Apparatus for Enhancing Wound Healing

Abstract

A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound includes a wound dressing configured for placement over the wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound. An elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing is expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir. A fluid system is in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir, and a pressure system is in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound, comprising:
 a wound dressing configured for placement over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound;   an elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing, the elastic bladder member expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir;   a fluid system in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir; and   a pressure system in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic bladder member is coupled to a substantially inelastic backing layer and the backing layer is coupled to a body attachment layer for contacting the skin around the wound such that expansion of the bladder member may effect a tension in backing layer to the draw the skin around the wound inwardly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the elastic bladder is coupled to the substantially inelastic backing layer by an inner adhesive ring nested within an outer adhesive ring. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner adhesive ring encircles a fluid communication portal providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the fluid system. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic bladder member is coupled to an elastic backing layer and the backing layer is coupled to a reinforcement layer providing bilateral stiffness to the dressing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcement layer comprises a mesh formed from polyethylene terephthalate fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the backing layer is constructed from urethane. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the wound contact fluid comprises a medicament to promote wound healing. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the medicament comprises a debridement agent. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the medicament comprises at least one of an antimicrobial agent, polyhexamethylene biguanide, an antibiotic, a growth factor and an analgesic. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid system comprises a syringe repeatably detachable from the apparatus 
     
     
         12 . A wound dressing for enhancing healing of a wound, comprising:
 a substantially elastic backing layer configured for placement over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound;   a reinforcement layer adhered to the backing layer for providing a bilateral stiffness to the wound dressing, the reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the substantially elastic backing layer; and   an elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing, the elastic bladder member expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir, the elastic bladder member including a fluid communication port therethrough to permit introduction of the wound contact fluid to the wound.   
     
     
         13 . The wound dressing according to  claim 12 , wherein the backing layer is coupled to a portal member, the portal member including a central bore to permit introduction of the wound contact fluid, and a distinct interior distribution ring to permit introduction to a compressible liquid or gas to a pressure application zone of the bladder member.