# US 2016/0354086 A1 · Negative pressure wound closure device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354086 A1 - Document ID: US20160354086A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/243,320 - Filed: 2016-08-22 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-04 - Assignees: University of Massachusetts - Applicants: University of Massachusetts - Inventors: Raymond Dunn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354086A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/08: Wound clamps {or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue (suture bridges A61B17/0466); Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound} - 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 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61B 2017/081: {Tissue approximator (A61B2017/1103, A61B17/8866 take precedence)} - A61F 2013/00174: {possibility of applying pressure} - A61F 2013/00536: {for draining or irrigating wounds} - A61F 2013/0054: {for deep wounds} - A61F 2013/00544: {form or structure} - A61F 2013/00548: {net} - A61M 1/916: {specially adapted for deep wounds} - A61M 1/96: {Suction control thereof} - A61M 2205/332: Force measuring means - A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/502: User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards - A61M 2210/1021: Abdominal cavity - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-200. (canceled) ### Claim 201 A method of treating a wound, comprising: positioning a wound closure device at a wound site, the wound closure device comprising at least one sensor element; applying negative pressure to the wound site, wherein the wound closure device preferentially contracts along a first direction relative to a second direction upon application of negative pressure; and measuring force or pressure on tissue at the wound site with the at least one sensor element as negative pressure is applied. ### Claim 202 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising controlling the application of negative pressure based on measurements provided by the at least one sensor element. ### Claim 203 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising controlling the level of negative pressure based on measurements provided by the at least one sensor element. ### Claim 204 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising applying negative pressure to the wound closure device through a conduit connected to a source of negative pressure. ### Claim 205 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, further comprising measuring the negative pressure in the conduit with the at least one sensor element, the at least one sensor element in electrical communication with a processor. ### Claim 206 (depends on 205) The method of claim 205, wherein the processor is configured to adjust the negative pressure applied through the conduit based on measurements obtained from the at least one sensor element to prevent injury to a patient. ### Claim 207 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to measure an amount of wound closure force. ### Claim 208 (depends on 207) The method of claim 207, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to measure an amount of force on tissue located around a peripheral wall of the wound site. ### Claim 209 (depends on 207) The method of claim 207, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to measure an amount of force on a side of the wound closure device. ### Claim 210 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the at least one sensor element is mounted to a side wall of the wound closure device. ### Claim 211 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the wound closure device further comprises a first sensor element and a second sensor element, wherein both the first and second sensor elements are configured to measure an amount of force or pressure. ### Claim 212 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the at least one sensor element is positioned on a bottom of the wound closure device, the at least one sensor element configured to measure a negative pressure at a tissue interface under the wound closure device. ### Claim 213 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the at least one sensor element is positioned on a bottom of the wound closure device, the at least one sensor element configured to measure downward pressure on the wound during compression of the wound closure device. ### Claim 214 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising a sliding surface on the bottom of the wound closure device. ### Claim 215 (depends on 214) The method of claim 214, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to measure a pressure applied to the sliding surface. ### Claim 216 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising placing a sliding surface into contact with the wound site before inserting the wound closure device over the sliding surface. ### Claim 217 (depends on 216) The method of claim 216, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to measure a pressure applied to the sliding surface. ### Claim 218 (depends on 218) The method of claim 218, wherein the at least one sensor measures an amount of force or pressure on tissue within an abdominal cavity. ### Claim 219 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, wherein the at least one sensor element is mounted to a flexible frame of the wound closure device. ### Claim 220 (depends on 201) The method of claim 201, further comprising displaying sensor data obtained from the at least one sensor on a display.