Negative pressure device including expandable segment
Inventors
Wojciechowski, Timothy • Middaugh, Richard L. • Lash, Thomas E. • Buan, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11497843-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A negative pressure device for applying to skin is configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when at least a portion of the device is sealed against the skin. The device includes a body including at least one expandable segment that is configured to expand after the device has been sealed against the skin.
Core Innovation
The invention is a negative pressure device for applying to skin that defines a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when at least a portion of the device is sealed against the skin. The device includes a body having at least one expandable segment configured to expand after the device has been sealed against the skin, and the expandable segment includes a plurality of expandable segments in at least one configuration.
A retaining structure is connected with at least one of the body and the expandable segment(s), where the retaining structure cooperates with the expandable segment(s) such that the expandable segment(s) is compressed prior to removal of the retaining structure and prior to the device being sealed against the skin. In related configurations, the device further includes a pressure relief valve that provides pneumatic communication between ambient and the sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when a compressive force exceeding atmospheric pressure is applied and closes when that compressive force is removed.
The device further includes a reactor configured to consume oxygen or at least one non-inert gas, and the sealed enclosed three-dimensional space includes an initial air volume portion occupied by air trapped prior to the reactor consuming the gas. A predefined chamber volume is maintained to be at least six times larger than the initial air volume portion, and the reactor may be housed in a separate chamber volume connected by a pneumatic line.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00005, and clm-00006. Across these claims, the inventive features include a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space against skin, expandable segments that expand after sealing, and structures for achieving and controlling expansion and negative pressure conditions.
Sealed enclosed three-dimensional space with expandable segments and retaining structure
A negative pressure device for applying to skin configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when sealed against the skin, including a body with at least one expandable segment configured to expand after sealing, the expandable segment including a plurality of expandable segments, and a retaining structure connected with at least one of the body and the expandable segment(s) such that the expandable segment(s) is compressed prior to removal of the retaining structure and prior to the device being sealed against the skin.
Plurality of retaining structures for expandable segments
A negative pressure device for applying to skin configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when sealed against the skin, including a body with at least one expandable segment configured to expand after sealing, where the at least one expandable segment includes a plurality of expandable segments, and further comprising a plurality of retaining structures each connected with at least one of the body and at least one expandable segment of the plurality of expandable segments.
Biasing element with cam mechanism and follower
A negative pressure device for applying to skin configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when sealed against the skin, including a body with at least one expandable segment configured to expand after sealing; a biasing element connected with at least one of the body and the expandable segment, wherein the biasing element biases the expandable segment toward an expanded state; and a cam mechanism including a cam and a follower cooperating with the cam, wherein the follower is connected with at least one of the body and the expandable segment, and the biasing element acts on the follower to bias the expandable segment toward the expanded state.
The independent claims cover negative pressure skin devices that form a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space against skin and use expandable segments to expand after sealing, with retaining structures, multiple retaining structures, or a cam and follower with a biasing element to control expansion. The provided content also references a pressure relief valve and a reactor consuming oxygen or non-inert gas with chamber-volume proportionality constraints.
Stated Advantages
Maintains therapeutic pressure despite gas volume changes by maintaining a predefined chamber volume at least six times the initial trapped air volume portion.
Documented Applications
Topical negative pressure skin treatment using a negative pressure device configured to define a sealed enclosed three-dimensional space when sealed against skin.
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