Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/08—Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue ; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
  • A61B17/085—Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue ; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound with adhesive layer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/08—Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue ; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/05—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
  • A61M1/90—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
  • A61M1/91—Suction aspects of the dressing
  • A61M1/915—Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
  • A61M1/90—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
  • A61M1/91—Suction aspects of the dressing
  • A61M1/916—Suction aspects of the dressing specially adapted for deep wounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B2017/00004—(bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B2017/00831—Material properties
  • A61B2017/00893—Material properties pharmaceutically effective
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/08—Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue ; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
  • A61B2017/081—Tissue approximator
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/30—Surgical pincettes, i.e. surgical tweezers without pivotal connections
  • A61B2017/306—Surgical pincettes, i.e. surgical tweezers without pivotal connections holding by means of suction
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
  • A61B90/06—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
  • A61B2090/064—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
  • A61B2090/065—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension for measuring contact or contact pressure
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00089—Wound bandages
  • A61F2013/00217—Wound bandages not adhering to the wound
  • A61F2013/00221—Wound bandages not adhering to the wound biodegradable, non-irritating
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
  • A61F2013/00451—Plasters use for surgical sutures, e.g. butterfly type
  • A61F2013/00455—Plasters use for surgical sutures, e.g. butterfly type for protection of suture stitches
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
  • A61F2013/00536—Plasters use for draining or irrigating wounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
  • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
  • A61F2013/0054—Plasters use for deep wounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
  • A61M1/90—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
  • A61M1/92—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing with liquid supply means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
  • A61M1/90—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing
  • A61M1/94—Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing with gas supply means

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systems and in particular to apparatuses and systems suitable for use as scaffolds in the treatment of wounds.
• the systems, apparatuses, and methods of the illustrative embodiments described herein include an apparatus for treating an incisional wound having incisional walls.
• the apparatus includes a conduit having a first end for receiving reduced pressure and a second end.
• the apparatus further includes a scaffold.
• the scaffold has opposing surfaces for positioning adjacent the incisional walls and is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit for receiving the reduced pressure.
• the scaffold is generally elongated in shape and has a thickness between the opposing surfaces that is sufficiently thin for positioning within the incisional wound.
• the apparatus further includes an internal manifold that has a primary flow channel extending generally longitudinally within the scaffold and between the opposing surfaces of the scaffold.
• the internal manifold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit. The application of the reduced pressure through the scaffold and the internal manifold induces tissue apposition between the incisional walls.
• a system for treating an incisional wound having incisional walls includes a pressure source to supply reduced pressure, a conduit fluidly coupled to the pressure source that has a first end for receiving the reduced pressure and a second end, and a scaffold fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit.
• the scaffold has opposing surfaces, is formed from a porous material, and is generally elongated in shape.
• the system further includes an internal manifold that has a primary flow channel extending generally longitudinally within the scaffold between the opposing surfaces. The internal manifold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit. The application of the reduced pressure through the scaffold and the internal manifold induces tissue apposition between the incisional walls.
• a system for treating an incisional wound having incisional walls includes a pressure source to supply reduced pressure, a conduit fluidly coupled to the pressure source that has a first end for receiving the reduced pressure and a second end, and a scaffold fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit.
• the scaffold has opposing surfaces, is formed from a porous material, and is generally elongated in shape.
• the system further includes an internal manifold that has a primary flow channel extending generally longitudinally within the scaffold between the opposing surfaces.
• the internal manifold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit.
• the internal manifold further includes tributary flow channels fluidly coupled to the primary flow channel and extending generally transversely within the scaffold between the opposing surfaces.
• the tributary flow channels extend generally perpendicular from the primary flow channel.
• a method for treating an incisional wound having incisional walls includes fluidly coupling a conduit to a source of reduced pressure, wherein the conduit has a first end for receiving reduced pressure and a second end.
• the scaffold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit for receiving the reduced pressure, wherein the scaffold is formed from sufficiently thin porous material having an internal manifold extending generally longitudinally between opposing surfaces of the scaffold.
