Device for treating a wound

Abstract

A medical device that seals a wound and facilitates wound drainage with suction is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a suction portion, having both an inlet valve and an outlet valve, for suctioning fluids from the wound, and a sealing portion for sealing the wound by engaging the skin adjacent the wound, the suction portion and sealing portion being integral with one another. A method for draining a wound comprises the steps of under-packing the wound with a packing material; sealing the wound; and applying suction to the wound to promote wound drainage and to promote intimate contact between the wound and the packing material.

1 . A device for treating a wound, the device comprising:
 means for applying suction to the wound;   means for sealing the wound by engaging skin adjacent the wound; and   gap filling means coupled to the sealing means, the gap filling means being disposed between the skin adjacent the wound and the sealing means when the device is applied to the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap filing means is formed generally in the shape of a bead peripheral to the wound. 
     
     
         3 . A device for treating a wound, the device comprising:
 a cover for covering an open wound;   a gap filling material coupled to the cover; and   a suction source coupled to the cover and in fluid communication with the wound.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises a first flexible sheet having a wound side and a non-wound side. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cover is vapor permeable. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the suction source includes an inlet valve allowing the flow of fluid away from the wound while substantially preventing flow towards the wound. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the gap filling material is disposed on the wound side of the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a second less flexible sheet with openings, the second sheet being thicker than the first sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the gap filling material is soft so as to fill and substantially seal small irregularities in the skin. 
     
     
         10 . A device for treating a wound, the device comprising:
 a cover comprising a first layer extending over the wound, the first layer comprising a vapor permeable sheet;   a source of suction coupled to the cover, the source of suction having an inlet valve and an outlet valve; and   a second layer thicker than the first layer, having a top side and a bottom side, the second layer coupled to the first layer and extending over a wound.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the second layer prevents the vapor permeable sheet from extending fully into a space defined by the wound. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the second layer has stiffness great than that of the vapor permeable sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the second layer comprises openings in the bottom side and communicating with the top side. 
     
     
         14 . A device for treating a wound, the device comprising:
 a cover sealable to skin around the wound, the cover comprising a vapor permeable film having a wound side and a non-wound side;   a source of suction coupled to the cover for applying suction to the wound beneath the cover; and   a filler adjacent the wound side of the vapor permeable film.   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the source of suction comprises an inlet and an outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the source of suction includes a housing and the inlet and the outlet each comprise one way valves. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is flexible. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein an interior volume of the housing changes to create suction applied to the wound. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the cover is adhesively sealed to the skin around the wound. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the filler material generally seals surface irregularities in the skin around the wound.