# US 11,433,176 B2 · Apparatus for topical negative pressure therapy

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- Number: US 11,433,176 B2
- Document ID: US11433176B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/791,985
- Filed: 2020-02-14
- Published: 2020-08-27
- Granted: 2022-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2007-12-06
- Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
- Applicants: Smith & Nephew PLC
- Inventors: Kristian Hall; Edward Yerbury Hartwell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11433176B2

## CPC

- A61M 27/00: Drainage appliance for wounds or the like {, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains} ({negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90;} implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 {; middle ear drainage A61F11/202})
- A61M 1/85: {with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208)}
- A61M 1/86: {Connectors between drainage tube and handpiece, e.g. drainage tubes detachable from handpiece}
- 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 1/912: {Connectors between dressing and drainage tube}
- A61M 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold}
- A61M 1/964: {having venting means on or near the dressing}
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- 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

Apparatus and a method for the provision of TNP therapy to a wound are described, the apparatus comprising: a sealing membrane (504) for covering a wound to form a wound cavity (500); one end of an aspirant conduit (522) operably associated with the wound cavity, vacuum means (524) provided at a distal end of the aspirant conduit for applying a vacuum to the wound cavity; and, air bleed means (510) in fluid communication with the wound cavity. Various embodiments of air bleed port members are also described.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of providing topical negative pressure therapy to a wound, comprising:
positioning a sealing membrane over a wound to form a wound cavity positioned beneath the sealing membrane; and
applying negative pressure to the wound cavity via a port positioned over an aperture in the sealing membrane, wherein the port comprises a base portion comprising an opening that coincides with the aperture in the sealing membrane;
wherein applying the negative pressure to the wound cavity causes:
air to be drawn into the port through an air bleed positioned in a wall of the port, along a first passage extending within the port, and through the opening in the base portion and the aperture in the sealing membrane into the wound cavity; and
wound exudate fluid and air within the wound cavity to exit the wound cavity through a second passage extending within the port alongside the first passage; and
wherein the air drawn into the port through the air bleed flows into the second passage only by first flowing from the first passage through the opening in the base portion and the aperture in the sealing membrane into the wound cavity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the base portion is adhered to the sealing membrane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises an adhesive to adhere to the sealing membrane.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising attaching the base portion of the port to the sealing membrane.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the base portion is attached to the sealing membrane prior to positioning the sealing membrane over the wound.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the base portion defines a flange and comprises a planar lower surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the air bleed comprises an aerification orifice.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the air bleed comprises a filter element at the aerification orifice.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the port comprises a soft, flexible material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the port further comprises a tubular portion connected to the second passage.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the second passage is in fluid communication with a vacuum source.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein during application of negative pressure, the second passage is maintained spaced-apart from the air bleed to prevent the air bleed from becoming blocked.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the second passage is defined by an aspirant conduit extending within the port.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the aspirant conduit extends into the wound cavity.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the wound cavity is filled with a porous wound filling element.