• the opposing surfaces of the scaffold are positioned between the incisional walls of the incisional wound and the internal manifold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit.
• the incisional wound is surgically closed and reduced pressure is provided through the conduit to the scaffold and the internal manifold onto the incisional wound, whereby the scaffold induces tissue apposition between the incisional walls.
• Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a reduced pressure treatment system including a scaffold according to one illustrative embodiment
• Figure 2 is a schematic, cross-sectional, perspective view of an incisional wound and the scaffold shown in Figure 1 positioned within the incisional wound;
• Figure 3 is a schematic, cross-sectional, perspective view of an incisional wound and the scaffold shown in Figure 1 positioned below the opening of the incisional wound;
• Figure 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional, perspective view of an incisional wound and the scaffold shown in Figure 2 including a drape covering the incisional wound.
• a reduced pressure treatment system 100 for applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site 102 of a patient applies reduced pressure to an incisional wound 104 through an incisional opening 103 in epidermis 105 extending through dermis 106 into the fascial layers or subcutaneous tissues 107 at the tissue site 102.
• the term "incisional wound” refers to severed tissue at a tissue site such as, for example, a laceration, incision, or puncture that may have been caused by trauma, surgery, or
• an incisional wound may be an incision or puncture made by a surgeon in otherwise healthy tissue that extends up to 40 cm or more in length.
• the incisional wound 104 is substantially a long and narrow shape, elongated shape, wherein the length represents the longitudinal axis of the incisional wound 104.
• Incisional wounds may extend to different depths extending up to 15 cm or more, or be subcutaneous depending on the type of tissue and the cause of the incision. The depth represents the transverse axis of the incisional wound 104.
• the incisional wound 104 is surrounded by tissue adjacent the incisional opening 103 at the tissue site 102 and is formed by incisional walls 108 and 109.
• the incisional wound 104 is shown as an epidermal incision at the tissue site 102, the incisional wound 104 may also be, for example, an incision in an organ adjacent a fistula.
• Subcutaneous, absorbable sutures may be placed in one or more fascial layers or the subcutaneous tissues 107.
• the system 100 comprises a canister 110 having a filter (not shown) contained with the canister 110 and a reduced pressure source 112 coupled in fluid communication with the canister 110 via a first conduit 111.
• the system 100 further comprises a scaffold 114 positioned within the incisional wound 104 between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the scaffold 114 includes an upper edge portion 124 positioned adjacent the incisional opening 103 of the incisional wound 104, a lower edge portion 125, and opposing, interfacial surfaces 145 and 147 positioned adjacent the faces of the incisional walls 109 and 108, respectively, of the incisional wound 104.
• the scaffold 114 is coupled in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source 112 through the canister 110 via a second conduit 113 which is fluidly coupled to the scaffold 114 by a conduit connector 115.
• the system 100 may also comprise a fluid supply 116 coupled in fluid communication to the scaffold 114 via a third conduit 117 either directly (not shown) or indirectly through the second conduit 113 for delivering a fluid 118 to the incisional wound 104 at the tissue site 102.
• the reduced pressure source 112 is an electrically-driven vacuum pump. In another implementation, the reduced pressure source 112 instead may be a manually-actuated or manually-charged pump that does not require electrical power.
• the reduced pressure source 112 may be any other type of reduced pressure pump, or alternatively a wall suction port such as those available in hospitals and other medical facilities.
• the reduced pressure source 112 may be housed within or used in conjunction with a reduced pressure treatment unit 120 which may also contain a processing unit, sensors, alarm indicators, memory, databases, software, display units, and user interfaces that further facilitate the application of reduced pressure treatment to the tissue site 102.
• a sensor or switch may be disposed at or near the reduced pressure source 112 to determine a source pressure generated by the reduced pressure source 112.
• the sensor may communicate with a processing unit (not shown) that monitors and controls the reduced pressure that is delivered by the reduced pressure source 112.
• the canister 110 may be a fluid reservoir, or collection member, to filter or hold exudates and other fluids removed from the tissue site 102.
• the canister 110 and the reduced pressure source 112 are integrated into a single housing structure.
