Wound filling apparatuses and methods

Abstract

Many embodiments of wound filling devices and methods of their use in systems for the application of negative pressure therapy are described herein. In one embodiment, a wound filling device comprises: an inflatable bag member having at least one fluid carrying conduit operably connected thereto to inflate/deflate said bag member; a separate textured covering sock member at least partially covering the inflatable bag member. Another embodiment comprises a three-dimensional wound packing member, and may optionally comprise a plurality of such members linked together. Certain embodiments of wound packing members may comprise a porous bag member adapted to be non-adherent to the wound. Yet other embodiments may comprise a non-porous bag member provided with means to connect a fluid supply to the interior.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wound filling device for use in apparatus for the application of topical negative pressure therapy to a site on the body of a mammal, the device comprising: an inflatable bag member having at least one fluid carrying conduit operably connected thereto to inflate/deflate said bag member; a separate textured covering sock member at least partially covering the inflatable bag member. 
     
     
         2 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the bag member is made from two sheets of material welded together at their outer peripheries. 
     
     
         3 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the sock member is made from two sheets of material welded together at their outer peripheries. 
     
     
         4 . A wound filling device according to  claim 3  wherein the sock member has said weld contained within the interior of the sock. 
     
     
         5 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the sock member is moulded. 
     
     
         6 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the sock member has an aperture therein for the insertion of the bag member thereinto. 
     
     
         7 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the bag member and the sock member are able to slide relative to each other during inflation or deflation of the bag member. 
     
     
         8 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the sock member is made from thin textured sheet plastics material. 
     
     
         9 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the texturing comprises a 3-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         10 . A wound filling device according to  claim 8  wherein the 3-dimensional pattern provides aspiration channels for drainage of wound exudate between an outer surface of the bag member and an inner surface of the sock member. 
     
     
         11 . A wound filling device according to  claim 9  wherein the 3-dimensional pattern also provides aspiration channels for wound exudate between an outer surface of the sock member and the wound surface. 
     
     
         12 . A wound filling device according to  claim 7  wherein the texturing comprises an array of repeated indentations. 
     
     
         13 . A wound filling device according to  claim 11  wherein at least some the indentations have a perforation therein. 
     
     
         14 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the texturing comprise an array of repeated octagonal shapes. 
     
     
         15 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  wherein the bag member is provided with a conduit port member attached thereto for the attachment of said at least one fluid carrying conduit. 
     
     
         16 . A wound filling device according to  claim 15  wherein the port member also provides passages therein for the connection of a wound cavity aspiration conduit. 
     
     
         17 . A wound filling device according to  claim 15  wherein the port member has a passage therein to co-operate with a further conduit to provide an air bleed and/or pressure reference connection. 
     
     
         18 . A wound filling device according to  claim 15  wherein the port member has a shroud member to prevent, in use, occlusion of an aspiration port therein by an overlying wound sealing membrane 
     
     
         19 . A wound filling device according to  claim 1  further comprising: an aspiration conduit connected to aspiration means; and a sealing membrane for sealing said wound and defining a wound cavity. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  further comprising an additional conduit to said wound cavity. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein said additional conduit is a bleed or reference pressure conduit.