System and method utilizing vacuum for promoting the healing of sprains

A system for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site, the system comprising:

• a source a vacuum for providing vacuum to the intact skin;
• a manifold formed from a porous material having an open cell structure and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin;
• a sleeve formed from a semi-permeable material and adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin;
• and
• a fluid coupling member adapted to receive vacuum from the vacuum source and fluidly coupled to the manifold to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution to the intact skin.

A method for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site, the method comprising:

• disposing a manifold proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, wherein the manifold is formed from a porous material having an open cell structure;
• enclosing the manifold with a sleeve formed from a semi-permeable material that forms a chamber containing the manifold and seals the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin;
• and
• fluidly coupling the manifold to a vacuum source to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution of vacuum to the intact skin.

A method for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain, the method comprising:

• disposing a manifold proximate intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site for distributing vacuum to the intact skin;
• enclosing the manifold with a sleeve formed from a semi-permeable material that forms a chamber containing the manifold and seals the manifold within the chamber;
• fluidly coupling the manifold to a vacuum source to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution of vacuum to the intact skin;
• and
• applying a vacuum through the sleeve to the manifold for distributing vacuum to the intact skin surrounding the tissue site.

A method for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain, the method comprising:

• disposing a dressing proximate intact skin extending over the tissue site for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, wherein the dressing comprises:
• a manifold formed from a porous material having flow channels and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin;
• and
• a sleeve formed from a semi-permeable material and adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin.