# US 11,432,967 B2 · Fluid bridge for simultaneous application of negative pressure to multiple tissue sites > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,967 B2 - Document ID: US11432967B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/525,376 - Filed: 2019-07-29 - Published: 2019-11-14 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-23 - Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke; Thomas Alan Edwards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432967B2 ## CPC - 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] - A61M 1/90: {Negative pressure wound therapy devices, i.e. devices for applying suction to a wound to promote healing, e.g. including a vacuum dressing} - A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values} - A61M 1/913: {having a bridging element for transferring the reduced pressure from the connector to the dressing} - A61M 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61M 1/918: {for multiple suction locations} - A61M 1/92: {with liquid supply means} - A61M 1/966: {having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing} - A61F 13/0223: {characterized by parametric properties of the fluid retention layer, e.g. absorbency, wicking capacity, liquid distribution} - A61F 2013/00536: {for draining or irrigating wounds} - A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)} - A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site - 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) - 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)} ## Abstract Disclosed embodiments may relate to devices, systems, and methods for providing negative-pressure therapy simultaneously to a plurality of tissue sites using a single negative-pressure source. For example, a fluid bridge may comprise a plurality of distal ends, each configured to interact fluidly with a tissue site. In some embodiments, each distal end may have an aperture. The bridge may also comprise a port for entry of negative pressure into the enclosed space of the bridge. In some embodiments, each distal end may comprise a one-way valve. The enclosed space of the fluid pathway between the distal ends and the port may be supported in some embodiments, to prevent collapse due to negative pressure and/or compression. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for delivering negative pressure to a plurality of tissue sites, comprising: an envelope comprising a first surface and a second surface, the envelope being liquid impermeable; and a support layer disposed between the first surface and the second surface to form a fluid pathway, the support layer being liquid impermeable and the fluid pathway comprising: a central portion having a port in the envelope; and a plurality of distal ends in fluid communication with the central portion, each of the plurality of distal ends having an aperture in the envelope. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the port is located on the first surface; and the aperture of each of the plurality of distal ends is located on the second surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one one-way valve located between the port and the aperture of one of the plurality of distal ends and configured to allow fluid flow from the aperture toward the port. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of distal ends comprises a one-way valve in proximity to the aperture and configured to allow fluid flow from the aperture towards the port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support layer comprises a thermoformed support structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support layer comprises a plurality of supports configured to support the envelope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of supports are substantially co-extensive with the fluid pathway. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of supports comprises a hollow standoff which is sealed to maintain an internal pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the envelope further comprises a first layer and a second layer; the first layer comprises the first surface of the envelope, and the second layer comprises the second surface of the envelope; the first layer and the second layer are coupled to enclose the fluid pathway between the first layer and the second layer; and the plurality of supports are located between the first layer and the second layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support layer comprises a spacer layer, and the plurality of supports extend from an inner surface of the spacer layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of supports comprises a first plurality of supports and a second plurality of supports; and the first plurality of supports are in stacked relationship with the second plurality of supports. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the support layer further comprises a first spacer layer and a second spacer layer; and the plurality of supports comprises a first plurality of supports extending inward from the first spacer layer and a second plurality of supports extending inward from the second spacer layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fluid pathway further comprises a recessed space in each of the plurality of distal ends in fluid communication with the aperture, and each recessed space is formed by an opening in the second spacer layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fluid pathway further comprises a port recessed space in fluid communication with the port, and the port recessed space is formed by an opening in the first spacer layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one-way valve of each of the plurality of distal ends is integral to the second spacer layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support layer comprises a foam delivery manifold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosed fluid pathway comprises a primary fluid pathway having two distal ends of the plurality of distal ends. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the enclosed fluid pathway further comprises one or more branch fluid pathways, each having one distal end of the plurality of distal ends and a proximal end in fluid communication with the primary fluid pathway. ### Claim 19 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of release liners, wherein one of the plurality of release liners removably covers each aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of release liners removably seals one of the apertures. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of distal ends further comprises adhesive located in proximity to the aperture. ### Claim 22 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a regulator positioned between each of the plurality of distal ends and the central portion, wherein the regulator is configured to step-down pressure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the envelope comprises a perforation forming a calibrated flow of less than about 5 cc/min located in proximity to each of the plurality of distal ends. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the envelope further comprises a bacterial filter over each calibrated flow.