Wound therapy device and method
Inventors
Donda, Russell S. • Manickam, Sundar • Middaugh, Richard L. • Lash, Thomas E. • Wojciechowski, Timothy • Wolter, John D. • Buan, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11759368-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wound therapy device and method includes a skin contacting element, a reactor, and a reactor housing element. The skin contacting element is configured for covering an associated tissue site, the reactor for creating a pressure condition at the associated tissue site upon actuation thereof, and the reactor housing element for accommodating the reactor. The skin contacting element has a skin contacting side and an interface side, which is opposite the skin contacting side. The reactor housing element has a lower affixing side and an upper side, which is opposite the lower affixing side.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a self-contained wound therapy device that creates topical negative pressure in an enclosed volume using a skin contacting element and an oxygen-consuming reactor housed within a reactor housing element. The reactor housing element is affixed to the skin contacting element after reactor actuation, so that sealing of the enclosed volume is established when the reactor has been activated. The skin contacting element includes skin-contacting and interface sides with openings to transmit pressure between the tissue site and the enclosed volume.
The device uses sealing and removably actuated components to control exposure of the oxygen scavenger reactor and to maintain an airtight interface. Sealing or perimeter gaskets and adhesives are used to seal between the skin contacting element and the reactor housing element when the reactor housing element is adhered to the skin contacting element with the reactor disposed therebetween. Reactor actuation is controlled by removable release layers and airtight reactor barriers that prevent selected gas access until removal.
A packaged assembly is described in which the skin contacting element, a first seal and a first release layer form a first package component, and the reactor housing element, a second seal and the reactor form a second, separate package component. The second package component can include a second adhesive, a second release layer, an air-tight barrier component, and optionally a pressure release valve, while optional implementations also include a membrane and powered add-ons.
Claims Coverage
The combined content provides one independent claim describing a method of assembling a wound therapy device from two separate package components, using an oxygen scavenger reactor and sealing layers to control adhesion and actuation. The dependent claims refine the independent claim with additional packaging features and actuation conditions, yielding seven inventive-feature variations derived from the independent claim.
Two-part packaged skin contacting element with removable release layer
Packaging a skin contacting element, a first seal and a first release layer as a first package component of the wound therapy device, wherein a first adhesive is disposed on a skin contacting side of the skin contacting element for adhering the skin contacting element around a tissue site, wherein the first seal is applied over the first adhesive and is configured to seal the skin contacting element around the tissue site, and the first release layer being removable to expose the first adhesive and the first seal provided on the skin contacting side of the skin contacting element.
Packaged oxygen scavenger reactor housing element with sealed adhesive interface
Packaging a reactor housing element, a second seal and a reactor, which is an oxygen scavenger, as a second, separate, package component of the wound therapy device, wherein a second adhesive is disposed on a lower affixing side of the reactor housing element for adhering the reactor housing element to the skin contacting element, wherein the second seal being configured to promote sealing between the skin contacting element and the reactor housing element when the reactor housing element is adhered to the skin contacting element with the reactor disposed therebetween.
Air-tight barrier controlling oxygen scavenger exposure
Packaging the reactor housing element, the second seal, and the reactor together with an air-tight barrier component so that air cannot reach the reactor until the air-tight barrier is removed.
Second release layer over reactor housing lower affixing side
Packaging the reactor housing element, the second seal, and the reactor together with a second release layer disposed over the lower affixing side of the reactor housing element as part of the wound therapy device’s second package component.
Actuating reactor by removing second release layer to expose ambient
Providing that the second release layer can be removed to expose the reactor so it is actuated by exposing the reactor to ambient conditions.
Openings in skin contacting element
Limiting that the skin-contacting element has one or more openings.
Pressure release valve packaged with reactor housing element
Packaging a pressure release valve with the reactor housing element, the second seal, and the reactor as part of a second packaged component of a wound therapy device.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the claimed inventive matter focuses on assembling a wound therapy device from separate packages: a skin contacting element package with adhesive and a removable release layer, and a separate oxygen scavenger reactor package with a sealed adhesive interface. Additional inventive features include packaging barriers and removable release layers to control air or ambient exposure for reactor actuation, structural openings in the skin contacting element, and packaging a pressure release valve with the reactor housing.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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