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Publication Number
US-12433795-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatuses, methods, and systems disclosed within relate to a wound dressing, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, which may include a body of porous material, the body of porous material including a plurality of cuts which provide regions of flexibility within the body. Methods of manufacturing and methods of use of such wound dressings may also be disclosed herein. In addition, the wound dressing can include a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.
Core Innovation
A wound dressing is disclosed that includes a dressing layer having a machine direction oriented in the direction the dressing layer was produced during manufacture. The dressing layer includes a plurality of first slits parallel to the machine direction, where each first slit comprises a first cut extending in a first direction and a second cut extending in a second direction, and a plurality of second slits staggered relative to the plurality of first slits, with each second slit comprising a third cut extending in a third direction and a fourth cut extending in a fourth direction.
The wound dressing further includes a backing layer positioned over the dressing layer and a wound contact layer positioned beneath the dressing layer. The lattice arrangement created by cut-defined slits is configured such that the structure is substantially closed in an initial conformation and expands under an extensive force to form an open-lattice conformation with apertures.
The disclosed slit and lattice geometry provides controlled aperture geometry and drapeability improvements relevant to negative pressure wound therapy. The document describes one- and two-axis extensibility configurations, including linear staggered series of slits and optional intersecting slits, including H-shaped 2-D slit intersections.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims center on a wound dressing architecture based on machine-direction-oriented cut-defined slit sets that create staggered lattice apertures, together with a layered construction comprising a backing layer and a wound contact layer. The claims also include a wound treatment method based on positioning the dressing over a tissue site and sealing a backing layer. Across the independent claims, there are two inventive features in the dressing structure and one method feature.
Machine-direction-oriented staggered slit lattice dressing layer
A dressing layer comprising a machine direction oriented in the direction the dressing layer was produced during manufacture, a plurality of first slits parallel to the machine direction, individual first slits comprising a first cut extending in a first direction and a second cut extending in a second direction, and a plurality of second slits staggered relative to the plurality of first slits, individual second slits comprising a third cut extending in a third direction and a fourth cut extending in a fourth direction.
Layered wound dressing with backing and wound contact layers
A backing layer positioned over the dressing layer and a wound contact layer positioned beneath the dressing layer.
Treating a wound by positioning the dressing layer over a tissue site and sealing a backing layer
Positioning a dressing layer over a tissue site, the dressing layer comprising a machine direction oriented in the direction the dressing layer was produced during manufacture, a plurality of first slits parallel to the machine direction with first and second cuts extending in first and second directions, and a plurality of second slits extending in the machine direction with third and fourth cuts extending in third and fourth directions, the second slits staggered relative to the plurality of first slits; and sealing a backing layer over the dressing layer.
The independent claims consistently focus on a wound dressing with machine-direction-oriented cut-defined slit patterns and staggered slit sets formed by multiple cuts extending in different directions, combined with a backing layer over the dressing and a wound contact layer beneath it. The method claim aligns with positioning the dressing over a tissue site and sealing the backing layer to treat the wound.
Stated Advantages
Drapeability improvements.
Controlled aperture geometry.
Contractile wound-closure forces upon removal of the retaining/backing means.
Two-axis extensibility configurations are described.
Documented Applications
Wound treatment using the disclosed wound dressing in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
Skin-based demonstrations of contractile force generation and drape/strength performance of cut foam versus uncut foam [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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