Device and method for wound therapy

Abstract

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A wound therapy device, comprising:
 a moisture vapor permeable cover layer configured to cover a wound area and an area of body surface adjacent the wound area at least partially enclosing the wound area;   an absorbent layer positioned beneath the cover layer, the absorbent layer configured to retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure to the wound area;   a disperser layer positioned beneath or above the absorbent layer;   a wound contact layer beneath the disperser layer and the absorbent layer; and   a seal configured to adhere to an area of body surface adjacent the wound area, the seal comprising a central opening.   
     
     
         60 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the moisture vapor permeable cover layer is adhered to the wound contact layer. 
     
     
         61 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the disperser layer comprises a three-dimensional knit spacer fabric. 
     
     
         62 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the disperser layer comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         63 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the disperser layer comprises an inner spacer yarn oriented perpendicular to a face fiber. 
     
     
         64 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the absorbent layer is configured to overlie the wound area and the area of body surface adjacent the wound area. 
     
     
         65 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the disperser layer is positioned beneath the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         66 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the disperser layer is positioned above the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         67 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent. 
     
     
         68 . The wound therapy device of  claim 59 , further comprising a vacuum source, the vacuum source configured to deliver negative pressure to the wound area and an area of body surface adjacent the wound area. 
     
     
         69 . The wound therapy device of  claim 68 , wherein the vacuum source is connected to the cover layer via a connector. 
     
     
         70 . A system for treating a wound, comprising:
 a dressing, comprising:
 a moisture vapor permeable cover layer configured to cover a wound area and an area of body surface adjacent the wound area at least partially enclosing the wound area, 
 an absorbent layer positioned beneath the cover layer, 
 a disperser layer positioned beneath or above the absorbent layer, 
 a wound contact layer beneath the disperser layer and the absorbent layer, and 
 a seal configured to adhere to an area of body surface adjacent the wound area, the seal comprising a central opening; and 
   a vacuum source.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the absorbent layer is configured to retain wound exudate while simultaneously communicating negative pressure to the wound area. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the disperser layer is positioned beneath the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the disperser layer is positioned above the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the disperser layer comprises a three-dimensional knit spacer fabric. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the absorbent layer is configured to overlie the wound area and the area of body surface adjacent the wound area. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the vacuum source is connected to the cover layer via a connector. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 70 , wherein the vacuum source is separate from the dressing.