Reduced-pressure wound dressings and systems for re-epithelialization and granulation

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for promoting re-epithelialization and granulation as an aspect of wound healing are presented. A method and system for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound at the same time involves using a reduced-pressure treatment dressing and applying a moist, water-sensitive barrier to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

1 . A method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a reduced-pressure treatment dressing having a first side and a second, tissue-facing side, wherein the second, tissue-facing side has a micro-strain inducing surface;   creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier on at least a portion of the wound to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation;   placing the reduced-pressure treatment dressing over a peri-wound area such that the reduced-pressure treatment dressing covers at least a portion of the wound and at least   a portion of the moist, water-sensitive barrier;   forming a fluid seal over the reduced-pressure treatment dressing and a portion of epidermis of the patient; and   applying reduced pressure to the reduced-pressure treatment dressing.   
     
     
         2 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier over wound edges of the wound. 
     
     
         3 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material. 
     
     
         4 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material on the at least a portion of the wound to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation; and wherein the water-sensitive, flowable material has a viscosity in the range of 50,000 to 150,000 cP at 25° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced-pressure treatment dressing comprises a layer of removable, moist water-sensitive barrier material on a manifold, and wherein the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the steps of removing a portion of the removable, moist water-sensitive barrier material from the manifold at a location to promote granulation on a portion of the wound. 
     
     
         6 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-strain inducing surface is an open-cell foam. 
     
     
         7 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material to inhibit granulation and to promote re-epithelialization; and wherein the water-sensitive, flowable material is a hydrogel. 
     
     
         8 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein:
 creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material to align with locations to inhibit granulation and to promote re-epithelialization;   the water-sensitive, flowable material comprises a hydrogel having a viscosity in the range of 50,000 to 150,000 cP at 25° C.;   deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material comprises using a syringe to deliver the water-sensitive, flowable material onto the micro-strain inducing surface on portions that will interface with tissue to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation.   
     
     
         9 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material comprises using a syringe to deliver the water-sensitive, flowable material onto the micro-strain inducing surface on portions that will interface with tissue where re-epithelialization is desired and granulation is not desired. 
     
     
         10 . The method for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the step of creating a moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material to align with locations where granulation is not desired;   the water-sensitive, flowable material comprises a hydrogel; and   the step of deploying a water-sensitive, flowable material comprises using a delivery device to deliver the water-sensitive, flowable material onto tissue where re-epithelialization and not granulation is desired.   
     
     
         11 . A system for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of a patient, the system comprising:
 a reduced-pressure treatment dressing having a first side and a second, tissue-facing side, wherein the second, tissue-facing side has a micro-strain inducing surface;   a moist, water-sensitive barrier disposed adjacent to the reduced-pressure treatment dressing at locations to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation;   a sealing member for placing over the reduced-pressure treatment dressing and a portion of epidermis of the patient; and   a reduced-pressure source for providing reduced pressure to the reduced-pressure treatment dressing.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises a water-sensitive, flowable material aligned with portions of the wound to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the moist, water-sensitive barrier comprises a water-sensitive, flowable material aligned with portions of the wound to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation, and wherein the water-sensitive, flowable material is a hydrogel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the reduced-pressure treatment dressing comprises a layer of removable, moist water-sensitive barrier on a manifold, and wherein the removable, moist water-sensitive barrier is absent on portions of the manifold on a tissue-facing surface to promote granulation. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the micro-strain inducing surface is an open-cell foam. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the micro-strain inducing surface is a gauze. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for deploying a dressing for promoting granulation and re-epithelialization of a wound of a patient, the kit comprising:
 a reduced-pressure treatment dressing having a first side and a second, tissue-facing side, wherein the second, tissue-facing side has a micro-strain inducing surface;   a water-sensitive, flowable material for disposing adjacent to the reduced-pressure treatment dressing and adjacent to portions of the wound to promote re-epithelialization and to inhibit granulation;   a sealing member for placing over the reduced-pressure treatment dressing and a portion of epidermis of the patient; and   a delivery device for applying the water-sensitive, flowable material.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein delivery device comprises a syringe. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the water-sensitive, flowable material comprises a flowable hydrogel and the delivery device comprises a syringe. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the water-sensitive, flowable material comprises a flowable hydrogel; the delivery device comprises a syringe; and wherein the flowable hydrogel has a viscosity in the range of 50,000 to 150,000 cP at 25° C. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising a reduced-pressure delivery conduit for providing reduced pressure to the reduced-pressure treatment dressings.