collected from a tissue site. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder is coupled to a reduced-pressure source, wherein the reduced-pressure source is configured to provide reduced pressure to the sealed space, and wherein a liquid-air separator is positioned in a fluid path between the reduced-pressure source and the drape. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a charcoal filter is positioned between an outlet port of the inflatable bladder and an inlet port of the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a treatment manifold configured to be positioned at a tissue site, a first manifold layer configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the treatment manifold, an absorbent layer configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the first manifold layer, a diverter layer having one or more apertures and configured to be positioned adjacent the absorbent layer, a second manifold layer configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the diverter layer, and a liquid-air separator configured to be positioned adjacent the second manifold layer.