• the fluid supply 116 may be used to deliver growth and/or healing agents to the scaffold 114 for the incisional wound 104 including, without limitation, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, a cell-growth promotion agent, an irrigation fluid, or other chemically active agents.
• the system 100 further comprises a first valve 127 positioned in the third conduit 117 to control the flow of fluid 118 to the scaffold 114, and a second valve 123 positioned in the second conduit 113 between the reduced pressure source 112 and the juncture between the second conduit 113 and the third conduit 117 to control the flow of reduced pressure.
• the processing unit of the reduced pressure treatment unit 120 is operatively connected to the first and second valves 127, 123 to control the delivery of reduced pressure and/or fluid from the fluid supply 116, respectively, to the scaffold 114 as required by the particular therapy being administered to the patient.
• the fluid supply 116 may deliver the fluids as indicated above, but may also deliver air to the scaffold 114 to promote healing and facilitate drainage of the incisional wound 104.
• the fluid 118 may be gas or liquid, and may contain growth factors, healing factors, or other substances to treat the incisional wound 104 at the tissue site 102.
• the fluid 118 may be water, saline, or dye saline.
• scaffold refers to a substance or structure applied to or positioned in a wound or defect that provides a structural matrix for the growth of cells and/or the formation of tissue.
• a scaffold is a three-dimensional, porous structure having dimensions roughly corresponding to the shape of the specific wound defect.
• the scaffold 114 may be infused with, coated with, or comprised of cells, growth factors, extracellular matrix components, nutrients, proteins, or other substances to promote cell growth.
• the scaffold 114 may possess characteristics of a manifold by directing the flow of fluids through its structural matrix. For example, the scaffold 114 may take on the characteristics of a manifold by directing reduced pressure or delivering fluids to a tissue site, or removing fluids from a tissue site.
• manifold refers to a substance or structure that is provided to assist in directing reduced pressure or delivering fluids to a tissue site, or removing fluids from a tissue site.
• a manifold can include a plurality of flow channels or pathways that are interconnected to improve distribution of fluids provided to and removed from the area of tissue around the manifold.
• manifolds may include, without limitation, devices that have structural elements arranged to form flow channels, cellular foams such as open-cell foam, porous tissue collections, and liquids, gels and foams that include or cure to include flow channels.
• the scaffold 1 14 possesses the characteristics of a manifold as described above.
• the scaffold 1 14 may be a biologic or synthetic scaffold used to support protein adhesion and cellular in-growth for tissue repair and regeneration.
• the current state of the art in scaffold technology relies upon the inherent characteristics of the surrounding tissue space for the adsorption of proteins and migration of cells.
• the scaffold 1 14 for use according to the invention, and coupled with its function as a manifold, provides physical guidance to direct the pathway of fluid flow within the incisional wound 104, creating avenues for the movement and migration of adhesive proteins and cells, respectively, which are integral to the
• the scaffold 1 14 may be a reticulated structure, such as, for example, a reticulated foam, comprising a high void fraction for improved bioabsorption properties.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable scaffold materials include extracellular matrix proteins such as fibrin, collagen or fibronectin, and synthetic or naturally occurring polymers, including bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycaprolactone, polycarbonates, polyfumarates, caprolactones, polyamides, polysaccharides (including alginates (e.g., calcium alginate) and chitosan), hyaluronic acid,
• PLA polylactic acid
• PGA polyglycolic acid
• PLGA polylactide-co-glycolide
• polyvinylpyrrolidone polycaprolactone
• polycarbonates polyfumarates
• caprolactones polyamides
• polysaccharides including alginates (e.g., calcium alginate) and chitosan
• the scaffold 1 14 can also comprise ceramics such as hydroxyapatite, coralline apatite, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate or other carbonates, bioglass, allografts, autografts, xenografts, decellularized tissues, or composites of any of the above.
• the scaffold 1 14 comprises collagen, polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), a polyurethane, a polysaccharide, an hydroxyapatite, or a polytherylene glycol.
