# US 10,478,345 B2 · Reduced-pressure, linear-wound treatment systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,345 B2 - Document ID: US10478345B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/656,697 - Filed: 2017-07-21 - Published: 2018-01-11 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-30 - Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Inventors: Eric Woodson Barta; Justin Alexander Long; Richard Marvin Kazala, Jr.; Matthew Francis Cavanaugh, II; Michael Richard Girouard; Kenneth Mitchel Knowles; Charles Seegert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478345B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/022: {having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics} - A61F 13/00059: {provided with visual effects, e.g. printed or colored} - A61F 13/01017: {synthetic, e.g. polymer based} - A61F 13/01029: {made of multiple layers} - A61F 13/01034: {characterised by a property} - A61F 13/01038: {Flexibility, stretchability or elasticity} - A61F 13/0209: {comprising superabsorbent material} - A61F 13/0223: {characterized by parametric properties of the fluid retention layer, e.g. absorbency, wicking capacity, liquid distribution} - A61F 13/0243: {characterised by the properties of the skin contacting layer, e.g. air-vapor permeability} - A61F 13/0289: {manufacturing of adhesive dressings} - A61F 13/05: 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] - A61F 15/008: {Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage (corn plasters A61F13/063)} - A61H 1/008: {Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation} - A61L 15/60: Liquid-swellable gel-forming materials, e.g. super-absorbents - A61M 1/71: {Suction drainage systems (containers therefor A61M1/60, A61M1/64; negative pressure wound therapy systems A61M1/90)} - A61M 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61M 1/917: {specially adapted for covering whole body parts} - A61F 13/00: Bandages or dressings (radioactive dressings {A61N5/1029}); Absorbent pads - A61F 2013/00131: {elasticity distribution} - A61F 2013/00136: {anisotropy} - A61F 2013/00174: {possibility of applying pressure} - A61F 2013/00182: {with transparent part} - A61F 2013/00246: {in a special way pervious to air or vapours} - A61F 2013/0028: {applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage} - A61F 2013/00536: {for draining or irrigating wounds} - A61F 2013/0054: {for deep wounds} - A61F 2013/00748: {with hydrocolloids or superabsorbers} - A61M 1/916: {specially adapted for deep wounds} - A61M 2205/70: with testing or calibration facilities - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2210/1007: Breast; mammary - A61M 2210/1021: Abdominal cavity - Y10T 29/49: Method of mechanical manufacture - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - 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 (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A closing dressing bolster for placing over a linear wound on a patient, the closing dressing bolster comprising: a top wall; a bottom wall coupled to the top wall in a spaced relationship and forming a compartment between the top wall and the bottom wall, the bottom wall having a center portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion; a plurality of beads positioned within the compartment; a first closing member formed on the first lateral portion; and a second closing member formed on the second lateral portion; wherein the first closing member has a surface formed with an oblique angle to a center plane between the first closing member and the second closing member; wherein the second closing member has a surface formed with an oblique angle to the center plane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a transparent material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a mesh material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the beads comprise transparent beads. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the beads are configured to come together over the linear wound under negative pressure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the closing dressing bolster is adapted to develop a bending moment under reduced pressure that causes the first closing member and the second closing member to move towards the center portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the first closing member and the second closing member are spaced apart to form a treatment trough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the first closing member and the second closing member form an apex in the bottom wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture in the top wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture in the top wall and at least one aperture in the bottom wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture in the top wall and at least one aperture in the center portion of the bottom wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The closing dressing bolster of claim 1, further comprising a central compartment formed by the top wall and the bottom wall. ### Claim 13 A closing dressing bolster, comprising: a first wall and a second wall, wherein the second wall has a center portion; a first closing member formed on a first side of the center portion of the second wall; a second closing member formed on a second side of the center portion of the second wall; a top wall and a bottom wall coupled to form a central compartment containing a plurality of beads, the first closing member and the second closing member formed on the bottom wall; and oblique surfaces between the first closing member and the second closing member; wherein the closing dressing bolster is adapted to develop a bending moment under reduced pressure that causes the first closing member and the second closing member to move toward the center portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a transparent material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a mesh material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the beads comprise transparent beads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the beads are configured to come together over a wound under negative pressure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the oblique surfaces form an apex between the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, further comprising a gap between the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, further comprising an overlay piece holding the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the oblique surfaces are formed with an oblique angle to a center plane between the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The closing dressing bolster of claim 13, wherein the closing dressing bolster comprises a soft polymer. ### Claim 23 A closing dressing bolster, comprising: a top wall; at least one aperture in the top wall; a bottom wall coupled in a spaced relationship to the top wall to form a central compartment containing a plurality of beads, the bottom wall comprising a center portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion; a first closing member formed on the first lateral portion; a second closing member formed on the second lateral portion; and at least one aperture in the bottom wall. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a transparent material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall comprise a mesh material. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, wherein the beads comprise transparent beads. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, wherein the beads are configured to come together over a wound under negative pressure. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, wherein the aperture in the bottom wall is disposed in the center portion. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, further comprising oblique surfaces between the first closing member and the second closing member, wherein the oblique surfaces form a treatment trough between the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The closing dressing bolster of claim 23, further comprising oblique surfaces between the first closing member and the second closing member, wherein the oblique surfaces are formed with an oblique angle to a center plane between the first closing member and the second closing member. ### Claim 31 A closing dressing bolster, comprising: a first wall and a second wall, wherein a hollow compartment is positioned between the first wall and the second wall and contains a plurality of beads; a first closing member; and a second closing member; wherein the first closing member has at least one surface formed with an oblique angle to a center plane between the first closing member and the second closing member; wherein the second closing member has at least one surface formed with an oblique angle to the center plane; and wherein the first closing member and the second closing member are operable to develop an inward closing force if the closing dressing bolster is placed under reduced pressure. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The closing dressing bolster of claim 31, wherein the first wall and the second wall comprise a transparent material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The closing dressing bolster of claim 31, wherein the first wall and the second wall comprise a mesh material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The closing dressing bolster of claim 31, wherein the beads comprise transparent beads. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The closing dressing bolster of claim 31, wherein the beads are configured to come together over a wound under negative pressure. ### Claim 36 A closing dressing bolster, comprising: a first wall; a second wall having a first closing member and a second closing member coupled to the first closing member, the first closing member and the second closing member each having a section substantially parallel to the first wall; wherein the first closing member and the second closing member are angled with respect to a center place between the first closing member and the second closing member; and wherein a hollow compartment is positioned between the first wall and the second wall and contains a plurality of beads. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The closing dressing bolster of claim 36, wherein the first wall and the second wall comprise a transparent material. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The closing dressing bolster of claim 36, wherein the first wall and the second wall comprise a mesh material. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The closing dressing bolster of claim 36, wherein the beads comprise transparent beads. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) The closing dressing bolster of claim 36, wherein the beads are configured to come together over a wound under negative pressure.