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Publication Number
US-10272258-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wound-care assembly The wound-care assembly includes a base layer. A film layer is operatively coupled to the base layer and a fluid conductor is in fluid communication with a wound and a vacuum source. The wound-care assembly further includes a fiber-optic patch comprising a plurality of fiber-optic strands. The fiber-optic strands are pressed into contact with an interior surface of the wound by the fluid conductor. The fiber-optic patch provides ultraviolet light to the wound and the relative vacuum is applied to the wound via the vacuum source and the fluid conductor.
Core Innovation
A wound-care assembly is disclosed that combines a fiber-optic UV patch with a fluid conductor connected to a vacuum source. The assembly includes a base layer and a film layer forming a sealed interface and a fluid port. A fiber-optic patch with fiber-optic strands delivers UV light to a wound while a relative vacuum is applied via the fluid conductor.
The fluid conductor is flexible and absorptive and includes a wound-treatment portion, with an optionally included distal straw for fluid coupling. The fluid conductor presses the fiber-optic patch into contact with an inner surface of the wound. UV light is delivered through the fiber-optic strands, optionally modulated for pattern, intensity, and duration.
A relative vacuum applied via the fluid conductor removes undesirable tissue and/or fluids and increases blood flow at the wound. Additional optional modalities include therapeutic-agent delivery, including concentrated oxygen with optional thermal augmentation. Pulsed radio-frequency (RF) therapy is also described using an RF antenna or loop associated with the treatment window.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim recites five core inventive elements: applying a fiber-optic patch to a wound, sizing and inserting a fluid conductor for fluid communication, pressing the patch into contact via the conductor, delivering ultraviolet light via the patch, and applying a relative vacuum to the wound via the conductor.
Applying a fiber-optic patch to a wound
Applying a fiber-optic patch to a wound.
Sizing a fluid conductor for fluid communication inside the wound
Sizing a fluid conductor to fit inside the wound for fluid communication therewith.
Pressing the fiber-optic patch into contact via the fluid conductor
Pressing the fiber-optic patch into contact with an inner surface of the wound via the fluid conductor.
Delivering ultraviolet light to the wound via the fiber-optic patch
Applying ultraviolet light to the wound via the fiber-optic patch.
Applying a relative vacuum to the wound via the fluid conductor
Applying a relative vacuum to the wound via the fluid conductor.
Across the independent claim, the method integrates fiber-optic UV delivery with a sized fluid conductor that provides fluid communication and mechanically presses the fiber-optic patch against the wound interior while simultaneously applying relative vacuum to the wound via the same fluid conductor. Dependent claims further refine the fiber-optic strand arrangement, therapeutic-agent delivery with optional thermal augmentation, ultraviolet modulation, vacuum coupling via a distal straw portion, and vacuum-related effects for removing undesirable materials.
Stated Advantages
Removes undesirable tissue and/or fluids.
Increases blood flow.
Documented Applications
Wound-care assembly utilization for treating wounds, with example workflows including application to various wound locations such as a foot.
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