Devices And Methods For Treatment Of Damaged Tissue

Abstract

Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising a chamber, a first conduit with a distal opening and a proximal opening in communication with the chamber, and a conduit sealing member sealing the distal opening. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector comprising a first end and a second end configured to retract the conduit sealing member from the distal opening of the first conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the connector further comprises a connector seal at the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connector seal is configured to deform into the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connector seal is configured to be deformably opened by the distal opening of the first conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit sealing member is configured to retract from the distal opening of the first conduit along an outer surface of the first conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a second conduit attached to the chamber, wherein the first conduit resides within the second conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the connector seal is configured to seal against the second conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second conduit in which the first conduit resides, the second conduit configured to receive the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the connector is configured to form a mechanical interfit with an outer surface of the second conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical interfit comprises as least one latch structure. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the latch structure is located on the connector. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are configured to receive the second end of the connector between an inner surface of the second conduit and an outer surface of the first conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the distal opening of the first conduit is proximal to a distal opening of the second conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connector seal comprises a slit seal configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a connector housing. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the connector housing comprises at least one button member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit sealing member has a normally closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit sealing member comprises a slit seal configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising tubing attached to the first end of the connector. 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 unlocking a first connector and a first suction chamber, wherein the first connector is deforming a resilient seal of the first suction chamber to an open configuration; and   separating the first connector from the first suction chamber sufficiently to permit the resilient seal of the first suction chamber to resiliently return to a normally closed configuration, thereby closing fluid communication to a chamber opening of the first suction chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 maintaining a vacuum in the first suction chamber using the resilient seal of the first suction chamber;   coupling the first suction chamber to a second connector;   using the second connector to deform the resilient seal of the first suction chamber from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration to reestablish fluid communication through the chamber opening; and   reversibly locking together the second connector and the first suction chamber.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein unlocking the first connector and the first suction chamber comprises manipulating a locking mechanism of the first connector. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first suction chamber is deforming a resilient seal of the first connector to an open configuration; and wherein separating the first connector from the first suction chamber sufficiently also permits the resilient seal of the first connector to resiliently return to a normally closed configuration, thereby closing fluid communication through the first connector. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 maintaining a vacuum in a treatment area of a patient using the resilient seal of the first connector;   coupling the first connector to a second suction chamber;   using the second suction chamber to deform the resilient seal of the first connector from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration to reestablish fluid communication through the first connector; and   reversibly locking the first connector and the second suction chamber.