Method and apparatus for promoting soft tissue enlargement and wound healing
AssigneeKhouri Biomedical Research, Inc.
InventorRoger K. Khouri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for healing open wounds through enlargement of soft tissue surrounding said wound is comprised of a dome configured to fit over the wound and at least a portion of the surrounding soft tissue. The dome has a rim with a surface area equal to or greater than the normal area of the dome opening to prevent medical complications caused by excessive pressure to the skin. A gasket or other cushioning material may be provided about the periphery of the dome for patient comfort and improved seal. The dome also includes a vacuum pump with a power source, pressure sensor, and servomechanism for regulating the pressure within the dome to any one of several protocols using pressures which might temporarily exceed non-damaging levels.
Claims17
A method for accelerating the closing of an open wound through the enlargement of a patient's soft tissue surrounding the open wound, said method comprising the steps of:
- subjecting said open wound and at least a portion of the soft tissue surrounding said open wound to a vacuum with a dome, and
- supporting said dome from said patient at a contact pressure less than a pressure which will cause damage to any tissue which is pressured by said dome.
An apparatus for accelerating the closing of an open wound through the enlargement of a patient's soft tissue surrounding the open wound, said apparatus comprising:
- a dome for enclosing said wound and at least a portion of the soft tissue surrounding said wound,
- said dome having an opening surrounded by a periphery defining a normal area,
- said dome having a rim for surrounding said open wound and soft tissue portion, said rim having a contact surface area configured for engaging the soft tissue, said contact surface area being substantially equal to or greater than said normal area, and
- a vacuum pump configured for evacuating the dome to a pressure sufficient to promote growth enlargement of the soft tissue surrounding the open wound,
- said dome being configured to withstand a vacuum sufficient to promote growth enlargement of the soft tissue surrounding the open wound.
An apparatus for accelerating the healing of an open wound through the enlargement of a patient's soft tissue at least partially surrounding said open wound, said apparatus comprising:
- a dome for enclosing said open wound and at least a portion of said patient's soft tissue surrounding said wound,
- said dome having an opening surrounded by a periphery defining a normal area and being sufficiently rigid to withstand a vacuum therein, and
- said dome having a gasket for supporting said dome with a contact surface area adapted to engage with tissue of the patient, said gasket being configured so that evacuation of the dome causes a contact pressure between the contact surface area of the gasket and the tissue engaged thereby, the contact surface area of the gasket being sufficiently large so that when the dome is evacuated to a pressure sufficient to promote growth enlargement of the soft tissue, then the contact pressure is insufficient to cause damage to the tissue engaged by the contact surface area.
A method for enlarging a portion of a patient's soft tissue comprising the steps of:
- selecting a device having a dome and a support surface circumscribing the dome, the support surface defining an opening therein generally aligned with the dome, the opening having an area A;
- placing the device on the patient so that the dome is positioned over the soft tissue portion and so that a contact surface area of the support surface engages tissue of the patient all around the soft tissue portion, said dome having an opening surrounded by a periphery defining a normal area;
- evacuating the dome to a pressure P sufficient to promote growth enlargement of the soft tissue portion, such evacuation causing the contact surface area to press against the tissue engaged thereby at a contact pressure;
- said device being selected to have a contact surface area sufficiently large so that when the dome is evacuated to the pressure P, the contact pressure induced by the pressure P is insufficient to cause damage to the tissue engaged by the contact surface area.
A method for accelerating the closing of an open wound through the enlargement of a patient's soft tissue surrounding the open wound, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting a device having a dome and a support surface circumscribing the dome, the support surface defining an opening therein generally aligned with the dome, the opening having an area A;
- placing the device on the patient so that the dome is positioned over the open wound and the soft tissue surrounding the open wound and so that a contact surface area of the support surface engages other tissue of the patient all around the soft tissue, said dome having an opening surrounded by a periphery defining a normal area;
- evacuating the dome to a pressure P sufficient to promote growth enlargement of the soft tissue surrounding the open wound, such evacuation causing the contact surface area to press against the tissue engaged thereby at a contact pressure;
- said device being selected to have a contact surface area sufficiently large so that when the dome is evacuated to the pressure P, the contact pressure induced by the pressure P is insufficient to cause damage to the tissue engaged by the contact surface area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.