Shear resistant wound dressing for use in vacuum wound therapy
Inventors
Vitaris, Ronald F. • Vitaris, Bethany A.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12295814-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Expiration Date
2029-03-12
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Abstract
A cover layer for a vacuum wound therapy dressing includes a backing layer formed from a flexible polymeric membrane and an adhesive layer for affixing the backing layer over a wound bed to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal around a perimeter of the wound bed. The cover layer is reinforced with a reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the backing layer to distribute forces associated with evacuating a reservoir, as defined by or within the cover, to stimulate healing of the wound bed.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy (VWT) procedure, designed to promote healing by providing a reservoir over the wound where sub-atmospheric pressure can be maintained. The system comprises a cover layer with an integrated support structure that manages the forces generated during VWT. This cover layer consists of a flexible polymeric backing layer, an adhesive layer for affixing and sealing it over the wound bed, and a reticulated or net-like reinforcement layer affixed to the backing layer and extending into a peripheral region of the cover.
The reinforcement layer stiffens the cover layer, allowing it to better resist deformation in the wound area caused by VWT procedures. As a result, the wound filler is only minorly compressed and continues to allow for exudate transport and vacuum penetration. The reinforcement layer also helps distribute forces beyond the wound perimeter, reducing the collapse of wound margins and transforming forces generated by reduced pressure into more beneficial compression rather than potentially harmful shear forces. Compression forces on a wound are recognized as beneficial for healing.
The problem addressed by this invention is the undesired deformation of existing flexible cover layers during vacuum wound therapy, which can draw peri-wound margins into the wound, put surrounding skin under tension, overly compress filler material to a rigid mass, increase the risk of adherence to the wound bed, and inhibit both exudate transport and negative pressure penetration. There is thus a need for a dressing suitable for use in VWT that manages these forces more effectively.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim describing multiple inventive features centered on the structure and arrangement of a vacuum wound therapy system.
Vacuum wound therapy system with reinforced wound dressing
The system comprises: - A wound dressing configured to be placed over a wound and including: - A contact layer - An absorbent filler over the contact layer - A cover layer over the absorbent filler, said cover layer having a wound-facing side and an opposite side, and an aperture through the cover layer - A vacuum port adhered to the cover layer with its opening aligned with the cover layer's aperture - A filter positioned beneath the vacuum port and spanning the port's opening - A vacuum system (including a vacuum source and a collection canister) fluidically connected to the wound dressing via the vacuum port and configured to evacuate fluid via the wound dressing
The independent claim is directed to a vacuum wound therapy system featuring an integrated wound dressing with a specific layer configuration, a vacuum port and filter arrangement, and a vacuum system for fluid removal.
Stated Advantages
The reinforcement layer stiffens the cover layer to resist deformation, reducing the collapse of wound margins and the transfer of harmful forces to surrounding skin during vacuum wound therapy.
The system allows the wound filler to remain only moderately compressed, maintaining effective exudate transport and vacuum penetration.
Compression forces are manifested instead of shear forces, which is beneficial for wound treatment and healing.
The cover layer forms a fluid-tight and bacteria-tight seal, aiding in the protection of the wound and preventing contamination.
Documented Applications
Treatment of open wounds using vacuum wound therapy to promote healing by applying reduced pressure and removing wound exudate.
Use in chronic or non-healing wounds, as well as post-operative wound care.
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