Apparatus for Vacuum Bridging and/or Exudate Collection

Abstract

An apparatus for promoting the healing of an exuding wound includes a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound. An exudate conduit having a fibrous core includes a plurality of fibers communicates with the reservoir for wicking fluids away from the wound.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to promote the healing of an exuding wound comprising:
 a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound; and   an exudate conduit including a fibrous core having a plurality of fibers communicating with the reservoir for wicking fluids away from the wound, wherein the fibrous core includes an inner bundle of fibers and an outer bundle of fibers, and   wherein the inner bundle comprises hydrophobic fibers for discouraging fluid absorption and the outer bundle comprises hydrophilic fibers for promoting fluid absorption.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the fibers are at least partially exposed adjacent the wound end of the exudate conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the exudate conduit includes an outer sleeve for at least partially accommodating the fibrous core, the at least some of the fibers extending beyond the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer bundle of fibers is knitted, woven, or braided around the inner bundle of fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous core includes at least one additive, wherein the additive is one of an antimicrobial, an anti-septic, and a surfactant. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the fibrous core includes a concentration of the additive adjacent the wound end greater than a concentration of the additive adjacent the vacuum end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a semi-permeable material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of bridging a wound comprising the steps of:
 applying a wound dressing over a wound;   fluidly connecting an exudate conduit having a fibrous core to the wound dressing;   extending the exudate conduit into a second reservoir that incorporates a vacuum port; and   connecting the second reservoir to a vacuum source via the vacuum port thereby connecting the vacuum source with the first reservoir via the exudate conduit.   
     
     
         10 . A composite wound dressing apparatus comprising:
 a cover layer for defining a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound, the cover layer including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the reservoir;   an elongate wick having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the reservoir through the aperture in the cover layer, the second end disposed remotely with respect to the aperture in the cover layer, the elongate wick adapted for longitudinal transport of fluids therethrough;   a flexible wick cover extending over the elongate wick and having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for forming a substantially fluid tight seal over the aperture in the cover layer, the second end including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the elongate wick; and   a fluid port coupled to the wick cover and in fluid communication with the second end of the elongate wick through the aperture in the wick cover, the fluid port configured to receive a fluid conduit.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the wick cover includes indicia thereon to indicate a distance from the fluid port. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the indicia include rule marks centrally located on the wick cover. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the fluid port includes a flange coupled to an underside of the wick cover. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the elongate wick is treated with an antimicrobial agent, wherein the antimicrobial agent is polyhexamethylene biguanide. 
     
     
         15 . A composite bridge dressing and delivery apparatus comprising:
 a wick cover having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface at least partially coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive such that the wick cover may form a fluid tight seal with the skin of a patient;   an elongate wick adhered to the lower surface of the wick cover, the elongate wick configured for longitudinal transport of fluids therethrough; and   a backing layer adhered to the lower surface of the wick cover in a releasable manner such that the elongate wick is interposed between the wick cover and the backing layer.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the wick cover comprises an aperture therein through which wound fluids may be drawn.