# US 12,005,180 B2 · Collapsible sheet for wound closure and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,180 B2 - Document ID: US12005180B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/141,297 - Filed: 2023-04-28 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-14 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Applicants: Smith & Nephew PLC - Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005180B2 ## CPC - 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} - A61B 46/20: specially adapted for patients - A61F 13/0209: {comprising superabsorbent material} - A61F 13/0226: {characterised by the support layer} - 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 1/96: {Suction control thereof} - A61F 2013/00357: {implanted wound fillings or covers} - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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) ## Abstract Embodiments of a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Certain disclosed embodiments facilitate closure of a wound by preferentially exerting a negative pressure on tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a collapsible sheet with a plurality of cells. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wound closure device comprising a collapsible element configured to be placed over a wound, the collapsible element comprising: a plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, the plurality of cells arranged side-by-side; wherein: each cell comprises a hollow space enclosed by cell walls, the top layer, and the bottom layer, the hollow space configured to be filled with fluid; and at least one of the plurality of cells has an interior space that is fluidically isolated from all other cells of the plurality of cells and is configured to selectively collapse so that the top layer collapses toward the bottom layer and thereby cause at least a portion of the collapsible element to collapse. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cells are inflatable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top layer or the bottom layer comprises flexible thin film material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cells are configured to collapse when negative pressure is applied to the collapsible element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells arranged side-by-side in a horizontal plane and at least one of the plurality of cells has an interior space that is fluidically isolated from all other cells of the plurality of cells and is configured to selectively collapse in a vertical plane of the collapsible element that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the collapsible element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells have a uniform size and shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of cells have non-uniform size and/or shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of cell walls are inflatable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the collapsible element further comprises an indicator on one or more cells configured to indicate a direction where the collapsible element will collapse upon collapse of any particular cell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the collapsible element is configured to cover the wound and form a seal around the wound. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a suction port configured to supply negative pressure to the wound. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the port is integrated in the collapsible element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the port comprises a valve including superabsorbent material configured to swell and at least partially close the valve when a rate of absorption of wound fluid is greater than a rate of evaporation of wound fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the collapsible element comprises one or more gaps between the cells. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a tissue protection layer configured to be positioned over the wound below the collapsible element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more drapes configured to cover the collapsible element and form a seal around the wound. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method of treating a wound, comprising placing the collapsible element of claim 1 over the wound and applying or causing application of negative pressure through the collapsible element to the wound, wherein the application of negative pressure causes the collapsible element to collapse. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising placing a tissue protection layer over the wound before placing the collapsible element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising adhering or sealing the collapsible element to an area adjacent to the wound. ### Claim 20 A wound closure device comprising a collapsible element configured to be placed over a wound, the collapsible element comprising: a plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, the plurality of cells arranged side by side in a horizontal plane; and a plurality of cell walls; wherein: each cell comprises a hollow space enclosed by the cell walls, the top layer, and the bottom layer, the hollow space configured to be filled with fluid; and at least one of the plurality of cells is configured to be individually selectively collapsible so that the top layer collapses toward the bottom without other cells of the plurality of cells collapsing by releasing the fluid that has filled the hollow space in each cell through an opening in the top layer, thereby causing at least a portion of the collapsible element to collapse when the at least one of the plurality of cells is collapsed. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the top layer or the bottom layer comprises flexible thin film material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20, further comprising a suction port configured to supply negative pressure to the wound, wherein the port is integrated in the collapsible element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20, wherein the bottom surface of the collapsible element comprises one or more gaps between the cells. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20, further comprising a tissue protection layer configured to be positioned over the wound below the collapsible element and one or more drapes configured to cover the collapsible element and form a seal around the wound.