# US 2004/0073151 A1 · Reduced pressure treatment system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0073151 A1 - Document ID: US20040073151A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/652,100 - Filed: 2003-08-28 - Published: 2004-04-15 - Earliest claimed: 2002-09-03 - Assignees: BlueSky Medical Group Incorporated - Inventors: Richard Scott Weston - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040073151A1 ## CPC - A61F 15/008: {Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage (corn plasters A61F13/063)} - A61F 13/00059: {provided with visual effects, e.g. printed or colored} - 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 1/732: {Visual indicating means for vacuum pressure} - A61M 1/966: {having a pressure sensor on or near the dressing} - A61M 1/982: {with means for detecting level of collected exudate} - A61F 2013/00153: {coloured or with decoration pattern or printing} - A61F 2013/0028: {applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage} - A61M 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction} - 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 A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also includes a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. An absorbable matrix may be placed in the site of a wound to encourage tissue growth into the matrix. Temperature of the site may be monitored using a layer of temperature sensitive material and temperature sensors connected to an alarm and recording device. A vacuum pump supplies suction within the wound cover over the treatment site. A portable version of the wound treatment apparatus is also provided. Finally, a method for treating wounds using reduced pressure is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An appliance for administering a reduced pressure treatment to a wound, comprising: (a) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; (b) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; (c) reduced pressure supply means for connection to a source of suction, the reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the cover to supply the reduced pressure beneath the cover; and (d) an absorbable matrix adapted to encourage growth of the tissue in the area of the wound into the matrix, said absorbable matrix being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The appliance of claim 1, wherein the absorbable matrix is comprised of more than one type of absorbent material, said materials having different rates of absorption. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The appliance of claim 1, wherein the seal is comprised of an adhesive material on the cover adapted to secure the wound cover to the tissue surrounding the wound. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The appliance of claim 1, wherein the cover is comprised of a temperature-sensitive material to provide for monitoring the temperature at the site of the wound. ### Claim 5 An appliance for administering a reduced pressure treatment to a wound, comprising: (a) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; (b) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; and (c) reduced pressure supply means for connection to a source of suction, said reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the cover to supply the reduced pressure beneath the cover, wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises an absorbable matrix and the reduced pressure supply means includes a segment of tubing embedded within the absorbable matrix. ### Claim 6 An appliance for monitoring pressure during treatment of any body part of a patient, comprising: (a) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the body part being treated and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the body part being treated, wherein the cover includes pressure monitoring means to monitor the pressure at the site of the body part being treated; and (b) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the body part being treated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The appliance of claim 6, wherein the seal is comprised of an adhesive material on the cover adapted to secure the cover to the tissue surrounding the body part being treated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The appliance of claim 6, wherein the pressure monitoring means is comprised of a plurality of protrusions within the cover, such that the amount of displacement of the protrusions above the remaining surface of the cover decreases as the pressure in the volume beneath the wound cover increases. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The appliance of claim 6, wherein the pressure monitoring means is comprised of a plurality of protrusions within the cover, such that the protrusions are displaced in an increasing amount away from the remaining surface of the cover as the pressure in the volume beneath the wound cover increases. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The appliance of claim 9, wherein the protrusions are in the shape of “hills” or “burnps.” ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The appliance of claim 9, wherein the protrusions are in the shape of a bellows. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The appliance of claim 9, wherein the protrusions have a color different from the color of the remaining surface of the cover, or a different shade of the same color as the shade of the color on the remaining surface of the cover, as the protrusions are displaced away from the remaining surface of the cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The appliance of claim 9, further comprising sound means, wherein the sound means produce an audible sound as the protrusions are displaced away from the remaining surface of the cover. ### Claim 14 An appliance for administering a reduced pressure treatment to a wound, comprising: (a) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound, wherein the cover includes pressure monitoring means to monitor the pressure at the site of the wound; (b) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; and (c) reduced pressure supply means for connection to a source of suction, said reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the cover to supply the reduced pressure beneath the cover. