Reduced-Pressure, Tunnel-Wound Dressings, Systems, And Methods

Abstract

Systems, methods, and dressing are presented for treating a tunnel wound on a patient. In one instance, a reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing includes a longitudinal core member formed from a closed-cell foam that is surrounded by a first longitudinal concentric member formed from a manifolding material. When subjected to reduced pressure, the longitudinal core member expands and the first longitudinal concentric member compresses. These actions create intimate contact between the tunnel wound and the dressing, oppose collapse of the tunnel, and when reduced pressure is removed provide clearance to remove the dressing. Other embodiments are presented.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A dressing to treat a deep wound, comprising:
 a distal end configured to be positioned proximate to a bottom of the wound, and a proximal end configured to be positioned proximate to an opening of the wound;   a longitudinal core member configured to expand under reduced pressure and to cause an exterior surface of the dressing to engage an inner wall of the wound;   a first longitudinal concentric member comprising a manifold material disposed on a circumference of the longitudinal core member; and   a second longitudinal concentric member disposed on a circumference of the first longitudinal concentric member and including a plurality of apertures configured to permit fluid transmission between the first longitudinal concentric member and the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second longitudinal concentric member comprises a non-adherent material. 
     
     
         3 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold material comprises an open-cell foam configured to compress when the exterior surface of the dressing engages the inner wall of the wound. 
     
     
         4 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second longitudinal concentric member comprises a faceted member. 
     
     
         5 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal core member comprises between about 40% to about 95% of a lateral cross-sectional area of the dressing, and wherein the first longitudinal concentric member comprises between about 5% and about 60% of the lateral cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         6 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the dressing is configured to expand under the reduced pressure from an initial diameter D 1  to a second diameter D 2 , and wherein the second diameter D 2  is greater than the initial diameter D 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the dressing is configured to expand under the reduced pressure from an initial diameter D 1  to a second diameter D 2 , and wherein the second diameter D 2  is greater than or equal to 105% of the initial diameter D 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the dressing further comprises a semi-rigid inner core member to provide additional rigidity to the dressing. 
     
     
         9 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the dressing comprises a porous foam including interconnected pores, wherein the dressing further comprises a plurality of liquid conduits additionally disposed within the dressing, wherein each of the plurality of liquid conduits comprises tubes, and wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are configured distribute fluids to the wound. 
     
     
         10 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein a length between the distal end and the proximal end is greater than a width of the dressing. 
     
     
         11 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal core member comprises closed cell foam. 
     
     
         12 . A system to treat a deep wound, comprising:
 a dressing according to  claim 1 ;   a drape configured to cover the dressing to form a sealed space over the proximal end of the dressing; and   a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the dressing.   
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure, tunnel wound dressing, the method comprising the steps of:
 extruding a longitudinal core member from a closed-cell foam;   extruding a first longitudinal concentric member from an open-cell foam such that the first longitudinal concentric member is formed around the longitudinal core member; and   applying a second longitudinal concentric member around the first longitudinal concentric member, wherein the second longitudinal concentric member comprises an impermeable material having a plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of applying a second longitudinal concentric member around the first longitudinal concentric member comprises lapping a material around the first longitudinal concentric member and using a hot melt to couple the material. 
     
     
         15 . A reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing for treating a tunnel wound or a fistula, the reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing comprising:
 a longitudinal core member formed from a manifold material and operable to compress under reduced pressure greater than a first threshold;   a first longitudinal concentric member formed from a closed-cell foam, wherein the first longitudinal concentric member is concentrically disposed on a circumference of the longitudinal core member, and wherein the first longitudinal concentric member is operable to expand under reduced pressure greater than a first threshold; and   a plurality of fluid conduits that fluidly couple the longitudinal core member and the first longitudinal concentric member.   
     
     
         16 . The reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing of  claim 15 , further comprising a second longitudinal concentric member formed from a non-adherent material having a plurality of apertures, wherein the second longitudinal concentric member is concentrically disposed on a circumference of the first longitudinal concentric member and further covering the distal end of the first longitudinal concentric member. 
     
     
         17 . A reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing for treating a tunnel wound or a fistula, the reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing comprising:
 a cylindrical, shell bladder filled with a gas, wherein the cylindrical, shell bladder has an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end;   an open-cell-foam layer covering the exterior surface of the cylindrical, shell bladder; and   wherein the distal end of the cylindrical, shell bladder is folded back into the cylindrical, shell bladder to form a portion that is operable to unfurl when subjected to reduced pressure.