# US 12,004,925 B2 · Apparatuses and methods for wound therapy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,925 B2 - Document ID: US12004925B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/479,813 - Filed: 2021-09-20 - Published: 2022-03-10 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-16 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Applicants: Smith & Nephew PLC - Inventors: Edward Yerbury Hartwell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004925B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/01021: {characterised by the structure of the dressing} - 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 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61M 1/916: {specially adapted for deep wounds} - A61F 2013/00357: {implanted wound fillings or covers} - 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 Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wound packing material, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a body of a porous material, the body comprising frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. The wound packing material can be shaped to partially or fully surround a secondary wound packing member, such as a stabilizing structure. Some embodiments further relate to methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and to methods of its use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of treating a wound, comprising: providing a unitary body consisting of a single porous material, the body comprising frangible regions defining a plurality of portions; removing portions of the porous body such that the body is a desirable shape to fit within a wound; removing portions of the body to create a recess configured to receive a secondary wound filler, the recess comprising a bottom surface and a wall portion; and placing the secondary wound filler within the recess. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the body within a wound, and covering the body and the secondary wound filler with a wound cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising applying negative pressure to the wound through the wound cover, the secondary wound filler and the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary wound filler comprises a superabsorber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary wound filler comprises a 3-D knitted fabric. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the porous body isolates the wound from fibers or other particulate shed by the secondary wound filler. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the portions are removed manually. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the frangible regions are defined by pre-cuts formed in the body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-cuts are parallel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the frangible regions are defined by a first set of parallel pre-cuts formed in the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the frangible regions are defined by a second set of parallel pre-cuts formed in the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the frangible regions are further defined by a third set of parallel pre-cuts formed in the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-cuts are formed via laser ablation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-cuts are formed via waterjet ablation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the pre-cuts are formed via die-cutting. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body of porous material is formed from a wound packing foam. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body of porous material comprises a bottom portion, the bottom portion comprising a non-frangible section of porous material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the bottom portion is 5-20 mm thick. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the recess is bowl-shaped.