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The appliance of claim 14, wherein the seal is comprised of an adhesive material on the cover adapted to secure the cover to the tissue surrounding the wound. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The appliance of claim 14, further comprising a packing material adapted to prevent overgrowth of wound tissue, the packing material being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The appliance of claim 14, further comprising an absorbable matrix adapted to encourage growth of tissue in the area of the wound into the matrix, the matrix being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The appliance of claim 14, wherein the pressure monitoring means is comprised of a plurality of protrusions within the cover, such that the amount of displacement of the protrusions above the remaining surface of the cover decreases as the pressure in the volume beneath the cover increases. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The appliance of claim 14, wherein the pressure monitoring means is comprised of a plurality of protrusions within the cover, such that the protrusions are displaced in an increasing amount away from the remaining surface of the cover as the pressure in the volume beneath the cover increases. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The appliance of claim 19, wherein the protrusions are in the shape of “hills” or “burnps.” ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The appliance of claim 19, wherein the protrusions are in the shape of a bellows. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The appliance of claim 19, wherein the protrusions have a color different from the color of the remaining surface of the cover, or a different shade of the same color as the shade of the color on the remaining surface of the cover, as the protrusions are displaced away from the remaining surface of the cover. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The appliance of claim 19, further comprising sound means, wherein the sound means produce an audible sound as the protrusions are displaced away from the remaining surface of the cover. ### Claim 24 An appliance for administering a reduced pressure treatment to a wound, comprising: (a) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; (b) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; (c) reduced pressure supply means for connection to a source of suction, said reduced pressure supply means cooperating with the cover to supply the reduced pressure beneath the cover; and (d) temperature measuring means to monitor the temperature of tissue at and surrounding the wound. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The appliance of claim 24, wherein the seal is comprised of an adhesive material on the cover adapted to secure the cover to the tissue surrounding the wound. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The appliance of claim 24, wherein the temperature measuring means is comprised of one or more layers of temperature-sensitive material being located between the cover and the wound. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The appliance of claim 26, wherein one layer of temperature sensitive material is located between the cover and the wound, such layer being comprised of a material sensitive to changing temperature so that the material changes from one color to another color (or from one shade to another shade of the same color) as the temperature of such material changes. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The appliance of claim 27, wherein the temperature-sensitive material is attached to a surface of the cover so that the cover and the temperature-sensitive material comprise a single integrated unit. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The appliance of claim 24, wherein the temperature measuring means is comprised of one or more temperature measuring devices located above the cover or in any portion of the volume between the cover and the site of the wound, or the temperature measuring device or devices being embedded in the cover. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The appliance of claim 29, further comprising an alarm system comprising: (a) a data processor operably attached to the temperature measuring device or devices; and (b) an alarm device that is operably connected to the data processor, wherein the alarm device provides an alarm signal when the temperature measured by any temperature sensing device exceeds or is lower than a predetermined value. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The appliance of claim 29, further comprising a temperature display and recording device that is operably connected to the data processor. ### Claim 32 An apparatus for treating a wound comprising: (a) a vacuum system adapted to produce a reduced pressure; (b) a collection system that is operably connected to the vacuum system, wherein the collection system is comprised of a container that collects fluid aspirated from the wound and means for halting the application of reduced pressure to the wound when the fluid exceeds a predetermined quantity; and (c) a reduced pressure appliance operably connected with the collection system adapted to apply the reduced pressure to the wound, the appliance comprising: (i) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; (ii) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; (iii) reduced pressure supply means for connection with the vacuum system adapted to supply the reduced pressure within the cover to the wound; and (iv) an absorbable matrix to prevent overgrowth of wound tissue, the absorbable matrix being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the reduced pressure is from about 2 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure to about 7 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises a length of tubing, and the halting means comprises a flotation valve within the container for blocking the tubing when a predetermined amount of fluid is collected within the container. ### Claim 35 An apparatus for treating a wound comprising: (a) a vacuum system adapted to produce a reduced pressure; (b) a collection system that is operably connected to the vacuum system, wherein the collection system is comprised of a container that collects fluid aspirated from the wound and means for halting the application of reduced pressure to the wound when the fluid exceeds a predetermined quantity; and (c) a reduced pressure appliance operably connected with the vacuum system adapted to apply the reduced pressure to the wound, the appliance comprising: (i) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound, wherein the cover includes pressure monitoring means to monitor the pressure at the site of the wound; (ii) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; and (iii) reduced pressure supply means for connection with the vacuum system adapted to supply the reduced pressure within the cover to the wound. