Chronic wound dressing with variable pore sizes
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9918879-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An improved skin substitute is presented comprised of a silicone layer backed up with a woven nylon fabric layer, the silicone layer possessing a regular pattern of slits that permit the porosity of the skin substitute to be adjusted by clinicians by means of applying tension to the skin substitute that differentially opens the slits. A variety of therapeutic substances can be applied to the skin substitute to promote healing, including aloe and other medicinal preparations. The skin substitute is directed at chronic wound treatment and hernia repair.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a skin substitute for chronic wounds and hernia repair. The skin substitute is formed as two layers: an upper layer comprised of a silicone membrane and a lower layer comprised of knitted nylon, with the silicone membrane having a plurality of slits arranged in a regular pattern. The slits are made after the two layers are joined together, and the regular pattern includes alternating perpendicular orientation in both horizontal and vertical directions.
The silicone membrane is selected in a thickness from 0.001 to 0.005 inches, and the slits are positioned such that the skin substitute has essentially zero porosity with no stretching tension placed on it. The porosity is variable proportional to the amount of stretching tension and the direction in which the stretching tension is placed on the skin substitute, and the direction is dependent on the orientation of the slits with the wale and course orientation of the knitted nylon fabric.
The upper and lower layers are treated with a plurality of medicinal or therapeutic substances, and the skin substitute is designed to place the knitted nylon fabric side down on top of a wound when in use. The skin substitute is selected to be used in combination with an absorptive dressing placed above the skin substitute over the wound.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim and one dependent claim. The independent claim covers a multi-layer skin substitute with slit-based regular patterning, essentially zero porosity without tension, variable porosity with tension, treatment with medicinal or therapeutic substances, wound-side placement, and use with an absorptive dressing.
Silicone membrane and knitted nylon two-layer skin substitute with slit pattern
A skin substitute comprised of an upper layer comprised of a silicone membrane and a second layer comprised of knitted nylon, the silicone membrane selected in a thickness from 0.001 to 0.005 inches, wherein the upper layer possesses a plurality of slits in its surface, said slits made after the two layers are joined together, said slits in a regular pattern comprising alternating perpendicular orientation, both horizontal and vertical.
Essentially zero porosity with variable porosity based on stretching tension and slit orientation
Slits placed in said upper layer such that the skin substitute has essentially zero porosity with no stretching tension placed on it, wherein the porosity of said skin substitute variable proportional to the amount of stretching tension and the direction in which said stretching tension is placed on the skin substitute, and wherein said direction of stretching tension dependent on the orientation of said slits with the wale and course orientation of the knitted nylon fabric.
Therapeutic substance treatment and use with absorptive dressing
Said upper and lower layers treated with a plurality of medicinal or therapeutic substances; wherein the skin substitute designed to place the knitted nylon fabric side down on top of a wound when in use; and wherein the skin substitute selected to be used in combination with an absorptive dressing placed above said skin substitute over the wound.
Overall, the independent claim is directed to a two-layer silicone membrane/knitted nylon skin substitute with slits in a regular alternating perpendicular orientation that produce essentially zero porosity without stretching tension and variable porosity proportional to stretching tension amount and direction, dependent on knitted nylon wale/course orientation. It further requires treatment of both layers with medicinal or therapeutic substances and specifies placement of the knitted nylon side down on the wound in combination with an absorptive dressing.
Stated Advantages
Provides porosity that is essentially zero without stretching tension and can be made variable proportional to stretching tension.
Reduces desiccation and punctate scarring.
Manages exudate flow into a secondary absorbent dressing.
Documented Applications
Chronic wounds.
Hernia repair, including an alternate hernia-support embodiment described as compatible with laparoscopic insertion.
Use in combination with an absorptive dressing placed above the skin substitute over the wound.
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