• the scaffold 1 14 may comprise combinations of any two, three or more materials, either in separate areas of the scaffold 1 14, or combined noncovalently, or covalently (e.g., copolymers such as a polyethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol block copolymers, or terpolymers), or combinations thereof.
• copolymers such as a polyethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol block copolymers, or terpolymers
• the scaffold 1 14 is formed from a scaffold material comprising PLGA fibers formed by a felting process that also functions as a manifold as described above.
• a scaffold material comprising PLGA fibers formed by a felting process that also functions as a manifold as described above.
• ScaftexTM is available from Biomedical Structures, Inc. Any of the biodegradable or bioresorbable materials listed above that are reticulated and possess a high void fraction (low mass for degradation or resorption) may be used.
• the elastomeric materials, pliable materials, and gels are embodiments that are preferred for soft- tissue applications such as the incisional wound 104.
• the scaffold 1 14 is relatively thin between the opposing, interfacial surfaces 145, 147 which are positioned adjacent the incisional walls 109, 108, respectively, of the incisional wound 104.
• the scaffold 1 14 may be approximately 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm thick between the opposing, interfacial surfaces 145, 147. Comparing the thickness of the scaffold 1 14 to the length and depth of the incisional wound 104, the scaffold 1 14 may be described as being relatively thin. In one embodiment, a ratio of the length to the thickness of the scaffold 1 14 is greater than about 10.
• the scaffold 1 14 should be as thin as possible to fit within the incisional wound 104, minimizing the distance between the incisional walls 108, 109 to facilitate tissue apposition.
• the material forming the scaffold 1 14 still comprises a matrix of pathways (not shown) to facilitate the flow of fluid between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• These pathways of the scaffold 1 14 extend through the scaffold 1 14 between the opposing, interfacial surfaces 145, 147 to induce tissue apposition by promoting the growth of tissue between the incisional walls 108, 109 as an interfacial scaffold matrix within the incisional wound 104.
• the scaffold 1 14 may be of any size or shape depending on a variety of factors such as, for example, the type and size of the incisional wound 104 and the type of treatment being implemented to repair the wound.
• the scaffold 1 14 may be substantially rectangular extending the full length of the incisional wound 104 along the longitudinal axis and the full depth of the incisional walls 108, 109 along the transverse axis.
• the scaffold 1 14 of such dimensions forms a full interfacial scaffold matrix between the two incisional walls 108, 109 to induce tissue apposition between the two.
• the scaffold 1 14 may only partially contact the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the scaffold 1 14 may not extend to the bottom of the incisional wound 104 into the subcutaneous tissues 107.
• the upper edge portion 124 of the scaffold 1 14 may be positioned flush with the incisional opening 103 of the incisional wound 104 adjacent the epidermis 105, and secured within the incisional wound 104 by a plurality of sutures 130 that close the incisional wound 104 when stitched.
• the scaffold 114 may further comprise an internal manifold structure 140 to supplement the flow of fluid through the reticulated pathways that already exist within the scaffold 114.
• the internal manifold structure 140 may comprise one or a plurality of primary flow channels 141 fluidly coupled to the conduit connector 115 that extend generally longitudinally through the scaffold 114 between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the internal manifold structure 140 may also comprise additional tributary channels 143 fluidly coupled to one or more of the primary flow channels 141.
• the tributary channels 143 extend generally transversely within the scaffold 114 between the opposing, interfacial surfaces 145, 147 to further facilitate fluid flow over a larger area of the interfacial scaffold matrix within the incisional wound 104.
• the tributary channels 143 may extend from the primary flow channel 141 in any direction relative to the primary flow channel 141 and may form any shape to enhance the area of the scaffold 114 covering the interfacial surfaces 145, 147.
• the tributary channels 143 extend in a direction generally perpendicular from the primary flow channel 141 in a linear direction as opposed to having a curved shape.
• the internal manifold structure 140 provides a supplemental matrix for fluid flow coextensive with the reticulated pathways of the scaffold 114 by using the plurality of primary flow channels 141 or a single primary channel that may include the plurality of tributary channels 143 or a combination of both.
