# US 9,039,678 B2 · Micromechanical force devices for wound healing acceleration

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,039,678 B2
- Document ID: US9039678B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/418,279
- Filed: 2009-04-03
- Published: 2009-10-29
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-03
- Assignees: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.
- Applicants: Vishal Saxena; Dennis Orgill; Roberto Rangel
- Inventors: Vishal Saxena; Dennis Orgill; Roberto Rangel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039678B2

## CPC

- A61M 1/67: {Containers incorporating a piston-type member to create suction, e.g. syringes (cupping glasses A61M1/08; with a flexible member creating suction A61M1/68)}
- A61H 9/0057: {Suction (suction kneading A61H7/008)}
- A61M 1/75: {Intermittent or pulsating suction (A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence)}
- A61H 2201/1238: with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- A61M 2205/8281: spring operated
- 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)}
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

An apparatus provides micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound. The apparatus includes a pressure chamber having a substantially airtight plunger and an inlet fluidly connected to a first end of a conduit. A constant force spring is operatively connected to apply a constant force to the plunger. A suction cup is in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for providing micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a first pressure chamber communicating with a first vacuum source and with a suction cup;
a second pressure chamber communicating with a second vacuum source, the second pressure chamber being operably connected with the first pressure chamber through a door; and
a plunger in fluid contact with the first chamber and operatively connected to the door, wherein the plunger is configured and adapted to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the first chamber by moving the door between:
i) a first position wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another; and
ii) a second position in which the first and second chambers are in fluid isolation from one another.

### Claim 2

An apparatus for providing micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a) a first pressure chamber communicating with a first vacuum source and with a suction cup;
a second pressure chamber communicating with a second vacuum source, the second pressure chamber being operably connected with the first pressure chamber through a door; and
sensing and actuating means configured and adapted to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the first chamber by moving the door between:
i) a first position when the first pressure chamber is at an elevated pressure to place the first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another; and
ii) a second position in which the first and second chambers are in fluid isolation from one another.

### Claim 3

An apparatus for generating constant cyclical micromechanical forces on a wound bed to accelerate healing of a wound, the apparatus comprising:
a) a first pressure chamber configured and adapted to maintain a first substantially constant pressure, the first pressure chamber including a fluid inlet operatively connected to a manifold;
b) a second pressure chamber configured and adapted to maintain a second substantially constant pressure, the second pressure chamber including a fluid inlet operatively connected to the manifold; and
c) a switching means operatively connected with the manifold and fluidly connected to a suction cup, the switching means being configured and adapted to alternate fluid communication between the first and second pressure chambers to apply an alternating pressure between the first and second substantially constant pressures to the suction cup.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising a self-winding mechanical power source operatively connected to actuate the switching means.