# US 9,433,711 B2 · Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a wound on a patient's limb employing liquid control

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- Number: US 9,433,711 B2
- Document ID: US9433711B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/674,782
- Filed: 2012-11-12
- Published: 2013-05-16
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-11-11
- Assignees: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Applicants: KCI Licensing, Inc.
- Inventors: Benjamin A. Pratt; Christopher Brian Locke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433711B2

## CPC

- 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]
- A61F 13/00063: {comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic (drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00)}
- A61F 13/00987: {Apparatus or processes for manufacturing non-adhesive dressings or bandages}
- A61F 13/022: {having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics}
- A61F 13/08: Elastic stockings; for contracting aneurisms
- A61F 13/085: {Openable readjustable}
- A61F 13/45: characterised by the shape (cup-shaped type tampons A61F13/2045)
- A61F 13/8405: {Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control}
- A61M 1/74: {Suction control (underwater drainage A61M1/61)}
- A61M 1/912: {Connectors between dressing and drainage tube}
- A61M 1/918: {for multiple suction locations}
- A61M 1/962: {having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction}
- A61M 1/964: {having venting means on or near the dressing}
- A61F 2013/00468: {applying local pressure}
- A61F 2013/8408: {with odour control}
- A61M 2205/7536: allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- 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)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Wound dressings, systems, and methods are presented for treating a wound on a patient's limb, such as a venous leg ulcer. The dressings, systems, and methods involve creating airflow within the dressing to vaporize and remove liquid. The airflow may begin when the dressing becomes saturated. The dressings may be used to provide compression and reduced pressure to the wound. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented herein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wound dressing for treating a wound on a patient's limb, the wound dressing comprising:
a tubular sleeve member for receiving the patient's limb;
wherein the tubular sleeve member comprises:
an elastic compression member formed as a sleeve having a first side and a second, patient-facing side,
a fluid-directing member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the fluid-directing member is disposed proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the elastic compression member, and wherein the fluid-directing member is operable to inhibit fluids from flowing through the fluid-directing member, and
a pathway member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the pathway member is proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the fluid-directing member, wherein the pathway member is operable to transport a fluid under a pressure gradient;
a pressure source fluidly coupled to the pathway member and configured to force a gas into the pathway member;
at least one exhaust port fluidly coupled to the pathway member for allowing fluids to exit the wound dressing; and
at least one filter fluidly coupled to the at least one exhaust port for removing odors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve member further comprises:
an absorbent member for at least temporarily retaining liquids, the absorbent member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the absorbent member is proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The wound dressing of claim 2, further comprising a control subsystem, wherein the control subsystem comprises:
a sensor fluidly coupled to the absorbent member; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and to the pressure source;
wherein the sensor, controller, and pressure source are operable to determine when the absorbent member is saturated and to activate the pressure source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve member further comprises:
an absorbent member for at least temporarily retaining liquids, the absorbent member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the absorbent member is proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member; and
a transition member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the transition member is disposed proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the absorbent member, the transition member wicks liquids.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve member further comprises:
an absorbent member for at least temporarily retaining liquids, the absorbent member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the absorbent member is proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member; and
a transition member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the transition member is disposed proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the absorbent member, the transition member wicks liquids; and
a patient-interface member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, wherein the first side of the patient-interface member is disposed proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the transition member and the second, patient-facing side of the patient-interface member is adapted to be disposed proximate to the patient.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve member comprises a first limb opening and wherein the at least one exhaust port comprises a plurality of exhaust ports on the first limb opening.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the pathway member comprises a woven-open-structure member that is operable to retain fluids and also allow gases to move in the woven-open-structure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the pressure source comprises a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled by a pressure conduit to an intake port on the tubular sleeve member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the pressure source comprises a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to an intake port and a control valve fluidly coupled to the intake port for controlling the rate at which air is allowed into the intake port.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, wherein the pressure source comprises a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled by a pressure conduit to an intake port on the tubular sleeve member, and wherein the pathway member is fluidly coupled to the wound and is operable to deliver reduced pressure to the wound.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The wound dressing of claim 1, further comprising a control subsystem, wherein the control subsystem comprises:
a sensor fluidly coupled to the pathway member; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and to the pressure source;
wherein the sensor, controller, and pressure source are operable to determine when the pathway member is saturated and to activate the pressure source.

### Claim 12

A method of manufacturing a wound dressing for treating a wound on a limb of a patient, the method comprising:
forming an elastic compression member as a sleeve having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
forming a fluid-directing member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
disposing the first side of the fluid-directing member proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the elastic compression member, wherein the fluid-directing member is operable to inhibit fluids from flowing through the fluid-directing member;
forming a pathway member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side;
disposing the first side of the pathway member proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the fluid-directing member, wherein the pathway member is operable to transport a fluid under a pressure gradient;
fluidly coupling a pressure source to the pathway member, the pressure source configured to force a gas into the pathway member;
fluidly coupling at least one exhaust port to the pathway member for allowing fluids to exit the wound dressing; and
fluidly coupling at least one filter to the at least one exhaust port for removing odors.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of disposing an absorbent member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member, wherein the absorbent member is adapted to at least temporarily retain liquids.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
disposing an absorbent member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member, wherein the absorbent member is adapted to at least temporarily retain liquids; and
disposing a transition member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the absorbent member, wherein the transition member is adapted to wick liquids.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
disposing an absorbent member having-a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the pathway member, wherein the absorbent member is adapted to at least temporarily retain liquids;
disposing a transition member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the absorbent member, wherein the transition member is adapted to wick liquids; and
disposing a patient-interface member having a first side and a second, patient-facing side, proximate to the second, patient-facing side of the transition member.