• This supplemental matrix of the internal manifold structure 140 may be formed with a pattern that further induces apposition of the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the primary flow channel 141 is shown as a generally tubular shape in the figures, the primary flow channel 141 may be a variety of different shapes as long as such flow channel extends generally longitudinally through the scaffold 114 between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the primary flow channel 141 does not need to be straight, but may undulate longitudinally within the scaffold 114 between the upper edge portion 124 and lower edge portion 125.
• the primary flow channel 141 may also be an anisotropic material property of the scaffold 114 itself extending generally longitudinally between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the anisotropic property may be a differential resistance to fluid flow through interconnected pores within the scaffold 114 extending along a generally longitudinal axis of the scaffold 114.
• the anisotropic property may also be the alignment of pores and their interconnectivity within the scaffold 114, or the variation of pore size within the scaffold 114 that permits or facilitates fluid flow along a longitudinal axis of the scaffold 114.
• the primary flow channel 141 may be formed by a bioresorbable tubing.
• the tributary channels 143 may be asymmetric in shape and formed from anisotropic properties of the scaffold 114. In another embodiment, the tributary channels 143 may be formed by a bioresorbable tubing. Although inlets of the tributary channels 143 are shown extending from the surface of the primary flow channel 141, the tributary channels 143 may also extend from loci within the primary flow channel 141 and diverge within the scaffold 114 as non-parallel, asymmetric passages. The inlets of such tributary channels 143 are in fluid communication with the primary flow channel 141 to facilitate the flow of fluids between the incisional walls 108, 109. The inlets of several tributary channels 143 may also originate and diverge from a single locus within the primary flow channel 141 in a star-pattern, for example, generally in parallel with and between the incisional walls 108, 109.
• the scaffold 114 may be positioned within the incisional wound 104 so that the upper edge portion 124 of the scaffold 114 is seated below the epidermis 105 such that sutures 230 may be used to close the entire scaffold 114 within the incisional wound 104.
• Seating the upper edge portion 124 of the scaffold 114 below the epidermis 105 of the incisional wound 104 may facilitate closure of the incisional opening 103 of the incisional wound 104 and help maintain the reduced-pressure within the incisional wound 104 for a longer period of time.
• the upper edge portion 124 of the scaffold 114 may protrude out of the incisional opening 103 above the epidermis 105 so that the sutures 130 may be stitched through the upper portion of the scaffold 114 to hold it firmly in place within the incisional wound 104.
• the sutures 130 may be stitched sufficiently tight to substantially close the incisional opening 103 of the wound to further facilitate healing as described above.
• the scaffold 114 may be exposed through the incisional opening 103 in the epidermis 105 as opposed to being closed within the incisional wound 104.
• the system 100 may further comprise an external manifold 150 in fluid communication with the scaffold 114 and a drape 152 covering the external manifold 150 to maintain reduced pressure beneath the drape 152 within the incisional wound 104.
• the drape 152 includes an aperture 153 through which the conduit connector 115 extends to provide fluid communication between the second conduit 113 and the external manifold 150.
• the drape 152 may also include a periphery portion 154 that extends beyond the incisional opening 103 and includes an adhesive or bonding agent (not shown) to secure the drape 152 to the healthy tissue adjacent the incisional opening 103.
• the adhesive provides a seal between the drape 152 and the epidermis 105 to better maintain reduced pressure within the incisional wound 104.
• a seal layer such as, for example, a hydrogel or other material, may be disposed between the drape 152 and the epidermis 105 to augment or substitute for the sealing properties of the adhesive.
• the drape 152 may also be used in conjunction with the embodiments shown in Fig. 2 and 3 described above.
• the drape 152 may be any material that provides a pneumatic or fluid seal.
• the drape 152 may, for example, be an impermeable or semi-permeable, elastomeric material.
• the drape 152 may include an adhesive layer on the periphery portion 154.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
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• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
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• 2011
  • 2011-04-27 US US13/095,384 patent/US8623047B2/en active Active
  • 2011-04-28 AU AU2011245310A patent/AU2011245310B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-04-28 CN CN201180019498.0A patent/CN102858384B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
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