High-density evaporative bridge dressing
AssigneeKCI Licensing, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Brian LOCKE, Justin Alexander LONG, Benjamin LOCKE, Benjamin Andrew PRATT, Thomas Alan EDWARDS
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An evaporative bridge dressing that may be used with negative-pressure treatment of tissue. The evaporative bridge dressing may have one or more fluid transfer layers comprised of high-density wicking material enclosed between layers of film having high moisture-vapor transfer rates to reduce liquid storage and minimize pressure drop.
Claims42
An apparatus for managing fluid from a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:
- a dressing comprising a tissue interface and a cover;
- a fluid transfer bridge comprising:
- an envelope having a vapor-transfer surface,
- a first fluid transfer layer disposed within the envelope,
- a second fluid transfer layer disposed within the envelope adjacent to the vapor-transfer surface, and
- a fluid exchange layer disposed between the first fluid transfer layer and the second fluid transfer layer;
- and
- a fluid interface between the dressing and the fluid transfer bridge, the fluid interface fluidly coupling the tissue interface to the first fluid transfer layer.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid transfer bridge has a thickness less than 15 millimeters.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first fluid transfer layer and the second fluid transfer layer each have a thickness in a range of about 1 millimeter to about 4 millimeters.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid exchange layer has a thickness in a range of about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the fluid transfer bridge.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein there is no external fluid container.
An apparatus for managing fluid from a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:
- a base layer comprising a polymer film;
- a first adhesive on the polymer film;
- a first wicking layer in contact with the first adhesive;
- a fluid exchange layer adjacent to the first wicking layer;
- a second wicking layer adjacent to the fluid exchange layer;
- a top layer adjacent to the second wicking layer and coupled to a periphery of the base layer to define an envelope enclosing the first wicking layer, the fluid exchange layer, and the second wicking layer, the top layer comprising a polymer film having a moisture-vapor transfer rate of at least 300 grams per square meter per twenty-four hours;
- a contact layer comprising perforated silicone;
- a third wicking layer adjacent to the contact layer;
- a cover coupled to the contact layer to enclose the third wicking layer, the cover comprising a polymer film having a moisture-vapor transfer rate of at least 300 grams per square meter;
- and
- a transfer channel between the cover and a first end of the base layer.
An apparatus for treating tissue with negative pressure, the apparatus comprising:
- a dressing;
- an evaporative fluid bridge having a first end and a second end, the first end fluidly coupled to the dressing;
- a fluid interface fluidly coupled to the second end;
- and
- a fluid conductor fluidly coupled to the fluid interface.
The use of the apparatus of any preceding claim to treat a venous leg ulcer.
The use of the apparatus of any preceding claim to treat a venous leg ulcer for at least 7 days without changing the dressing.
A method of treating a venous leg ulcer, the method comprising:
- placing a dressing over the venous leg ulcer;
- sealing the dressing around a periphery of the venous leg ulcer;
- fluidly coupling a fluid transfer bridge to the dressing;
- applying a compression garment or a compression bandage over at least part of at least one of the dressing and the fluid transfer bridge;
- and
- applying negative pressure to the venous leg ulcer through the dressing.
The systems, apparatuses, and methods substantially as described herein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.