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AssigneesSmith & Nephew, Inc., University of Massachusetts
InventorsRaymond M. Dunn, Victoria Jody Hammond, Edward Yerby Hartwell, John Kenneth Hicks, Elizabeth Mary Huddleston, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Linton, Mark Richardson, Carl Saxby, Tim Stern
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The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.
A stabilizing structure for insertion into a wound, comprising:
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plane extends in a horizontal direction.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the walls extend in a vertical direction.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the walls adjoin to adjacent cells.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of each cell is selected from the group consisting of square, diamond, oblong, oval, and parallelepiped.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall of each cell includes a notch or a hole.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall of each cell is configured to fold against another wall of the cell.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each cell is connected to an adjacent cell by a joint, wherein the joints are more flexible than the walls.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cells are more collapsible in a first direction along the plane than in a second direction at an angle to the first direction along the same plane.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizing structure comprises a plurality of first strips extending in a first direction, and a plurality of intersecting strips extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the structure is collapsible in the first and second directions.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more walls further comprise an insert disposed therein.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a porous material surrounding or within each cell.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a porous material surrounds the entire stabilizing structure.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizing structure is insertable into a porous material sock.
The stabilizing structure of any one of the preceding claims, further comprise porous material inserts within at least some of the cells.
A stabilizing structure for insertion into a wound, comprising:
A stabilizing structure sized to be inserted into a wound, comprising:
A stabilizing structure for insertion into a wound, comprising:
A method of closing a wound, comprising;
A method of closing a wound, comprising:
An apparatus substantially as shown and/or described
A method substantially as shown and/or described.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.