Apparatus and method for wound treatment employing periodic sub-atmospheric pressure

A method for growing wound tissue into a bioabsorbable screen employing gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure, the method comprising:

• (a) overlaying wound tissue with a bioabsorbable screen configured to allow for incorporation of wound tissue into the bioabsorbable screen such that the bioabsorbable screen is substantially indistinguishable from the wound tissue and having a degree of reticulation selected to promote tissue growth into the bioabsorbable screen;
• (b) enclosing the bioabsorbable screen and the wound tissue under a cover to provide an enclosure above the wound tissue and the bioabsorbable screen in which sub-atmospheric pressure may be maintained;
• and
• (c) applying a non-intermittent, gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure to the enclosure from a source of sub-atmospheric pressure operably connected to the cover, and maintaining the non-intermittent, gradually varying sub-atmospheric pressure for a time sufficient to grow and incorporate wound tissue into the bioabsorbable screen.