Surgical Wound Dressing Incorporating Connected Hydrogel Beads Having an Embedded Electrode Therein
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorArnaz Malhi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wound dressing system is presented. The wound dressing system includes a fluid permeable support layer, the support layer configured for positioning within a wound and adapted to generally conform to a topography of the wound, and to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough. The wound dressing system further includes a plurality of beads supported by the support layer, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member and an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member. Also, a current is generated by an external energy source that electrically flows through the electrode.
Claims29
A wound dressing system, comprising:
- a fluid permeable cover layer configured for positioning across a wound, wherein the cover layer is configured to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough;
- a plurality of beads positionable in the wound and retained within the wound by the cover layer, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member;
- and
- an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;
- wherein a current generated by an external energy source electrically flows through the electrode.
A method of manufacturing a wound dressing configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluid permeable cover layer, wherein the cover layer is configured for positioning across a wound and is configured to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough;
- providing a plurality of beads positionable in the wound, the beads defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member;
- and
- providing an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;
- wherein a current generated by an external energy source electrically flows through the electrode.
A method of using a wound dressing configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of hydrogel beads in a wound, the beads (i) defining an insulated inter-connected elongate member and (ii) having an electrode embedded within and extending through at least a portion of the elongate member;
- placing a peripheral wound electrode on a person;
- attaching a cover layer over the wound so that the cover layer forms a barrier between the wound and an outside environment;
- communicating energy to the embedded electrode and the peripheral electrode;
- and
- monitoring the energy communicated to the embedded electrode and the peripheral electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.