Drape having microstrain inducing projections for treating a wound site

Abstract

Systems and apparatuses for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site include a reduced pressure source, a drape having a plurality of projections for contacting the tissue site, and an adhesive connected to at least a portion of the drape for sealing the drape to a portion of a patient's intact epidermis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for providing reduced pressure wound therapy to a tissue site, comprising:
 a drape configured to be disposed over the tissue site to create a sealed space between the drape and the tissue site;   a reduced pressure source in fluid communication with the sealed space;   a sensor in fluid communication with the sealed space; and   a processing unit operatively coupled to the sensor;   wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a real-time rate of pressure decay based on data from the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the decay is determined by measuring an amount of time required for pressure at the sealed space to drop below a threshold pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent fluidly coupled to the sealed space by a conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the decay in reduced pressure is determined by measuring a reduction in a flow rate in the conduit over a selected amount of time after opening the vent. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to send an alert signal when the drape needs to be changed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:
 calculate a pressure-time curve based on a time required to reach a set pressure at the sealed space;   determine, based on a shape of the pressure-time curve, whether the drape needs to be changed due to an accumulation of slough or a growth of granulation tissue.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drape comprises a substantially gas impermeable, flexible sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the drape comprises a plurality of projections extending from a tissue-facing side. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are dimensioned to provide deformation and microstrain at the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied to the sealed space. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the tissue-facing side of the drape comprises an inner portion and an outer portion surrounding the inner portion, wherein the plurality of projections extend from the inner portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the outer portion is configured to contact intact epidermis. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections form a plurality of channels between the plurality of projections. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of channels are configured to allow reduced pressure to be distributed across the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied to the sealed space. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of channels are configured to allow fluid to flow around the plurality of projections. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are formed from a silicone material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are formed from a semi-gas permeable material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are formed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are solid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of projections are hollow.