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reduced pressure is from about 2 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure to about 7 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises a length of tubing, and the halting means comprises a flotation valve within the container for blocking the tubing when a predetermined amount of fluid is collected within the container. ### Claim 38 An apparatus for treating a wound comprising: (a) a vacuum system adapted to produce a reduced pressure; (b) a collection system that is operably connected to the vacuum system, wherein the collection system is comprised of a container that collects fluid aspirated from the wound and means for halting the application of reduced pressure to the wound when the fluid exceeds a predetermined quantity; and (c) a reduced pressure appliance operably connected with the vacuum system adapted to apply the reduced pressure to the wound, the appliance comprising: (i) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; (ii) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; (iii) reduced pressure supply means for connection with the vacuum system adapted to supply the reduced pressure within the cover to the wound; and (iv) temperature measuring means to monitor the temperature of tissue at and surrounding the site of the wound. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the reduced pressure is from about 2 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure to about 7 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the reduced pressure supply means comprises a length of tubing, and the halting means comprises a flotation valve within the container for blocking the tubing when a predetermined amount of fluid is collected within the container. ### Claim 41 A portable apparatus for treating a wound, comprising: (a) a reduced pressure wound treatment appliance, comprising: (i) an impermeable cover adapted to cover and enclose the wound and adapted to maintain reduced pressure at the site of the wound; and (ii) a seal adapted to seal the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; and (b) a compact vacuum source adapted to be attached to the surface of the cover and adapted to produce reduced pressure; (c) a portable collection system, comprising: (i) a container adapted to maintain reduced pressure within its volume and adapted to collect fluid aspirated from the wound; and (ii) shutoff means for halting application of reduced pressure to the wound when the fluid exceeds a predetermined quantity; and (d) vacuum source means to operably connect the vacuum source to the portable collection system; and (e) reduced pressure means to operably connect the portable collection system to the reduced pressure appliance. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising a filter, wherein the filter is operably connected to the vacuum source and the collection system within the vacuum source means. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the vacuum source means is a rigid attachment so that the vacuum source, the filter, and the collection system form a single integrated unit. ### Claim 44 (depends on 41) The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the vacuum source means is a rigid attachment so that the vacuum source and the collection system form a single integrated unit. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) The appliance of claim 41, wherein the seal is comprised of an adhesive material on the cover adapted to secure the cover to the tissue surrounding the wound. ### Claim 46 (depends on 41) The appliance of claim 41, further comprising a packing material adapted to prevent overgrowth of wound tissue, the packing material being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 47 (depends on 41) The appliance of claim 41, further comprising an absorbable matrix adapted to encourage growth of tissue in the area of the wound into the matrix, the matrix being located between the wound and the cover. ### Claim 48 A method of treating a wound, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a reduced pressure to the wound, wherein said applying step comprises the steps of: (i) placing an absorbable matrix into the wound; (ii) locating an impermeable cover over the wound, wherein the cover has a suction port; (iii) sealing the periphery of the cover to tissue surrounding the wound; and (iv) operably connecting the suction port with a vacuum system for producing the reduced pressure; and (b) maintaining the reduced pressure until the wound has progressed toward a selected stage of healing. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the reduced pressure is from about 2 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure to about 7 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, further comprising: (a) the step of placing temperature monitoring means in the area surrounding the wound as an applying step; and (b) the step of monitoring the temperature at the site of the wound. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein the cover includes pressure monitoring means to monitor the pressure at the site of the wound, and further comprising the step of monitoring the pressure at the site of the wound by visually observing the pressure monitoring means. ### Claim 52 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein the reduced pressure is applied in a cyclic nature, said cyclic nature providing alternating time periods of application of reduced pressure and without application of reduced pressure.